-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, T2l9U6uRNzXnWN+qPZdckyPyZB8hnOCen05ywvZiKVnnaXN62owJjdhyvSq/RTYH C88zaFQmsMRrjdvZX1CvdQ== 0001188112-11-000198.txt : 20110204 0001188112-11-000198.hdr.sgml : 20110204 20110204120030 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001188112-11-000198 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20101231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20110204 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20110204 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ACETO CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000002034 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: WHOLESALE-CHEMICALS & ALLIED PRODUCTS [5160] IRS NUMBER: 111720520 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FISCAL YEAR END: 0630 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-04217 FILM NUMBER: 11573225 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE HOLLOW LANE CITY: LAKE SUCCESS STATE: NY ZIP: 11042 BUSINESS PHONE: 5166276000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE HOLLOW LANE CITY: LAKE SUCCESS STATE: NY ZIP: 11042 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ACETO CHEMICAL CO INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19851203 10-Q 1 t69660_10q.htm FORM 10-Q t69660_10q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2010
Commission file number 000-04217

ACETO CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York
 
11-1720520
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification
Number)
 
One Hollow Lane, Lake Success, NY 11042
(Address of principal executive offices)

(516) 627-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
www.aceto.com
(Registrant’s website address)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every interactive data file required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

  Yes o No o

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 

Large accelerated filer o                                                                                                          Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)                           Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o  No x

The registrant had 26,618,954 shares of common stock outstanding as of February 1, 2011.

 
 

 

ACETO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
     
Item 1.
Financial Statements
  3
       
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – December 31, 2010 (unaudited) and June 30, 2010
  3
       
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations – Six Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)
  4
       
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations – Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)
  5
       
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Six Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)
  6
       
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
  7 - 17
       
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
  18
       
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
  19
       
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
  30
       
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
  30
       
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
   
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
  32
       
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
  32
       
Item 6.
Exhibits
  33
       
Signatures
    34
       
Exhibits
     

 
 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements

ACETO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per-share amounts)
 
   
December 31,
 2010
   
June 30,
 2010
 
   
(unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 24,805     $ 30,850  
Investments
    446       335  
Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (December, $699; June, $1,098)
    63,663       74,674  
Other receivables
    11,512       11,004  
Inventory
    88,680       74,857  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    2,014       1,969  
Deferred income tax asset, net
    1,438       1,864  
Total current assets
    192,558       195,553  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    9,073       6,913  
Property held for sale
    3,752       3,752  
Goodwill
    33,543       1,730  
Intangible assets, net
    54,365       12,360  
Deferred income tax asset, net
    2,337       2,419  
Other assets
    10,510       9,124  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 306,138     $ 231,851  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 35,535     $ 39,970  
Short-term bank loans
    6,000       -  
Accrued expenses
    43,693       33,589  
Deferred income tax liability
    679       1,070  
Total current liabilities
    85,907       74,629  
                 
Long-term bank loans
    44,550       550  
Long-term liabilities
    15,907       9,421  
Environmental remediation liability
    7,449       7,607  
Deferred income tax liability
    46       -  
Total liabilities
    153,859       92,207  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
               
                 
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Common stock, $.01 par value, 40,000 shares authorized; 26,644 shares issued;  26,577 and 25,415 shares outstanding at December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, respectively
      266         256  
Capital in excess of par value
    61,959       53,686  
Retained earnings
    86,021       86,958  
Treasury stock, at cost, 67 and 229 shares at December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, respectively
    (650 )     (2,209 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
     4,683        953  
Total shareholders’ equity
    152,279       139,644  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 306,138     $ 231,851  
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements and accountants’ review report.

 
3

 
 
ACETO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per-share amounts)

 
   
Six Months Ended
 December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Net sales
  $ 173,343     $ 141,519  
Cost of sales
    146,933       118,923  
Gross profit
    26,410       22,596  
                 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    21,024       24,380  
Operating income (loss)
    5,386       (1,784 )
                 
Other income (expense):
               
Interest expense
    (223 )     (86 )
Interest and other income (expense), net
    1,382       (126 )
      1,159       (212 )
                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    6,545       (1,996 )
Income tax provision (benefit)
    4,917       (498 )
Net income (loss)
  $ 1,628     $ (1,498 )
                 
Net income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.06     $ (0.06 )
Diluted net income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.06     $ (0.06 )
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
               
Basic
    25,351       24,719  
Diluted
    25,554       24,719  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements and accountants’ review report.

 
4

 
 
ACETO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per-share amounts)
 
   
Three Months Ended
 December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Net sales
  $ 85,683     $ 70,910  
Cost of sales
    72,560       60,130  
Gross profit
    13,123       10,780  
                 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    11,427       14,240  
Operating income (loss)
    1,696       (3,460 )
                 
Other income (expense):
               
Interest expense
    (112 )     (35 )
Interest and other income (expense), net
    711       (134 )
      599       (169 )
                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    2,295       (3,629 )
Income tax provision (benefit)
    3,464       (1,128 )
Net loss
  $ (1,169 )   $ (2,501 )
                 
Net loss per common share
  $ (0.05 )   $ (0.10 )
Diluted net loss per common share
  $ (0.05 )   $ (0.10 )
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
               
Basic
    25,391       24,848  
Diluted
    25,391       24,848  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements and accountants’ review report.

 
5

 
 
ACETO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited and in thousands)
 
   
Six Months Ended
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Operating activities:
           
Net income (loss)
  $ 1,628     ($ 1,498 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    1,683       1,227  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    70       8  
Non-cash stock compensation
    401       690  
Non-cash inventory write-down
    -       859  
Deferred income taxes
    158       (604 )
Unrealized gain on trading securities
    (111 )     (67 )
Earnings on equity investment in joint venture
    (1,065 )     (33 )
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
               
Trade accounts receivable
    20,316       (147 )
Other receivables
    230       (2,113 )
Inventory
    (10,349 )     (15,943 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    167       (1,955 )
Other assets
    (174 )     (205 )
Accounts payable
    (5,733 )     9,165  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    (4,523 )     125  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    2,698       (10,491 )
                 
Investing activities:
               
Payment for net assets of business acquired, net of cash acquired
    (58,711 )     -  
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
    -       (460 )
Payments received on notes receivable
    500       602  
Purchases of property and equipment, net
    (1,819 )     (239 )
       Payments for intangible assets
    (749 )     (2,154 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (60,779 )     (2,251 )
                 
Financing activities:
               
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    279       1,178  
Excess tax benefit on stock option exercises and restricted stock
    102       351  
Borrowings of  bank loans
    50,000        -  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    50,381       1,529  
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    1,655       423  
                 
Net decrease in cash
    (6,045 )     (10,790 )
Cash at beginning of period
    30,850       57,761  
Cash at end of period
  $ 24,805      $ 46,971  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements and accountants’ review report.

Non-Cash Item

The Company had a non-cash item excluded from the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows during the six months ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 of $2,548 and $2,529, respectively, related to dividends declared but not paid. In connection with the acquisition of Rising Pharmaceuticals, Inc. the Company issued shares of Aceto common stock with a fair market value of $9,000, which is a non-cash item and is excluded from the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows during the six months ended December 31, 2010.
 
 
6

 
 
ACETO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per-share amounts)
 
(1)  Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements of Aceto Corporation and subsidiaries (“Aceto” or the “Company”) included herein have been prepared by the Company and reflect all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented.  Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results which may be achieved for the full year.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in those financial statements.  These judgments can be subjective and complex, and consequently actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.  The Company’s most critical accounting policies relate to revenue recognition; allowance for doubtful accounts; inventories; goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets; long-lived assets; environmental and other contingencies; income taxes; and stock-based compensation.

These condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures associated with consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  Accordingly, these statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2010.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to the current period presentation.

(2)  Business Combinations

On December 31, 2010, the Company acquired certain assets of Rising Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Rising”), a New Jersey based company that markets and distributes generic prescription and over the counter pharmaceutical products to leading wholesalers, chain drug stores, distributors, mass market merchandisers and others under its own label, throughout the United States. The Company believes that the Rising acquisition will establish another platform for its growth in the Health Sciences business by the expansion of its finished dosage form product offerings from both foreign and domestic facilities as well as complementing its core strength of sourcing active pharmaceutical ingredients. The purchase was approximately $73,317 which was comprised of the issuance of 1,000 shares o f Aceto common stock, valued at $9,000, cash payment of approximately $58,817 and approximately $5,500 liability due to Rising to satisfy bulk sales tax obligation. The purchase agreement also calls for $8,000 of deferred consideration to be paid by Aceto over a four year period. In addition, the agreement provides for the payment of additional contingent consideration equal to one-half of the three year cumulative Rising earnings before interest, taxes, deprecation and amortization in excess of $32,100, up to a maximum of $6,000. As of December 31, 2010, the Company has accrued $850 related to this contingent consideration. Any necessary future adjustments to this amount will be recorded as an income statement charge at that time.
 
 
7

 
 
ACETO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per-share amounts)
 
The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The following allocation of the purchase price is preliminary and based on information available to the Company’s management at the time the condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared. Accordingly, the allocation is subject to change and the impact of such changes could be material. The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the closing date of December 31, 2010:

Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 106  
Trade receivables
    7,729  
Inventory
    2,348  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    700  
Property and equipment, net
    682  
Goodwill
    31,739  
Intangible assets
    43,200  
Other assets
     29  
  Total assets acquired
    86,533  
         
Accounts payable
    501  
Accrued expenses
    5,115  
Long-term liabilities
    7,600  
         
Net assets acquired
  $ 73,317  
 
The fair values of the net assets acquired were determined using discounted cash flow analyses and estimates made by management with the assistance of independent valuation specialists. The purchase price was allocated to intangible assets as follows:  approximately $31,739 to goodwill, which is nonamortizable under generally accepted accounting principles and is deductible for income tax purposes; approximately $32,500 of product rights, amortizable over a period of seven to fourteen years; approximately $5,100 of license agreements, amortizable over six years; approximately $3,900 of customer relationships, amortizable over eleven years; and approximately $1,700 of trademarks, amortizable over a period of four years.  Amortization of the acquired intangible assets is deductible for income tax purposes. Goodwill acqui red was allocated to the Health Sciences Segment.

Since the acquisition occurred on the last day of the quarter ended December 31, 2010, no results of operations are included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2010. The following represents pro forma operating results as if the operations of Rising had been included in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations as of July 1, 2009:
 
   
Six months ended
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Net sales
  $ 193,725      $ 163,734  
Net income (loss)
    5,498       (1,640 )
Net income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.21     ($ 0.06 )
Diluted net income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.21     ($ 0.06 )

The pro forma financial information includes business combination accounting effects from the acquisition including amortization charges from acquired intangible assets of approximately $2,200 for both periods presented, increase in interest expense of approximately $900 for both periods presented associated with bank borrowings to fund the acquisition, reversal of acquisition related transaction costs of approximately $1,100 and tax related effects in the six months ended 2010. In addition, the Company reversed approximately $2,600 of a tax charge related to the repatriation of earnings from certain foreign subsidiaries to assist with the funding of the acquisition in the six months ended 2010. The pro forma information as presented above is for informational purposes only and is not indicative of the results of operations that would hav e been achieved if the acquisition had taken place at the beginning of fiscal 2009.
 
 
8

 
 
ACETO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per-share amounts)
 
(3)  Stock-Based Compensation

At the annual meeting of shareholders of the Company, held on December 2, 2010, the Company’s shareholders approved the Aceto Corporation 2010 Equity Participation Plan (the “Plan”).  Under the Plan, grants of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, and stock bonuses (collectively, “Stock Awards”) may be made to employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company, including the chief executive officer, chief financial officer and other named executive officers.  The maximum number of shares of common stock of the Company that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards granted under the Plan will not exceed, in the aggregate, 2,000 shares.

In December 2010, the Company granted 240 stock options to employees at an exercise price equal to the market value of the common stock on the date of grant, determined in accordance with the Plan.  These options vest over three years and have a term of ten years from the date of grant.  Compensation expense was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Total compensation expense related to stock options for the six months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $73 and $365, respectively and $26 and $187 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Included in the six months ended December 31, 2010 stock-based compensation expense for stock options was approximately $54 related to the modification of certain stock options. As of December 31, 2010, the total unrecognized compens ation cost related to option awards is $672.

In order to determine the fair value of stock options on the date of grant, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, including an estimate of forfeiture rates.  Inherent in this model are assumptions related to expected stock-price volatility, risk-free interest rate, expected life and dividend yield.  The Company uses an expected stock-price volatility assumption that is a combination of both historical volatility, calculated based on the daily closing prices of its common stock over a period equal to the expected life of the option and implied volatility, utilizing market data of actively traded options on Aceto’s common stock, which are obtained from public data sources. The Company believes that the historical volatility of the price of its common stock over the expected life of the option is a reasonab le indicator of the expected future volatility and that implied volatility takes into consideration market expectations of how future volatility might differ from historical volatility. Accordingly, the Company believes a combination of both historical and implied volatility provides the best estimate of the future volatility of the market price of its common stock. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury issues with a term equal to the expected life of the option. The Company uses historical data to estimate expected dividend yield, expected life and forfeiture rates. The fair values of the options granted were estimated based on the following weighted average assumptions:

     
December 31,
2010
 
         
 
Expected life
 
5.7 years
 
 
Expected volatility
    48.8%  
 
Risk-free interest rate
    1.95%  
 
Dividend yield
    2.58%  
 
There were no stock options granted in fiscal 2010.

In December 2010, the Company granted 62 shares of restricted common stock to its employees that vest over three years and 20 shares of restricted common stock to its non-employee directors, which vest over one year.  In addition, the Company also issued a target grant of 62 performance-vested restricted stock units, which grant could be as much as 93 if certain performance criteria are met. Performance-vested restricted stock units will cliff vest 100% at the end of the third year following grant in accordance with the performance metrics set forth in the applicable employee performance-vested restricted stock unit grant.
 
 
9

 
 
ACETO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per-share amounts)
 
In December 2009, the Company granted 51 shares of restricted common stock to its non-employee directors, which vest over one year.  In December 2008, the Company granted 97 shares of restricted common stock and 23 restricted stock units to its employees. These shares of restricted common stock and restricted stock units vest over three years.
 
For the three and six months ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of approximately $147 and $320, respectively, related to restricted common stock and restricted stock units. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of approximately $149 and $305, respectively, related to restricted common stock and restricted stock units. As of December 31, 2010, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards and units is $1,219.

The Company’s policy is to satisfy stock-based compensation awards with treasury shares, to the extent available.

(4)  Common Stock

On December 2, 2010, the Company’s board of directors declared a regular semi-annual cash dividend of $0.10 per share which was paid on January 21, 2011 to shareholders of record on December 27, 2010.  The amount paid for the cash dividend of $2,548 was included in accrued expenses at December 31, 2010.

(5)  Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

Basic income (loss) per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted income (loss) per common share includes the dilutive effect of potential common shares outstanding.  The following table sets forth the reconciliation of weighted average shares outstanding and diluted weighted average shares outstanding:

   
Six months ended
December 31,
   
Three months ended
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Weighted average shares outstanding
    25,351       24,719       25,391       24,848  
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock awards and units
      203         -       -       -  
                                 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
    25,554       24,719       25,391       24,848  

The effect of approximately 228 common equivalent shares for the three months ended December 31, 2010 were excluded from the diluted weighted average shares outstanding due to a net loss for the period. The effect of approximately 262 common equivalent shares for the three months ended December 31, 2009 were excluded from the diluted weighted average shares outstanding due to a net loss for the period. There were 1,572 and 1,830 common equivalent shares outstanding as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, that were not included in the calculation of diluted income per common share for the six months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. There were 1,631 and 1,682 common equivalent shares outstanding as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, that were not included i n the calculation of diluted income per common share for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
 
 
10

 

ACETO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per-share amounts)

 (6)  Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss) and other gains and losses affecting shareholders’ equity that, under generally accepted accounting principles are excluded from net income.  The components of comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:

   
Six months ended
 December 31,
   
Three months ended
 December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Comprehensive income (loss):
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 1,628     $ (1,498 )   $ (1,169 )   $ (2,501 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment
      3,730         989       (1,336 )     (836 )
Total
  $ 5,358     $ (509 )   $ (2,505 )   $ (3,337 )
 
The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Where the functional currency of a foreign subsidiary is its local currency, balance sheet accounts are translated at the current exchange rate on the balance sheet date and income statement items are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Exchange gains or losses resulting from the translation of financial statements of foreign operations are accumulated in other comprehensive income. Where the local currency of a foreign subsidiary is not its functional currency, financial statements are translated at either current or historical exchange rates, as appropriate. The foreign currency translation adjustment for the three and six months ended Decemb er 31, 2010 primarily relates to the fluctuation of the conversion rate of the Euro. The currency translation adjustments are not adjusted for income taxes as they relate to indefinite investments in non-US subsidiaries.

(7)  Commitments, Contingencies and Other Matters

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to various claims which have arisen in the normal course of business. The impact of the final resolution of these matters on the Company’s results of operations in a particular reporting period is not known. Management is of the opinion, however, that the ultimate outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial condition or liquidity.

In fiscal years 2011, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company received letters from the Pulvair Site Group, a group of potentially responsible parties (PRP Group) who are working with the State of Tennessee (the State) to remediate a contaminated property in Tennessee called the Pulvair site. The PRP Group has alleged that Aceto shipped hazardous substances to the site which were released into the environment. The State had begun administrative proceedings against the members of the PRP Group and Aceto with respect to the cleanup of the Pulvair site and the PRP Group has begun to undertake cleanup. The PRP Group is seeking a settlement of approximately $1,700 from the Company for its share to remediate the site contamination. Although the Company acknowledges that it shipped materials to the site for formulation over twenty years ago, the C ompany believes that the evidence does not show that the hazardous materials sent by Aceto to the site have significantly contributed to the contamination of the environment and thus believes that, at most, it is a de minimus contributor to the site contamination. Accordingly, the Company believes that the settlement offer is unreasonable. The impact of the resolution of this matter on the Company’s results of operations in a particular reporting period is not known.  However, management believes that the ultimate outcome of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or liquidity.
 
 
11

 
 
ACETO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per-share amounts)
 
The Company has environmental remediation obligations in connection with Arsynco, Inc. (Arsynco), a subsidiary formerly involved in manufacturing chemicals located in Carlstadt, New Jersey, which was closed in 1993 and is currently held for sale.  Based on continued monitoring of the contamination at the site and the approved plan of remediation, the Company received an estimate from an environmental consultant stating that the costs of remediation could be between $8,400 and $10,200. Remediation has commenced in fiscal 2010, and as of December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, a liability of $8,142 and $8,300, respectively, is included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets for this matter. In accordance with GAAP, management believes that the majority of costs incurred to remediate the site will be capitalize d in preparing the property which is currently classified as held for sale. An appraisal of the fair value of the property by a third-party appraiser supports the assumption that the expected fair value after the remediation is in excess of the amount required to be capitalized. However, these matters, if resolved in a manner different from those assumed in current estimates, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, operating results and cash flows when resolved in a future reporting period.

In connection with the environmental remediation obligation for Arsynco, in July 2009, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with BASF Corporation (BASF), the former owners of the Arsynco property. In accordance with the settlement agreement, BASF paid for a portion of the prior remediation costs and going forward, will co-remediate the property with the Company. The contract states that BASF pay $550 related to past response costs and pay a proportionate share of the future remediation costs. Accordingly, the Company had recorded a gain of $550 in fiscal 2009. This $550 gain relates to the partial reimbursement of costs of approximately $1,200 that the Company had previously expensed. The Company also recorded an additional receivable from BASF, with an offset against property held for sale, representing its estimated portion o f the future remediation costs. The balance of this receivable for future remediation costs as of December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010 is $3,664 and $3,735, respectively, which is included in the accompanying, condensed consolidated balance sheets.

In March 2006, Arsynco received notice from the EPA of its status as a PRP under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) for a site described as the Berry’s Creek Study Area. Arsynco is one of over 150 PRPs which have potential liability for the required investigation and remediation of the site. The estimate of the potential liability is not quantifiable for a number of reasons, including the difficulty in determining the extent of contamination and the length of time remediation may require. In addition, any estimate of liability must also consider the number of other PRPs and their financial strength.  Based on prior practice in similar situations, it is possible that the State may assert a claim for natural resource damages with respect to the Arsynco site itself , and either the federal government or the State (or both) may assert claims against Arsynco for natural resource damages in connection with Berry’s Creek; any such claim with respect to Berry’s Creek could also be asserted against the approximately 150 PRPs which the EPA has identified in connection with that site. Any claim for natural resource damages with respect to the Arsynco site itself may also be asserted against BASF, the former owners of the Arsynco property. Since an amount of the liability cannot be reasonably estimated at this time, no accrual is recorded for these potential future costs. The impact of the resolution of this matter on the Company’s results of operations in a particular reporting period is not known. However, management believes that the ultimate outcome of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or liquidity.
 
A subsidiary of the Company markets certain agricultural chemicals which are subject to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).  FIFRA requires that test data be provided to the EPA to register, obtain and maintain approved labels for pesticide products. The EPA requires that follow-on registrants of these products compensate the initial registrant for the cost of producing the necessary test data on a basis prescribed in the FIFRA regulations. Follow-on registrants do not themselves generate or contract for the data. However, when FIFRA requirements mandate that new test data be generated to enable all registrants to continue marketing a pesticide product, often both the initial and follow-on registrants establish a task force to jointly undertake the testing effort. The Company is presently a member of several such task force groups, which requires payments for such memberships. In addition, in connection with our crop protection business, the Company plans to acquire product registrations and related data filed with the United States Environmental Protection Agency to support such registrations and other supporting data for six products. The acquisition of these product registrations and related data filed with the United States Environmental Protection Agency as well as payments to various task force groups could approximate $5,800 through fiscal 2012, of which $2,773 and $3,500 has been accrued as of December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, respectively. In addition, the Company has recorded approximately $9,528 and $11,540 of customer advance payments, which are included in accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, respectively.

 
12

 
 
ACETO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per-share amounts)
 
On December 31, 2010, the Company entered into a new Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with two financial institutions. The Credit Agreement terminates the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated April 23, 2010. Aceto may borrow, repay and reborrow during the period ending December 31, 2015, up to but not exceeding at any one time outstanding $40,000 (the  “Revolving Loans”).  The Revolving Loans may be (i) Adjusted Libor Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement), (ii) Alternate Base Rate Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or (iii) a combination thereof. As of December 31, 2010, the Company borrowed Revolving Loans aggregating $10,550 which loans are Alternate Base Rate Loans or 3.5% at December 31, 2010.  $10,000 of such amount was utilized by the Company to partially finance payment of the purchase price for the Rising acquisition. The Credit Agreement also allows for the borrowing up to $40,000 (the “Term Loan”). The Company borrowed a Term Loan of $40,000 on December 31, 2010 to partially finance the acquisition of Rising. The Term Loan interest may be payable as an (i) Adjusted LIBOR Loan, (ii) Alternate Base Rate Loan, or (iii) a combination thereof.  As of December 31, 2010, the Term Loan is payable as an Alternate Base Rate Loan or 3.5%. Pursuant to the requirements of the Credit Agreement, within 45 days of closing of the loan transaction, the Company must deliver Hedging Agreements (as defined in the Credit Agreement) fixing the interest rate on not less than $20,000 of the Term Loan. The Term Loan is payable as to principal in twenty (20) consecutive quarterly installments, commencing March 31, 2011 and on each June 30, September 30 and December 31st thereafter, each in the amount set forth below opposite the applicable installment, provided that the final payment on the Term Loan Maturity Date (as defined in the Credit Agreement) shall be in an amount equal to the then outstanding unpaid principal amount of the Term Loan:
 
Installment
 
Amount
 
         
1 through 8
 
$
1,500
 
9 through 12
 
$
1,750
 
13 through 16
 
$
2,000
 
17 through 20
 
$
3,250
 
 
As such, the Company has classified $6,000 of the Term Loan as short-term in the condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2010. The Credit Agreement also provides that commercial letters of credit shall be issued to provide the primary payment mechanism in connection with the purchase of any materials, goods or services by the Company in the ordinary course of business. The Company had open letters of credit of approximately $748 and $58 as of December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, respectively.  The terms of these letters of credit are all less than one year.  No material loss is anticipated due to non-performance by the counterparties to these agreements.

The Credit Agreement provides for a security interest in all personal property of the Company. The Credit Agreement contains several financial covenants including maintaining a minimum level of debt service. The Company is also subject to certain restrictive debt covenants, including covenants governing liens, limitations on indebtedness, limitations on cash dividends, guarantees, sale of assets, sales of receivables, and loans and investments. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at December 31, 2010.

(8) Fair Value Measurements

GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly fashion between market participants at the measurement date. GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy for those instruments measured at fair value that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and the Company’s assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels:
 
     Level 1 –   Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
 
     Level 2 –   Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and
 
     Level 3 –   Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
 
 
13

 
 
ACETO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per-share amounts)
 
On a recurring basis, Aceto measures at fair value certain financial assets and liabilities, which consist of cash equivalents, investments and foreign currency contracts. The Company classifies cash equivalents and investments within Level 1 if quoted prices are available in active markets.  Level 1 assets include instruments valued based on quoted market prices in active markets which generally include corporate equity securities publicly traded on major exchanges.  Time deposits are short-term in nature and are accordingly valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value, and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts (futures) to minimize the risk caused by foreign currency fluctuation on its foreign currency receivables and payab les by purchasing futures with one of its financial institutions.  Futures are traded on regulated U.S. and international exchanges and represent commitments to purchase or sell a particular foreign currency at a future date and at a specific price. Aceto’s foreign currency derivative contracts are classified within Level 2 as the fair value of these hedges is primarily based on observable forward foreign exchange rates. At December 31, 2010, the Company had foreign currency contracts outstanding that had a notional amount of $39,846. Unrealized gains on hedging activities for the six months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $96 and $72, respectively, and are included in interest and other income, net, in the condensed consolidated statements of income. The contracts have varying maturities of less than one year.

As of December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, the Company had $1,213 and $456, respectively, of contingent consideration that was recorded at fair value in the Level 3 category, which related to the acquisition of Andrews Paper & Chemical, Co., Inc., which was completed during fiscal 2010 and the acquisition of Rising, which was completed in December 2010.

During the fourth quarter of each year, the Company evaluates goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment at the reporting unit level using an undiscounted cash flow model using Level 3 inputs. Additionally, on a nonrecurring basis, the Company uses fair value measures when analyzing asset impairment. Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  If it is determined such indicators are present and the review indicates that the assets will not be fully recoverable, based on undiscounted estimated cash flows over the remaining amortization periods, their carryi ng values are reduced to estimated fair value.  Measurements based on undiscounted cash flows are considered to be Level 3 inputs.  
 
 
14

 

ACETO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per-share amounts)

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities which were determined by using the following inputs at December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010:
 
    Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2010 Using  
                         
 
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 (Level 3)
   
Total
 
Cash equivalents:
                               
    Time deposits
    -     $ 862       -     $ 862  
                                 
Investments:
                               
    Trading securities
  $ 446       -       -       446  
                                 
Foreign currency contracts-assets (1)
    -       159       -       159  
                                 
Foreign currency contracts-liabilities (2)
    -       89       -       89  
                                 
Contingent consideration (3)
                  $
1,213
      1,213  
 
(1)
Included in “Other receivables” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2010.
 
(2)
Included in “Accrued expenses” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2010.
           
(3)
$295 included in “Accrued expenses” and $918 included in Long-term liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2010.
 
    Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2010 Using  
                         
 
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Other
Observable
Input (Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
   
Total
 
Cash equivalents:
                               
    Time deposits
    -     $ 539       -     $ 539  
                                 
Investments:
                               
    Trading securities
  $ 335       -       -       335  
                                 
Foreign currency contracts-assets (4)
    -       68       -       68  
                                 
Foreign currency contracts-liabilities (5)
    -       937       -       937  
                                 
Contingent consideration (6)
                  $ 456       456  
 
(4)
Included in “Other receivables” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2010.
 
(5)
Included in “Accrued expenses” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2010.
           
(6)
$388 included in “Accrued expenses” and $68 included in Long-term liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2010.
 
 
15

 
 
ACETO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per-share amounts)
 
In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements,” which provides amendments to the FASB ASC Subtopic 820-10 that require new disclosures regarding (i) transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and (ii) activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2010-06 also clarifies existing disclosures regarding (i) the level of asset and liability disaggregation and (ii) fair value measurement inputs and valuation techniques. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fisc al years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The disclosure impact of adoption of ASU 2010-06 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements is not material.

The carrying values of all financial instruments classified as a current asset or current liability are deemed to approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.  The fair values of the Company’s notes receivable and short-term and long-term bank loans were based upon current rates offered for similar financial instruments to the Company.

(9)  Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements

ASC 810-10 (SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)”) changes the consolidation model for variable interest entities (VIEs). ASC 810-10 requires companies to qualitatively assess the determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE based on whether the company (1) has the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The adoption of ASC 810-10 on July 1, 2010 did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued Topic 350 related to intangibles – goodwill and other ASC, which requires a company to consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist in performing step 2 of the impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts.  The provisions for this pronouncement are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010, with no early adoption.  The Company will adopt this pronouncement for its fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011. The adoption of this pronouncement is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued an amendment to ASC Topic 805, which requires a company to disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only in comparative financial statements.  The amendment also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures under Topic 805 to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. The disclosure provisions are effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after Decemb er 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. The Company applied the provisions of the amendment to ASC 805 on its acquisition of Rising.

(10)  Segment Information
 
The Company’s business is organized along product lines into three principal segments: Health Sciences, Specialty Chemicals and Crop Protection.
 
Health Sciences – includes APIs, pharmaceutical intermediates, nutraceuticals and finished dosage form generic drugs.
 
 
16

 
 
ACETO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per-share amounts)
 
Specialty Chemicals - includes a variety of specialty chemicals used in plastics, resins, adhesives, coatings, food, flavor additives, fragrances, cosmetics, metal finishing, electronics, air-conditioning systems and many other areas. Dye and pigment intermediates are used in the color-producing industries such as textiles, inks, paper, and coatings. Organic intermediates are used in the production of agrochemicals. In addition, Aceto is a supplier of diazos and couplers to the paper, film and electronics industries. The Company changed the name of this segment from Chemicals and Colorants to Specialty Chemicals in 2010 to more accurately reflect the scope of its business activities.
 
Crop Protection - includes herbicides, fungicides and insecticides that control weed growth as well as control the spread of insects and other microorganisms that can severely damage plant growth. The Crop Protection segment also includes a sprout inhibitor for potatoes and an herbicide for sugar cane.
 
The Company’s chief operating decision maker evaluates performance of the segments based on net sales, gross profit and income before income taxes. Unallocated corporate amounts are deemed by the Company as administrative, oversight costs, not managed by the segment managers. The Company does not allocate assets by segment because the chief operating decision maker does not review the assets by segment to assess the segments’ performance, as the assets are managed on an entity-wide basis.

Six Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:
 
     
Health
Sciences
   
Specialty
Chemicals
   
Crop
Protection
   
Unallocated
Corporate
   
Consolidated
Totals
 
 
2010
                             
 
Net sales
  $ 90,100     $ 69,200     $ 14,043     $ -     $ 173,343  
 
Gross profit
    14,798       10,156       1,456       -       26,410  
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    3,665       4,149       30       (1,299 )     6,545  
                                           
 
2009
                                       
 
Net sales
  $ 83,476     $ 51,371     $ 6,672     $ -     $ 141,519  
 
Gross profit
    13,819       7,997       780       -       22,596  
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    1,348       1,920       (1,680 )     (3,584 )     (1,996 )
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:
 
     
Health
Sciences
   
Specialty
Chemicals
   
Crop
Protection
   
Unallocated
Corporate
   
Consolidated
Totals
 
 
2010
                             
 
Net sales
  $ 45,804     $ 32,358     $ 7,521     $ -     $ 85,683  
 
Gross profit
    7,378       4,511       1,234       -       13,123  
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    1,484       1,154       781       (1,124 )     2,295  
                                           
 
2009
                                       
 
Net sales
  $ 44,136     $ 23,539     $ 3,235     $ -     $ 70,910  
 
Gross profit
    7,122       3,311       347       -       10,780  
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    638       353       (1,222 )     (3,398 )     (3,629 )
 
(11) Income Taxes
 
In connection with the Rising acquisition, the Company repatriated approximately $15,000 of cash from certain foreign subsidiaries, resulting in a tax charge of approximately $2,600 recorded during the three and six months ended December 31, 2010.   At this time, the Company does not expect any further repatriation of earnings from its foreign subsidiaries.
 
 
17

 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Aceto Corporation

We have reviewed the condensed consolidated balance sheet of Aceto Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three-month and six-month periods ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 and the related condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six-month periods ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 included in the accompanying Securities and Exchange Commission Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2010.  These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have previously audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the consolidated balance sheet of Aceto Corporation and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated September 10, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.  In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2010, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
 
/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Melville, New York
February 4, 2011
 
 
18

 

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT RELATING TO THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE
SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
 
This Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the federal securities laws.  The events described in forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report may not occur. Generally, these statements relate to our business plans or strategies, projected or anticipated benefits or other consequences of our plans or strategies, financing plans, projected or anticipated benefits from acquisitions that we may make, or projections involving anticipated revenues, earnings or other aspects of our operating results or financial position, and the outcome of any contingencies.  Any such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of management.   We intend for these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions for forward-looking statements.  0;Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” and “continue,” and their opposites and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks and other influences, many of which are beyond our control that may influence the accuracy of the statements and the projections upon which the statements are based.   Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, our ability to remain competitive with competitors, risks associated with the generic product industry, dependence on a limited number of suppliers, risks associated with healthcare reform a nd reductions in reimbursement rates, difficulty in predicting revenue stream and gross profit, industry and market changes, the effect of fluctuations in operating results on the trading price of our common stock, inventory levels, reliance on outside manufacturers, risks of incurring uninsured environmental and other industry specific liabilities, governmental approvals and regulations, risks associated with hazardous materials, potential violations of government regulations, product liability claims, reliance on Chinese suppliers, potential changes to Chinese laws and regulations, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, tax assessments, changes in tax rules, global economic risks, risk of unsuccessful acquisitions, effect of acquisitions on earnings, indemnification liabilities, terrorist activities, reliance on key executives, litigation risks, volatility of the market price of our common stock, changes to estimates, judgments and assumptions used in preparing financial statements, failure to ma intain effective internal controls, compliance with changing regulations, as well as other risks and uncertainties discussed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 and other filings.  Copies of these filings are available at www.sec.gov.

Any one or more of these uncertainties, risks and other influences could materially affect our results of operations and whether forward-looking statements made by us ultimately prove to be accurate.  Our actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether from new information, future events or otherwise.

NOTE REGARDING DOLLAR AMOUNTS

In this quarterly report, all dollar amounts are expressed in thousands, except for share prices and per-share amounts.

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to provide the readers of our financial statements with a narrative discussion about our business. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to and should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the accompanying notes.

Executive Summary

We are reporting net sales of $173,343 for the six months ended December 31, 2010, which represents a 22.5% increase from the $141,519 reported in the comparable prior period.  Gross profit for the six months ended December 31, 2010 was $26,410 and our gross margin was 15.2% as compared to gross profit of $22,596 and gross margin of 16.0% in the comparable prior period.  Our selling, general and administrative costs (SG&A) for the six months ended December 31, 2010 declined 13.8%, when compared to $24,380 we reported in the prior period.  Our net income increased to $1,628, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of ($1,498), or ($0.06) per diluted share in the prior period.
 
 
19

 
Our financial position as of December 31, 2010 remains strong, as we had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $25,251, working capital of $106,651, long-term bank loans of $44,550 and shareholders’ equity of $152,279.

Our business is separated into three principal segments:  Health Sciences, Specialty Chemicals and Crop Protection. The Health Sciences segment is our largest segment in terms of both sales and gross profits. Products that fall within this segment include active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), pharmaceutical intermediates, nutraceuticals and finished dosage form generic drugs.

We typically partner with both customers and suppliers years in advance of a drug coming off patent to provide the generic equivalent.  We believe we have a pipeline of new APIs poised to reach commercial levels over the coming years as the patents on existing drugs expire, both in the United States and in Europe. In addition, we continue to explore opportunities to provide a second-source option for existing generic drugs with approved abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs). The opportunities that we are looking for are to supply the APIs for the more mature generic drugs where pricing has stabilized following the dramatic decreases in price that these drugs experienced after coming off patent.  As is the case in the generic industry, the entrance into the market of other generic competition generally has a negativ e impact on the pricing of the affected products. By leveraging our worldwide sourcing, quality assurance and regulatory capabilities, we believe we can be an alternative lower cost, second-source provider of existing APIs to generic drug companies. On December 31, 2010, we acquired certain assets of Rising Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Rising”). We believe that the acquisition of Rising will establish another platform for our growth in our Health Sciences business by the expansion of our finished dosage form product offerings from both foreign and domestic facilities as well as complementing our core strength of sourcing active pharmaceutical ingredients.

According to an IMS Health press release on October 6, 2010, the value of the global pharmaceutical market is expected to grow 5 – 7 percent in 2011, to $880 billion, compared with a 4-5 percent pace in 2010. In 2011, the introduction and uptake of new drugs, a third of which are specialty pharmaceutical products, are poised to fulfill patients’ unmet needs and significantly alter treatment paradigms in several key therapy areas.
 
The Specialty Chemicals segment is a supplier to the many different industries that require outstanding performance from chemical raw materials and additives.  Specialty Chemicals include a variety of chemicals used in plastics, resins, adhesives, coatings, food, flavor additives, fragrances, cosmetics, metal finishing, electronics, air-conditioning systems and many other areas. Dye and pigment intermediates are used in the color-producing industries such as textiles, inks, paper, and coatings. Many of our raw materials are also used in high-tech products like high-end electronic parts (circuit boards and computer chips) and binders for specialized rocket fuels. We continue to respond to the changing needs of our customers in the color producing industry by taking our resources and knowledge downstream as a supplier of select or ganic pigments. In addition, Aceto is a leader in the supply of diazos and couplers to the paper, film and electronics industries.

According to a January 14, 2011 Federal Reserve Statistical Release, in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2010, the index for consumer durables, which impacts the Specialty Chemicals segment, contracted at an annual rate of 8.8%.

The Crop Protection segment sells herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and other agricultural chemicals to customers, primarily located in the United States and Western Europe. In the National Agricultural Statistics Services release dated June 30, 2010, the total crop acreage planted in 2010 remained relatively flat at 319 million acres.  The number of peanut acres planted in 2010 was up almost 16% from 2009 levels while sugarcane acreage was down approximately 1.1% from 2009.  We began selling Glyphosate, the largest selling herbicide for both crop and non crop use sold in the United States, in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. Our current pipeline in crop protection area consists of 2 products where we have already received EPA approval and plan to begin selling for the 2011 growing season and an additional product where we have already filed for registration with the EPA, and hope to start selling for the 2011 growing season.  In addition, we have two other products that we plan on filing for registrations with the EPA in the near future. Our plan is to continue to develop this pipeline and bring to market additional products in a similar manner.
 
 
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We believe our main business strengths are sourcing, quality assurance, regulatory support, marketing and distribution. In fiscal 2009, we developed an industrial brand for Aceto called “Enabling Quality Worldwide” and we are marketing this brand globally. With business operations in ten countries, we distribute more than 1,000 chemical compounds used either as principal raw materials or as finished products in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, color, surface coating/ink and general chemical consuming industries. We believe that we are currently one of the largest merchant buyers of pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals for export from China, purchasing from over 500 different manufacturers.

In this MD&A, we explain our general financial condition and results of operations, including the following:

factors that affect our business
our earnings and costs in the periods presented
changes in earnings and costs between periods
sources of earnings
the impact of these factors on our overall financial condition

As you read this MD&A section, refer to the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income, which present the results of our operations for the three and six months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.  We analyze and explain the differences between periods in the specific line items of the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

As disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2010, the discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In preparing these financial statements, we were required to make estimates and assumptions relating to critical accounting estimates and policies that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We regularly evaluate our estimates including those related to allowances for bad debts, inventories, goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, long-lived assets, environmental and other contingencies, income taxes and stock-based compensation. We base our estimates on various factors, including historical experience, advice from outside subject-matter experts, and various assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, which together form the basis for our making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Since June 30, 2010, there have been no significant changes to the assumptions and estimates related to those critical accounting estimates and policies.
 
 
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Six Months Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to Six Months Ended December 31, 2009

   
Net Sales by Segment
Six months ended December 31,
 
                                     
                           
Comparison 2010
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
Over/(Under) 2009
 
         
% of
         
% of
    $     %  
Segment
 
 
Net sales
   
total
   
Net sales
   
total
   
change
   
change
 
                                       
Health Sciences
  $ 90,100       52.0 %   $ 83,476       59.0 %   $ 6,624       7.9 %
Specialty Chemicals
    69,200       39.9       51,371       36.3       17,829       34.7  
Crop Protection
    14,043        8.1       6,672        4.7       7,371       110.5  
                                                 
Net sales
  $ 173,343       100.0 %   $ 141,519       100.0 %   $ 31,824       22.5 %
                                                 
   
Gross Profit by Segment
Six months ended December 31,
 
                                                 
                                   
Comparison 2010
 
    2010     2009    
Over/(Under) 2009
 
   
Gross
   
% of
   
Gross
   
% of
    $     %  
Segment
 
 
profit
   
sales
   
profit
   
sales
   
change
   
change
 
                                                 
Health Sciences
  $ 14,798       16.4 %   $ 13,819       16.6 %   $ 979       7.1 %
Specialty Chemicals
    10,156       14.7       7,997       15.6       2,159       27.0  
Crop Protection
     1,456       10.4        780       11.7       676       86.7  
                                                 
Gross profit
  $ 26,410       15.2 %   $ 22,596       16.0 %   $ 3,814       16.9 %

Net Sales

Net sales increased $31,824, or 22.5%, to $173,343 for the six months ended December 31, 2010, compared with $141,519 for the prior period.  We reported sales increases in all three of our business segments.

Health Sciences

Net sales for the Health Sciences segment increased $6,624 or 7.9% to $90,100 for the six months ended December 31, 2010, when compared to the prior period. Overall, the domestic Health Sciences group had an increase of $3,272, when compared to the prior period, which represents increases in both our domestic generics product group of $1,884 and our domestic pharmaceutical intermediates of $1,785. The increase in our domestic generics product group is due to reorders of several existing products. The increase in domestic pharmaceutical intermediates primarily relates to the increase in finished dosage form products. In addition, the Health Sciences segment saw an increase in sales from our international operations of $3,352 over the prior period, particularly in Europe.
 
 
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Specialty Chemicals

Net sales for the Specialty Chemicals segment were $69,200 for the six months ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $17,829 from net sales of $51,371 for the prior period.  Our chemical business consists of a variety of products, customers and consuming markets, most of which is affected by current economic conditions. As previously mentioned, the index for consumer durables, which impacts the Specialty Chemicals segment, expanded at an annual rate of 8.8%. Sales of our chemicals used in surface coatings increased $6,140 from the prior period, as well as sales of agricultural, dye, pigment and miscellaneous  intermediates which together increased $3,812. In addition sales of our polymer additives increased $1,346 from the prior period. These three increases represent increased demand in sectors that are affected by general economic conditions. In March 2010, we acquired certain assets of Andrews Paper & Chemical, Co., Inc., a supplier of diazos and couplers to the paper, film, and electronics industries. In the first six months of fiscal 2011, we experienced sales of these products of $1,004, where there was no comparable amount in the prior period. In addition, we experienced an increase in sales of specialty chemicals from our international operations of $3,769.

Crop Protection

Net sales for the Crop Protection segment increased to $14,043 for the six months ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $7,371, or 110.5%, from net sales of $6,672 for the prior period. The increase over the prior period is due to our introduction of glyphosate, which commenced sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. The increase in Crop Protection sales is also due in part to a rise in sales of Halosulfuron, a herbicide used to control sedge on rice, vegetables and turf and ornamental grasses and an increase in sales of Asulam, a herbicide used on sugar cane.
 
Gross Profit

Gross profit increased to $26,410 (15.2% of net sales) for the six months ended December 31, 2010, as compared to $22,596 (16.0% of net sales) for the prior period.

Health Sciences

Health Sciences’ gross profit increased to $14,798 for the six months ended December 31, 2010 when compared to the prior period of $13,819. The gross margin remained relatively consistent at 16.4%, for the six months ended December 31, 2010, when compared to the prior period of 16.6%. The increase in gross profit in the Health Sciences segment primarily relates to increased sales volume in our domestic generics product group, as well as increased sales volume from our international operations.

Specialty Chemicals

Specialty Chemicals’ gross profit of $10,156 for the six months ended December 31, 2010 was $2,159 or 27.0% higher than the prior period.  The gross margin at 14.7% for the six months ended December 31, 2010 was lower than the prior period’s gross margin of 15.6%. The increase in the gross profit is due primarily to increased gross profit of $1,782 on sales of domestic specialty chemicals. The decrease in gross margin primarily relates to a decline in margin on products sold by our international operations, due primarily to unfavorable product mix on certain specialty chemicals.

Crop Protection

Gross profit for the Crop Protection segment increased to $1,456 for the six months ended December 31, 2010, versus $780 for the prior period, an increase of $676 or 86.7%.  Gross margin for the six month period decreased to 10.4% compared to the prior period gross margin of 11.7%. The increase in the gross profit is primarily related to increased sales of Halosulfuron. The decline in gross margin percentage is primarily attributable to the commencement of significant sales of our glyphosate product in the third quarter of fiscal 2010, the gross margin on which was lower than expected due to the difficult and crowded market conditions surrounding this commodity type product. We also recorded increased amortization expense related to product registrations and related data filed with the United States Environmental Protection Agen cy as well as payments to various task force groups.
 
 
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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
SG&A decreased $3,356 or13.8%, to $21,024 for the six months ended December 31, 2010 compared to $24,380 for the prior period.  As a percentage of sales, SG&A decreased to 12.1% for the six months ended December 31, 2010 versus 17.2% for the prior period. The primary reason for the decrease in SG&A is due to approximately $2,587 of one-time costs associated with the separation of our former Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO, which were recorded in the six months ended December 31, 2009, as well as an overall decline in personnel related costs, resulting from the rationalization project we undertook in fiscal 2010. These decreases in SG&A are offset in part by $1,060 of transaction costs related to the Rising acquisition.

Operating Income (Loss)

For the six months ended December 31, 2010, operating income was $5,386 compared to a loss of ($1,784) in the prior period, an increase of $7,070.  This increase was due to the overall increase in gross profit of $3,814 and the decline in SG&A of $3,356 from the comparable prior period.

Interest and Other Income (Expense), Net

Interest and other income net was $1,382 of income for the six months ended December 31, 2010, which represents an increase of $1,508 of income over expense of ($126) in the prior period mainly due to an increase in foreign exchange gains and an increase in income related to a joint venture.

Provision for Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the six months ended December 31, 2010 was 75.1% versus a tax benefit of 24.9% for the prior period. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to an approximate $2,600 tax charge related to the repatriation of earnings from certain foreign subsidiaries, in connection with our acquisition of Rising. At this time, we do not expect any further repatriation of earnings from our foreign subsidiaries.
 
 
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Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2009

   
Net Sales by Segment
Three months ended December 31,
 
                                     
                           
Comparison 2010
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
Over/(Under) 2009
 
         
% of
         
% of
    $     %  
Segment
 
 
Net sales
   
total
   
Net sales
   
total
   
change
   
change
 
                                       
Health Sciences
  $ 45,804       53.4 %   $ 44,136       62.2 %   $ 1,668       3.8 %
Specialty Chemicals
    32,358       37.8       23,539       33.2       8,819       37.5  
Crop Protection
    7,521        8.8       3,235        4.6       4,286       132.5  
                                                 
Net sales
  $ 85,683       100.0 %   $ 70,910       100.0 %   $ 14,773       20.8 %
                                                 
   
Gross Profit by Segment
Three months ended December 31,
 
                                                 
                                   
Comparison 2010
 
    2010      2009     
Over/(Under) 2009
 
   
Gross
   
% of
   
Gross
   
% of
    $     %  
Segment
 
 
profit
   
sales
   
profit
   
sales
   
change
   
change
 
                                                 
Health Sciences
  $ 7,378       16.1 %   $ 7,122       16.1 %   $ 256       3.6 %
Specialty Chemicals
    4,511       13.9       3,311       14.1       1,200       36.2  
Crop Protection
    1,234       16.4       347       10.7       887       255.6  
                                                 
Gross profit
  $ 13,123       15.3 %   $ 10,780       15.2 %   $ 2,343       21.7 %

Net Sales

Net sales increased $14,773, or 20.8%, to $85,683 for the three months ended December 31, 2010, compared with $70,910 for the prior period.  We reported sales increases in all three of our business segments.

Health Sciences

Net sales for the Health Sciences segment increased $1,668 or 3.8% to $45,804 for the three months ended December 31, 2010, when compared to the prior period. This increase is predominantly due to the increase of $1,570 in sales from our international operations, particularly in Germany for APIs and nutraceutical products.
 
 
25

 
 
Specialty Chemicals

Net sales for the Specialty Chemicals segment were $32,358 for the three months ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $8,819 from net sales of $23,539 for the prior period.  Our chemical business is diverse in terms of products, customers and consuming markets, most of which is directly impacted by market conditions in the economy.   Sales of our chemicals used in surface coatings increased $2,431 from the prior period, as well as sales of agricultural, dye, pigment and miscellaneous intermediates which together increased $2,193. In addition sales of our polymer additives increased $899 from the prior period. These three increases represent increased demand in sectors that are affected by general economic conditions. Sales of specialty chemicals from our international operations also increased by $2,350 over the prior period.

Crop Protection

Net sales for the Crop Protection segment increased to $7,521 for the three months ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $4,286, or 132.5%, from net sales of $3,235 for the prior period.  The increase over the prior period is due to our introduction of glyphosate, which commenced sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. The increase in Crop Protection sales is also due in part to a rise in sales of Halosulfuron and an increase in sales of Asulam.
 
Gross Profit

Gross profit increased to $13,123 (15.3% of net sales) for the three months ended December 31, 2010, as compared to $10,780 (15.2% of net sales) for the prior period.

Health Sciences

Health Sciences’ gross profit increased to $7,378 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 when compared to the prior period of $7,122. The gross margin remained relatively consistent at 16.1%, for the three months ended December 31, 2010. The increase in gross profit in the Health Sciences segment primarily relates to increased sales volume in our domestic generics product group, as well as increased sales volume from our international operations.

Specialty Chemicals

Specialty Chemicals’ gross profit of $4,511 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 was $1,200 or 36.2% higher than the prior period.  The gross margin at 13.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2010 was consistent with the prior period’s gross margin of 14.1%.   The increase in the gross profit is due primarily to increased gross profit of $671 on sales of domestic specialty chemicals as well as $528 increased profit on sales of products sold by our international operations.

Crop Protection

Gross profit for the Crop Protection segment increased to $1,234 for the three months ended December 31, 2010, versus $347 for the prior period, an increase of $887 or 255.6%.  Gross margin for the quarter also increased to 16.4% compared to the prior period gross margin of 10.7%. The increase in the gross profit and gross margin is primarily related to increased sales of Halosulfuron.
 
 
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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
SG&A decreased $2,813 or 19.8%, to $11,427 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 compared to $14,240 for the prior period.  As a percentage of sales, SG&A decreased to 13.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2010 versus 20.1% for the prior period. The primary reason for the decrease in SG&A is due to approximately $2,587 of one-time costs associated with the separation of our former Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO, which were recorded in the three months ended December 31, 2009. This decrease in SG&A is offset in part by $1,060 of transaction costs related to the Rising acquisition.

Operating Income (Loss)

For the three months ended December 31, 2010, operating income was $1,696 compared to an operating loss of ($3,460) in the prior period, an increase of $5,156 or 149.0%.  This increase was due to the overall increase in gross profit of $2,343 and the decline in SG&A of $2,813 from the comparable prior period.
 
Interest and Other Income (Expense), Net
 
Interest and other income net was $711 of income for the three months ended December 31, 2010, which represents an increase of $845 of income over ($134) of expense in the prior period mainly due to an increase in income related to a joint venture.
 
Provision for Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the six months ended December 31, 2010 was 150.9% versus a tax benefit of 31.1% for the prior period. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to an approximate $2,600 tax charge related to the repatriation of earnings from certain foreign subsidiaries, in connection with our acquisition of Rising. At this time, we do not expect any further repatriation of earnings from our foreign subsidiaries.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flows

At December 31, 2010, we had $24,805 in cash and cash equivalents, of which $12,977 was outside the United States, $446 in short-term investments and $50,550 in bank loans.  Working capital was $106,651 at December 31, 2010 versus $120,924 at June 30, 2010.  The $12,977 of cash held outside of the United States is fully accessible to meet any liquidity needs of Aceto in the particular countries outside of the United States in which it operates. The majority of the cash located outside of the United States is held by our European operations and can be transferred into the United States. Although these amounts are fully accessible, transferring these amounts into the United States or any other countries could have certain tax consequences. A deferred tax liability would be recognized when we expect that we will recover u ndistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries in a taxable manner, such as through receipt of dividends or sale of the investments. A portion of our cash is held in operating accounts that are with third party financial institutions. These balances exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance limits. While we monitor daily the cash balances in our operating accounts and adjust the cash balances as appropriate, these cash balances could be impacted if the underlying financial institutions fail or are subject to other adverse conditions in the financial markets. To date, we have experienced no loss or lack of access to cash in our operating accounts.
 
 
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Our cash position at December 31, 2010 decreased $6,045 from the amount at June 30, 2010.  Operating activities for the six months ended December 31, 2010 provided cash of $2,698, for this period, as compared to cash used in operations of $10,491 for the comparable period. The $2,698 was comprised of $1,628 in net income and $1,136 derived from adjustments for non-cash items less a net $66 decrease from changes in operating assets and liabilities. The non-cash items included $1,683 in depreciation and amortization expense, $1,065 of earnings on an equity investment in a joint venture and $401 in non-cash stock compensation expense. Trade accounts receivable decreased $20,316 during the six months ended December 31, 2010, due to decreased sales during the second quarter of 2011 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2010, as well a s a decrease in days sales outstanding, from June 30, 2010.  Inventories have increased by $10,349 and accounts payable decreased by $5,733 due to related to purchases of domestic Specialty Chemicals, as a result of a ramp-up in orders for products expected to be shipped in the third quarter of fiscal 2011.  Inventories have also risen in our France subsidiary related to Health Sciences, specifically pharmaceutical intermediates, and Specialty Chemical products, as well as an increase in one of our German subsidiaries, due to certain generic products, which inventories are intended to support fiscal 2011 third and fourth quarter sales. Accrued expenses and other liabilities decreased $4,523 due to a decline in advance payments from customers and a decrease in accrued compensation as performance payments were made in September 2010 offset in part by an increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) for our foreign subsidiaries, particularly Germany. Our cash position at December 31, 2009 decreased $10,790 from the amount at June 30, 2009.  Operating activities for the six months ended December 31, 2009 used cash of $10,491, for this period, as compared to cash used in operations of $8,496 for the comparable 2008 period. The $10,491 was comprised of $1,498 in net loss and $2,113 derived from adjustments for non-cash items less a net $11,106 decrease from changes in operating assets and liabilities, including approximately $15,943 increase in inventories due primarily to purchases of Health Sciences inventories in our German operations and purchases of domestic Specialty Chemicals, as a result of a ramp-up in orders for products that were shipped in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2010.

Investing activities for the six months ended December 31, 2010 used cash of $60,779, primarily related to $58,711 payment for the net assets of Rising. In addition, $1,819 related to purchases of property and equipment and $749 for intangible assets. Investing activities for the six months ended December 31, 2009 used cash of $2,251 primarily related to purchases of noncontrolling interest, property and equipment and intangible assets, offset by payments received on notes receivable.

Financing activities for the six months ended December 31, 2010 provided cash of $50,381 primarily from $50,000 of bank loans.  Financing activities for the six months ended December 31, 2009 provided cash of $1,529 primarily due to proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

Credit Facilities

We have available credit facilities with certain foreign financial institutions.  These facilities provide us with lines of credit of $7,504, as of December 31, 2010.  We are not subject to any financial covenants under these arrangements.

On December 31, 2010, we entered into a new Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with two financial institutions. The Credit Agreement terminates the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated April 23, 2010. We may borrow, repay and reborrow during the period ending December 31, 2015, up to but not exceeding at any one time outstanding $40,000 (the  “Revolving Loans”).  The Revolving Loans may be (i) Adjusted Libor Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement), (ii) Alternate Base Rate Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or (iii) a combination thereof.  As of December 31, 2010, the Company borrowed Revolving Loans aggregating $10,550 which loans are Alternate Base Rate Loans or 3.5% at December 31, 2010.  $10,000 of such amount was utilized by us to partially fina nce payment of the purchase price for the Rising acquisition. The Credit Agreement also allows for the borrowing up to $40,000 (the “Term Loan”).  As such, we borrowed a Term Loan of $40,000 on December 31, 2010 to partially finance the acquisition of Rising. The Term Loan interest may be payable as an (i) Adjusted LIBOR Loan, (ii) Alternate Base Rate Loan, or (iii) a combination thereof.  As of December 31, 2010, the Term Loan is payable as an Alternate Base Rate Loan or 3.5%. The Credit Agreement also provides that commercial letters of credit shall be issued to provide the primary payment mechanism in connection with the purchase of any materials, goods or services by us in the ordinary course of business. At December 31, 2010, we had utilized $50,748 in bank loans and letters of credit, leaving $29,252 of this facility unused. The terms of these letters of credit are all less than one year.  No material loss is anticipated due to non-performance by the counterpar ties to these agreements.

The Credit Agreement provides for a security interest in all of our personal property.  The Credit Agreement contains several financial covenants including maintaining a minimum level of debt service. We are also subject to certain restrictive debt covenants, including covenants governing liens, limitations on indebtedness, limitations on cash dividends, guarantees, sale of assets, sales of receivables, and loans and investments. We were in compliance with all covenants at December 31, 2010.
 
 
28

 
 
Working Capital Outlook

Working capital was $106,651 at December 31, 2010 versus $120,924 at June 30, 2010.  In March 2010, we purchased a building in Port Washington, New York to be the site of our future global headquarters. It is anticipated that we will move our corporate offices into the new building on or about April 2011, when the lease at our current location in Lake Success, New York expires.  It is anticipated that the total amount expended on the new facility could approximate $7,600. In addition, we are contemplating a mortgage on the new facility, in the amount of $4,000, to free up working capital.

We continually evaluate possible acquisitions of or investments in businesses that are complementary to our own, and such transactions may require the use of cash.    In connection with our crop protection business, we plan to continue to acquire product registrations and related data filed with the United States Environmental Protection Agency as well as payments to various task force groups, which could approximate $5,800 over the next fiscal year.

In connection with Arsynco, we could pay out approximately $700 in fiscal 2011, related to the environmental remediation obligation.

We believe that our cash, other liquid assets, operating cash flows, borrowing capacity and access to the equity capital markets, taken together, provide adequate resources to fund ongoing operating expenditures and the anticipated continuation of semi-annual cash dividends for the next twelve months.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
ASC 810-10 (SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)”) changes the consolidation model for variable interest entities (VIEs). ASC 810-10 requires companies to qualitatively assess the determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE based on whether the company (1) has the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The adoption of ASC 810-10 on July 1, 2010 did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements,” which provides amendments to the FASB ASC Subtopic 820-10 that require new disclosures regarding (i) transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and (ii) activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2010-06 also clarifies existing disclosures regarding (i) the level of asset and liability disaggregation and (ii) fair value measurement inputs and valuation techniques. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fisc al years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The disclosure impact of adoption of ASU 2010-06 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements is not material.

In December 2010, the FASB issued Topic 350 related to intangibles – goodwill and other ASC, which requires a company to consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist in performing step 2 of the impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts.  The provisions for this pronouncement are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010, with no early adoption.  The Company will adopt this pronouncement for its fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011. The adoption of this pronouncement is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued an amendment to ASC Topic 805, which requires a company to disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only in comparative financial statements. The amendment also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures under Topic 805 to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings.  The disclosure provisions are effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after Decemb er 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. The Company applied the provisions of the amendment to ASC 805 on its acquisition of Rising.
 
 
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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk Sensitive Instruments

The market risk inherent in our market-risk-sensitive instruments and positions is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in investment market prices, foreign currency exchange-rates and interest rates.

Investment Market Price Risk

We had short-term investments of $446 at December 31, 2010.  Those short-term investments consisted of corporate equity securities. Corporate equity securities are recorded at fair value and have exposure to price risk.  If this risk is estimated as the potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in prices quoted by stock exchanges, the effect of that risk would be $45 as of December 31, 2010.  Actual results, however, may differ.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

In order to reduce the risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, we hedge some of our transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currencies applicable to each of our various entities.  The instruments used for hedging are short-term foreign currency contracts (futures).  The changes in market value of such contracts have a high correlation to price changes in the currency of the related hedged transactions.  At December 31, 2010, we had foreign currency contracts outstanding that had a notional amount of $39,846.  The difference between the fair market value of the foreign currency contracts and the related commitments at inception and the fair market value of the contracts and the related commitments at December 31, 2010, was not material.

We are subject to risk from changes in foreign exchange rates for our subsidiaries that use a foreign currency as their functional currency and are translated into U.S. dollars.  These changes result in cumulative translation adjustments, which are included in accumulated other comprehensive income.  On December 31, 2010, we had translation exposure to various foreign currencies, with the most significant being the Euro and the Chinese Renminbi.  The potential loss as of December 31, 2010, resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in quoted foreign currency exchange rates would amount to $5,216.  Actual results, however, may differ.

Interest rate risk

Due to our financing, investing and cash-management activities, we are subject to market risk from exposure to changes in interest rates.  We utilize a balanced mix of debt maturities along with both fixed-rate and variable-rate debt to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates.  Our financial instrument holdings were analyzed to determine their sensitivity to interest rate changes.  In this sensitivity analysis, we used the same change in interest rate for all maturities.  All other factors were held constant.  If there were an adverse change in interest rates of 10%, the expected effect on net income related to our financial instruments would be immaterial.  However, there can be no assurances that interest rates will not significantly affect our results of operations.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, with assistance from other members of our management, have reviewed the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2010 and, based on their evaluation, have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date.
 
 
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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during our fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the risk factors disclosed under Part I- in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2010 which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows.  The risks and uncertainties described in our Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2010 are not the only ones we face.  Additionally, risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flows.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

As discussed in Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report, relevant portions of which we hereby incorporate by reference, in connection with the Rising acquisition, we issued 1,000 shares of Aceto Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, pursuant to an exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”).  Rising represented that such shares were acquired for investment, not for distribution or resale to others, that such shares must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered or an exemption from registration is available, that Rising has reviewed certain information about us and that Rising is an accredited investor, among other things.  Rising agreed not to sell, assign, transfer, encumber or otherwise dispose of such shares unless a registration statement under the Act with respect thereto is in effect or we receive a written opinion of counsel that registration is not required.

 
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Item 6.
Exhibits
     
 
2.1.
Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Aceto Corporation, Sun Acquisition Corp., Rising Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ronald Gold, and David B. Rosen, dated as of December 15, 2010. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 20, 2010).
     
 
10.1
Aceto Corporation, et al $40,000,000 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, $40,000,000 Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Commitment Letter (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 20, 2010).
     
 
10.2
Credit Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2010, by and Among Aceto Corporation, Aceto Agricultural Chemicals Corporation, CDC Products Corporation, ACCI Realty Corp., Aceto Pharma Corp., Arsynco Inc., Aceto Realty LLC, Sun Acquisition Corp. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent and the Lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 5, 2011).
     
 
10.3
First Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2010, by and among Aceto Corporation, Sun Acquisition Corp., Rising Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ronald Gold and David B. Rosen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 5, 2011).
     
 
10.4
Employment Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2010, between Aceto Corporation and Albert L. Eilender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 18, 2010).
     
 
10.5
Employment Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2010, by and between Ronald Gold and Sun Acquisition Corp.
     
 
10.6
Employment Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2010, by and between David B. Rosen and Sun Acquisition Corp.
     
 
10.7
Aceto Corporation 2010 Equity Participation Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on October 13, 2010).
     
 
15.1
Letter re unaudited interim financial information
     
 
31.1
Certifications of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
 
31.2
Certifications of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
 
32.1
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
 
32.2
Certifications of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
      ACETO CORPORATION  
           
DATE 
  February 4, 2011
 
BY
/s/ Albert L. Eilender  
      Albert L. Eilender, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer  
      (Principal Executive Officer)  
           
DATE   February 4, 2011   BY /s/ Douglas Roth  
      Douglas Roth, Chief Financial Officer  
      (Principal Financial Officer)  
 
 
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EX-10.5 2 ex10-5.htm EXHIBIT 10.5 ex10-5.htm
 

Exhibit 10.5
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of December 31, 2010, by and between Ronald Gold, an individual (“Executive”), and Sun Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“the Company”), recites and provides as follows:
 
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive, and Executive desires to be employed by the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the Company and Executive agree as follows:
 
1.            EMPLOYMENT PERIOD.  The Company hereby agrees to continue to employ Executive, and Executive hereby agrees to be employed by the Company, in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on December 31, 2010 (“the Effective Date”) and ending at midnight on December 31, 2013, subject to earlier termination as hereinafter provided (the “Employment Period”).  The parties agree that this Agreement will not automatically renew by operation of law.
 
2.            TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.
 
(A)           Position and Duties.
 
(i)           During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and perform such duties and functions commensurate with such title as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (“CEO”) and the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) shall reasonably determine, which duties shall include, but not be limited to, training executives and/or other individuals designated by the CEO in all aspects of the Company’s business, and assisting the designated individuals in developing the necessary relationships with customers, clients, suppliers, agents, consultants, directors, officers, employees, and other business associates of the Company. Executive shall report exclusively to the CEO and t he Board. If the CEO is unavailable (a) for any length of time due to the CEO’s disability or illness; or (b) for one (1) month or more due to any other reason, the Board may designate an individual to whom Executive shall report. Executive shall report to the designated individual only for the period of the CEO’s unavailability.  Executive’s services shall be performed principally at the Company’s headquarters in Allendale, New Jersey or such other headquarters as may exist from time to time.  However, from time to time, Executive may also be required by his job responsibilities to travel on Company business, and Executive agrees to do so.  Executive shall not be required to relocate from the Allendale, New Jersey area without Executive’s consent. During the Employment Period, Executive shall, if he agrees and if he is elected or appointed, serve as an officer of the Company and/or any parents, subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company in existence or hereafter created or acquired without any additional compensation for such services.
 
 
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(ii)           During the Employment Period, Executive agrees to devote substantially all of his attention, energy and skills to the business and affairs of the Company.  Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be Executive’s exclusive employment during the Employment Period.  Executive may not engage, directly or indirectly, in any other business, investment, or activity that interferes with Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, is contrary to the interests of the Company or its parents, subsidiaries or affiliates, or requires any significant portion of Executive’s business time.  The foregoing notwithstanding, the parties recognize and agree that Executive may engage in personal investments , other business activities and civic, charitable or religious activities which do not conflict with the business or affairs of the Company, its parents, subsidiaries or affiliates or interfere with Executive’s performance of his duties hereunder or otherwise violate this Agreement.  During the Employment Period, Executive may not serve on the board of directors of any entity which competes with the business of Aceto Corporation, Inc. (“Aceto”), its subsidiaries or affiliates without the written approval of the Board.  Executive shall be permitted to retain any compensation received for approved service on any unaffiliated corporation’s board of directors.
 
(B)           Compensation.
 
(i)           Base Salary.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall receive a base salary (“Base Salary”), which shall be paid in equal installments on a biweekly basis or otherwise in accordance with the regular payroll practices of Aceto, at the rate of four hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($425,000.00) per annum.  This base salary may be increased annually at the discretion of the CEO and the Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of the Board of Directors of Aceto (the “Aceto Board”), but shall not be reduced.
 
(ii)          Additional Compensation.  In addition to Executive’s base salary, Executive may be granted bonuses or other additional compensation at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee, with approval by the Board of Directors of Aceto.
 
(iii)         Stock Option Plans. Executive shall have the same eligibility as that of other similarly situated executives of Aceto and its subsidiaries to participate in stock option plans of Aceto and its subsidiaries.
 
(iv)         Expenses.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to receive reimbursement or seek direct payment to vendors for all reasonable and necessary employment-related expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of his duties hereunder in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of Aceto with respect to senior executives of Aceto as in effect generally from time to time after the Effective Date.  For such purposes, Executive shall submit to the Company, not less than once in each calendar month, reports of such expenses and other disbursements in the form normally used by Aceto and receipts with r espect thereto and the Company’s obligations under this Section 2(b)(iv) shall be subject to Executive’s compliance with his obligations under this Section 2(b)(iv).
 
(v)          Vacation.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to twenty (20) days paid vacation, which may be used in accordance with the policies, programs and practices of Aceto with respect to senior executives of Aceto, which are in effect generally from time to time after the Effective Date.
 
 
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(vi)         Sick Leave.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to paid sick leave in accordance with the policies, programs and practices of Aceto with respect to senior executives of Aceto, which are in effect generally from time to time after the Effective Date.
 
(vii)        Car Allowance.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to a car allowance in accordance with Aceto’s car allowance policy, in lieu of expenses associated with the operation of his own automobile. In the alternative, in accordance with Aceto’s car allowance policy, Aceto or the Company may provide Executive with the private use of a company owned or leased vehicle (if leased, the lease cost up to the amount of the car allowance) and all expenses related to such use (including, without limitation, gas and maintenance expenses and insurance and parking) shall be borne by the Company.
 
(viii)       Other Benefits.  No later than 180 days after the Closing Date, as defined in the parties’ December 15, 2010 Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), and continuing during the remainder of the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to such health insurance as is provided generally to senior executives of Aceto, in accordance with the policies, programs and practices of Aceto which are in effect from time to time after the Effective Date. Executive shall be entitled to such other benefits as are provided generally to senior executives of Aceto, in accordance with the policies, programs and practices of Ace to which are in effect from time to time after the Effective Date.
 
(C)           Applicable Employment Policies and Practices. The Company’s employment policies and practices concerning Executive shall be the same as those of Aceto during the relevant time period.
 
3.             EARLY TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
 
(A)           Death or Disability.
 
(i)           Death. Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death during the Employment Period.
 
(ii)          Disability. In the event that Executive is disabled, as a result of mental or physical condition or illness, and as such cannot perform the material functions of his job, even with reasonable accommodation, for a total of ninety (90) consecutive days or for a total of six (6) months (whether or not such six (6) months is consecutive) during any twelve (12) consecutive month period, Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Company upon the Company’s reasonable and good faith determination that Executive is so disabled (“Disability Effective Date”).  In the event that Company intends to terminate the emp loyment of Executive because of disability, the Company shall give Executive no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of the Company’s intention to terminate Executive’s employment.  In the event that Executive denies that he is disabled from performing the material functions of his job, Executive may, within thirty (30) days of the date of notice of the Company’s intention to terminate, request that his disability be determined by an independent, licensed physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to Executive.  Executive’s acceptance of the physician shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.  Promptly following such request by Executive, the Company shall arrange for an examination of Executive and Executive shall reasonably cooperate in such examination. Executive shall remain employed under all the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement, until the physician determines in writing whether Executive is disabled from performing the material functions of his job.  In the event that the physician determines that Executive is not disabled from performing the material functions of his job, Executive shall continue with his employment under this Agreement.  In the event that the physician determines that Executive is disabled from performing the material functions of his job, Executive’s employment shall terminate upon such determination.
 
 
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(B)           Cause.  The Company may terminate Executive’s employment during the Employment Period for Cause by giving written notice to Executive.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean and be limited to (i) the conviction of Executive for committing an act of fraud, embezzlement, theft or other act constituting a felony, or the guilty or nolo contendere plea of Executive to such a felony; (ii) the Company’s good faith determination corroborated by independent evidence, or Executive’s a dmission, of Executive’s performance of any act or his failure to act, for which if he were prosecuted and convicted, would amount to a felony involving money or property of the Company or its affiliates, subsidiaries, or parents or which would constitute a felony in the jurisdiction  where the act or failure to act has occurred; (iii) material failure, neglect, or refusal by Executive properly to discharge, perform or observe any or all of Executive’s job duties (other than as a result of total or partial incapacity due to physical or mental illness), provided Executive has been given written notice of such failure, neglect or refusal, and has not cured such within thirty (30) days thereafter; or (iv) material breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants set forth in Sections 6, 7 or 8 of this Agreement, provided Executive has been given written notice of such material breach and has not cured such breach within thirty (30) days thereafter.
 
(C)           Good Reason. Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason by giving written notice to the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean a reasonable determination by Executive that, in the absence of the express written consent of Executive, any of the following has occurred:
 
(i)           the assignment to Executive of any duties inconsistent in any material respect with Executive’s position (including title and reporting requirements, authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 2(A) of this Agreement), or any other action by the Company which results in a material diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding, for this purpose, any isolated and insubstantial action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company within twenty (20) business days after receipt of written notice thereof given by Executive;
 
(ii)           the Company (a) reduces Executive’s Base Salary or (b) requires Executive to relocate from the Allendale, New Jersey area;
 
(iii)           Executive is required to report to any person other than the CEO or the Board, except as permitted by Section 2(A) of this Agreement; or
 
 
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(iv)           any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement applicable to the Company, provided the Company has been given written notice of such failure, neglect or refusal, and has not cured such within thirty (30) days thereafter, other than any isolated and insubstantial failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company within twenty (20) business days after receipt of written notice thereof given by Executive.
 
(D)           Termination For Other Reasons. (1) The Company may terminate the employment of Executive without Cause by giving written notice to Executive at least thirty (30) days prior to the Date of Termination. (2) Executive may resign from his employment without Good Reason hereunder by giving written notice to the Company at least one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the Date of Termination, provided that the Company may terminate Executive’s employment earlier than the end of such one hundred and twenty (120) day period by giving Executive thirty (30) days’ written notice of such earlier termination.
 
(E)           Notice Of Termination. Any termination shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date. The failure by Executiv e or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance shall not waive any right of Executive or the Company hereunder or preclude Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.
 
(F)           Date Of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean (i) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by Executive for Good Reason, (a)  the date of delivery of written notice, if by personal delivery or overnight carrier, (b) the next day after the date of transmission of written notice, if transmitted by facsimile or e-mail, or (c) three (3) calendar days after the date of mailing of written notice, if transmitted by first class mail; provided, however, if a cure period applies, then the Date of Termination shall mean the expiration date of said cure period if the breach is not cured; (ii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of Executive’s death or disability, the date of death, or the effective date of disability as provided herein above;  (iii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause, death, or disability (as determined pursuant to Section 3(A)(ii)), the Date of Termination shall be the 30th day following the transmission of Notice of Termination as specified in (D) of this section; or (iv) if Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive other than for Good Reason, death, or disability, the Date of Termination shall be the 90th day following the transmission of Notice of Termination or such other date as determined in accordance with Section 3(D).
 
4.             OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON EARLY TERMINATION.
 
(A)           Without Cause By The Company Or For Good Reason By Executive. If, during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate Executive’s employment without Cause or Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason, other than within two years after the occurrence of a “Change in Control” (as defined in Section 5 hereof):
 
 
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(i)           the Company shall pay to Executive, within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination, any accrued base salary, vacation pay, expense reimbursement and any other entitlements, including bonuses, accrued by Executive under Section 2(B), to the extent not previously paid (the sum of the amounts described in this subsection shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Accrued Obligations”), unless the terms of such accruals specifically provide for a different payment date that would be applicable in the event of a termination of employment.
 
(ii)           the Company shall continue to pay to Executive, in regular bi-weekly installments Executive’s Base Salary under the Agreement for the duration of the Employment Period.
 
(iii)           the Company shall continue to provide benefits to Executive at least equal to those that would have been provided to him in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies which are generally applicable to senior executives of Aceto, for the duration of the Employment Period (the “Benefit Continuation”). Executive’s rights under the Company’s benefit plans of general application shall be determined under the provisions of those plans. If Executive commences employment with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan, the medical and other benefits to be provided by the Company as described herein shall terminate.
 
(B)           Death. If Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of Executive’s death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligation to Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations (which shall be paid to Executive’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination or later if otherwise required by law).
 
(C)           Cause By The Company Or Without Good Reason. If Executive’s employment shall be terminated for Cause by the Company or Executive terminates his employment without Good Reason during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to Executive other than the obligation to pay to Executive the Accrued Obligations and the amount of any compensation previously deferred by Executive, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid, all of which shall be paid in cash within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination.
 
(D)           Disability. If Executive’s employment shall be terminated by reason of Executive’s disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligation to Executive, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations, and the timely payment or provision of the Benefit Continuation. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination. Executive shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive disability and other benefits as in effect at the Disability Effective Date with respect to similarly situated executives of Aceto and their families.  In addition, the Company shall continue to pay to Executive in regular biweekly installments, Executive’s base salary under the Agreement for a period of six (6) months following termination.
 
 
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(E)           Benefit Continuation. In the event that the Company is obligated hereunder to pay Benefit Continuation to Executive following termination of Executive’s employment, the Company may satisfy its obligation to pay the medical insurance component of the Benefit Continuation by advancing COBRA payments for the benefit of Executive or obtaining comparable benefits.
 
5.             RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL.
 
(A)           In the event that following a “Change in Control” (as defined in this Section 5) of the Company or Aceto during the Employment Period: (a) Executive is terminated without Cause within two (2) years after the occurrence of the Change of Control or (b) Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason within two (2) years after the occurrence of the Change of Control, then the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to: (i) all Accrued Obligations, and (ii)  the amount of any bonus under Section 2(B)(ii) paid to Executive for the fiscal year preceding the Change in Control.  Such payment shall be made in a lump sum payable on the date which is thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination, and the Company shall make such arrangeme nts as are necessary to ensure that the full amount of such payment is timely made.  In addition, the Company shall continue to pay to Executive, in regular bi-weekly installments Executive’s Base Salary under the Agreement for a period of two years following the Date of Termination, provided, however, that any such bi-weekly installments that qualify as a short term deferral within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) or as a payment described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), such amounts will be paid as lump sum on the date which is thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination.  The Company shall also continue to permit Executive to receive or participate at the Company’s expense in all benefits and fringe benefits available to him pursuant to Section 2 above for a period of two (2) years after the termination of his employment; provided, however:  (1) such benefits and fringe benefits shall not include wages or salary and shall only include those benefits as consistent with the applicable plan documents and policies; and (2) in no event shall the amount paid to Executive pursuant to this Section 5 exceed the maximum payment permitted by Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or then applicable law, and to the extent any “excess parachute payment,” as that phrase is defined in Section 280G(b) of the Code or then applicable law, would result from the provisions of this Section 5, then the amount Executive would otherwise receive shall be reduced so that no “excess parachute payment” is made by the Company or received by Executive.
 
(B)           A “Change in Control” of the Company shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day that any one or more of the following conditions shall have occurred:
 
(i)           any person (a “Person”), as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act (the “Act”) (other than (A) Aceto and/or its wholly owned subsidiaries; (B) any “employee stock ownership plan” (as that term is defined in Code Section 4975(e)(7)) or other employee benefit plan of the Company and any trustee or other fiduciary in such capacity holding securities under such plan; (C) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company; or (D) any other Person, who, within the one (1) year prior to the event which would otherwise be a Change in Control, was an executive officer of the Company), is or be comes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, or such lesser percentage of voting power (but not less than 15%) as determined by the Independent Directors of the Company.  For purposes hereof, the definition of “Independent Director” shall be determined under the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market;
 
 
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(ii)          during any two (2) year period the following persons shall cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board: (i) directors of the Company in office at the beginning of such period and (ii) any new director (other than a director designated by a Person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in subsections  5(B)(i) or (iii)) whose election by the Board, or whose nomination for election, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors still in office who were directors at the beginning of the two (2) year period;
 
(iii)         the consummation of a consolidation or merger of the Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or otherwise does not have control over the combined entity or pursuant to which the Company’s common stock would be converted into cash, securities, and/or other property, other than a merger of the Company in which holders of common stock immediately prior to the merger have the same proportionate ownership of voting securities of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger as they had in the common stock immediately before;
 
(iv)         any sale, lease, exchange, or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all the assets or earning power of the Company; or
 
(v)          the Company’s shareholders or the Board approve the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
 
(C)           A “Change in Control” of Aceto shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day that any one or more of the following conditions shall have occurred:
 
(i)           any person (a “Person”), as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act (the “Act”) (other than (A) any “employee stock ownership plan” (as that term is defined in Code Section 4975(e)(7)) or other employee benefit plan of Aceto and any trustee or other fiduciary in such capacity holding securities under such plan; (B) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of Aceto in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Aceto; or (C) any other Person, who, within the one (1) year prior to the event which would otherwise be a Change in Control, was an executive officer of Aceto), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 u nder the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of Aceto representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of Aceto’s then outstanding securities, or such lesser percentage of voting power (but not less than 15%) as determined by the Independent Directors of Aceto.  For purposes hereof, the definition of “Independent Director” shall be determined under the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market;
 
 
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(ii)          during any two (2) year period the following persons shall cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Aceto Board: (i) directors of Aceto in office at the beginning of such period and (ii) any new director (other than a director designated by a Person who has entered into an agreement with Aceto to effect a transaction described in subsections 5(C)(i) or (iii)) whose election by the Aceto Board, or whose nomination for election, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors still in office who were directors at the beginning of the two (2) year period;
 
(iii)         the consummation of a consolidation or merger of Aceto in which Aceto is not the continuing or surviving corporation or otherwise does not have control over the combined entity or pursuant to which Aceto’s common stock would be converted into cash, securities, and/or other property, other than a merger of Aceto in which holders of common stock immediately prior to the merger have the same proportionate ownership of voting securities of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger as they had in the common stock immediately before;
 
(iv)         any sale, lease, exchange, or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all the assets or earning power of Aceto; or
 
(v)          Aceto’s shareholders or the Aceto Board approve the liquidation or dissolution of Aceto.
 
6.             CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
 
(A)          “Confidential Information” means any information concerning or referring in any way to the business of the Company disclosed to or acquired by Executive through or as a consequence of Executive’s employment with the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information consists of information proprietary to the Company which is not generally known to the public and which in the ordinary course of business is maintained by the Company as confidential. By way of example and without limitation, Confidential Information consists of confidential or proprietary information and trade secrets of the business, including all correspondence, memoranda, files, manuals, books, lists, financial, operating or marketing records, forms, concepts, sales presentation s, marketing programs, marketing strategy, business practices, bidding information, methods of operation, production records, computer software, trade secrets, trademarks, patents, patent applications, other intellectual property rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, techniques, designs, and other technical information in any way concerning or referring to scientific, technical or mechanical aspects of the Company’s products, concepts, processes, machines, engineering, research and development. Confidential Information also includes, without limitation, information in any way concerning or referring to the Company’s production records, hiring and training methods, personnel records, investment policies, pricing and cost information, financial and other confidential and proprietary information concerning the Company’s operations and expansion plans, business and marketing plans and proposals, business methods,  forecasts and projections, operations, organizational structure, fi nances, customers, customer lists, customer leads, customer information, suppliers, supplier lists, supplier leads, supplier information, contract proposals, documents identifying past, present and future customers funding, pricing, costing, marketing, purchasing, merchandising, sales, products, product information,  employees or their compensation, data processing, software, any analyses, compilations or reports with regard to the foregoing, and all other information relating to the business, whether such information has been reduced to writing or is in electronic format (including on disc drive, magnetic tape, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs or other electronic storage devices) or otherwise and all other information whether or not designated by the Company as “confidential”. “Confidential Information” shall not include any information or material (i) which has been publicly disclosed by means other than by a breach of an agreement of confidentiality or nondisclosure or (i i) which is subsequently disclosed by any third party not in breach of an agreement of confidentiality or nondisclosure.
 
 
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(B)           Duty of Confidentiality.
 
(i)           The Company and Executive acknowledge and agree that the services of Executive are unique and extraordinary and essential to the business of the Company, especially since Executive shall have access to the Company’s customer lists, trade secrets and other privileged and confidential information essential to the Company’s business.
 
(ii)          Executive represents that he has been informed that it is the policy of the Company to maintain as secret all Confidential Information, and further acknowledges that such Confidential Information is of great value to the Company.  Executive recognizes that, by reason of his employment with the Company, he will acquire Confidential Information as aforesaid.  Executive confirms that the protection of the Company’s Confidential Information is reasonably necessary to protect the Company’s goodwill.
 
(iii)         Executive agrees that he will not, directly or indirectly, at any time during the Employment Period or thereafter divulge to any person, firm or other entity, or use, or cause or authorize any person, firm or other entity to use, any Confidential Information belonging to the Company, whether in oral, written, electronic, or permanent form, except (1) to the extent necessary to perform services on behalf of the Company, (2) if he is required to do so by (a) a court of law or arbitration panel, (b) any governmental agency or (c) any administrative or legislative body, (3) if such disclosure or use has been authorized in writing by the Board or (4) if such disclosure or use is otherwise required by law.  In the event that Executive is requested or required (by ora l question or written request for information or documents in any legal proceeding, interrogatory, subpoena, civil investigative demand, or similar legal proceeding) to disclose any Confidential Information, he will notify the Company promptly of the request or requirement so that the CEO and the Board may seek a protective order.  Upon the Company’s request and at the Company’s sole expense, Executive will use reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded to the Confidential Information and only that portion of the Confidential Information which Executive is advised in writing by the Company’s counsel is legally required to be disclosed may be disclosed.  Upon termination of this Agreement, or at the request of the Company prior to its termination, Executive shall deliver forthwith to the Company all Confidential Information in Executive’s possession or control belonging to the Company and all tangible items embodying or cont aining Confidential Information.
 
 
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(C)           Documents, Records, Etc.  All documents, records, data, electronic data, equipment and other physical property, whether or not pertaining to Confidential Information, which are furnished to Executive, directly or indirectly, by the Company or are produced by Executive in connection with Executive’s services will remain the sole property of the Company.  Executive will return to the Company forthwith all such materials and property upon the termination of this Agreement or sooner if requested by the Company.  Executive agrees that he will not, at any time, remove from the Company’s premises any dra wings, notebooks, software, data, electronic data, or other confidential information relating to the business and procedures heretofore or hereafter acquired, developed and/or used by the Company, except in connection with the fulfillment of his duties hereunder.
 
(D)           For purposes of Section 6 hereof, the term “Company” shall mean and include any and all parents, subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company, in existence from time to time.
 
7.             NON-COMPETE; NON-SOLICITATION.   For a period commencing on the Effective Date hereof and ending one (1) year after the date Executive ceases to be employed by the Company (the “Non-Competition Period”):
 
(A)           Executive will not, directly or indirectly, at any time during the Non-Competition Period, without the prior written consent of the Company, in any manner whatsoever, whether individually or as an employee, officer, principal, partner, joint venturer, shareholder, member, manager, director, agent or representative of, or lender, consultant or independent contractor to, or jointly or in conjunction with, any person or entity, or in any other capacity, other than on behalf of or for the benefit of the Company:
 
(i)             anywhere within the United States and its external possessions, or Canada, engage or participate in a business which is competitive with, directly or indirectly, the business of the Company (the “Business”), and shall not make any investments in, or loans to, any such competitive entity, except that the foregoing shall not restrict Executive from acquiring up to five percent (5%) of the outstanding voting stock of any entity whose securities are listed on a nationally recognized stock exchange.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 7(A)(i) shall not be deemed violated solely by virtue of the Executive’s ownership interest in Mirror Pharmaceuticals LLC (“Mirror”), provided that: (i) the Executive’s ownership interest in Mirror never exceeds the percentage interest existing on the date hereof (and, for avoidance of doubt, shall never be a Controlling interest), (ii) the Executive is never actively engaged in the day-to-day operations of Mirror, and (iii) Mirror is never engaged in any business other than the (x) development, (y) manufacture or (z) distribution of self-manufactured finished dosage form products;
 
(ii)            cause or seek to persuade any Business Associate to discontinue or materially modify its relationship with the Company or cause or seek to persuade any prospective Business Associate to determine not to enter into a business relationship, or to materially modify its contemplated business relationship, with the Company.  For purposes of this section, (a) the term “Business Associate” shall mean a customer, client, or supplier who has done business with the Company within two (2) years preceding the date of this Agreement and (b) the term “prospective Business Associate” shall mean a Business Associate who was solicited t o become a Business Associate by the Company (other than solely through a mass mailing or similar communication) during the two (2) years preceding the date of this Agreement;
 
 
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(iii)           other than on behalf of the Company, hire or retain, directly or indirectly, any director, officer, employee, or independent contractor (who, either individually or as another form of legal entity, is performing services for Seller that would customarily be performed by an employee) to, the Company (collectively, “Personnel”); provided, however, that (a) this Section 7(A)(iii) shall not prohibit Executive from hiring or retain ing any such Personnel after such Personnel has been terminated by the Company, if such Personnel did not have any communications with Executive prior to such termination regarding the prospect of an employment or business relationship with Executive, and (b) this Section 7(A)(iii) shall not prohibit Executive from conducting any general solicitation of personnel, or hiring any Personnel who voluntarily applies for hire as a result of a general solicitation to the public without having been initially personally recruited  by Executive;
 
(iv)           solicit or cause or authorize the solicitation of, or accept, any business which is competitive with the Business from any Business Associate or prospective Business Associate, for or on behalf of Executive or any third party; or
 
(v)            solicit or cause or authorize the solicitation of the entry into, or enter into, a business relationship which is competitive with the Business with any Business Associate or prospective Business Associate, for or on behalf of Executive or any third party.
 
(vi)           market, distribute or sell or participate in research and development with respect to any product set forth on Schedule A of the Restrictive Covenant Agreement entered into by the parties on December 31, 2010 (“Restrictive Covenant Agreement”), that is, during the Restricted Period, (a) on Purchaser’s product list, (b) on Purchaser’s product development list or (c) about which an affirmative decision by Purchaser to develop such product has been made and for which there have been demonstrable steps taken by Purchaser towards such development which are evidenced by a written record.  Schedule A of the Restrictive Covenant Agreement shall be updated, by mutual agreement of the parties (which agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld), (i) on each of the first four (4) anniversaries of the date hereof and (ii) as of the date, if any, Executive ceases to be employed by Purchaser or any of its affiliates.
 
(C)           For purposes of Section 7 hereof, the term “Company” shall mean and include any and all parents, subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company, in existence from time to time.
 
(D)           Scope. If a court shall hold that the duration, scope, area or other restrictions stated herein are unreasonable, the parties agree that the maximum duration, scope, area or other restrictions reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the duration, scope, area or other restrictions set forth herein.
 
(E)           Independent AgreementThe covenants made in this Section 7 shall be construed as an agreement independent of any other provisions of this Agreement, and shall survive the termination of this Agreement.  Moreover, the existence of any claim or cause of action of Executive against the Company or any of its affiliates, whether or not predicated upon the terms of this Agreement, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement of these covenants.
 
(F)           Non-Payment.  The material failure of the Company to make any payments due to Executive under this Agreement shall not be a defense to the enforceability of this Section 7 and shall not bar the Company from enforcing the provisions of this Section 7 against Executive until such time as all sums lawfully due to Executive under this Agreement are paid to Executive.
 
 
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8.             ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS.
 
(A)           Executive has disclosed and shall continue to make full and prompt disclosure to the Company of any and all designs, intellectual property, software, inventions, discoveries, or improvements (individually and collectively, “Inventions”) made by Executive as a result or product of his employment relationship with the Company.  Executive hereby assigns to the Company, without additional compensation, the entire worldwide right, title and interest in and to such Inventions, and related intellectual property rights and without limitation all copyrights, copyright renewals or reversions, trademarks, trade names, trade dress rights, industrial design, industrial model, inventions, priority rights, patent rights, patent applications, patents, design pa tents and any other rights or protections in connection therewith or related thereto, for exploitation in any form or medium, of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether now known or hereafter devised.  To the extent that any work created by Executive can be a work for hire pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law, the parties deem such work a work for hire and Executive should be considered the author thereof.  Executive shall, at the request of the Company, at the Company’s cost but without additional compensation, from time to time execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company such instruments and documents as the Company may require to perfect, transfer and vest in the Company the entire right, title and interest in and to such inventions and other property.  In the event that Executive does not timely perform such obligations, Executive hereby makes the Company and its officers his attorney-in-fact and gives them the power of attorney to perform such obligations and to execute such documents on Executive’s behalf.  Executive shall reasonably cooperate with the Company upon the Company’s request and at the Company’s cost, but without additional compensation, in the preparation and prosecution of patent, trademark, industrial design and model, and copyright applications worldwide for protection of rights to any Inventions.
 
(B)           For purposes of Section 8 hereof, the term “Company” shall mean and include any and all parents, subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company, in existence from time to time.
 
9.             INJUNCTIVE RELIEF; REMEDIES.
 
(A)           Executive acknowledges and agrees that, in the event he shall violate or threaten to violate any of the restrictions of Sections 6, 7 or 8 hereof, the Company will be without an adequate remedy at law and will therefore be entitled to enforce such restrictions by temporary or permanent injunctive or mandatory relief in any court of competent jurisdiction without the necessity of proving damages.
 
(B)           Executive and the Company further agree that the prevailing party in any action or proceeding in which either party to this Agreement seeks to enforce their rights under Sections 6, 7 and/or 8 hereof shall have the right to seek attorneys’ fees.
 
 
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(C)           Each of the rights and remedies enumerated above shall be independent of the other, and shall be severally enforceable, and all of such rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the parties hereto under law or in equity.
 
(D)           The parties hereto intend to and hereby confer jurisdiction to grant injunctive relief in aid of arbitration or to enforce the covenants contained in Sections 6, 7 and/or 8 upon the courts of any jurisdiction within the geographical scope of such covenants (a “Jurisdiction”).  In the event  that the courts of any one or more of such Jurisdictions shall hold such covenants unenforceable by reason of the breadth of their scope or otherwise, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such determination not bar or in any way affect the Company’s rights to the relief provided above in the courts of any other Jurisdiction or at arbitration, as to breaches of such covenants in such other respective Jurisdictions, the above covenants as they relate to each Jurisdiction being, for this purpose, severable into diverse and independent covenants.
 
(E)           The provisions of Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement shall survive its earlier expiration or termination for any reason.
 
10.           INDEMNIFICATION.  The Company shall indemnify Executive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, for any and all liabilities to which he may be subject as a result of, in connection with or arising out of his employment by the Company hereunder, as well as the costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) of any legal action brought or threatened to be brought against him or the Company as a result of, in connection with or arising out of such employment, except that such indemnification shall not apply in the case of acts or omissions of Executive which (1) constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct relati ng to the obligations of Executive under this Agreement, or (2) exceeded his authority under this Agreement.  Executive shall be entitled to the same protection of any executive employees under any insurance coverage which the Company may elect to maintain for the benefit of its executive employees.  This Section 10 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and Executive’s employment for any reason.
 
11.           ARBITRATION. No dispute between the Company (or any of its officers, directors, employees, subsidiaries or affiliates) and Executive, which is in any way related to the employment of Executive (including but not limited to claims of wrongful termination; racial, sexual, age, national origin, religion, disability, retaliation or other discrimination or harassment; defamation; and other employment-related claims and allegations) shall be the subject of a lawsuit filed in state or federal court, except as where applicable law prohibits agreement to arbitrate the particular dispute.  Instead, any such dispute shall be submitted to bind ing arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) or any other individual or organization on which the parties agree in writing.  Notwithstanding the above, either the Company or Executive may file with an appropriate state or federal court a claim for injunctive relief in any case where the filing party seeks provisional injunctive relief or where permanent injunctive relief is not available in arbitration.  The filing of a claim for injunctive relief in state or federal court shall not allow either party to raise any other claim outside of arbitration. It is understood that both sides are hereby waiving the right to a jury trial.
 
 
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The arbitration shall be initiated in New York County, New York, or such other venue as the parties may agree, and shall be administered by AAA under its Employment Arbitration Rules before a single arbitrator mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto.  If the parties cannot agree on a single arbitrator, then an arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the rules of AAA.  The arbitration must be filed within three (3) years of the act or omission which gives rise to the claim.  Each party shall be entitled to take three depositions, engage in document discovery, propound interrogatory requests and to take any other discovery as is permitted by the Arbitrator. In determining the extent of discovery, the Arbitrator shall exercise discretion.
 
The Arbitrator shall render an award which conforms to the facts, as supported by competent evidence (except that the Arbitrator may accept written declarations under penalty of perjury, in addition to live testimony), and the law as it would be applied by a court sitting in the State of New York or such other jurisdiction as the parties may agree.  The cost of arbitration shall be borne equally by the parties; however, the Arbitrator shall have the power, in his discretion, to award some or all of the costs of arbitration and reasonable attorneys’ fees to the prevailing party.  Any party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for entry of judgment on the arbitration award.
 
12.           NO CONFLICTING OBLIGATIONS OF EXECUTIVE. Executive represents and warrants that he has no rights or obligations under any prior agreement with any previous employer or other person or entity which conflict with the interests of the Company or with the performance of Executive’s duties and obligations under this Agreement.  Executive agrees to notify the Company promptly if any such conflicts occur in the future.
 
13.           SUCCESSORS.
 
(A)           This Agreement is personal to Executive and shall not be assignable by Executive, provided that if Executive shall die, all amounts payable to Executive hereunder shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executive’s estate.
 
(B)           This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns.  The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor or affiliated entity, subsidiary, or parent company.
 
14.           MISCELLANEOUS.
 
(A)           This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to the principles of conflict of laws.
 
(B)           As used in this Agreement, the word “including” and its variants shall mean “including without limitation,” the masculine gender shall include the feminine and the neuter, and the singular number shall include the plural, and vice versa.
 
(C)           This Agreement contains the full and complete understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, pertaining to the subject matter of this Agreement except that this Agreement does not supersede the Restrictive Covenant Agreement.
 
 
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(D)           This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by written agreement executed by Executive and by a representative of the Company duly authorized by the Board or the Compensation Committee.
 
(E)           All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by facsimile, or by e-mail, or by hand delivery to such address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith.  Notice may be given to the Company or Executive as follows:
 
Executive:
 
Ronald Gold
3 Pearl Court
Suites A/B
Allendale, NJ 07401
and
Ronald Gold   
604 Nottingham Court
Norwood, NJ 07648
Facsimile: (201) 961-1234
E-Mail: rgold@risingpharma.com
 
Notice to the Executive also must
be given to:
 
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel
LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York  10036
Attention:  Steven M. Goldman
Facsimile: (212) 715-8053
E-mail: sgoldman@kramerlevin.com
 
The Company:
 
Albert L. Eilender
Aceto Corporation
4 Tri Harbor Court
Port Washington, NY 11050
Facsimile: (516) 627-6093
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notice to the Company also must be given to:
 
 
Steven, J. Kuperschmid, Esq.
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP
90 Merrick Avenue
East Meadow, NY 11554
Facsimile: 516 296 7111
E-mail: skuperschmid@certilmanbalin.com
 
and
 
Kristin M. Burke, Esq.
Clifton Budd & DeMaria, LLP
420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 420
New York, New York 10170
Facsimile: 212 687 3285
E-mail: kmburke@cbdm.com
 
(F)           The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
 
 
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(G)           The Company shall make all legally required deductions from amounts payable under this Agreement.
 
(H)           The failure of either party to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement, or the failure to assert any right either party may have hereunder, shall not be deemed a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
 
15.           SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE.
 
(A)           The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “Code Section 409A”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. By way of example, any reference to “termination” or “termination of employment” under this Agreement, to the extent it creates the right to receive deferred compensation as defined under Code Section 409A, shall be interpreted and applied in the manner to comply with the definition of “separation from service” as provided under Code Section 409A.  Similarly, to the extent the term “disa bility” is applied under this agreement to create the right to receive deferred compensation as defined under Code Section 409A, such term will be interpreted and applied in the manner to comply with the definition of such term under Code Section 409A.  If Executive notifies the Company (with specificity as to the reason therefore) that Executive believes that any provision of this Agreement (or of any award of compensation, including equity compensation or benefits) would cause Executive to incur any additional tax or interest under Code Section 409A and the Company concurs with such belief or the Company (without any obligation whatsoever to do so) independently makes such determination, the Company shall, after consulting with Executive, reform such provision to try to comply with Code Section 409A through good faith modifications to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to conform with Code Section 409A. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Code Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Executive and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A.
 
(B)           Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is deemed on the date of termination to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment or the provision of any benefit that is required to be delayed in compliance with Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B), such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided (subject to the last sentence of this Section 15(B)) prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of Executive’s “separation from service” (as such term is defined under Code Section 409A), and (ii) the date of Executive’s death (the “Delay Period”). Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 15(B) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to Executive in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the foregoing applies to the provision of any ongoing welfare benefits to Executive that would not be required to be delayed if the premiums therefore were paid by Executive, Executive shall pay the full cost of the premiums for such welfare benefits during the Delay Period and the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to the amount of such premiums paid by Executive during the Delay Period promptly after its conclusion.
 
 
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(C)           The right to reimbursement or to any in-kind benefit pursuant to this Agreement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.  Each payment made under this Agreement shall be designated as a “separate payment” within the meaning of Section 409A.
 
(D)           In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on Executive by Code Section 409A or any damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.
 
16.           HEADINGS.  The headings or captions under sections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and do not in any way modify, interpret or construe the intent of the parties or affect any of the provisions of this Agreement.
 
17.           COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
 
18.           FACSIMILE SIGNATURES.  Signatures hereon which are transmitted via facsimile or pdf file shall be deemed original signatures.
 
19.           WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY EACH HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS OR HIS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN THE PARTIES RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RELATIONSHIPS THEREBY ESTABLISHED.
 
The scope of this waiver is intended to be all encompassing of any and all disputes, if any, that may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of this Agreement, including contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims, and all other statutory and common law claims. THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.  In the event of litigation, this provision may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.
 
This Section 19 does not limit, abridge, modify or waive the obligations under Section 11 (the Arbitration provision) or affect rights otherwise provided under applicable law.
 
 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive has hereunto set Executive’s hand and, pursuant to the authorization from the Board, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.
 
SUN ACQUISITION CORP.
    EXECUTIVE  
 a Delaware Corporation        
           
By: 
/s/ ALBERT L. EILENDER 
   
/s/ RONALD GOLD 
 
 
ALBERT L. EILENDER 
   
RONALD GOLD 
 
 
 
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EX-10.6 3 ex10-6.htm EXHIBIT 10.6 ex10-6.htm

Exhibit 10.6

 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of December 31, 2010, by and between David B. Rosen, an individual (“Executive”), and Sun Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“the Company”), recites and provides as follows:
 
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive, and Executive desires to be employed by the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the Company and Executive agree as follows:
 
1.            EMPLOYMENT PERIOD.  The Company hereby agrees to continue to employ Executive, and Executive hereby agrees to be employed by the Company, in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on December 31, 2010 (“the Effective Date”) and ending at midnight on December 31, 2013, subject to earlier termination as hereinafter provided (the “Employment Period”).  The parties agree that this Agreement will not automatically renew by operation of law.
 
2.             TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.
 
                                (A)          Position and Duties.
 
(i)           During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as the Senior Vice President of Business Development of the Company and perform such duties and functions commensurate with such title as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (“CEO”) and the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) shall reasonably determine, which duties shall include, but not be limited to, training executives and/or other individuals designated by the CEO in all aspects of the Company’s business, and assisting the designated individuals in developing the necessary relationships with customers, clients, suppliers, agents, consultants, directors, officers, employees, and other business associates of the Company. Executive shall report exclusively to the P resident and Chief Operating Officer (“President”). If the President is unavailable (a) for any length of time due to the President’s disability or illness; or (b) for one (1) month or more due to any other reason, the Board may designate an individual to whom Executive shall report. Executive shall report to the designated individual only for the period of the President’s unavailability.  Executive’s services shall be performed principally at the Company’s headquarters in Allendale, New Jersey or such other headquarters as may exist from time to time.  However, from time to time, Executive may also be required by his job responsibilities to travel on Company business, and Executive agrees to do so.  Executive shall not be required to relocate from the Allendale, New Jersey area without Executive’s consent. During the Employment Period, Executive shall, if he agrees and if he is elected or appointed, serve as an officer of the Company an d/or any parents, subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company in existence or hereafter created or acquired without any additional compensation for such services.
 
 
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(ii)           During the Employment Period, Executive agrees to devote substantially all of his attention, energy and skills to the business and affairs of the Company.  Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be Executive’s exclusive employment during the Employment Period.  Executive may not engage, directly or indirectly, in any other business, investment, or activity that interferes with Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, is contrary to the interests of the Company or its parents, subsidiaries or affiliates, or requires any significant portion of Executive’s business time.  The foregoing notwithstanding, the parties recognize and agree that Executive may engage in personal investments , other business activities and civic, charitable or religious activities which do not conflict with the business or affairs of the Company, its parents, subsidiaries or affiliates or interfere with Executive’s performance of his duties hereunder or otherwise violate this Agreement.  During the Employment Period, Executive may not serve on the board of directors of any entity which competes with the business of Aceto Corporation, Inc. (“Aceto”), its subsidiaries or affiliates without the written approval of the Board.  Executive shall be permitted to retain any compensation received for approved service on any unaffiliated corporation’s board of directors.
 
(B)           Compensation.
 
(i)           Base Salary.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall receive a base salary (“Base Salary”), which shall be paid in equal installments on a biweekly basis or otherwise in accordance with the regular payroll practices of Aceto, at the rate of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) per annum.  This base salary may be increased annually at the discretion of the CEO and the Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of the Board of Directors of Aceto (the “Aceto Board”), but shall not be reduced.
 
(ii)          Additional Compensation.  In addition to Executive’s base salary, Executive may be granted bonuses or other additional compensation at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee, with approval by the Board of Directors of Aceto.
 
(iii)         Stock Option Plans. Executive shall have the same eligibility as that of other similarly situated executives of Aceto and its subsidiaries to participate in stock option plans of Aceto and its subsidiaries.
 
(iv)         Expenses.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to receive reimbursement or seek direct payment to vendors for all reasonable and necessary employment-related expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of his duties hereunder in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of Aceto with respect to senior executives of Aceto as in effect generally from time to time after the Effective Date.  For such purposes, Executive shall submit to the Company, not less than once in each calendar month, reports of such expenses and other disbursements in the form normally used by Aceto and receipts with respec t thereto and the Company’s obligations under this Section 2(b)(iv) shall be subject to Executive’s compliance with his obligations under this Section 2(b)(iv).
 
(v)          Vacation.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to twenty (20) days paid vacation, which may be used in accordance with the policies, programs and practices of Aceto with respect to senior executives of Aceto, which are in effect generally from time to time after the Effective Date.
 
 
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(vi)         Sick Leave.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to paid sick leave in accordance with the policies, programs and practices of Aceto with respect to senior executives of Aceto, which are in effect generally from time to time after the Effective Date.
 
(vii)        Car Allowance.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to a car allowance in accordance with Aceto’s car allowance policy, in lieu of expenses associated with the operation of his own automobile. In the alternative, in accordance with Aceto’s car allowance policy, Aceto or the Company may provide Executive with the private use of a company owned or leased vehicle (if leased, the lease cost up to the amount of the car allowance) and all expenses related to such use (including, without limitation, gas and maintenance expenses and insurance and parking) shall be borne by the Company.
 
(viii)       Other Benefits.  No later than 180 days after the Closing Date, as defined in the parties’ December 15, 2010 Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), and continuing during the remainder of the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to such health insurance as is provided generally to senior executives of Aceto, in accordance with the policies, programs and practices of Aceto which are in effect from time to time after the Effective Date.  Executive shall be entitled to such other benefits as are provided generally to senior executives of Aceto, in accordance with the policies, programs and pract ices of Aceto which are in effect from time to time after the Effective Date.
 
(C)           Applicable Employment Policies and Practices. The Company’s employment policies and practices concerning Executive shall be the same as those of Aceto during the relevant time period.
 
3.             EARLY TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
 
                                (A)          Death or Disability.
 
(i)           Death. Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death during the Employment Period.
 
(ii)          Disability. In the event that Executive is disabled, as a result of mental or physical condition or illness, and as such cannot perform the material functions of his job, even with reasonable accommodation, for a total of ninety (90) consecutive days or for a total of six (6) months (whether or not such six (6) months is consecutive) during any twelve (12) consecutive month period, Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Company upon the Company’s reasonable and good faith determination that Executive is so disabled (“Disability Effective Date”).  In the event that Company intends to terminate the emp loyment of Executive because of disability, the Company shall give Executive no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of the Company’s intention to terminate Executive’s employment.  In the event that Executive denies that he is disabled from performing the material functions of his job, Executive may, within thirty (30) days of the date of notice of the Company’s intention to terminate, request that his disability be determined by an independent, licensed physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to Executive.  Executive’s acceptance of the physician shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.  Promptly following such request by Executive, the Company shall arrange for an examination of Executive and Executive shall reasonably cooperate in such examination. Executive shall remain employed under all the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement, until the physician determines in writing whether Executive is disabled from performing the material functions of his job.  In the event that the physician determines that Executive is not disabled from performing the material functions of his job, Executive shall continue with his employment under this Agreement.  In the event that the physician determines that Executive is disabled from performing the material functions of his job, Executive’s employment shall terminate upon such determination.
 
 
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(B)           Cause.  The Company may terminate Executive’s employment during the Employment Period for Cause by giving written notice to Executive.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean and be limited to (i) the conviction of Executive for committing an act of fraud, embezzlement, theft or other act constituting a felony, or the guilty or nolo contendere plea of Executive to such a felony; (ii) the Company’s good faith determination corroborated by independent evidence, or Executive’s a dmission, of Executive’s performance of any act or his failure to act, for which if he were prosecuted and convicted, would amount to a felony involving money or property of the Company or its affiliates, subsidiaries, or parents or which would constitute a felony in the jurisdiction  where the act or failure to act has occurred; (iii) material failure, neglect, or refusal by Executive properly to discharge, perform or observe any or all of Executive’s job duties (other than as a result of total or partial incapacity due to physical or mental illness), provided Executive has been given written notice of such failure, neglect or refusal, and has not cured such within thirty (30) days thereafter; or (iv) material breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants set forth in Sections 6, 7 or 8 of this Agreement, provided Executive has been given written notice of such material breach and has not cured such breach within thirty (30) days thereafter.
 
(C)           Good Reason. Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason by giving written notice to the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean a reasonable determination by Executive that, in the absence of the express written consent of Executive, any of the following has occurred:
 
(i)           the assignment to Executive of any duties inconsistent in any material respect with Executive’s position (including title and reporting requirements, authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 2(A) of this Agreement), or any other action by the Company which results in a material diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding, for this purpose, any isolated and insubstantial action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company within twenty (20) business days after receipt of written notice thereof given by Executive;
 
(ii)          the Company (a) reduces Executive’s Base Salary or (b) requires Executive to relocate from the Allendale, New Jersey area;
 
(iii)         Executive is required to report to any person other than the President, except as permitted by Section 2(A) of this Agreement; or
 
(iv)        any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement applicable to the Company, provided the Company has been given written notice of such failure, neglect or refusal, and has not cured such within thirty (30) days thereafter, other than any isolated and insubstantial failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company within twenty (20) business days after receipt of written notice thereof given by Executive.
 
 
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(D)           Termination For Other Reasons. (1) The Company may terminate the employment of Executive without Cause by giving written notice to Executive at least thirty (30) days prior to the Date of Termination. (2) Executive may resign from his employment without Good Reason hereunder by giving written notice to the Company at least one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the Date of Termination, provided that the Company may terminate Executive’s employment earlier than the end of such one hundred and twenty (120) day period by giving Executive thirty (30) days’ written notice of such earlier termination.
 
(E)           Notice Of Termination. Any termination shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date. The failure by Executiv e or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance shall not waive any right of Executive or the Company hereunder or preclude Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.
 
(F)           Date Of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean (i) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by Executive for Good Reason, (a)  the date of delivery of written notice, if by personal delivery or overnight carrier, (b) the next day after the date of transmission of written notice, if transmitted by facsimile or e-mail, or (c) three (3) calendar days after the date of mailing of written notice, if transmitted by first class mail; provided, however, if a cure period applies, then the Date of Termination shall mean the expiration date of said cure period if the breach is not cured; (ii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of Executive’s death or disability, the date of death, or the effective date of disability as provided herein above;  (iii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause, death, or disability (as determined pursuant to Section 3(A)(ii)), the Date of Termination shall be the 30th day following the transmission of Notice of Termination as specified in (D) of this section; or (iv) if Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive other than for Good Reason, death, or disability, the Date of Termination shall be the 90th day following the transmission of Notice of Termination or such other date as determined in accordance with Section 3(D).
 
4.            OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON EARLY TERMINATION.
 
                               (A)           Without Cause By The Company Or For Good Reason By Executive. If, during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate Executive’s employment without Cause or Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason, other than within two years after the occurrence of a “Change in Control” (as defined in Section 5 hereof):
 
 
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(i)           the Company shall pay to Executive, within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination, any accrued base salary, vacation pay, expense reimbursement and any other entitlements, including bonuses, accrued by Executive under Section 2(B), to the extent not previously paid (the sum of the amounts described in this subsection shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Accrued Obligations”), unless the terms of such accruals specifically provide for a different payment date that would be applicable in the event of a termination of employment.
 
(ii)          the Company shall continue to pay to Executive, in regular bi-weekly installments Executive’s Base Salary under the Agreement for the duration of the Employment Period.
 
(iii)         the Company shall continue to provide benefits to Executive at least equal to those that would have been provided to him in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies which are generally applicable to senior executives of Aceto, for the duration of the Employment Period (the “Benefit Continuation”). Executive’s rights under the Company’s benefit plans of general application shall be determined under the provisions of those plans. If Executive commences employment with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan, the medical and other benefits to be provided by the Company as described herein shall terminate.
 
(B)           Death. If Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of Executive’s death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligation to Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations (which shall be paid to Executive’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination or later if otherwise required by law).
 
(C)           Cause By The Company Or Without Good Reason. If Executive’s employment shall be terminated for Cause by the Company or Executive terminates his employment without Good Reason during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to Executive other than the obligation to pay to Executive the Accrued Obligations and the amount of any compensation previously deferred by Executive, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid, all of which shall be paid in cash within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination.
 
(D)           Disability. If Executive’s employment shall be terminated by reason of Executive’s disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligation to Executive, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations, and the timely payment or provision of the Benefit Continuation. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination. Executive shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive disability and other benefits as in effect at the Disability Effective Date with respect to similarly situated executives of Aceto and their families.  In addition, the Company shall continue to pay to Executive in regular biweekly installments, Executive’s base salary under the Agreement for a period of six (6) months following termination.
 
 
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(E)           Benefit Continuation. In the event that the Company is obligated hereunder to pay Benefit Continuation to Executive following termination of Executive’s employment, the Company may satisfy its obligation to pay the medical insurance component of the Benefit Continuation by advancing COBRA payments for the benefit of Executive or obtaining comparable benefits.
 
5.             RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL.
 
(A)           In the event that following a “Change in Control” (as defined in this Section 5) of the Company or Aceto during the Employment Period: (a) Executive is terminated without Cause within two (2) years after the occurrence of the Change of Control or (b) Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason within two (2) years after the occurrence of the Change of Control, then the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to: (i) all Accrued Obligations, and (ii)  the amount of any bonus under Section 2(B)(ii) paid to Executive for the fiscal year preceding the Change in Control.  Such payment shall be made in a lump sum payable on the date which is thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination, and the Company shall make such arrangeme nts as are necessary to ensure that the full amount of such payment is timely made.  In addition, the Company shall continue to pay to Executive, in regular bi-weekly installments Executive’s Base Salary under the Agreement for a period of two years following the Date of Termination, provided, however, that any such bi-weekly installments that qualify as a short term deferral within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) or as a payment described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), such amounts will be paid as lump sum on the date which is thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination.  The Company shall also continue to permit Executive to receive or participate at the Company’s expense in all benefits and fringe benefits available to him pursuant to Section 2 above for a period of two (2) years after the termination of his employment; provided, however:  (1) such benefits and fringe benefits shall not include wages or salary and shall only include those benefits as consistent with the applicable plan documents and policies; and (2) in no event shall the amount paid to Executive pursuant to this Section 5 exceed the maximum payment permitted by Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or then applicable law, and to the extent any “excess parachute payment,” as that phrase is defined in Section 280G(b) of the Code or then applicable law, would result from the provisions of this Section 5, then the amount Executive would otherwise receive shall be reduced so that no “excess parachute payment” is made by the Company or received by Executive.
 
(B)           A “Change in Control” of the Company shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day that any one or more of the following conditions shall have occurred:
 
(i)           any person (a “Person”), as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act (the “Act”) (other than (A) Aceto and/or its wholly owned subsidiaries; (B) any “employee stock ownership plan” (as that term is defined in Code Section 4975(e)(7)) or other employee benefit plan of the Company and any trustee or other fiduciary in such capacity holding securities under such plan; (C) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company; or (D) any other Person, who, within the one (1) year prior to the event which would otherwise be a Change in Control, was an executive officer of the Company), is or be comes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, or such lesser percentage of voting power (but not less than 15%) as determined by the Independent Directors of the Company.  For purposes hereof, the definition of “Independent Director” shall be determined under the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market;
 
 
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(ii)          during any two (2) year period the following persons shall cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board: (i) directors of the Company in office at the beginning of such period and (ii) any new director (other than a director designated by a Person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in subsections  5(B)(i) or (iii)) whose election by the Board, or whose nomination for election, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors still in office who were directors at the beginning of the two (2) year period;
 
(iii)         the consummation of a consolidation or merger of the Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or otherwise does not have control over the combined entity or pursuant to which the Company’s common stock would be converted into cash, securities, and/or other property, other than a merger of the Company in which holders of common stock immediately prior to the merger have the same proportionate ownership of voting securities of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger as they had in the common stock immediately before;
 
(iv)        any sale, lease, exchange, or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all the assets or earning power of the Company; or
 
(v)          the Company’s shareholders or the Board approve the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
 
(C)           A “Change in Control” of Aceto shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day that any one or more of the following conditions shall have occurred:
 
(i)           any person (a “Person”), as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act (the “Act”) (other than (A) any “employee stock ownership plan” (as that term is defined in Code Section 4975(e)(7)) or other employee benefit plan of Aceto and any trustee or other fiduciary in such capacity holding securities under such plan; (B) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of Aceto in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Aceto; or (C) any other Person, who, within the one (1) year prior to the event which would otherwise be a Change in Control, was an executive officer of Aceto), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 u nder the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of Aceto representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of Aceto’s then outstanding securities, or such lesser percentage of voting power (but not less than 15%) as determined by the Independent Directors of Aceto.  For purposes hereof, the definition of “Independent Director” shall be determined under the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market;
 
 
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(ii)           during any two (2) year period the following persons shall cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Aceto Board: (i) directors of Aceto in office at the beginning of such period and (ii) any new director (other than a director designated by a Person who has entered into an agreement with Aceto to effect a transaction described in subsections 5(C)(i) or (iii)) whose election by the Aceto Board, or whose nomination for election, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors still in office who were directors at the beginning of the two (2) year period;
 
(iii)           the consummation of a consolidation or merger of Aceto in which Aceto is not the continuing or surviving corporation or otherwise does not have control over the combined entity or pursuant to which Aceto’s common stock would be converted into cash, securities, and/or other property, other than a merger of Aceto in which holders of common stock immediately prior to the merger have the same proportionate ownership of voting securities of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger as they had in the common stock immediately before;
 
(iv)           any sale, lease, exchange, or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all the assets or earning power of Aceto; or
 
(v)           Aceto’s shareholders or the Aceto Board approve the liquidation or dissolution of Aceto.
 
6.            CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
 
(A)          “Confidential Information” means any information concerning or referring in any way to the business of the Company disclosed to or acquired by Executive through or as a consequence of Executive’s employment with the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information consists of information proprietary to the Company which is not generally known to the public and which in the ordinary course of business is maintained by the Company as confidential. By way of example and without limitation, Confidential Information consists of confidential or proprietary information and trade secrets of the business, including all correspondence, memoranda, files, manuals, books, lists, financial, operating or marketing records, forms, concepts, sales presentation s, marketing programs, marketing strategy, business practices, bidding information, methods of operation, production records, computer software, trade secrets, trademarks, patents, patent applications, other intellectual property rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, techniques, designs, and other technical information in any way concerning or referring to scientific, technical or mechanical aspects of the Company’s products, concepts, processes, machines, engineering, research and development. Confidential Information also includes, without limitation, information in any way concerning or referring to the Company’s production records, hiring and training methods, personnel records, investment policies, pricing and cost information, financial and other confidential and proprietary information concerning the Company’s operations and expansion plans, business and marketing plans and proposals, business methods,  forecasts and projections, operations, organizational structure, fi nances, customers, customer lists, customer leads, customer information, suppliers, supplier lists, supplier leads, supplier information, contract proposals, documents identifying past, present and future customers funding, pricing, costing, marketing, purchasing, merchandising, sales, products, product information,  employees or their compensation, data processing, software, any analyses, compilations or reports with regard to the foregoing, and all other information relating to the business, whether such information has been reduced to writing or is in electronic format (including on disc drive, magnetic tape, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs or other electronic storage devices) or otherwise and all other information whether or not designated by the Company as “confidential”. “Confidential Information” shall not include any information or material (i) which has been publicly disclosed by means other than by a breach of an agreement of confidentiality or nondisclosure or (i i) which is subsequently disclosed by any third party not in breach of an agreement of confidentiality or nondisclosure.
 
 
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(B)           Duty of Confidentiality.
 
(i)           The Company and Executive acknowledge and agree that the services of Executive are unique and extraordinary and essential to the business of the Company, especially since Executive shall have access to the Company’s customer lists, trade secrets and other privileged and confidential information essential to the Company’s business.
 
(ii)           Executive represents that he has been informed that it is the policy of the Company to maintain as secret all Confidential Information, and further acknowledges that such Confidential Information is of great value to the Company.  Executive recognizes that, by reason of his employment with the Company, he will acquire Confidential Information as aforesaid.  Executive confirms that the protection of the Company’s Confidential Information is reasonably necessary to protect the Company’s goodwill.
 
(iii)           Executive agrees that he will not, directly or indirectly, at any time during the Employment Period or thereafter divulge to any person, firm or other entity, or use, or cause or authorize any person, firm or other entity to use, any Confidential Information belonging to the Company, whether in oral, written, electronic, or permanent form, except (1) to the extent necessary to perform services on behalf of the Company, (2) if he is required to do so by (a) a court of law or arbitration panel, (b) any governmental agency or (c) any administrative or legislative body, (3) if such disclosure or use has been authorized in writing by the Board or (4) if such disclosure or use is otherwise required by law.  In the event that Executive is requested or requ ired (by oral question or written request for information or documents in any legal proceeding, interrogatory, subpoena, civil investigative demand, or similar legal proceeding) to disclose any Confidential Information, he will notify the Company promptly of the request or requirement so that the CEO and the Board may seek a protective order.  Upon the Company’s request and at the Company’s sole expense, Executive will use reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded to the Confidential Information and only that portion of the Confidential Information which Executive is advised in writing by the Company’s counsel is legally required to be disclosed may be disclosed.  Upon termination of this Agreement, or at the request of the Company prior to its termination, Executive shall deliver forthwith to the Company all Confidential Information in Executive’s possession or control belonging to the Company and all tangible items embod ying or containing Confidential Information.
 
 
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(C)           Documents, Records, Etc.  All documents, records, data, electronic data, equipment and other physical property, whether or not pertaining to Confidential Information, which are furnished to Executive, directly or indirectly, by the Company or are produced by Executive in connection with Executive’s services will remain the sole property of the Company.  Executive will return to the Company forthwith all such materials and property upon the termination of this Agreement or sooner if requested by the Company.  Executive agrees that he will not, at any time, remove from the Company’s premises any dra wings, notebooks, software, data, electronic data, or other confidential information relating to the business and procedures heretofore or hereafter acquired, developed and/or used by the Company, except in connection with the fulfillment of his duties hereunder.
 
(D)           For purposes of Section 6 hereof, the term “Company” shall mean and include any and all parents, subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company, in existence from time to time.
 
7.            NON-COMPETE; NON-SOLICITATION.   For a period commencing on the Effective Date hereof and ending one (1) year after the date Executive ceases to be employed by the Company (the “Non-Competition Period”):
 
(A)           Executive will not, directly or indirectly, at any time during the Non-Competition Period, without the prior written consent of the Company, in any manner whatsoever, whether individually or as an employee, officer, principal, partner, joint venturer, shareholder, member, manager, director, agent or representative of, or lender, consultant or independent contractor to, or jointly or in conjunction with, any person or entity, or in any other capacity, other than on behalf of or for the benefit of the Company:
 
(i)             anywhere within the United States and its external possessions, or Canada, engage or participate in a business which is competitive with, directly or indirectly, the business of the Company (the “Business”), and shall not make any investments in, or loans to, any such competitive entity, except that the foregoing shall not restrict Executive from acquiring up to five percent (5%) of the outstanding voting stock of any entity whose securities are listed on a nationally recognized stock exchange.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 7(A)(i) shall not be deemed violated solely by virtue of the Executive’s ownership interest in Mirror Pharmaceuticals LLC (“Mirror”), provided that: (i) the Executive’s ownership interest in Mirror never exceeds the percentage interest existing on the date hereof (and, for avoidance of doubt, shall never be a Controlling interest), (ii) the Executive is never actively engaged in the day-to-day operations of Mirror, and (iii) Mirror is never engaged in any business other than the (x) development (y) manufacture or (z) distribution of self-manufactured finished dosage form products;
 
(ii)            cause or seek to persuade any Business Associate to discontinue or materially modify its relationship with the Company or cause or seek to persuade any prospective Business Associate to determine not to enter into a business relationship, or to materially modify its contemplated business relationship, with the Company.  For purposes of this section, (a) the term “Business Associate” shall mean a customer, client, or supplier who has done business with the Company within two (2) years preceding the date of this Agreement and (b) the term “prospective Business Associate” shall mean a Business Associate who was solicited t o become a Business Associate by the Company (other than solely through a mass mailing or similar communication) during the two (2) years preceding the date of this Agreement;
 
 
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(iii)           other than on behalf of the Company, hire or retain, directly or indirectly, any director, officer, employee, or independent contractor (who, either individually or as another form of legal entity, is performing services for Seller that would customarily be performed by an employee) to, the Company (collectively, “Personnel”); provided, however, that (a) this Section 7(A)(iii) shall not prohibit Executive from hiring or retain ing any such Personnel after such Personnel has been terminated by the Company, if such Personnel did not have any communications with Executive prior to such termination regarding the prospect of an employment or business relationship with Executive, and (b) this Section 7(A)(iii) shall not prohibit Executive from conducting any general solicitation of personnel, or hiring any Personnel who voluntarily applies for hire as a result of a general solicitation to the public without having been initially personally recruited  by Executive;
 
(iv)           solicit or cause or authorize the solicitation of, or accept, any business which is competitive with the Business from any Business Associate or prospective Business Associate, for or on behalf of Executive or any third party; or
 
(v)            solicit or cause or authorize the solicitation of the entry into, or enter into, a business relationship which is competitive with the Business with any Business Associate or prospective Business Associate, for or on behalf of Executive or any third party.
 
(vi)           market, distribute or sell or participate in research and development with respect to any product set forth on Schedule A of the Restrictive Covenant Agreement entered into by the parties on December 31, 2010 (“Restrictive Covenant Agreement”) that is, during the Restricted Period, (a) on Purchaser’s product list, (b) on Purchaser’s product development list or (c) about which an affirmative decision by Purchaser to deve lop such product has been made and for which there have been demonstrable steps taken by Purchaser towards such development which are evidenced by a written record.  Schedule A of the Restrictive Covenant Agreement shall be updated, by mutual agreement of the parties (which agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld), (i) on each of the first four (4) anniversaries of the date hereof and (ii) as of the date, if any, Executive ceases to be employed by Purchaser or any of its affiliates.
 
(C)           For purposes of Section 7 hereof, the term “Company” shall mean and include any and all parents, subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company, in existence from time to time.
 
(D)           Scope. If a court shall hold that the duration, scope, area or other restrictions stated herein are unreasonable, the parties agree that the maximum duration, scope, area or other restrictions reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the duration, scope, area or other restrictions set forth herein.
 
(E)           Independent Agreement. The covenants made in this Section 7 shall be construed as an agreement independent of any other provisions of this Agreement, and shall survive the termination of this Agreement.  Moreover, the existence of any claim or cause of action of Executive against the Company or any of its affiliates, whether or not predicated upon the terms of this Agreement, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement of these covenants.
 
(F)           Non-Payment. The material failure of the Company to make any payments due to Executive under this Agreement shall not be a defense to the enforceability of this Section 7 and shall not bar the Company from enforcing the provisions of this Section 7 against Executive until such time as all sums lawfully due to Executive under this Agreement are paid to Executive.
 
 
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8.             ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS.
 
(A)           Executive has disclosed and shall continue to make full and prompt disclosure to the Company of any and all designs, intellectual property, software, inventions, discoveries, or improvements (individually and collectively, “Inventions”) made by Executive as a result or product of his employment relationship with the Company.  Executive hereby assigns to the Company, without additional compensation, the entire worldwide right, title and interest in and to such Inventions, and related intellectual property rights and without limitation all copyrights, copyright renewals or reversions, trademarks, trade names, trade dress rights, industrial design, industrial model, inventions, priority rights, patent rights, patent applications, patents, design pa tents and any other rights or protections in connection therewith or related thereto, for exploitation in any form or medium, of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether now known or hereafter devised.  To the extent that any work created by Executive can be a work for hire pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law, the parties deem such work a work for hire and Executive should be considered the author thereof.  Executive shall, at the request of the Company, at the Company’s cost but without additional compensation, from time to time execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company such instruments and documents as the Company may require to perfect, transfer and vest in the Company the entire right, title and interest in and to such inventions and other property.  In the event that Executive does not timely perform such obligations, Executive hereby makes the Company and its officers his attorney-in-fact and gives them the power of attorney to perform such obligations and to execute such documents on Executive’s behalf.  Executive shall reasonably cooperate with the Company upon the Company’s request and at the Company’s cost, but without additional compensation, in the preparation and prosecution of patent, trademark, industrial design and model, and copyright applications worldwide for protection of rights to any Inventions.
 
(B)           For purposes of Section 8 hereof, the term “Company” shall mean and include any and all parents, subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company, in existence from time to time.
 
9.             INJUNCTIVE RELIEF; REMEDIES.
 
(A)           Executive acknowledges and agrees that, in the event he shall violate or threaten to violate any of the restrictions of Sections 6, 7 or 8 hereof, the Company will be without an adequate remedy at law and will therefore be entitled to enforce such restrictions by temporary or permanent injunctive or mandatory relief in any court of competent jurisdiction without the necessity of proving damages.
 
(B)           Executive and the Company further agree that the prevailing party in any action or proceeding in which either party to this Agreement seeks to enforce their rights under Sections 6, 7 and/or 8 hereof shall have the right to seek attorneys’ fees.
 
 
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(C)           Each of the rights and remedies enumerated above shall be independent of the other, and shall be severally enforceable, and all of such rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the parties hereto under law or in equity.
 
(D)           The parties hereto intend to and hereby confer jurisdiction to grant injunctive relief in aid of arbitration or to enforce the covenants contained in Sections 6, 7 and/or 8 upon the courts of any jurisdiction within the geographical scope of such covenants (a “Jurisdiction”).  In the event  that the courts of any one or more of such Jurisdictions shall hold such covenants unenforceable by reason of the breadth of their scope or otherwise, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such determination not bar or in any way affect the Company’s rights to the relief provided above in the courts of any other Jurisdiction or at arbitration, as to breaches of such covenants in such other respective Jurisdictions, the above covenants as they relate to each Jurisdiction being, for this purpose, severable into diverse and independent covenants.
 
(E)           The provisions of Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement shall survive its earlier expiration or termination for any reason.
 
10.           INDEMNIFICATION.  The Company shall indemnify Executive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, for any and all liabilities to which he may be subject as a result of, in connection with or arising out of his employment by the Company hereunder, as well as the costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) of any legal action brought or threatened to be brought against him or the Company as a result of, in connection with or arising out of such employment, except that such indemnification shall not apply in the case of acts or omissions of Executive which (1) constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct rel ating to the obligations of Executive under this Agreement, or (2) exceeded his authority under this Agreement.  Executive shall be entitled to the same protection of any executive employees under any insurance coverage which the Company may elect to maintain for the benefit of its executive employees.  This Section 10 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and Executive’s employment for any reason.
 
11.           ARBITRATION. No dispute between the Company (or any of its officers, directors, employees, subsidiaries or affiliates) and Executive, which is in any way related to the employment of Executive (including but not limited to claims of wrongful termination; racial, sexual, age, national origin, religion, disability, retaliation or other discrimination or harassment; defamation; and other employment-related claims and allegations) shall be the subject of a lawsuit filed in state or federal court, except as where applicable law prohibits agreement to arbitrate the particular dispute.  Instead, any such dispute shall be submitted to b inding arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) or any other individual or organization on which the parties agree in writing.  Notwithstanding the above, either the Company or Executive may file with an appropriate state or federal court a claim for injunctive relief in any case where the filing party seeks provisional injunctive relief or where permanent injunctive relief is not available in arbitration.  The filing of a claim for injunctive relief in state or federal court shall not allow either party to raise any other claim outside of arbitration. It is understood that both sides are hereby waiving the right to a jury trial.
 
 
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The arbitration shall be initiated in New York County, New York, or such other venue as the parties may agree, and shall be administered by AAA under its Employment Arbitration Rules before a single arbitrator mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto.  If the parties cannot agree on a single arbitrator, then an arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the rules of AAA.  The arbitration must be filed within three (3) years of the act or omission which gives rise to the claim.  Each party shall be entitled to take three depositions, engage in document discovery, propound interrogatory requests and to take any other discovery as is permitted by the Arbitrator. In determining the extent of discovery, the Arbitrator shall exercise discretion.
 
The Arbitrator shall render an award which conforms to the facts, as supported by competent evidence (except that the Arbitrator may accept written declarations under penalty of perjury, in addition to live testimony), and the law as it would be applied by a court sitting in the State of New York or such other jurisdiction as the parties may agree.  The cost of arbitration shall be borne equally by the parties; however, the Arbitrator shall have the power, in his discretion, to award some or all of the costs of arbitration and reasonable attorneys’ fees to the prevailing party.  Any party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for entry of judgment on the arbitration award.
 
12.           NO CONFLICTING OBLIGATIONS OF EXECUTIVE. Executive represents and warrants that he has no rights or obligations under any prior agreement with any previous employer or other person or entity which conflict with the interests of the Company or with the performance of Executive’s duties and obligations under this Agreement.  Executive agrees to notify the Company promptly if any such conflicts occur in the future.
 
13.           SUCCESSORS.
 
(A)           This Agreement is personal to Executive and shall not be assignable by Executive, provided that if Executive shall die, all amounts payable to Executive hereunder shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executive’s estate.
 
(B)           This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns.  The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor or affiliated entity, subsidiary, or parent company.
 
14.           MISCELLANEOUS.
 
(A)           This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to the principles of conflict of laws.
 
(B)           As used in this Agreement, the word “including” and its variants shall mean “including without limitation,” the masculine gender shall include the feminine and the neuter, and the singular number shall include the plural, and vice versa.
 
(C)           This Agreement contains the full and complete understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, pertaining to the subject matter of this Agreement except that this Agreement does not supersede the Restrictive Covenant Agreement.
 
 
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(D)           This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by written agreement executed by Executive and by a representative of the Company duly authorized by the Board or the Compensation Committee.
 
(E)           All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by facsimile, or by e-mail, or by hand delivery to such address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith.  Notice may be given to the Company or Executive as follows:
 
Executive:
 
David B. Rosen
3 Pearl Court
Suites A/B
Allendale, NJ 07401
and
David B. Rosen   
43 Mohawk Ave.
Norwood, NJ 07648
Facsimile: (201) 961-1234
E-Mail: dRosen@risingpharma.com
 
Notice to the Executive also must
be given to:
 
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel
LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York  10036
Attention:  Steven M. Goldman
Facsimile: (212) 715-8053
E-mail: sgoldman@kramerlevin.com
 
The Company:
 
Albert L. Eilender
Aceto Corporation
4 Tri Harbor Court
Port Washington, NY 11050
Facsimile: (516) 627-6093
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notice to the Company also must be given
to:
 
Steven, J. Kuperschmid, Esq.
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP
90 Merrick Avenue
East Meadow, NY 11554
Facsimile: 516 296 7111
E-mail: skuperschmid@certilmanbalin.com
 
and
 
Kristin M. Burke, Esq.
Clifton Budd & DeMaria, LLP
420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 420
New York, New York 10170
Facsimile: 212 687 3285
E-mail: kmburke@cbdm.com
 
(F)           The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
 
 
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(G)           The Company shall make all legally required deductions from amounts payable under this Agreement.
 
(H)           The failure of either party to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement, or the failure to assert any right either party may have hereunder, shall not be deemed a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
 
15.           SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE.
 
(A)           The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “Code Section 409A”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. By way of example, any reference to “termination” or “termination of employment” under this Agreement, to the extent it creates the right to receive deferred compensation as defined under Code Section 409A, shall be interpreted and applied in the manner to comply with the definition of “separation from service” as provided under Code Section 409A.  Similarly, to the extent the term “disa bility” is applied under this agreement to create the right to receive deferred compensation as defined under Code Section 409A, such term will be interpreted and applied in the manner to comply with the definition of such term under Code Section 409A.  If Executive notifies the Company (with specificity as to the reason therefore) that Executive believes that any provision of this Agreement (or of any award of compensation, including equity compensation or benefits) would cause Executive to incur any additional tax or interest under Code Section 409A and the Company concurs with such belief or the Company (without any obligation whatsoever to do so) independently makes such determination, the Company shall, after consulting with Executive, reform such provision to try to comply with Code Section 409A through good faith modifications to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to conform with Code Section 409A. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Code Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Executive and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A.
 
(B)           Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is deemed on the date of termination to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment or the provision of any benefit that is required to be delayed in compliance with Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B), such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided (subject to the last sentence of this Section 15(B)) prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of Executive’s “separation from service” (as such term is defined under Code Section 409A), and (ii) the date of Executive’s death (the “Delay Period”). Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 15(B) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to Executive in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the foregoing applies to the provision of any ongoing welfare benefits to Executive that would not be required to be delayed if the premiums therefore were paid by Executive, Executive shall pay the full cost of the premiums for such welfare benefits during the Delay Period and the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to the amount of such premiums paid by Executive during the Delay Period promptly after its conclusion.
 
 
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(C)           The right to reimbursement or to any in-kind benefit pursuant to this Agreement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.  Each payment made under this Agreement shall be designated as a “separate payment” within the meaning of Section 409A.
 
(D)           In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on Executive by Code Section 409A or any damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.
 
16.           HEADINGS.  The headings or captions under sections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and do not in any way modify, interpret or construe the intent of the parties or affect any of the provisions of this Agreement.
 
17.           COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
 
18.           FACSIMILE SIGNATURES.  Signatures hereon which are transmitted via facsimile or pdf file shall be deemed original signatures.
 
19.           WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY EACH HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS OR HIS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN THE PARTIES RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RELATIONSHIPS THEREBY ESTABLISHED.
 
The scope of this waiver is intended to be all encompassing of any and all disputes, if any, that may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of this Agreement, including contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims, and all other statutory and common law claims. THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.  In the event of litigation, this provision may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.
 
This Section 19 does not limit, abridge, modify or waive the obligations under Section 11 (the Arbitration provision) or affect rights otherwise provided under applicable law.
 
 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive has hereunto set Executive’s hand and, pursuant to the authorization from the Board, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.
 
SUN ACQUISITION CORP.
    EXECUTIVE  
a Delaware Corporation         
           
By: 
/s/ ALBERT L. EILENDER
   
/s/ DAVID B. ROSEN
 
 
ALBERT L. EILENDER
   
DAVID B. ROSEN
 
 
 
19
EX-15.1 4 ex15-1.htm EXHIBIT 15.1 ex15-1.htm

Exhibit 15.1
 
February 4, 2011
 
Aceto Corporation
Lake Success, New York
 
We are aware that Aceto Corporation and subsidiaries has incorporated by reference in its Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 333-149586, No. 33-38679, No. 333-90929, and No. 333-110653) our report dated February 4, 2011, relating to the Company’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements appearing in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2010. Pursuant to Regulation C under the Securities Act of 1933, that report is not considered a part of the registration statement prepared or certified by our firm or a report prepared or certified by our firm within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act. It should be noted that we have not performed any procedures subsequent to February 4, 2011.
 
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
 
Melville, New York
EX-31.1 5 ex31-1.htm EXHIBIT 31.1 ex31-1.htm
 

Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
 
 
I, Albert L. Eilender certify that:
 
     
 
 
1.    I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Aceto Corporation (the “Registrant”);
 
 
2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
 
3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
 
4.    The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:
 
 
a)    designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
 
b)    designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
   
 
c)    evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
 
d)    disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
 
5.    The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
 
a)    all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
 
b)    any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Dated:  February 4, 2011
         
/s/ Albert L. Eilender
   
 
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
   
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
 
 
EX-31.2 6 ex31-2.htm EXHIBIT 31.2 ex31-2.htm
 

Exhibit 31.2
 
CERTIFICATION
 
I, Douglas Roth, certify that:
 
 
1.    I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Aceto Corporation (the “Registrant”);
 
 
2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
 
3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
 
4.    The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:
 
 
a)    designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
 
b)    designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
   
 
c)    evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
 
d)    disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
 
5.    The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
 
a)    all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
 
b)    any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Dated:   February 4, 2011
         
/s/  Douglas Roth
   
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
   
 
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
   
 
 
EX-32.1 7 ex32-1.htm EXHIBIT 32.1 ex32-1.htm
 

Exhibit 32.1
 
 
CERTIFICATION
 
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Aceto Corporation, a New York corporation (the “Company”), on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Albert L. Eilender, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:
 
(1)   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
(2)   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
         
/s/ Albert L. Eilender
   
 
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
   
 
 
February 4, 2011
   
 
 
 
EX-32.2 8 ex32-2.htm EXHIBIT 32.2 ex32-2.htm
 

Exhibit 32.2
 
CERTIFICATION
 
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Aceto Corporation, a New York corporation (the “Company”), on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Douglas Roth, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:
 
(1)   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
(2)   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
         
/s/ Douglas Roth
   
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
   
 
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
   
 
 
February 4, 2011         
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