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Exhibit 2.1


AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

among

Isabelle Holding Company Inc.,

Isabelle Acquisition Sub Inc.

and

Interline Brands, Inc.

Dated as of May 29, 2012




Table of Contents

 
   
  Page

ARTICLE I THE MERGER

  1

1.1.

 

The Merger

 
1

1.2.

 

Closing

  1

1.3.

 

Effective Time

  2


ARTICLE II EFFECTS OF THE MERGER


 

2

2.1.

 

Effects of the Merger

 
2

2.2.

 

The Certificate of Incorporation

  2

2.3.

 

The Bylaws

  2

2.4.

 

Directors

  2

2.5.

 

Officers

  2

2.6.

 

Effect on Capital Stock

  2

2.7.

 

Payment

  3

2.8.

 

Company Equity Awards. 

  5


ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY


 

6

3.1.

 

Organization, Standing and Power

 
7

3.2.

 

Subsidiaries

  7

3.3.

 

Capital Structure

  7

3.4.

 

Authority

  8

3.5.

 

Consents and Approvals; No Violations

  9

3.6.

 

Company SEC Documents

  9

3.7.

 

Internal Controls; Sarbanes-Oxley Act

  10

3.8.

 

Absence of Material Adverse Change

  10

3.9.

 

Information Supplied

  10

3.10.

 

Availability for Restricted Payments. 

  11

3.11.

 

Compliance with Laws

  11

3.12.

 

Tax Matters

  12

3.13.

 

Liabilities

  13

3.14.

 

Litigation

  13

3.15.

 

Benefit Plans

  14

3.16.

 

Intellectual Property

  15

3.17.

 

Material Contracts

  16

3.18.

 

Properties

  18

3.19.

 

Environmental Laws

  18

3.20.

 

Insurance Policies

  19

3.21.

 

Labor and Employment Matters

  19

3.22.

 

Related Party Transactions

  19

3.23.

 

Government Contracts

  20

3.24.

 

Vote Required

  20

3.25.

 

Regulated Business

  20

3.26.

 

Opinion of Financial Advisor

  20

3.27.

 

Brokers

  20

3.28.

 

Exclusivity of Representations

  20

i


 
   
  Page


ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB


 

21

4.1.

 

Organization

 
21

4.2.

 

Authority

  21

4.3.

 

Consents and Approvals; No Violations

  21

4.4.

 

Capitalization; Ownership of Common Stock

  22

4.5.

 

Information Supplied

  22

4.6.

 

Litigation

  22

4.7.

 

Operations of Merger Sub

  22

4.8.

 

Financing

  22

4.9.

 

Solvency

  24

4.10.

 

Limited Guaranties

  24

4.11.

 

No Regulatory Impediment

  24

4.12.

 

Absence of Certain Arrangements

  24

4.13.

 

Brokers

  25

4.14.

 

Exclusivity of Representations

  25

4.15.

 

No Other Company Representations or Warranties

  25


ARTICLE V COVENANTS


 

26

5.1.

 

Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger

 
26

5.2.

 

Conduct of Business of Parent

  28

5.3.

 

Solicitation

  29

5.4.

 

Proxy Statement

  32

5.5.

 

Stockholders Meeting

  33

5.6.

 

Reasonable Best Efforts; Filings; Other Actions

  34

5.7.

 

Access and Reports

  36

5.8.

 

Publicity; Communications

  36

5.9.

 

Employee Benefits

  37

5.10.

 

Expenses

  38

5.11.

 

Indemnification; Directors' and Officers' Insurance

  38

5.12.

 

Rule 16b-3

  40

5.13.

 

Financing

  40

5.14.

 

Financing Cooperation

  42

5.15.

 

Existing Notes

  46

5.16.

 

Transaction Litigation

  49

5.17.

 

State Takeover Statutes

  49


ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS


 

49

6.1.

 

Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger

 
49

6.2.

 

Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub

  50

6.3.

 

Conditions to Obligation of the Company

  51

6.4.

 

Frustration of Closing Conditions

  51


ARTICLE VII TERMINATION


 

51

7.1.

 

Termination by Mutual Consent

 
51

7.2.

 

Termination by Either Parent or the Company

  52

7.3.

 

Termination by the Company

  52

7.4.

 

Termination by Parent

  53

7.5.

 

Effect of Termination and Abandonment

  53

ii


 
   
  Page


ARTICLE VIII GENERAL PROVISIONS


 

56

8.1.

 

Survival

 
56

8.2.

 

Modification or Amendment

  57

8.3.

 

Waiver; Extension

  57

8.4.

 

Counterparts

  57

8.5.

 

Governing Law and Venue; Waiver of Jury Trial

  57

8.6.

 

Notices

  58

8.7.

 

Specific Performance

  59

8.8.

 

Entire Agreement

  60

8.9.

 

No Third Party Beneficiaries

  60

8.10.

 

Definitions; Construction

  60

8.11.

 

Severability

  70

8.12.

 

Assignment

  70

8.13.

 

Headings

  70

8.14.

 

Delivery by Facsimile or Electronic Transmission

  70

iii



INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

Terms
  Section

Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement(s)

  8.10(a)

Acquisition Proposal(s)

  8.10(a)

Action

  8.10(a)

Affected Employees

  5.9(a)

Affiliate(s)

  8.10(a)

Agreement

  Preamble

Alternative Acquisition Agreement

  5.3(b)

Alternative Debt Financing

  5.13(c)

Applicable Financing Closing Date

  8.10(a)

Available Cash

  8.10(a)

Benefit Plan

  8.10(a)

Business Day

  8.10(a)

Bylaws

  2.3

Capitalization Date

  3.3

Certificate(s)

  2.6(a)

Certificate of Merger

  1.3

Change of Recommendation

  5.3(d)

Charter

  2.2

Chosen Courts

  8.5(a)

Closing

  1.2

Closing Date

  1.2

Code

  2.7(g)

Common Stock

  8.10(a)

Company

  Preamble

Company Board

  Recitals

Company Disclosure Letter

  Article III

Company Equity Awards

  2.8(b)

Company Group

  8.10(a)

Company Intellectual Property

  8.10(a)

Company Material Adverse Effect

  8.10(a)

Company Preferred Stock

  3.3

Company Recommendation

  5.4(a)

Company SEC Documents

  3.6

Company Securities

  3.3

Company Severance Plan

  5.9(b)

Company Stock Incentive Plan(s)

  3.3

Company Stock Option(s)

  3.3

Confidentiality Agreement

  8.8

Consent Solicitation

  5.15(a)

Continuation Period

  5.9(a)

Contract

  8.10(a)

Costs

  5.11(a)

Cut-Off Date

  5.3(b)

D&O Insurance

  5.11(b)

Debt Commitment Letter

  4.8(a)

Debt Financing

  4.8(a)

Debt Financing Letter(s)

  4.8(c)

DGCL

  8.10(a)

Disclosed Conditions

  4.8(c)

Dissenting Stockholders

  2.6(a)

iv


Terms
  Section

Dissenting Shares

  2.6(a)

Effective Time

  1.3

Employment Agreement

  8.10(a)

Environmental Laws

  8.10(a)

Environmental Permits

  8.10(a)

Equity Commitment Letters

  4.8(a)

Equity Financing

  4.8(a)

Equity Interest(s)

  8.10(a)

ERISA

  8.10(a)

ERISA Affiliate

  8.10(a)

Exchange Act

  8.10(a)

Exchange Fund

  2.7(a)

Excluded Parties

  5.3(b)

Exchange Party Fee

  7.5(b)

Excluded Share

  2.6(a)

Excluded Shares

  2.6(a)

Existing ABL Facility

  8.10(a)

Existing Notes

  8.10(a)

Existing Notes Indenture

  8.10(a)

Facilities

  8.10(a)

FCPA

  8.10(a)

Fee Letter

  4.8(a)

Financing

  4.8(a)

Financing Letters

  4.8(a)

Financing Sources

  8.10(a)

Financing Uses

  4.8(a)

GAAP

  8.10(a)

Government Bid

  3.23(a)

Government Contracts

  8.10(a)

Governmental Entity

  8.10(a)

Guarantors

  Recitals

Hazardous Substance

  8.10(a)

High Yield Securities

  5.14(a)(i)

HSR Act

  8.10(a)

Indemnified Parties

  5.11(a)

Intellectual Property

  8.10(a)

Intervening Event

  5.3(d)

Knowledge

  8.10(a)

Law

  8.10(a)

Leased Real Property

  8.10(a)

Lien

  8.10(a)

Limited Guaranty(ies)

  Recitals

Marketing Period

  8.10(a)

Material Contract

  3.17(b)

Merger

  Recitals

Merger Communication

  8.10(a)

Merger Sub

  Preamble

Money Laundering Laws

  3.10(c)

Negotiation Period

  5.3(d)(ii)

New ABL Facility

  8.10(a)

New Debt Commitment Letter

  5.13(c)

New Fee Letter

  5.13(c)

v


Terms
  Section

NYSE

  8.10(a)

Offer

  5.15(g)

Offer Documents

  5.15(g)

Opco

  8.10(a)

Option Consideration

  2.8(a)

Order

  8.10(a)

Owned Real Property

  3.18(a)

Parent

  Preamble

Parent Disclosure Letter

  Article IV

Parent Fee

  7.5(c)

Parent Group

  8.10(a)

Parent Material Adverse Effect

  8.10(a)

Paying Agent

  2.7(a)

Per Share Merger Consideration

  2.6(a)

Permits

  3.11(a)

Permitted Liens

  8.10(a)

Person

  8.10(a)

Proxy Statement

  5.4(a)

Real Estate Leases

  8.10(a)

Record Holder(s)

  8.10(a)

Registered Intellectual Property

  3.15(a)

Regulatory Law(s)

  8.10(a)

Reimbursable Expenses

  8.10(a)

Related Party

  3.22

Related Party Transaction

  3.22

Representatives

  8.10(a)

Required Information

  5.14(a)(ii)

Requisite Company Vote

  3.4

Restricted Payments

  8.10(a)

Restricted Stock

  3.3

RSUs

  3.3

SEC

  8.10(a)

Securities Act

  8.10(a)

Share(s)

  2.6(a)

Solicitation Documents

  5.15(a)

Solicitation Period End-Date

  5.15(a)

Solvent

  8.10(a)

Specified Required Information

  5.14(a)(ii)

Specified RP Baskets

  3.10(a)

Stockholder Approval

  6.1(a)

Stockholders Meeting

  5.5(a)

Subsidiary(ies)

  8.10(a)

Superior Proposal

  8.10(a)

Surviving Corporation

  1.1

Takeover Statute

  8.10(a)

Tax(es)

  8.10(a)

Tax Return

  8.10(a)

Termination Date

  7.2(a)

Termination Fee

  7.5(b)

Transaction Litigation

  5.7(b)

vi



AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

        AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of May 29, 2012 (this "Agreement"), by and among Isabelle Holding Company Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Parent"), Isabelle Acquisition Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Merger Sub"), and Interline Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").


RECITALS

        WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company (the "Company Board") and the board of directors of Merger Sub, have each (a) unanimously approved the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement (the "Merger") and have approved and declared advisable this Agreement and (b) declared that it is advisable and in the best interests of their respective stockholders that the Company and Merger Sub enter into this Agreement and consummate the Merger on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;

        WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and as a condition and inducement to the willingness of the Company to enter into this Agreement, each of GS Capital Partners and P2 Capital Master Fund I, L.P. (the "Guarantors") is entering into a limited guarantee in favor of the Company (each a "Limited Guaranty" and together the "Limited Guaranties"), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, the Guarantors are guaranteeing certain obligations of Parent and Merger Sub in connection with this Agreement; and

        WHEREAS, the Company, Parent and Merger Sub desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with this Agreement and the Merger and also to prescribe certain conditions to the Merger;

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:


ARTICLE I

The Merger

        1.1.    The Merger.    Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company, in accordance with the provisions of the DGCL, and the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall thereupon cease. The Company shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger (sometimes hereinafter referred to as the "Surviving Corporation"), and the separate corporate existence of the Company, with all its rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises, shall continue unaffected by the Merger, except as set forth in Article II.

        1.2.    Closing.    The closing of the Merger (the "Closing") will take place: (a) at 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day after satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions set forth in Article VI (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied by actions at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions at the Closing), at the offices of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, LLP, One New York Plaza, New York, New York 10004; provided that, if the Marketing Period has not ended at the time of the satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions set forth in Article VI (other than the conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied by actions at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions at the Closing), the Closing shall occur on the earlier to occur of (i) a date before or during the Marketing Period specified by Parent on three (3) Business Days' notice to the Company and (ii) the third Business Day immediately following the final day of the Marketing Period (subject, in each case, to the satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions set forth in Article VI as of the date determined pursuant to this proviso), or (b) at such other date, time, and/or place as agreed to in writing by Parent and the Company. The date on which the Closing actually occurs is referred to herein as the "Closing Date." For the avoidance of doubt, a condition may only be waived in writing by the party or parties entitled to the benefit of such condition under this Agreement.


        1.3.    Effective Time.    Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, on the Closing Date, the Company and Parent will cause an appropriate certificate of merger (the "Certificate of Merger") to be duly executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL and shall take all such reasonable further actions as may be required by Law to make the Merger effective. The Merger shall become effective at the time when the Certificate of Merger has been duly filed with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later date and time as Parent and the Company shall agree and specify in the Certificate of Merger in accordance with the DGCL (the "Effective Time").


ARTICLE II

Effects of the Merger

        2.1.    Effects of the Merger.    The Merger shall have the effects specified in the DGCL and this Agreement.

        2.2.    The Certificate of Incorporation.    At the Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation (the "Charter") shall be, by virtue of the Merger, amended and restated in its entirety to be in the form of the certificate of incorporation of Merger Sub (except with respect to the name of the Surviving Corporation, which from and after the Effective Time shall be the name of the Company), until thereafter amended as provided therein or by applicable Law.

        2.3.    The Bylaws.    At the Effective Time, the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation (the "Bylaws") shall be, by virtue of the Merger, amended and restated in their entirety to be in the form of the bylaws of Merger Sub (except that the name of the Surviving Corporation shall be the name of the Company), until thereafter amended as provided therein or by applicable Law.

        2.4.    Directors.    Any director of the Company whose resignation has been requested by Parent shall resign with effect as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, and the directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective Time, be (together with any directors of the Company whose resignation has not been requested by Parent) the directors of the Surviving Corporation until their successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Charter and the Bylaws.

        2.5.    Officers.    The officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective Time, be the officers of the Surviving Corporation until their successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Charter and Bylaws.

        2.6.    Effect on Capital Stock.    At the Effective Time, as a result of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Company, Merger Sub, or any holder of any capital stock of the Company or Merger Sub:

2


        2.7.    Payment.    

3


4


        2.8.    Company Equity Awards.    

5



ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties of the Company

        Except as set forth in (a) the Company SEC Documents (excluding, in each case, any disclosures contained or referenced therein under the captions "Risk Factors" or "Forward Looking Statements" and any other disclosures contained or referenced therein relating to information, factors or risks that are predictive, cautionary or forward-looking in nature) filed with the SEC after December 31, 2011 and prior to the date of this Agreement (and then (i) only to the extent that the relevance of any disclosed event, item or occurrence in such Company SEC Documents to a matter covered by a representation or warranty set forth in this Article III is reasonably apparent as to matters and items which are subject of such representation or warranty, (ii) other than any matters required to be

6


disclosed for purposes of Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.6 and 3.7, which matters shall only be disclosed by specific disclosure in the respective corresponding section of the Company Disclosure Letter, and (iii) without giving effect to any amendment to any such documents filed on or after the date hereof) or (b) the corresponding sections or subsections of the disclosure letter delivered to Parent by the Company concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the "Company Disclosure Letter") (it being acknowledged and agreed that disclosure of any item in any section or subsection of the Company Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosure with respect to any other section or subsection only to the extent that the relevance of such disclosure to such other section or subsection is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure), the Company hereby represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub as follows:

        3.1.    Organization, Standing and Power.    The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has requisite corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other company (as the case may be) power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted, except where the failure to be in good standing or to have such corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other company (as the case may be) power and authority has not had or would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so duly qualified or licensed and in good standing has not had or would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company has made available to Parent true, complete and correct copies of its certificate of incorporation and by-laws and has made available to Parent the certificate of incorporation and by-laws (or similar organizational documents) of each of its Subsidiaries.

        3.2.    Subsidiaries.    

        3.3.    Capital Structure.    The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value of $.01 per share (the "Company Preferred Stock"). At the close of business on May 24, 2012 (the "Capitalization Date"), (a) 31,855,447 Shares were issued and outstanding, all of which were duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, including 0 Shares that are subject to vesting or other risks of forfeiture pursuant to awards granted under the Company Stock Incentive Plans ("Restricted Stock"), (b) 2,037,163 Shares were held by the Company in its treasury, (c) 3,317,754

7


Shares were reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding options to purchase Common Stock (the "Company Stock Options") granted under the Company's 2000 Stock Award Plan and 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (collectively, the "Company Stock Incentive Plans"), (d) 729,165 are restricted stock unit awards (including any awards referred to in the Company SEC Documents as "restricted share units" and awards referred to by the Company as "deferred stock units") with respect to the Shares granted by the Company ("RSUs"), (e) 826,449 shares of Common Stock were reserved for the grant of additional awards under the Company Stock Incentive Plans, and (f) no shares of Company Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. Section 3.3 of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth, by employee, as of the Capitalization Date, the number of Company Stock Options, shares of Restricted Stock, RSUs and, to the extent applicable, the grant date, exercise or reference price and number of Shares issuable with respect to each such award. Except as set forth in this Section 3.3 and for changes since the Capitalization Date resulting from the exercise of Company Stock Options outstanding on such date or as may be permitted pursuant to Section 5.1, there are no outstanding (i) Equity Interests of the Company, (ii) bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matter on which the stockholders of the Company or its Subsidiary, as the case may be, may vote, or (iii) securities, options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments, profits interests, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock agreements, arrangements or undertakings to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound obligating the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell or create, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold or created, additional Equity Interests of the Company or of any of its Subsidiaries (or any security convertible or exercisable therefor) or obligating the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, grant, extend or enter into any such security, option, warrant, call, right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking (the items in clauses (i) through (iii) being referred to collectively as the "Company Securities"). There are no outstanding obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the Company Securities. There are no voting trusts, proxies or other agreements to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with respect to the voting of any Shares or other Company Securities. No Shares are owned by any Subsidiary of the Company.

        3.4.    Authority.    

8


        3.5.    Consents and Approvals; No Violations.    Except for filings, permits, authorizations, consents and approvals set forth in Section 3.5 of the Company Disclosure Letter or filing of the Merger Certificate with The Delaware Secretary of State, filing of the Proxy Statement, or as may be required under, and other applicable requirements of, the Exchange Act, the HSR Act, Regulatory Laws, the DGCL, the rules and regulations of the NYSE and state securities Laws, neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Company nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby will (a) contravene, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of any provision of the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws of the Company, or of the similar organizational documents of any of the Company's Subsidiaries, (b) require the Company to make any notice to, or filing with, or obtain any permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity or workers council or similar organization, (c) assuming compliance with the matters referred to in clause (b) and obtaining the Requisite Company Vote, contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any applicable Law, (d) require any consent or other action by any Person under, constitute a default, or an event that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default, under, or cause or permit the termination, cancellation, acceleration or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Material Contract, or (e) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, with such exceptions, in the case of each of clauses (b) through (e), as would not have or would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

        3.6.    Company SEC Documents.    The Company has filed with or furnished to the SEC, on a timely basis, all forms, reports, statements, certifications, schedules and other documents required to be filed with the SEC or furnished to the SEC by the Company since December 31, 2009 under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (all such forms, reports, statements, certifications, schedules and other documents filed since December 31, 2009, together with any documents so filed or furnished during such period on a voluntary basis, as the same may have been amended since their filing, collectively, the "Company SEC Documents"). As of their respective filing dates, the Company SEC Documents (as amended, if applicable) complied, in all material respects, with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, each as in effect on the date so filed. At the time filed with the SEC (or if amended prior to the date hereof, as of the date of such amendment), none of the Company SEC Documents (as amended, if applicable) contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The financial statements of the Company included in the Company SEC Documents (including the related notes and schedules thereto) complied, as of their respective dates, in all material respects with the then applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except in the case of the unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act) applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto) and fairly presented in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and their consolidated cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments and to any other adjustments described therein). None of the Company's Subsidiaries is required to file periodic reports with the SEC.

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        3.7.    Internal Controls; Sarbanes-Oxley Act.    

        3.8.    Absence of Material Adverse Change.    From December 31, 2011 through the date hereof, (a) the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses in all material respects in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, (b) there shall not have occurred any fact, circumstance, change, event, occurrence or effect that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, and (c) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action or agreed to take any action that would be prohibited by Sections 5.1(a)(i) through (iii), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (i), (j), (k), (m), (q) or, to the extent applicable to such sections, (r) if it were taken on or after the date of this Agreement without Parent's consent.

        3.9.    Information Supplied.    None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Company or any of its Representatives for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement relating to the Stockholders Meeting will, at the time the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the Company's

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stockholders or at the time of the Stockholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, except that no representation or warranty is made by the Company with respect to statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied in by Parent or Merger Sub or any of their Representatives.

        3.10.    Availability for Restricted Payments.    

        3.11.    Compliance with Laws.    

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        3.12.    Tax Matters.    

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        3.13.    Liabilities.    Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise), other than liabilities and obligations: (a) reflected, reserved for or disclosed in the Company's consolidated balance sheet for the fiscal quarter ended March 30, 2012 included in the Company SEC Documents (or in the related notes and schedules thereto), (b) incurred in the ordinary course of business since March 30, 2012, (c) incurred in connection with the Merger or any other transactions expressly permitted or required by this Agreement, or (d) that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had or would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

        3.14.    Litigation.    Except for matters that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had or would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) there is no Action pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to or bound by any material outstanding Order.

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        3.15.    Benefit Plans.    

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        3.16.    Intellectual Property.    

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        3.17.    Material Contracts.    

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        A true, complete and correct list of the Material Contracts is set forth in Section 3.17(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter. The Company has made available to Parent true, complete and correct copies of all of the Material Contracts, including any amendments thereto.

        3.18.    Properties.    

        3.19.    Environmental Laws.    Except as set forth on Section 3.19 of the Company Disclosure Letter, (a) except for matters that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had or would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries have been and are in compliance with all Environmental Laws and are in possession of, and in compliance with, all Environmental Permits necessary for the conduct and operation of the business; (ii) all such Environmental Permits are in full force and effect; and no action is pending, or to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, to suspend, modify, amend or challenge any Environmental Permit; (iii) to the Knowledge of the Company, there is not now and has not been any Hazardous Substance used, generated, treated, released, or otherwise existing at, on, under or emanating from any Facility except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in liabilities under, applicable Environmental Laws; (iv) the Company and its Subsidiaries have not received any notice of alleged, actual or potential responsibility for, or any inquiry or investigation regarding, any release or threatened release of Hazardous Substances or alleged violation of, or non-compliance with, any Environmental Law, including with respect to any Hazardous Substance located at any real property formerly owned, leased or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or any of their predecessors) ("Former Facilities") or transported or disposed off-site by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no such notice is threatened; (v) there are no Actions pending, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against or regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries arising under Environmental Laws; (vi) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is or has been the subject of any claims alleging any damages arising from the use of or exposure to any asbestos or asbestos containing products manufactured, used, distributed, or sold on or prior to the Closing by the Company or the Subsidiaries (or any of their predecessors); and (vii) to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no past or present conditions, events, circumstances, facts, activities, practices, incidents, actions, omissions or plans that would reasonably be expected to (A) interfere with or prevent continued compliance by

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the Company or its Subsidiaries with Environmental Laws and the requirements of Environmental Permits or (B) give rise to any liability or other obligation under any Environmental Laws; (b) neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will require any investigation or remediation activities or notice to or consent of any Governmental Entity or third parties pursuant to any Environmental Law, including with respect to the New Jersey Industrial Site Recovery Act; and (c) the Company has delivered, or made available to Parent, copies of any material environmental assessments, reports, audits, studies, analyses, tests or monitoring possessed by or otherwise reasonably available to the Company or its Subsidiaries pertaining to compliance with, or liability under, Environmental Laws relating to the Facilities, the Former Facilities or the Company or its Subsidiaries. This Section 3.19 contains the sole representations and warranties made by the Company with respect to matters arising under Environmental Laws.

        3.20.    Insurance Policies.    Except for matters that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had or would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (a) all insurance policies maintained by the Company and its Subsidiaries are in full force and effect and all premiums due and payable thereon have been paid, (b) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in breach or default of any of its insurance policies, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action or failed to take any action which, with notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a breach or default or permit termination or modification of any of such policies, (c) there is no claim pending under any of such policies as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed by the underwriters of such policies and there has been no written threat of termination of, alteration in coverage, or premium increase with respect to any such policies, and (d) the Company has not received any written notice of termination, cancellation, or non-renewal with respect to any such policy.

        3.21.    Labor and Employment Matters.    Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (a) has, in the United States, agreed to recognize any labor union or labor organization, nor has any labor union or labor organization, in the United States, been certified as the exclusive bargaining representative of any employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) is a party to or otherwise bound by, or currently negotiating, any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with a labor union or labor organization in the United States, or (c) as of the date hereof is the subject of any material proceeding asserting that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has committed an unfair labor practice or seeking to compel it to bargain with any labor union or labor organization, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company is any such proceeding threatened. Except for matters that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had or would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Laws respecting labor, employment, fair employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, workers' compensation, occupational safety and health requirements, plant closings, wages and hours, withholding of taxes, Form I-9 matters, employment discrimination, disability rights or benefits, equal opportunity, labor relations, employee leave issues and unemployment insurance and related matters, and (ii) to the Knowledge of the Company, none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has classified an individual as an "independent contractor" or of similar status who, according to a Benefit Plan or applicable Law, should have been classified as an employee or of similar status.

        3.22.    Related Party Transactions.    No present or former director, officer or Affiliate (other than any Subsidiary of the Company) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (each of the foregoing, a "Related Party") (a) is, or since December 31, 2010, has been, a party to any transaction, Contract or understanding with or binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets (other than employment agreements), nor are there any of the foregoing currently proposed to the Company's audit committee, or (b) has any interest in any property owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, that is of a type that would be required to be

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disclosed in the Company SEC Documents pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K (a "Related Party Transaction") that has not been so disclosed. Any Related Party Transaction as of the time it was entered into and as of the time of any amendment or renewal thereof contained such terms and conditions as were at least as favorable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as would have been obtainable by the Company or any such Subsidiary in a similar transaction with an unaffiliated third Person. No Related Party owns, directly or indirectly, on an individual or joint basis, any interest in, or serves as an officer or director or in another similar capacity of, any supplier or other independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any organization which has any Contract with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

        3.23.    Government Contracts.    Except as set forth on Section 3.23 of the Company Disclosure Letter, since December 31, 2009: (i) to the Knowledge of the Company, none of the Company's personnel has been debarred or suspended from doing business with any Governmental Entity; (ii) to the Knowledge of the Company, there have not been any, and there exist no, (1) material outstanding claims against the Company arising under or relating to any Government Contract or Government Bid; (2) criminal allegations under the False Statements Act (18 U.S.C. § 1001) or the False Claims Act (18 U.S.C. § 287) or comparable state laws; and (3) material disputes (x) between the Company and any Governmental Entity under the Contract Disputes Act, or any other federal or state law or (y) between the Company and any prime contractor, subcontractor or vendor arising under or relating to any Government Contract or Government Bid; and (iii) to the Knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its personnel has been under administrative, civil or criminal investigation, or indictment by any Governmental Entity with respect to any alleged irregularity, misstatement or omission arising under or relating to any Government Contract or Government Bid, and the Company has not conducted or initiated any internal investigation or made a disclosure to any Governmental Entity, with respect to any alleged irregularity, misstatement or omission arising under or relating to a Government Contract or Government Bid.

        3.24.    Vote Required.    Except for the Stockholder Approval, no other vote or consent of the holders of any Shares is required by any Takeover Statute (including Section 203 of DGCL) or by the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company to approve and adopt the Merger, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

        3.25.    Regulated Business.    Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged in any banking, investment management, telecommunications or public utility business.

        3.26.    Opinion of Financial Advisor.    The Company Board has received the opinion of Barclays, financial advisor to the Company Board, to the effect that, as of the date hereof, the Per Share Merger Consideration is fair to the Company's stockholders from a financial point of view. The Company will make available to Parent solely for informational purposes a correct and complete copy of the written opinion of Barclays as soon as practicable after the receipt thereof.

        3.27.    Brokers.    No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person, other than Barclays, the fees and expenses of which will be paid by the Company, is entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or other similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company. Correct and complete copies of all agreements between the Company and Barclays concerning this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including any fee arrangements, have been previously provided to Parent.

        3.28.    Exclusivity of Representations.    The representations and warranties made by the Company in this Article III are the exclusive representations and warranties made by the Company. The Company hereby disclaims any other express or implied representations or warranties with respect to itself.

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ARTICLE IV

Representations and Warranties of Parent and Merger Sub

        Except as set forth in the corresponding sections or subsections of the disclosure letter delivered to the Company by Parent concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the "Parent Disclosure Letter") (it being acknowledged and agreed that disclosure of any item in any section or subsection of the Parent Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosure with respect to any other section or subsection only to the extent that the relevance of such disclosure to such other section or subsection is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure), Parent and Merger Sub each hereby represent and warrant to the Company as follows:

        4.1.    Organization.    Parent and Merger Sub are each a corporation, in each case, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization and having all powers and all governmental licenses, authorizations, permits, consents and approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted. Each of Parent and Merger Sub is duly qualified to do business as a foreign organization and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary, except for those jurisdictions where failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the Merger.

        4.2.    Authority.    Each of Parent and Merger Sub has the requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Parent and Merger Sub and the consummation by each of Parent and Merger Sub of the Merger and of the other transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary actions on the part of each of Parent and Merger Sub. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of Parent and Merger Sub and (assuming the valid authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company) constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each of Parent and Merger Sub enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability (a) may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and (b) is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

        4.3.    Consents and Approvals; No Violations.    Except for filings, permits, authorizations, consents and approvals set forth in Section 4.3 of the Parent Disclosure Letter, as may result from any facts or circumstances related to the Company or its Subsidiaries or as may be required under, and other applicable requirements of, the Exchange Act, the HSR Act, Regulatory Laws, the DGCL, the rules and regulations of the NYSE, state securities Laws, neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by Parent and Merger Sub nor the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby will (a) contravene, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of any provision of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws, or similar organizational documents, of Parent or Merger Sub, (b) require Parent or Merger Sub to make any notice to, or filing with, or obtain any permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity, (c) assuming compliance with the matters referred to in clause (b), contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any applicable Law, (d) require any consent or other action by any Person under, constitute a default, or an event that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, could become a default, under, or cause or permit the termination, cancellation, acceleration or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract not otherwise terminable by the other party thereto on 180 days' or less notice to which Parent or Merger Sub is entitled under any provision of any agreement or other instrument binding upon Parent or Merger Sub, or (e) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of Parent or Merger Sub, with such exceptions, in the case of each of clauses (b) through

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(e), as would not be reasonably expected, individually or in the aggregate, to prevent or materially delay or impede the consummation of the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby.

        4.4.    Capitalization; Ownership of Common Stock.    

        4.5.    Information Supplied.    None of the information supplied or to be supplied by Parent or Merger Sub or any of their Representatives specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement will, at the time the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the Company's stockholders or at the time of the Stockholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, except that no representation or warranty is made by Parent or Merger Sub with respect to statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied by the Company or any of its Representatives.

        4.6.    Litigation.    As of the date hereof, there is no Action pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened in writing against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (including Merger Sub), including any Action that would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to prevent or materially impair or delay the consummation of the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. None of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (including Merger Sub) is subject to or bound by any Order that would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to prevent or materially delay or impede the consummation of the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

        4.7.    Operations of Merger Sub.    Merger Sub has been formed solely for the purpose of the Merger, Merger Sub has not conducted any business prior to the date hereof and Merger Sub has no, and prior to the Effective Time will not have any, assets, liabilities or obligations of any nature other than those incident to its formation and pursuant to this Agreement and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Financing.

        4.8.    Financing.    

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        4.9.    Solvency.    Assuming (i) satisfaction of the conditions to Parent's and Merger Sub's obligation to consummate the Merger and (ii) accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Article III as of the Effective Time, on and as of the Closing Date, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Parent, the Surviving Corporation and the Surviving Corporation's Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be Solvent.

        4.10.    Limited Guaranties.    Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Guarantors have delivered to the Company the duly executed Limited Guaranties. Each of the Limited Guaranties is in full force and effect and is the valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Guarantor party thereto, except that such enforceability (a) may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and (b) is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). As of the date hereof, no event has occurred, which, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute a default on the part of any Guarantor under the Limited Guaranty provided by such Guarantor.

        4.11.    No Regulatory Impediment.    To the Knowledge of Parent, there is no material fact relating to Parent or any of its Affiliates' respective businesses, operations, financial condition or legal status, including any officer's, director's or current employee's status, that would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the parties to this Agreement to obtain, on a timely basis, any authorization, consent, Order, declaration or approval of any Governmental Entity necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

        4.12.    Absence of Certain Arrangements.    Other than this Agreement, those other agreements contemplated hereby and as set forth in Section 4.12 of the Parent Disclosure Letter, there are no contracts, undertakings, commitments, agreements or obligations or understandings between Parent or Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and any member of the Company's

24


management or the Company Board or any of their respective Affiliates, or any stockholder, on the other hand, (i) relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the operations of the Surviving Corporation after the Effective Time or (ii) that would in any way prevent, restrict, impede or affect adversely the ability of the Company or any of the Company's directors or stockholders to entertain, negotiate or participate in any Acquisition Proposal made before or following the Requisite Company Vote in accordance with Section 5.3.

        4.13.    Brokers.    No agent, broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent or Merger Sub for which the Company could have any liability.

        4.14.    Exclusivity of Representations.    The representations and warranties made by Parent and Merger Sub in this Article IV are the exclusive representations and warranties made by Parent and Merger Sub. Each of Parent and Merger Sub hereby disclaims any other express or implied representations or warranties with respect to itself.

        4.15.    No Other Company Representations or Warranties.    

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ARTICLE V

Covenants

        5.1.    Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger.    Except (1) with the prior written consent of Parent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed (except with respect to Sections 5.1(a)(i) through (iii) and 5.1(g)(B), for which consent may be withheld in Parent's sole discretion)), (2) as required by applicable Law, (3) as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or (4) as otherwise set forth in Section 5.1 of the Company Disclosure Letter, during the period from the date hereof until the Effective Time (or such earlier date on which this Agreement may be terminated) the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, carry on its business in all material respects in the ordinary course consistent with past practice. To the extent consistent with the foregoing and except as otherwise consented to in writing by Parent, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to preserve their assets and properties in good repair and condition, preserve their business organizations intact, maintain existing relations and goodwill with Governmental Entities, alliances, customers, suppliers, employees and business associates and manage its working capital (including the timing of collection of accounts receivable, the payment of accounts payable and the management of inventory) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and, in each case, in all material respects. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and except as (i) required by applicable Law, (ii) expressly contemplated by this Agreement or (iii) otherwise set forth in Section 5.1 of the Company Disclosure Letter, during such period, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, without the prior written consent of Parent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed (except with respect to Sections 5.1(a)(i) through (iii) and 5.1(g)(B), for which consent may be withheld in Parent's sole discretion)):

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        5.2.    Conduct of Business of Parent.    Parent shall not, and shall not permit any Specified Parent Affiliate to, without the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably

28


withheld, delayed or conditioned) take or agree to take any action that could reasonably be expected to (a) delay or prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (b) materially interfere with Parent's ability to make available to the Paying Agent immediately prior to the Effective Time funds sufficient for the satisfaction of all of Parent's and Merger Sub's obligations under this Agreement, including the payment of the Per Share Merger Consideration and the payment of all associated Costs.

        5.3.    Solicitation.    

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        5.4.    Proxy Statement.    

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        5.5.    Stockholders Meeting.    

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        5.6.    Reasonable Best Efforts; Filings; Other Actions.    

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        5.7.    Access and Reports.    

        5.8.    Publicity; Communications.    

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        5.9.    Employee Benefits.    

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        5.10.    Expenses.    Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such expense. Parent shall, or shall cause the Surviving Corporation to, pay all charges and expenses, including those of the Paying Agent, in connection with the transactions contemplated in Article II.

        5.11.    Indemnification; Directors' and Officers' Insurance.    

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        5.12.    Rule 16b-3.    Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall (and shall be permitted to) take all steps reasonably necessary to cause the transactions contemplated hereby and any other dispositions of equity securities of the Company including any Company equity awards pursuant to Section 2.8 in connection with this Agreement by each individual who is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

        5.13.    Financing.    

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        5.14.    Financing Cooperation.    

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        5.15.    Existing Notes.    

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        5.16.    Transaction Litigation.    The Company and Parent shall give each other the opportunity to participate in the defense, settlement and/or prosecution of any Transaction Litigation; provided that (a) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary or Representative of the Company shall compromise, settle, come to an arrangement regarding or agree to compromise, settle or come to an arrangement regarding any Transaction Litigation or consent to the same unless Parent shall have consented in writing and (b) after receipt of Stockholder Approval, the Company shall, if requested by Parent, use its reasonable best efforts to settle any unresolved Transaction Litigation in accordance with Parent's direction.

        5.17.    State Takeover Statutes.    The Company and the Company Board shall, if any Takeover Statute becomes applicable to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, use reasonable best efforts to ensure that the transactions provided for in this Agreement may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise to minimize the effect of such Takeover Statute on this Agreement or the transactions provided for in this Agreement.


ARTICLE VI

Conditions

        6.1.    Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger.    The respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby is subject to the satisfaction or waiver in writing by Parent and the Company at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the following conditions:

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        6.2.    Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub.    The obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to effect the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby are also subject to the satisfaction or waiver in writing by Parent at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:

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        6.3.    Conditions to Obligation of the Company.    The obligation of the Company to effect the Merger is also subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Company at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:

        6.4.    Frustration of Closing Conditions.    None of the Company, Parent or Merger Sub may rely, either as a basis for not consummating the Merger or for terminating this Agreement, on the failure of any condition set forth in Sections 6.1, 6.2 or 6.3, as the case may be, to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such party's material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in this Agreement.


ARTICLE VII

Termination

        7.1.    Termination by Mutual Consent.    This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after the Stockholder Approval is obtained, by mutual written consent of the Company and Parent by action of their respective boards of directors.

        7.2.    Termination by Either Parent or the Company.    This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by either Parent or the Company if:

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        7.3.    Termination by the Company.    This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned by the Company:

        7.4.    Termination by Parent.    This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by Parent if:

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        7.5.    Effect of Termination and Abandonment.    

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        For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the Company be required to pay the Excluded Party Fee or Termination Fee on more than one occasion. For purposes of this Agreement, any payment of the Termination Fee or Excluded Party Fee to the Termination Fee Parties hereunder shall be payable to Parent to the extent that Parent has any unreimbursed expenses and any remaining amounts shall be payable 50% to Goldman, Sachs & Co. and 50% to P2 Capital Partners, LLC.

        For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall Parent be required to pay the Parent Fee on more than one occasion. The Company shall have the right to assign its right to receive the Parent Fee to one or more Persons in its sole discretion.

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ARTICLE VIII

General Provisions

        8.1.    Survival.    None of the representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time; provided, that this Article VIII and the agreements of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub contained in Article II and Sections 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, and 5.13(d) shall survive the consummation of the Merger; and that this Article VIII and Sections 5.8, 5.10, 5.11, 5.13(d) and 7.5 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. All other representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement shall not survive the consummation of the Merger or the termination of this Agreement. This Section 8.1 shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the parties which by its terms contemplates performance after the Effective Time.

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        8.2.    Modification or Amendment.    Subject to the provisions of the applicable Laws, the parties hereto may modify or amend this Agreement, by written agreement executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers of each of the respective parties; provided that following approval of this Agreement by the Company's stockholders, there shall be no amendment of or change to the provisions of this Agreement which, pursuant to applicable Law, would require further approval by the Company's stockholders without receipt of such approval.

        8.3.    Waiver; Extension.    The conditions to each of the parties' obligations to consummate the Merger are for the sole benefit of such party and may be waived by such party (without the approval of the stockholders of the Company) in whole or in part to the extent permitted by applicable Laws. At any time prior to the Effective Time, the parties may (a) waive or extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties, or (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to this Agreement. Any agreement on the part of a party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party. The failure of any party to this Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.

        8.4.    Counterparts.    This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each such counterpart being deemed to be an original instrument, and all such counterparts shall together constitute the same agreement.

        8.5.    Governing Law and Venue; Waiver of Jury Trial.    

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        8.6.    Notices.    All notices, demands and other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) if personally delivered, on the date of delivery, (b) if delivered by express courier service of national standing (with charges prepaid), on the Business Day following the date of delivery to such courier service, (c) if deposited in the United States mail, first-class postage prepaid, on the fifth Business Day following the date of such deposit, or (d) if delivered by facsimile transmission, upon confirmation of successful transmission, (i) on the date of such transmission, if such transmission is completed at or prior to 5:00 p.m., local time of the recipient party on a Business Day, on the date of such transmission, and (ii) on the next Business Day following the date of transmission, if such transmission is completed after 5:00 p.m., local time of the recipient party, on the date of such transmission or is transmitted on a day that is not a Business Day. All notices, demands and other communications hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice:

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or to such other persons or addresses as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice as provided above.

        8.7.    Specific Performance.    

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        8.8.    Entire Agreement.    (a) This Agreement (including any exhibits hereto), (b) the Company Disclosure Letter, (c) the Parent Disclosure Letter, (d) the Limited Guaranties and (e) the letter agreement, dated March 19, 2012, between the Company and GS Capital Partners and the letter agreement, dated March 22, 2012, between the Company and P2 Capital Partners, LLC (each, a "Confidentiality Agreement") constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all other prior agreements, understandings, representations and warranties both written and oral, among the parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

        8.9.    No Third Party Beneficiaries.    Except for Sections 5.11, 5.13(d), 7.5 and 8.5 (each of which provisions is intended to be for the benefit of the Persons referred to therein, and may be enforced by any such Person), each of Parent and the Company hereby agree that their respective representations, warranties and covenants set forth herein are solely for the benefit of the other party hereto, in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement, and this Agreement is not intended to, and does not, confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder, including the right to rely upon the representations and warranties set forth herein. The parties hereto further agree that the rights of third party beneficiaries under Section 5.11 shall not arise unless and until the Effective Time occurs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each party to the Debt Commitment Letter (and its respective Representatives) shall be express third party beneficiaries with respect to Section 7.5(g) and Section 8.5.

        8.10.    Definitions; Construction.    

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        8.11.    Severability.    The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any Person or any circumstance, is invalid or unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in any other jurisdiction.

        8.12.    Assignment.    Except as provided in Section 7.5(b) and 7.5(c), neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto (whether by operation of Law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other parties; provided that Parent and Merger Sub may assign this Agreement (in whole but not in part) to any Affiliate of Parent and/or to any Financing Sources for purposes of creating a security interest herein or otherwise assign as collateral in respect of the Financing. No assignment by any party hereto shall relieve such assigning party of any of its obligations hereunder. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns. Any purported assignment in violation of this Section 8.12 shall be void.

        8.13.    Headings.    The table of contents and headings herein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof.

        8.14.    Delivery by Facsimile or Electronic Transmission.    This Agreement and any signed agreement or instrument entered into in connection with this Agreement, and any amendments or waivers hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or by e-mail delivery of a ".pdf" format data file, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or e-mail delivery of a ".pdf" format data file to deliver a signature to this Agreement or any amendment hereto or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or e-mail delivery of a ".pdf" format data file as a defense to the formation of a contract and each party hereto forever waives any such defense.

[Signature Page Follows]

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        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto as of the date first written above.

    INTERLINE BRANDS, INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ MICHAEL AGLIATA

Name: Michael Agliata
Title: Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary

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        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto as of the date first written above.

    ISABELLE HOLDING COMPANY INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ BRADLEY J. GROSS

Name: Bradley J. Gross
Title: Vice President

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        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto as of the date first written above.

    ISABELLE ACQUISITION SUB INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ BRADLEY J. GROSS

Name: Bradley J. Gross
Title: Vice President

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QuickLinks

Table of Contents
INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
RECITALS
ARTICLE I The Merger
ARTICLE II Effects of the Merger
ARTICLE III Representations and Warranties of the Company
ARTICLE IV Representations and Warranties of Parent and Merger Sub
ARTICLE V Covenants
ARTICLE VI Conditions
ARTICLE VII Termination
ARTICLE VIII General Provisions