UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):
January 23, 2015
SUTOR
TECHNOLOGY GROUP LIMITED
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada |
001-33959 |
87-0578370 |
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(State of Incorporation) |
(Commission File No.) |
(IRS Employer ID No.) |
No. 8, Huaye Road
Dongbang Industrial Park
Changshu, China 215534
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(86) 512-52680988
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including
Area Code:
(Former name or former
address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction
A.2. below):
¨ Written communications
pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR.425)
¨ Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨ Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨ Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 5.02. DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS;
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS.
On and effective January 23, 2015, Mr. Gerard Pascale resigned
as a member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) and a member of the Board’s Audit, Compensation and Governance
and Nominating Committees of Sutor Technology Group Limited (the “Company”). Mr. Pascale’s resignation was due
to personal reasons and was not a result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations,
policies or practices. On the same day, the Board appointed Mr. Lin Yang as a director of the Company, to each of the Audit, Compensation
and Governance and Nominating Committees of the Company and as the Chair of the Audit Committee, effective immediately.
In addition, the Board determined that Mr. Yang meets the criteria
for independent directors and audit committee members as set forth in NASDAQ Listing Rules 5605(a)(2) and 5605(c)(2)(A). The Board
also determined that Mr. Yang possesses accounting or related financial management experience that qualifies him as financially
sophisticated within the meaning of NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(c)(2)(A) and that he is an "audit committee financial expert"
as defined by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Mr. Yang, age 34, has nearly ten years’ work experience
in auditing and financial analysis. Since November 2014, he has been a Partner of Shanghai Shiyu Financial Advisory Co., Ltd.,
specializing in merger and acquisition advisory. From March 2008 through October 2014, Mr. Yang served as Senior Manager at Ernst
& Young China, where he was providing auditing services to public companies listed on NASDAQ and Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Before that, Mr. Yang worked for Baker Tilly China as Audit Manager, from June 2005 through February 2008. Mr. Yang received a
Bachelor’s degree in management from Nanjing Auditing University. He has been a member of Chinese Institute of Certified
Public Accountants (CICPA) since 2004.
There is no family relationship exists
between Mr. Yang and any directors or executive officers of the Company. In addition, there are no arrangements or understandings
between Mr. Yang and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as a director of the Company, to each of the Audit, Compensation
and Governance and Nominating Committees of the Company and as the Chair of the Audit Committee, and there are no related party
transactions with respect to Mr. Yang that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
On January 26, 2015, the Company entered into an independent
director contract with Mr. Yang, under which Mr. Yang will receive an annual salary of RMB200,000 (approximately $32,500). In addition,
the Company agreed to indemnify Mr. Yang against expenses, judgments, fines, penalties or other amounts actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with any proceeding if he acts in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.
On the same day, the Company’s subsidiary, Sutor Steel
Technology Co., Ltd. entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Jun Xu, the newly appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company,
under which Mr. Xu will receive an annual salary of $100,000. Mr. Xu’s employment with us is at will and can be terminated
by either party at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice.
The foregoing description does not purport
to be a complete statement of the parties’ rights and obligations under the independent director contract and the employment
agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of such agreements attached to this report as Exhibit
10.1 and Exhibit 10.2, respectively.
Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit |
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Description |
10.1 |
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Independent Director Contract, dated January 26, 2015, by and between the Company and Lin Yang |
10.2 |
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Employment Agreement, dated January 26, 2015, by and between Sutor Steel Technology Co., Ltd. and Jun Xu |
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 hereunto duly authorized.
Sutor Technology Group Limited |
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Date: January 27, 2015 |
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/s/ Lifang Chen |
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Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 10.1
SUTOR TECHNOLOGY GROUP LIMITED
INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR’S CONTRACT
THIS INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR’S
CONTRACT (the “Agreement”) is made as of the 26th day of January, 2015 and is by and between Sutor Technology
Group Limited, a Nevada corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”), and Lin Yang (hereinafter referred
to as the “Director”).
BACKGROUND
The Company desires
to retain the Director for the duties of Independent Director and the Director desires to be retained for such position and to
perform the duties required of such position in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
In consideration for
the above recited promises and the mutual promises contained herein, the adequacy and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
the Company and the Director hereby agree as follows:
1. DUTIES. The Company
requires that the Director be available to perform the duties of an independent director customarily related to this function as
may be determined and assigned by the Board of Directors and as may be required by the Company’s constituent instruments,
including its Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and its corporate governance and board committee charters, each as amended or modified
from time to time, and by applicable law, including the Nevada Revised Statutes. The Director agrees to devote as much time as
is necessary to perform completely the duties as the Director of the Company, including duties as the chairman of the Audit Committee
and a member of Compensation Committee, Governance and Nominating Committee and such other committees as the Director may hereafter
be appointed to. The Director will perform such duties described herein in accordance with the general fiduciary duty of directors
arising under Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes.
2. TERM. The term
of this Agreement shall commence as of the date hereof and shall continue until the Director’s removal, resignation or the
one-year anniversary of the date hereof, whichever is earlier. This 12-month period ending on the anniversary date of the Director’s
appointment is a “Service Year.”
3. COMPENSATION.
For all services to be rendered by Director in any capacity hereunder, the Company agrees to pay Director a fee of RMB 200,000
in cash during this Service Year.
4. EXPENSES. In
addition to the compensation provided in paragraph 3 hereof, the Company will reimburse the Director for pre-approved reasonable
business related expenses incurred in good faith in the performance of the Director’s duties for the Company. Such payments
shall be made by the Company upon submission by the Director of a signed statement itemizing the expenses incurred. Such statement
shall be accompanied by sufficient documentary matter to support the expenditures.
5. CONFIDENTIALITY.
The Company and the Director each acknowledge that, in order for the intents and purposes of this Agreement to be accomplished,
the Director shall necessarily be obtaining access to certain confidential information concerning the Company and its affairs,
including, but not limited to business methods, information systems, financial data and strategic plans which are unique assets
of the Company (“Confidential Information”). The Director covenants not to, either directly or indirectly, in
any manner, utilize or disclose to any person, firm, corporation, association or other entity any Confidential Information.
6. NON-COMPETE.
During the term of this Agreement and for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of this agreement (the “Restricted
Period”), the Director shall not, directly or indirectly, (a) in any manner whatsoever engage in any capacity with any
business competitive with the Company’s current lines of business or any business then engaged in by the Company, any of
its subsidiaries or any of its affiliates (the “Company’s Business”) for the Director’s own benefit
or for the benefit of any person or entity other than the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate; or (b) have any interest as owner,
sole proprietor, stockholder, partner, lender, director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, agent or otherwise in any business
competitive with the Company’s Business; provided, however, that the Director may hold, directly or indirectly,
solely as an investment, not more than one percent (1%) of the outstanding securities of any person or entity which is listed on
any national securities exchange or regularly traded in the over-the-counter market notwithstanding the fact that such person or
entity is engaged in a business competitive with the Company’s Business. In addition, during the Restricted Period, the Director
shall not develop any property for use in the Company’s Business on behalf of any person or entity other than the Company,
its subsidiaries and affiliates.
7. TERMINATION.
With or without cause, the Company and the Director may each terminate this Agreement at any time upon ten (10) days written notice,
and the Company shall be obligated to pay to the Director the compensation and expenses due up to the date of the termination.
Nothing contained herein or omitted herefrom shall prevent the stockholder(s) of the Company from removing the Director with immediate
effect at any time for any reason.
8. INDEMNIFICATION.
The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Director, to the full extent allowed by the law of the State of Nevada,
and as provided by, or granted pursuant to, any charter provision, Bylaw provision, agreement (including, without limitation, the
Indemnification Agreement executed herewith), vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in
the Director’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
9. EFFECT OF WAIVER.
The waiver by either party of the breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed as a waiver of
any subsequent breach thereof.
10. NOTICE. Any
and all notices referred to herein shall be sufficient if furnished in writing at the addresses specified on the signature page
hereto or, if to the Company, to the Company’s address as specified in filings made by the Company with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission and if by fax, to 0086-512-52687706
11. GOVERNING LAW.
This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with, and the rights of the parties hereto shall be determined by, the laws of
the State of Nevada without reference to that state’s conflicts of laws principles.
12. ASSIGNMENT.
The rights and benefits of the Company under this Agreement shall be transferable, and all the covenants and agreements hereunder
shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by or against, its successors and assigns. The duties and obligations of the
Director under this Agreement are personal and therefore the Director may not assign any right or duty under this Agreement without
the prior written consent of the Company.
13. MISCELLANEOUS.
If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared invalid or illegal, for any reason whatsoever, then, notwithstanding such
invalidity or illegality, the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in the same
manner as if the invalid or illegal provision had not been contained herein.
14. ARTICLE HEADINGS.
The article headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
15. COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one instrument. Facsimile
execution and delivery of this Agreement is legal, valid and binding for all purposes.
16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
Except as provided elsewhere herein, this Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject
matter and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether
oral or written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party to this Agreement with respect to such subject matter.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereto have caused this Independent Director’s Contract to be duly executed and signed as of the day and year
first above written.
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SUTOR TECHNOLOGY GROUP LIMITED |
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BY: |
/s/ Lifang Chen |
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Name:
Title: |
Lifang Chen Chief Executive
Officer |
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INDEPENDENT
DIRECTOR |
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BY: |
/s/ Lin Yang |
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Name: |
Lin Yang |
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Address: |
EXHIBIT A
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification
Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of the 26th day of January, 2015 is made by and between SUTOR TECHNOLOGY
GROUP LIMITED., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and Lin Yang, a director of the Company (the “Indemnitee”).
RECITALS
A. The Company and the Indemnitee
recognize that the present state of the law is too uncertain to provide the Company’s officers and directors with adequate
and reliable advance knowledge or guidance with respect to the legal risks and potential liabilities to which they may become personally
exposed as a result of performing their duties for the Company;
B. The Company and the Indemnitee
are aware of the substantial growth in the number of lawsuits filed against corporate officers and directors in connection with
their activities in such capacities and by reason of their status as such;
C. The Company and the Indemnitee
recognize that the cost of defending against such lawsuits, whether or not meritorious, is typically beyond the financial resources
of most officers and directors of the Company;
D. The Company and the Indemnitee
recognize that the legal risks and potential liabilities, and the threat thereof, associated with proceedings filed against the
officers and directors of the Company bear no reasonable relationship to the amount of compensation received by the Company’s
officers and directors;
E. The Company, after reasonable
investigation prior to the date hereof, has determined that the liability insurance coverage available to the Company as of the
date hereof is inadequate, unreasonably expensive or both. The Company believes, therefore, that the interest of the Company and
its current and future stockholders would be best served by a combination of (i) such insurance as the Company may obtain pursuant
to the Company’s obligations hereunder and (ii) a contract with its officers and directors, including the Indemnitee, to
indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by law (as in effect on the date hereof, or, to the extent any amendment may expand
such permitted indemnification, as hereafter in effect) against personal liability for actions taken in the performance of their
duties to the Company;
F. Section 78.7502 of the Nevada
Revised Statutes empowers Nevada corporations to indemnify their officers and directors and further states that the indemnification
provided by Section 78.7502 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled
under the articles of incorporation or any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both
as to action in an official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office; thus, Section 78.7502 does
not by itself limit the extent to which the Company may indemnify persons serving as its officers and directors;
G. The Company’s Articles
of Incorporation and Bylaws authorize the indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company in excess of that expressly
permitted by Section 78.7502;
H. The Board of Directors of the
Company has concluded that, to retain and attract talented and experienced individuals to serve as officers and directors of the
Company and to encourage such individuals to take the business risks necessary for the success of the Company, it is necessary
for the Company to contractually indemnify its officers and directors, and to assume for itself liability for expenses and damages
in connection with claims against such officers and directors in connection with their service to the Company, and has further
concluded that the failure to provide such contractual indemnification could result in great harm to the Company and its stockholders;
I. The Company desires and has requested
the Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve as a director or officer of the Company, free from undue concern for the risks and
potential liabilities associated with such services to the Company; and
J. The Indemnitee is willing to
serve, or continue to serve, the Company, provided, and on the expressed condition, that the Indemnitee is furnished with the indemnification
provided for herein.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, the
Company and Indemnitee agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
(a) “EXPENSES” means,
for the purposes of this Agreement, all direct and indirect costs of any type or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation,
any fees and disbursements of Indemnitee’s counsel, accountants and other experts and other out-of-pocket costs) actually
and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the investigation, preparation, defense or appeal of a Proceeding;
provided, however, that Expenses shall not include judgments, fines, penalties or amounts paid in settlement of a Proceeding.
(b) “PROCEEDING” means,
for the purposes of this Agreement, any threatened, pending or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative (including an action brought by or in the right of the Company) in which Indemnitee may be or may have been involved
as a party or otherwise, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any
action taken by Indemnitee or of any inaction on his or her part while acting as such director or officer or by reason of the fact
that he or she is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another foreign or
domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or was a director or officer of the foreign or domestic
corporation which was a predecessor corporation to the Company or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation,
whether or not he or she is serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification
or reimbursement can be provided under this Agreement.
2. AGREEMENT TO SERVE.
Indemnitee agrees to
serve or continue to serve as a director or officer of the Company to the best of his or her abilities at the will of the Company
or under separate contract, if such contract exists, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed and qualified or until
such time as the Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation in writing. Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to create
in Indemnitee any right to continued employment.
3. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) THIRD PARTY PROCEEDINGS. The
Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties or amounts paid in settlement (if the settlement
is approved in advance by the Company) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding (other than
a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company) if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed
to be in the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction,
or upon a plea of NOLO CONTENDERE or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in
good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company, or, with respect to
any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee's conduct was unlawful.
(b) PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT
OF THE COMPANY. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against Expenses and amounts paid
in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company
to procure a judgment in its favor if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the
best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no indemnification shall be made in respect
of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged liable to the Company in the performance of Indemnitee’s
duty to the Company and its stockholders unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or Proceeding is or
was pending shall determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity for Expenses and then only to the extent that the court shall determine.
(c) SCOPE. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement but subject to Section 14(b), the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted
by law, notwithstanding that such indemnification is not specifically authorized by other provisions of this Agreement, the Company’s
Articles of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws or by statute.
4. LIMITATIONS ON INDEMNIFICATION.
Any other provision
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:
(a) EXCLUDED ACTS. To indemnify
Indemnitee for any acts or omissions or transactions from which a director may not be relieved of liability under applicable law;
(b) EXCLUDED INDEMNIFICATION PAYMENTS.
To indemnify or advance Expenses in violation of any prohibition or limitation on indemnification under the statutes, regulations
or rules promulgated by any state or federal regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the Company.
(c) CLAIMS INITIATED BY INDEMNITEE.
To indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee with respect to Proceedings or claims initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee
and not by way of defense, except with respect to Proceedings brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification under
this Agreement or any other statute or law or otherwise as required under Section 78.7502 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, but such
indemnification or advancement of Expenses may be provided by the Company in specific cases if the Board of Directors has approved
the initiation or bringing of such suit;
(d) LACK OF GOOD FAITH. To indemnify
Indemnitee for any Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee with respect to any Proceeding instituted by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret
this Agreement, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by the Indemnitee in
such Proceeding was not made in good faith or was frivolous;
(e) INSURED CLAIMS. To indemnify
Indemnitee for Expenses or liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes
or penalties, and amounts paid in settlement) which have been paid directly to or on behalf of Indemnitee by an insurance carrier
under a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance maintained by the Company or any other policy of insurance
maintained by the Company or Indemnitee; or
(f) CLAIMS UNDER SECTION 16(b).
To indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses and the payment of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities
in violation of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute.
5. DETERMINATION OF RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION.
Upon receipt of a written
claim addressed to the Board of Directors for indemnification pursuant to Section 3, the Company shall determine by any of the
methods set forth in Section 78.751 of the Nevada Revised Statutes whether Indemnitee has met the applicable standards of conduct
which makes it permissible under applicable law to indemnify Indemnitee. If a claim under Section 3 is not paid in full by the
Company within ninety (90) days after such written claim has been received by the Company, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter
bring suit against the Company to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, unless such action is dismissed by the court as frivolous
or brought in bad faith, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. The court in which
such action is brought shall determine whether Indemnitee or the Company shall have the burden of proof concerning whether Indemnitee
has or has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
6. ADVANCEMENT AND REPAYMENT OF
EXPENSES.
Subject to Section
4 hereof, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in defending and investigating any Proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance
of the final disposition of such Proceeding within 30 days after receiving from Indemnitee the copies of invoices presented to
Indemnitee for such Expenses, if Indemnitee shall provide an undertaking to the Company to repay such amount to the extent it is
ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification. In determining whether or not to make an advance hereunder,
the ability of Indemnitee to repay shall not be a factor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in a proceeding brought by the Company
directly, in its own right (as distinguished from an action bought derivatively or by any receiver or trustee), the Company shall
not be required to make the advances called for hereby if the Board of Directors determines, in its sole discretion, that it does
not appear that Indemnitee has met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under applicable law to indemnify Indemnitee
and the advancement of Expenses would not be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
7. PARTIAL INDEMNIFICATION.
If the Indemnitee is
entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification or advancement by the Company of some or a portion of any Expenses
or liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to, judgments, fines, penalties, and amounts paid in settlement)
incurred by him in the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of a Proceeding, but is not entitled to indemnification or
advancement of the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify or pay advancements to the Indemnitee for the
portion of such Expenses or liabilities to which the Indemnitee is entitled.
8. NOTICE TO COMPANY BY INDEMNITEE.
Indemnitee shall notify
the Company in writing of any matter with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification hereunder as soon as reasonably
practicable following the receipt by Indemnitee of written notice thereof; provided, however, that any delay in so notifying the
Company shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of her rights hereunder. The written notification to the Company shall be addressed
to the Board of Directors and shall include a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding
and be accompanied by copies of any documents filed with the court in which the Proceeding is pending. In addition, Indemnitee
shall give the Company such information and cooperation as it may reasonably require and as shall be within Indemnitee’s
power.
9. MAINTENANCE OF LIABILITY INSURANCE.
(a) Subject to Section 4 hereof,
the Company hereby agrees that so long as Indemnitee shall continue to serve as a director or officer of the Company and thereafter
so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding, the Company, subject to Section 9(b), shall use reasonable commercial
efforts to obtain and maintain in full force and effect directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (“D&O
Insurance”) which provides Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the
Company’ directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of the Company’s officers, if Indemnitee is not a director of the
Company but is an officer.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain D&O Insurance if the Company determines in good faith that such
insurance is not reasonably available, the premium costs for such insurance are disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided,
the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit, or the Indemnitee is
covered by similar insurance maintained by a subsidiary or parent of the Company.
(c) If, at the time of the receipt
of a notice of a claim pursuant to Section 8 hereof, the Company has D&O Insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt
notice of the commencement of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.
The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee,
all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
10. DEFENSE OF CLAIM.
In the event that the
Company shall be obligated under Section 6 hereof to pay the Expenses of any Proceeding against Indemnitee, the Company, if appropriate,
shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding, with counsel approved by Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election to do so. After delivery of such notice, approval of
such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under
this Agreement for any fees of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding, provided that (i)
Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in any such Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense; and (ii) if (A) the employment
of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, or (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that
there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and the Indemnitee in the conduct of such defense or (C) the Company shall
not, in fact, have employed counsel to assume the defense of such Proceeding, then the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s
counsel shall be at the expense of the Company.
11. ATTORNEYS' FEES.
In the event that Indemnitee
or the Company institutes an action to enforce or interpret any terms of this Agreement, the Company shall reimburse Indemnitee
for all of the Indemnitee’s reasonable fees and expenses in bringing and pursuing such action or defense, unless as part
of such action or defense, a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis
for such action or defense were not made in good faith or were frivolous.
12. CONTINUATION OF OBLIGATIONS.
All agreements and
obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period the Indemnitee is a director or officer of the Company,
or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, fiduciary, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, and shall continue thereafter so long as the Indemnitee shall be subject
to any possible proceeding by reason of the fact that Indemnitee served in any capacity referred to herein.
13. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
This Agreement establishes
contract rights that shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the successors, assigns, heirs and legal representatives
of the parties hereto.
14. NON-EXCLUSIVITY.
(a) The provisions for indemnification
and advancement of expenses set forth in this Agreement shall not be deemed to be exclusive of any other rights that the Indemnitee
may have under any provision of law, the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, the vote of the Company’s stockholders
or disinterested directors, other agreements or otherwise, both as to action in the Indemnitee’s official capacity and action
in another capacity while occupying the Indemnitee’s position as a director or officer of the Company.
(b) In the event of any changes,
after the date of this Agreement, in any applicable law, statute, or rule which expand the right of a Nevada corporation to indemnify
its officers and directors, the Indemnitee's rights and the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall be expanded
to the full extent permitted by such changes. In the event of any changes in any applicable law, statute or rule, which narrow
the right of a Nevada corporation to indemnify a director or officer, such changes, to the extent not otherwise required by such
law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement, shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties’ rights and obligations
hereunder.
15. EFFECTIVENESS OF AGREEMENT.
To the extent that
the indemnification permitted under the terms of certain provisions of this Agreement exceeds the scope of the indemnification
provided for in the Nevada Revised Statutes, such provisions shall not be effective unless and until the Company’s Articles
of Incorporation authorize such additional rights of indemnification. In all other respects, the balance of this Agreement shall
be effective as of the date set forth on the first page and may apply to acts of omissions of Indemnitee which occurred prior to
such date if Indemnitee was an officer, director, employee or other agent of the Company, or was serving at the request of the
Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
at the time such act or omission occurred.
16. SEVERABILITY.
Nothing in this Agreement
is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law.
The Company’s inability, pursuant to court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a
breach of this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable as provided in this Section 16. If this Agreement
or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless
indemnify Indemnitee to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Agreement that shall not have been invalidated,
and the balance of this Agreement not so invalidated shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
17. GOVERNING LAW.
This Agreement shall
be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada, without reference to its conflict of law principals.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the parties hereby waive any provisions of law which render any provision of this Agreement
unenforceable in any respect.
18. NOTICE.
All notices, requests,
demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (i) if delivered by hand
and receipted for by the party addressee or (ii) if mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business
day after the mailing date. Addresses for notice to either party are as shown on the signature page of this Agreement, or as subsequently
modified by written notice.
19. MUTUAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
Both the Company and
Indemnitee acknowledge that in certain instances, federal law or applicable public policy may prohibit the Company from indemnifying
its directors and officers under this Agreement or otherwise. Indemnitee understands and acknowledges that the Company has undertaken
or may be required in the future to undertake with the appropriate state or federal regulatory agency to submit for approval any
request for indemnification, and has undertaken or may be required in the future to undertake with the Securities and Exchange
Commission to submit the question of indemnification to a court in certain circumstances for a determination of the Company’s
right under public policy to indemnify Indemnitee.
20. COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may
be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original.
21. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.
No amendment, modification,
termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing signed by both parties hereto.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year set forth above.
COMPANY: |
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INDEMNITEE: |
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SUTOR TECHNOLOGY GROUP LIMITED |
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Name: Lifang Chen |
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Name: Lin Yang |
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By: /s/ Lifang Chen |
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By: /s/ Lin Yang |
Title: CEO& President |
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Address: |
No.
8 Huaye Road |
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Address: |
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Dongbang Industrial
Park |
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Changshu,
China 215534 |
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Exhibit 10.2
Letter Agreement
January 26, 2015
By Hand Delivery
Jun Xu
Dear Mr. Xu:
The purpose of this
letter agreement (the “Agreement”) is to confirm your employment arrangement with SUTOR STEEL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
(the “Company”), on the following terms and conditions:
1. Duties.
You will be employed as the Chief Financial Officer, subject to the supervision of the board of directors. Your duties will include
but not be limited to, supervise the financial management of the company, improve the cash utilizing efficiency, reduce financial
cost. You shall devote your entire business time, energies, attention and abilities to the business of Company unless otherwise
authorized by the board of directors. During your employment by Company, you shall not engage in any activity or have any business
interest which in any manner interferes with the proper performance of your duties, conflicts with the interest of Company or
brings into disrepute the business reputation of Company.
2. Salary. Your
salary will be 100,000 USD per year, to be paid in monthly installments or otherwise in accordance with Company’s
normal payroll practices.
3. Bonus.
You shall be eligible for a bonus, which will be payable in the sole discretion of Company based upon your performance and the
Company’s performance during any year of your employment with the Company.
4. Term of Employment. Your will be an employee-at-will. This means that either you or Company may end your employment
at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice.
5. Vacation. You shall be entitled to 24 paid vacation days. You may not take more than 32 vacation days consecutively.
Vacation days will not be carried over to future years of employment.
6. Incentive and Other Plans. You will be entitled to participate in such pension, major medical, life insurance and
other plans and benefit programs as may be made available from time to time to employees of Company having responsibilities comparable
to yours and under the terms of which you are eligible to participate.
7. Company Policies.
You shall at all times be subject to and comply with policies, rules and procedures of Company then in effect, including without
limitation with respect to hours of work, holidays, vacation and sick leave and pay, conflict of interest, improper payments, political
contributions and payments to government officials.
8. Patents. You
hereby assign to Company all rights to any inventions, techniques, processes, concepts, ideas, programs, source codes, formulae,
research and development and marketing plans, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, made, conceived or reduced to practice
by you during the course of your employment by Company.
9. Covenants.
During your employment by Company and at all times thereafter, you shall not (a) disrupt, disparage, impair or interfere with the
business of Company or (b) disclose to anyone else, directly or indirectly, any proprietary or business sensitive information concerning
the business of Company or use, or permit or assist, by acquiescence or otherwise, anyone else to use, directly or indirectly,
any such information. Such information shall include all information to the extent not generally known to the public which, if
released to unauthorized persons, could be detrimental to the reputation or business interests of Company or parties with which
Company contracts or which would permit such person to benefit improperly.
10. Company Property.
Upon termination of your employment for any reason, you shall promptly deliver to Company all property belonging to Company and
shall not retain any copies of any correspondence, reports, lists or other documents relating in any way to the affairs of Company
or its clients.
11. Non-Solicitation.
During the term of your employment by Company and for a period of twelve months following the termination of your employment, whether
voluntary or involuntary, you shall not, directly or indirectly:
(a) solicit customers
or business patronage which results in competition with the business of Company or any of its affiliates, or
(b) approach or attempt
to induce any person who is then in the employ of Company to leave the employ of Company or employ or attempt to employ any person
who was in the employ of Company at any time during the prior twelve months.
12. Notices.
All notices hereunder shall be to the parties’ addresses set forth above for the Company and on the Signature Page for you,
in writing and given by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage and registration fees prepaid, and shall
be deemed given when so mailed. The addresses set forth herein may be changed by notice given in the manner set forth in this Section.
13. Miscellaneous. This Agreement (a) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the British
Virgin Islands, without regard for the conflict of laws principles thereof, (b) shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding
upon, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, legal representatives and assigns, (c) may not be changed orally but only
by an agreement in writing signed by the party against whom any waiver, change, amendment, notification or discharge is sought,
and (d) contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
agreements, oral or written, between the parties hereto. The invalidity of all or any part of any section of this Agreement shall
not render invalid the remainder of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, such
provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.
SUTOR STEEL
TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
By:_/s/
Lifang Chen____________________
Name: Lifang
Chen
Title: Chairman
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO
AS OF THE DATE FIRST ABOVE
WRITTEN:
/s/ Jun Xu_____________________
Jun Xu
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