LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT by and among SPECIAL DEVICES, INCORPORATED as Borrower, and FOOTHILL CAPITAL CORPORATION as Lender Dated as of June 27, 2001

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EXHIBIT 10.43

LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

by and among

SPECIAL DEVICES, INCORPORATED

as Borrower,

and

FOOTHILL CAPITAL CORPORATION

as Lender

Dated as of June 27, 2001

TABLE OF CONTENTS

			Page

1.	DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION		1
	1.1	Definitions	1
	1.2	Accounting Terms	22
	1.3	Code	22
	1.4	Construction	22
	1.5	Schedules and Exhibits	23
2.	LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT		23
	2.1	Revolver Advances	23
	2.2	Term Loan	24
	2.3	Borrowing Procedures and Settlements	24
	2.4	Payments	24
	2.5	Overadvances	26
	2.6	Interest Rates and Letter of Credit Fee: Rates, Payments, and Calculations	26
	2.7	Cash Management	27
	2.8	Crediting Payments; Float Charge	28
	2.9	Designated Account	29
	2.10	Maintenance of Loan Account; Statements of Obligations	29
	2.11	Fees	29
	2.12	Letters of Credit	29
	2.13	LIBOR Option	32
	2.14	Capital Requirements	34
3.	CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT		34
	3.1	Conditions Precedent to the Initial Extension of Credit	34
	3.2	Conditions Subsequent to the Initial Extension of Credit	36
	3.3	Conditions Precedent to all Extensions of Credit	36
	3.4	Term	36
	3.5	Effect of Termination	37
	3.6	Early Termination by Borrower	37
4.	CREATION OF SECURITY INTEREST		37
	4.1	Grant of Security Interest	37
	4.2	Negotiable Collateral	38
	4.3	Collection of Accounts, General Intangibles, and Negotiable Collateral	38
	4.4	Delivery of Additional Documentation Required	38
	4.5	Power of Attorney	38
	4.6	Right to Inspect	39
	4.7	Control Agreements	39
5.	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES		39
	5.1	No Encumbrances	39
	5.2	Eligible Accounts	40
	5.3	Eligible Inventory	40
	5.4	Equipment	41
	5.5	Location of Inventory and Equipment	41
	5.6	Inventory Records	41
	5.7	Location of Chief Executive Office; FEIN	41
	5.8	Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries	41
	5.9	Due Authorization; No Conflict	41
	5.10	Litigation	42
	5.11	No Material Adverse Change	42
	5.12	Fraudulent Transfer	42

	5.13	Employee Benefits	42
	5.14	Environmental Condition	42
	5.15	Brokerage Fees	43
	5.16	Intellectual Property	43
	5.17	Leases	43
	5.18	DDAs	43
	5.19	Complete Disclosure	43
	5.20	Indebtedness	43
6.	AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS		43
	6.1	Accounting System	43
	6.2	Collateral Reporting	44
	6.3	Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates	45
	6.4	[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]	46
	6.5	Return	46
	6.6	Maintenance of Properties	46
	6.7	Taxes	46
	6.8	Insurance	47
	6.9	Location of Inventory and Equipment	47
	6.10	Compliance with Laws	47
	6.11	Leases	47
	6.12	Brokerage Commissions	48
	6.13	Existence	48
	6.14	Environmental	48
	6.15	Disclosure Updates	48
	6.16	Future Subsidiaries; Collateral	48
7.	NEGATIVE COVENANTS		49
	7.1	Indebtedness	49
	7.2	Liens	50
	7.3	Restrictions on Fundamental Changes	51
	7.4	Disposal of Assets	51
	7.5	Change Name	51
	7.6	Guarantee	51
	7.7	Nature of Business	51
	7.8	Prepayments and Amendments	51
	7.9	Change of Control	51
	7.10	Consignments	51
	7.11	Distributions	51
	7.12	Accounting Methods	52
	7.13	Investments	52
	7.14	Transactions with Affiliates	52
	7.15	Suspension	53
	7.16	[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]	53
	7.17	Use of Proceeds	53
	7.18	Change in Location of Chief Executive Office; Inventory and Equipment with Bailees	53
	7.19	Securities Accounts	53
	7.20	Financial Covenants	53
8.	EVENTS OF DEFAULT		54
9.	LENDER'S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES		55
	9.1	Rights and Remedies	55
	9.2	Remedies Cumulative	57
10.	TAXES AND EXPENSES		57

11.	WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION		58
	11.1	Demand; Protest	58
	11.2	Lender's Liability for Collateral	58
	11.3	Indemnification	58
12.	NOTICES		58
13.	CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER		59
14.	ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS		60
	14.1	Assignments and Participations	60
	14.2	Successors	61
15.	AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS		61
	15.1	Amendments and Waivers	61
	15.2	No Waivers; Cumulative Remedies	61
16.	GENERAL PROVISIONS		62
	16.1	Effectiveness	62
	16.2	Section Headings	62
	16.3	Interpretation	62
	16.4	Severability of Provisions	62
	16.5	Withholding Taxes	62
	16.6	Amendments in Writing	62
	16.7	Counterparts; Telefacsimile Execution	63
	16.8	Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations	63
	16.9	Integration	63

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EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

				Page

Exhibit B-1		Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
Exhibit C-1		Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit L-1		Form of LIBOR Notice
Schedule 1		Pricing Grid
Schedule A-1		Appraised Equipment
Schedule E-1		Eligible Inventory Locations
Schedule P-1		Permitted Liens
Schedule P-2		Closing Date Investments
Schedule R-1		Real Property Collateral
Schedule 2.7(a)		Cash Management Banks
Schedule 5.5		Locations of Inventory and Equipment
Schedule 5.7		Chief Executive Office; FEIN
Schedule 5.8(b)		Capitalization of Borrower
Schedule 5.8(c)		Subsidiaries
Schedule 5.10		Litigation
Schedule 5.14		Environmental Matters
Schedule 5.16		Intellectual Property
Schedule 5.18		Demand Deposit Accounts
Schedule 5.20		Permitted Indebtedness
Schedule 6.8(b)		Pending Insurance Claims

THIS LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), is entered into as of June 27, 2001, between FOOTHILL CAPITAL CORPORATION, a California corporation ("Lender") and SPECIAL DEVICES, INCORPORATED, a Delaware corporation ("Borrower").

The parties agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.

1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following definitions:

"Account Debtor" means any Person who is or who may become obligated under, with respect to, or on account of, an Account, chattel paper, or a General Intangible.

"Accounts" means all of Borrower's now owned or hereafter acquired right, title, and interest with respect to "accounts" (as that term is defined in the Code), and any and all supporting obligations in respect thereof.

"Additional Documents" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4.

"Adjusted Letter of Credit Usage" means, as of the date of determination, the sum of (a) 100% of the undrawn amount of outstanding Qualified Import Letters of Credit issued for the purpose of purchasing Eligible Inventory, plus (b) 100% of the undrawn amount of all other outstanding Letters of Credit, plus (c) 100% of the amount of outstanding time drafts accepted by an Underlying Issuer as a result of drawings under Underlying Letters of Credit.

"Advances" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

"Affiliate" means, as applied to any Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of Stock, by contract, or otherwise; provided, however, that, in any event: (a) any Person which owns directly or indirectly 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other members of the governing body of a Person or 10% or more of the partnership or other ownership interests of a Person (other than as a limited partner of such Person) shall be deemed to control such Person, (b) each director (or comparable manager) of a Person shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of such Person, and (c) each partnership or joint venture in which each of such Person or an Affiliate of such Person is a partner or joint venturer shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of such Person. For purposes of this Agreement, the Special Devices Business Park Owners Association shall not be deemed to be an Affiliate of Borrower.

"Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

"Applicable Prepayment Premium" means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (a) during the period of time from and after the date of the execution and delivery of this Agreement up to the date that is the first anniversary of the Closing Date, 5% times the sum of (i) the Maximum Revolver Amount, plus (ii) the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan on the date immediately prior to the date of determination, (b) during the period of time from and including the date that is the first anniversary of the Closing Date up to the date that is the second anniversary of the Closing Date, 4% times the sum of (i) the Maximum Revolver Amount, plus (ii) the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan on the date immediately prior to the date of determination, (c) during the period of time from and including the date that is the second anniversary of the Closing Date up to the date that is the third anniversary of the Closing Date, 3% times the sum of (i) the Maximum Revolver Amount, plus (ii) the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan on the date immediately prior to the date of determination, (d) during the period of time from and including the date that is the third

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anniversary of the Closing Date up to the date that is the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date, 2% times the sum of (i) the Maximum Revolver Amount, plus (ii) the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan on the date immediately prior to the date of determination, and (e) during the period of time from and including the date that is the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date up to the Maturity Date, 1% times the sum of (i) the Maximum Revolver Amount, plus (ii) the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan on the date immediately prior to the date of determination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Prepayment Premium shall be waived by Lender if, in connection with an early termination by Borrower in accordance with Section 3.6 hereof, Borrower obtains a replacement credit facility from a commercial banking unit of Xxxxx Fargo Bank.

"Appraised Equipment" means the Equipment and other personal property described on Schedule A-1 attached hereto, and all replacements, attachments, accessions, accessories, substitutions, additions, and improvements to any of the foregoing.

"Approved Business Plan" means the business plan of Borrower prepared by Borrower and reviewed by Lender prior to the Closing Date.

"Assignee" has the meaning set forth in Section 14.1(a).

"Authorized Person" means any officer or other employee of Borrower.

"Availability" means, as of any date of determination, if such date is a Business Day, and determined at the close of business on the immediately preceding Business Day, if such date of determination is not a Business Day, the amount that Borrower is entitled to borrow as Advances under Section 2.1 (after giving effect to all then outstanding Obligations and all sublimits and reserves applicable hereunder).

"Average Quarterly Revolver Utilization" means the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the average Daily Balance of Revolver Usage during Borrower's most recently completed fiscal quarter by (ii) average amount of the Borrowing Base during Borrower's most recently completed fiscal quarter. The Average Quarterly Revolver Utilization shall be determined as of the last day of each of Borrower's fiscal quarters, and such determination shall apply throughout the immediately succeeding fiscal quarter.

"Bankruptcy Code" means the United States Bankruptcy Code, as in effect from time to time.

"Base LIBOR Rate" means the rate per annum, determined by Lender in accordance with its customary procedures, and utilizing such electronic or other quotation sources as it considers appropriate (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next ¹/16%), on the basis of the rates at which Dollar deposits are offered to major banks in the London interbank market on or about 11:00 a.m. (California time) 2 Business Days prior to the commencement of the applicable Interest Period, for a term and in amounts comparable to the Interest Period and amount of the LIBOR Rate Loan requested by Borrower in accordance with this Agreement, which determination shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

"Base Rate" means, the rate of interest announced within Xxxxx Fargo at its principal office in San Francisco as its "prime rate", with the understanding that the "prime rate" is one of Xxxxx Fargo's base rates (not necessarily the lowest of such rates) and serves as the basis upon which effective rates of interest are calculated for those loans making reference thereto and is evidenced by the recording thereof after its announcement in such internal publication or publications as Xxxxx Fargo may designate.

"Base Rate Loan" means each portion of an Advance or the Term Loan that bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate.

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"Base Rate Margin" means the interest rate margin that applies to Base Rate Loans as set forth in Schedule 1 attached hereto.

"Benefit Plan" means a "defined benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA) for which Borrower or any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate of Borrower has been an "employer" (as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA) within the past six years.

"Board of Directors" means the board of directors (or comparable managers) of Borrower or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of the board.

"Books" means Borrower's now owned or hereafter acquired books and records (including all of its Records indicating, summarizing, or evidencing its assets (including the Collateral) or liabilities, all of its Records relating to its business operations or financial condition, and all of its goods or General Intangibles related to such information).

"Borrower" has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

"Borrowing" means a borrowing hereunder of an Advance.

"Borrowing Base" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

"Borrowing Base Certificate" means a certificate in the form of Exhibit B-1.

"Business Day" means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or other day on which national banks are authorized or required to close, except that, if a determination of a Business Day shall relate to a LIBOR Rate Loan, the term "Business Day" also shall exclude any day on which banks are closed for dealings in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

"Capital Lease" means a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.

"Capitalized Lease Obligation" means any Indebtedness represented by obligations under a Capital Lease.

"Cash Equivalents" means (a) marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof, (b) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or Xxxxx'x, (c) commercial paper maturing no more than ninety (90) days from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of A-1 or P-1, or better, from S&P or Xxxxx'x, (d) certificates of deposit, Eurodollar deposits or bankers' acceptances maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof and bank deposits, in each case either (i) issued by any bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or any U.S. branch of a foreign bank or any foreign branch of a U.S. bank, in each case having at the date of acquisition thereof combined capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000, or (ii) certificates of deposit less than or equal to $100,000 in the aggregate issued by any other bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, (e) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying obligations of the types described in clause (a) above entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (d)(i) above, and (f) investments in money market funds with assets at least equal to $500,000,000.

"Cash Management Account" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a).

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"Cash Management Agreements" means those certain cash collateral service agreements relating to the creation and use of a Cash Management Account, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, each of which is among Borrower, Lender, and one of the Cash Management Banks.

"Cash Management Bank" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a).

"Change of Control" means (a) the Permitted Holders shall fail to collectively own (legally and beneficially) 51% of the Voting Stock, (b) X. X. Xxxxxx, JFL Equity, and JFL Co-Invest shall fail to collectively own (legally and beneficially) more Voting Stock than Paribas, or (c) a majority of the members of the Board of Directors do not constitute Continuing Directors.

"Closing Date" means the date of the making of the initial Advance (or other extension of credit) hereunder.

"Closing Date Business Plan" means the set of Projections of Borrower for the 3 year period following the Closing Date (on a year by year basis, and for the 1 year period following the Closing Date, on a month by month basis), in form and substance (including as to scope and underlying assumptions) reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion.

"Code" means the California Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from time to time.

"Collateral" means all of Borrower's now owned or hereafter acquired right, title, and interest in and to each of the following:

(a) Accounts,

(b) Books,

(d) General Intangibles,

(e) Inventory,

(f) Investment Property,

(g) Negotiable Collateral,

(h) money or other assets of Borrower that now or hereafter come into the possession, custody, or control of Lender, and

(i) the proceeds and products, whether tangible or intangible, of any of the foregoing, including proceeds of insurance covering any or all of the foregoing, and any and all Accounts, Books, Equipment, General Intangibles, Inventory, Investment Property, Negotiable Collateral, money, deposit accounts, or other tangible or intangible property resulting from the sale, exchange, collection, or other disposition of any of the foregoing, or any portion thereof or interest therein, and the proceeds thereof.

"Collateral Access Agreement" means a landlord waiver, bailee letter, or acknowledgement agreement of any lessor, warehouseman, processor, consignee, or other Person in possession of, having a Lien upon, or having rights or interests in the Equipment or Inventory, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion.

"Collections" means all cash, checks, notes, instruments, and other items of payment (including insurance proceeds, proceeds of cash sales, rental proceeds, and tax refunds) of Borrower.

"Compliance Certificate" means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 delivered by the chief financial officer of Borrower to Lender.

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"Continuing Director" means (a) any member of the Board of Directors who was a director (or comparable manager) of Borrower on the Closing Date, and (b) any individual who becomes a member of the Board of Directors after the Closing Date if such individual was appointed or nominated for election to the Board of Directors by a majority of the Continuing Directors or by the Permitted Holders, but excluding any such individual originally proposed for election in opposition to the Board of Directors in office at the Closing Date in an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of the directors (or comparable managers) of Borrower (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 under the Exchange Act) and whose initial assumption of office resulted from such contest or the settlement thereof.

"Control Agreement" means a control agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion, executed and delivered by Borrower, Lender, and the applicable securities intermediary with respect to a Securities Account or bank with respect to a deposit account, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time with Lender's consent.

"Daily Balance" means, with respect to each day during the term of this Agreement, the amount of an Obligation owed at the end of such day.

"DDA" means any checking or other demand deposit account maintained by Borrower.

"Default" means an event, condition, or default that, with the giving of notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

"Deposit Funds" means (i) deposits with suppliers of Borrower made in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice, and (ii) the $1,500,000 escrowed amount in connection with the sale-leaseback transaction with respect to Borrower's Moorpark, California location.

"Designated Account" means account number 14656-01160 of Borrower maintained with Borrower's Designated Account Bank, or such other deposit account of Borrower (located within the United States) that has been designated as such, in writing, by Borrower to Lender.

"Designated Account Bank" means Bank of America, whose office is located at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000, and whose ABA number is 000000000.

"Dilution" means, as of any date of determination, a percentage, based upon the experience of the immediately prior three months, that is the result of dividing the Dollar amount of (a) bad debt write-downs, discounts, advertising allowances, credits, or other dilutive items with respect to the Accounts during such period, by (b) Borrower's Collections with respect to Accounts during such period plus the Dollar amount of clause (a).

"Dilution Reserve" means, as of any date of determination, an amount sufficient to reduce the advance rate against Eligible Accounts by one percentage point for each percentage point by which Dilution is in excess of 5%.

"Disbursement Letter" means an instructional letter executed and delivered by Borrower to Lender regarding the extensions of credit to be made on the Closing Date, the form and substance of which is reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion.

"Dollars" or "$" means United States dollars.

"Due Diligence Letter" means the due diligence letter sent by Lender's counsel to Borrower, together with Borrower's completed responses to the inquiries set forth therein, the form and substance of such responses to be reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion.

"EBITDA" means, with respect to any fiscal period, Borrower's and its Subsidiaries consolidated net earnings (or loss), minus extraordinary gains, plus extraordinary losses, minus interest income, plus

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interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization for such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

"Eligible Accounts" means those Accounts created by Borrower in the ordinary course of its business, that arise out of Borrower's sale of goods or rendition of services, that comply with each of the representations and warranties respecting Eligible Accounts made by Borrower in the Loan Documents, and that are not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the criteria set forth below; provided, however, that such criteria may be fixed and revised from time to time by Lender in Lender's Permitted Discretion to address the results of any audit performed by Lender from time to time after the Closing Date. In determining the amount to be included, Eligible Accounts shall be calculated net of customer deposits and unapplied cash remitted to Borrower. Eligible Accounts shall not include the following:

(a) (i) Accounts that the Account Debtor has failed to pay within the earlier of (x) 90 days of the original invoice date or (y) 60 days of the original due date, or (ii) Accounts with selling terms of more than 60 days,

(b) Accounts owed by an Account Debtor (or its Affiliates) where 50% or more of all Accounts owed by that Account Debtor (or its Affiliates) are deemed ineligible under clause (a) above,

(d) Accounts arising in a transaction wherein goods are placed on consignment or are sold pursuant to a guaranteed sale, a sale or return, a sale on approval, a xxxx and hold, or any other terms by reason of which the payment by the Account Debtor may be conditional,

(e) Accounts that are not payable in Dollars,

(f) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor (other than Autoliv, provided Autoliv is amenable to suit and service of process in the United States) either (i) does not maintain its chief executive office in the United States, or (ii) is not organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, or (iii) is the government of any foreign country or sovereign state, or of any state, province, municipality, or other political subdivision thereof, or of any department, agency, public corporation, or other instrumentality thereof, unless (y) the Account is supported by an irrevocable letter of credit reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion (as to form, substance, and issuer or domestic confirming bank) that has been delivered to Lender and is directly drawable by Lender, or (z) the Account is covered by credit insurance in form, substance, and amount, and by an insurer, reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion,

(g) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is either (i) the United States or any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States (exclusive, however, of Accounts with respect to which Borrower has complied, to the reasonable satisfaction of Lender, with the Assignment of Claims Act, 31 USC § 3727), or (ii) any state of the United States (exclusive, however, of (y) Accounts owed by any state that does not have a statutory counterpart to the Assignment of Claims Act, or (z) Accounts owed by any state that does have a statutory counterpart to the Assignment of Claims Act as to which Borrower has complied to Lender's satisfaction),

(h) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is a creditor of Borrower, has or has asserted a right of setoff, has disputed its liability, or has made any claim with respect to its obligation to pay the Account, to the extent of such claim, right of setoff, or dispute,

(i) Accounts with respect to an Account Debtor whose total obligations owing to Borrower exceed 20% of all Eligible Accounts, to the extent of the obligations owing by such Account

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Debtor in excess of such percentage (provided that (i) notwithstanding the foregoing, the concentration limit that shall be applied to Autoliv and TRW is 100% and to Atlantic Research Corporation is 25%, and (ii) Lender reserves the right in its Permitted Discretion to amend the foregoing concentration limitations or establish new concentration limitations with respect to any Account Debtor based on Lender's assessment of the creditworthiness of such Account Debtors),

(j) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is subject to an Insolvency Proceeding, is not Solvent, has gone out of business, or as to which Borrower has received notice of an imminent Insolvency Proceeding or a material impairment of the financial condition of such Account Debtor,

(k) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is located in the states of New Jersey, Minnesota, or West Virginia (or any other state that requires a creditor to file a business activity report or similar document in order to bring suit or otherwise enforce its remedies against such Account Debtor in the courts or through any judicial process of such state), unless Borrower has qualified to do business in New Jersey, Minnesota, West Virginia, or such other states, or has filed a business activities report with the applicable division of taxation, the department of revenue, or with such other state offices, as appropriate, for the then-current year, or is exempt from such filing requirement,

(l) Accounts, the collection of which, Lender, in its Permitted Discretion, believes to be doubtful by reason of the Account Debtor's financial condition,

(m) Accounts that are not subject to a valid and perfected first priority Lender's Lien,

(n) Accounts with respect to which (i) the goods giving rise to such Account have not been shipped and billed to the Account Debtor, or (ii) the services giving rise to such Account have not been performed and billed to the Account Debtor, or

(o) Accounts that represent the right to receive progress payments or other advance xxxxxxxx that are due prior to the completion of performance by Borrower of the subject contract for goods or services.

"Eligible Domestic Accounts" means Eligible Accounts owing from (i) Borrower's account debtors whose chief executive offices or principal places of business are located within the United States, or (ii) Autoliv, provided that Autoliv is amenable to suit and service of process in the United States.

"Eligible Foreign Accounts" means Accounts that constitute Eligible Accounts except that they are owing from account debtors whose chief executive offices or principal places of business are located outside the United States.

"Eligible In-Transit Inventory" means those items of Inventory that do not qualify as Eligible Landed Inventory solely because they are not in a location set forth on Schedule E-1 or in transit among such locations, but as to which (a) the Inventory was the subject of a Qualified Import Letter of Credit, (b) such Inventory currently is in transit (whether by vessel, air, or land) from a location outside of the continental United States to a location set forth on Schedule E-1 that is the subject of a Collateral Access Agreement, (c) title to such Inventory has passed to Borrower, (d) such Inventory is insured against types of loss, damage, hazards, and risks, and in amounts, reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion, (e) such Inventory either (1) is the subject of a negotiable xxxx of lading (x) that is consigned to Lender (either directly or by means of endorsements), (y) that was issued by the carrier respecting the subject Inventory, and (z) that either is (I) in the possession of Lender or a customs broker (in each case in the State of California or the State of Arizona), or (II) the subject of a telefacsimile copy that Lender has received from the Underlying Issuer which issued the Underlying Letter of Credit and as to which Lender also has received a confirmation from such Underlying Issuer that such document is in-transit by air-courier to Lender or a customs broker

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(in each case, in the State of California or the State of Arizona), or (2) is the subject of a negotiable cargo receipt and is not the subject of a xxxx of lading (other than a negotiable xxxx of lading consigned to, and in the possession of, a consolidator or Lender, or their respective agents) and such negotiable cargo receipt (x) is consigned to Lender (either directly or by means of endorsements), (y) was issued by a consolidator respecting the subject Inventory, and (z) either is (I) in the possession of Lender or a customs broker (in each case in the State of California or the State of Arizona), or (II) the subject of a telefacsimile copy that Lender has received from the Underlying Issuer which issued the Underlying Letter of Credit and as to which Lender also has received a confirmation from such Underlying Issuer that such document is in-transit by air-courier to Lender or a customs broker (in each case, in the State of California or the State of Arizona), (f) Borrower has provided a certificate to Lender that certifies that, to the best knowledge of Borrower, such Inventory meets all of Borrower's representations and warranties contained in the Loan Documents concerning Eligible Inventory, that it knows of no reason why such Inventory would not be accepted by Borrower when it arrives in California or Arizona, and that the shipment as evidenced by the documents conforms to the related order documents, and (g) the Underlying Letter of Credit has been drawn upon in full and the Underlying Issuer has honored such drawing and Lender has honored its obligations to the Underlying Issuer under the applicable Qualified Import Letter of Credit.

"Eligible Inventory" means Eligible Landed Inventory or Eligible In-Transit Inventory.

"Eligible Landed Inventory" means Inventory consisting of raw materials and finished goods held for sale in the ordinary course of Borrower's business located at one of Borrower's business locations set forth on Schedule E-1 (or in-transit between any such locations), that complies with each of the representations and warranties respecting Eligible Inventory made by Borrower in the Loan Documents, and that is not excluded as ineligible by virtue of the one or more of the criteria set forth below; provided, however, that such criteria may be fixed and revised from time to time by Lender in Lender's Permitted Discretion to address the results of any audit or appraisal performed by Lender from time to time after the Closing Date. In determining the amount to be so included, Inventory shall be valued at the lower of cost or market on a basis consistent with Borrower's historical accounting practices. An item of Inventory shall not be included in Eligible Inventory if:

(a) Borrower does not have good, valid, and marketable title thereto,

(b) it is not located at one of the locations in the United States set forth on Schedule E-1 or in transit from one such location to another such location,

(c) it is located on real property leased by Borrower, in a contract warehouse, or on other real property not owned by Borrower, in each case, unless it is subject to a Collateral Access Agreement executed by the lessor, warehouseman, or other third party, as the case may be, and unless it is segregated or otherwise separately identifiable from goods of others, if any, stored on the premises,

(d) it is not subject to a valid and perfected first priority Lender's Lien,

(e) it consists of goods returned or rejected by Borrower's customers, or

(f) it consists of goods that are obsolete or slow moving, restrictive or custom items, work-in-process, or goods that constitute spare parts, packaging and shipping materials, supplies used or consumed in Borrower's business, xxxx and hold goods, defective goods, "seconds," Inventory acquired on consignment, or subject to the rights of any other Person (including, without limitation, any intellectual property rights that would expose Lender to any liability (including the payment of any royalty or other sum) or prevent its sale of such goods, as determined by Lender in its Permitted Discretion); provided that up to $500,000 (of value—which shall be the lower of cost or fair market value) of Inventory on consignment with Atlantic Research Corporation shall be included in Eligible Inventory so long as (i) such consigned Inventory satisfies the provisions of

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this definition of Eligible Landed Inventory (other than it is on consignment and does not satisfy clause (b) of this definition), and (ii) Borrower has complied with the provisions of Section 9114(1)(a), (b), (c), and (d) of the Code (as in effect prior to July 1, 2001), or Section 9324(b) of the Code (as in effect on and after July 1, 2001).

"Environmental Actions" means any complaint, summons, citation, notice, directive, order, claim, litigation, investigation, judicial or administrative proceeding, judgment, or letter, from any Governmental Authority, or any third party involving violations of Environmental Laws by Borrower or releases of Hazardous Materials from (a) any assets, properties, or businesses of Borrower or any predecessor in interest, or (b) from or onto any facilities which received Hazardous Materials generated by Borrower or any predecessor in interest.

"Environmental Law" means any applicable federal, state, provincial, foreign or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, binding and enforceable guideline, binding and enforceable written policy, or rule of common law now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended, or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent decree or judgment, to the extent binding on Borrower, relating to the environment, employee health and safety, or Hazardous Materials, including CERCLA; RCRA; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 USC § 1251 et seq.; the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 USC, § 2601 et seq.; the Clean Air Act, 42 USC § 7401 et seq.; the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 USC. § 3803 et seq.; the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33 USC. § 2701 et seq.; the Emergency Planning and the Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 USC. § 11001 et seq.; the Hazardous Material Transportation Act, 49 USC § 1801 et seq.; and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 USC. §651 et seq. (to the extent it regulates occupational exposure to Hazardous Materials); any state and local or foreign counterparts or equivalents, in each case as amended from time to time.

"Environmental Liabilities and Costs" means all liabilities, monetary obligations, Remedial Actions, losses, damages, punitive damages, consequential damages, treble damages, costs and expenses (including all reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel, experts, or consultants, and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines, penalties, sanctions, and interest incurred as a result of any claim or demand by any Governmental Authority or any third party, and which relate to any Environmental Action.

"Environmental Lien" means any Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority for Environmental Liabilities and Costs.

"Equipment" means all of Borrower's now owned or hereafter acquired right, title, and interest with respect to equipment, machinery, machine tools, motors, furniture, furnishings, fixtures, vehicles (including motor vehicles), tools, parts, goods (other than consumer goods, farm products, or Inventory), wherever located, including all attachments, accessories, accessions, replacements, substitutions, additions, and improvements to any of the foregoing.

"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute thereto.

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"ERISA Affiliate" means (a) any Person subject to ERISA whose employees are treated as employed by the same employer as the employees of Borrower under IRC Section 414(b), (b) any trade or business subject to ERISA whose employees are treated as employed by the same employer as the employees of Borrower under IRC Section 414(c), (c) solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the IRC, any organization subject to ERISA that is a member of an affiliated service group of which Borrower is a member under IRC Section 414(m), or (d) solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the IRC, any Person subject to ERISA that is a party to an arrangement with Borrower and whose employees are aggregated with the employees of Borrower under IRC Section 414(o).

"Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.

"Excess Availability" means the amount, as of the date any determination thereof is to be made, equal to Availability plus unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents minus the aggregate amount, if any, of all trade payables of Borrower aged in excess of historical levels with respect thereto and all book overdrafts in excess of historical practices with respect thereto, in each case as determined by Lender in its Permitted Discretion.

"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect from time to time.

"Existing Lender" means Bankers Trust Company.

"Fee Letter" means that certain fee letter, dated as of even date herewith, between Borrower and Lender, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion.

"FEIN" means Federal Employer Identification Number.

"Funding Date" means the date on which a Borrowing occurs.

"Funding Losses" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.13(b)(ii).

"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time in the United States, consistently applied.

"General Intangibles" means all of Borrower's now owned or hereafter acquired right, title, and interest with respect to general intangibles (including payment intangibles, contract rights, rights to payment, rights arising under common law, statutes, or regulations, choses or things in action, goodwill, patents, trade names, trademarks, servicemarks, copyrights, blueprints, drawings, purchase orders, customer lists, monies due or recoverable from pension funds, route lists, rights to payment and other rights under any royalty or licensing agreements, infringement claims, computer programs, information contained on computer disks or tapes, software, literature, reports, catalogs, money, deposit accounts, insurance premium rebates, tax refunds, and tax refund claims), and any and all supporting obligations in respect thereof, and any other personal property other than goods, Accounts, Investment Property, and Negotiable Collateral.

"German Joint Venture" means SDI-Molan GmbH & Co. KG.

"Governing Documents" means, with respect to any Person, the certificate or articles of incorporation, by-laws, or other organizational documents of such Person.

"Governmental Authority" means any federal, state, local, or other governmental or administrative body, instrumentality, department, or agency or any court, tribunal, administrative hearing body, arbitration panel, commission, or other similar dispute-resolving panel or body.

"Hazardous Materials" means (a) substances that are defined or listed in, or otherwise classified pursuant to, any applicable laws or regulations as "hazardous substances," "hazardous materials," "hazardous wastes," "toxic substances," or any other formulation intended to define, list, or classify substances by reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity,

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reproductive toxicity, or "EP toxicity", (b) oil, petroleum, or petroleum derived substances, natural gas, natural gas liquids, synthetic gas, drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil, natural gas, or geothermal resources, (c) any flammable substances or explosives or any radioactive materials, and (d) asbestos in any form or electrical equipment that contains any oil or dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million.

"Indebtedness" means (a) all obligations of Borrower for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of Borrower evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments and all reimbursement or other obligations of Borrower in respect of letters of credit, bankers acceptances, Interest Rate Protection Agreements, Other Hedging Agreements or other derivatives, (c) all obligations of Borrower under Capital Leases, (d) all obligations or liabilities of others secured by a Lien on any asset of Borrower, irrespective of whether such obligation or liability is assumed (provided, that, if Borrower has not assumed or otherwise become liable in respect of such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness shall be deemed to be in an amount equal to the fair market value of the property to which such Lien relates as determined in good faith by Borrower), (e) all obligations of Borrower for the deferred purchase price of assets (other than trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of Borrower's business and repayable in accordance with customary trade practices), and (f) any obligation of Borrower guaranteeing or intended to guarantee (whether directly or indirectly guaranteed, endorsed, co-made, discounted, or sold with recourse to Borrower) any obligation of any other Person (provided, that, endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business shall not be included in such contingent obligation, and the amount of any such contingent obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the lesser of (i) stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such contingent obligation is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming Borrower is required to perform thereunder) as determined in good faith and (ii) the stated amount of such contingent obligation). Indebtedness shall not include trade payables and accrued expenses incurred by any Person in its ordinary course of business.

"Indemnified Liabilities" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.

"Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.

"Insolvency Proceeding" means any proceeding commenced by or against any Person under any provision of the Bankruptcy Code or under any other state or federal bankruptcy or insolvency law, assignments for the benefit of creditors, formal or informal moratoria, compositions, extensions generally with creditors, or proceedings seeking reorganization, arrangement, or other similar relief.

"Intangible Assets" means, with respect to any Person, that portion of the book value of all of such Person's assets that would be treated as intangibles under GAAP.

"Interest Period" means, with respect to each LIBOR Rate Loan, a period commencing on the date of the making of such LIBOR Rate Loan and ending 1, 2, 3, or 6 months thereafter; provided, however, that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended (subject to clauses (c)-(e) below) to the next succeeding Business Day, (b) interest shall accrue at the applicable rate based upon the LIBOR Rate from and including the first day of each Interest Period to, but excluding, the day on which any Interest Period expires, (c) any Interest Period that would end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (d) with respect to an Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period), the Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month that is 1, 2, 3, or 6 months after the date on which the Interest

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Period began, as applicable, and (e) Borrower may not elect an Interest Period which will end after the Maturity Date.

"Interest Rate Protection Agreement" means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest collar agreement, interest rate hedging agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement.

"Inventory" means all Borrower's now owned or hereafter acquired right, title, and interest with respect to inventory, including goods held for sale or lease or to be furnished under a contract of service, goods that are leased by Borrower as lessor, goods that are furnished by Borrower under a contract of service, and raw materials, work in process, or materials used or consumed in Borrower's business.

"Inventory Reserves" means reserves (determined from time to time by Lender in its Permitted Discretion) for (a) the estimated costs relating to unpaid freight charges, warehousing or storage charges, taxes, duties, and other similar unpaid costs associated with the acquisition of Eligible In-Transit Inventory by Borrower, plus (b) the estimated reclamation claims of unpaid sellers of Inventory sold to Borrower.

"Investment" means, with respect to any Person, any investment by such Person in any other Person (including Affiliates) in the form of loans, guarantees, advances, or capital contributions (excluding (a) commission, travel, and similar advances to officers and employees of such Person made in the ordinary course of business, and (b) bona fide Accounts arising from the sale of goods or rendition of services in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness or Stock, and any other items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.

"Investment Property" means all of Borrower's now owned or hereafter acquired right, title, and interest with respect to "investment property" as that term is defined in the Code, and any and all supporting obligations in respect thereof.

"IRC" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect from time to time.

"X. X. Xxxxxx" means X. X. Xxxxxx & Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

"JFL Equity" means X. X. Xxxxxx Equity Investors I, LP, a Delaware limited partnership.

"JFL Co-Invest" means JFL Co-Invest Partners I, LP, a Delaware limited partnership.

"L/C" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(a).

"L/C Disbursement" means a payment made by Lender pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

"L/C Undertaking" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(a).

"Xxxxxx Management Agreements" means (i) the Management Agreement, dated December 15, 1998, between Borrower and X. X. Xxxxxx, and (ii) the Management Services Agreement, dated December 15, 1998, between Borrower and X. X. Xxxxxx.

"Lender" has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

"Lender's Account" means an account at a bank designated by Lender from time to time as the account into which Borrower shall make all payments to Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; unless and until Lender notifies Borrower to the contrary, Lender's Account shall be that certain deposit account bearing account number 323-266193 and maintained by Lender with The Chase Manhattan Bank, 4 New York Plaza, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10004, ABA #000000000.

"Lender's Liens" means the Liens granted by Borrower to Lender under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

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"Lender Expenses" means all (a) costs or expenses (including taxes, and insurance premiums) required to be paid by Borrower under any of the Loan Documents that are paid or incurred by Lender, (b) out of pocket fees or charges paid or incurred by Lender in connection with Lender's transactions with Borrower, including, fees or charges for photocopying, notarization, couriers and messengers, telecommunication, public record searches (including tax lien, litigation, and UCC searches and including searches with the patent and trademark office, the copyright office, or the department of motor vehicles), filing, recording, publication, appraisal (including periodic Collateral appraisals or business valuations to the extent of the fees and charges (and up to the amount of any limitation) contained in this Agreement), real estate surveys, real estate title policies and endorsements, and environmental audits, (c) costs and expenses incurred by Lender in the disbursement of funds to Borrower (by wire transfer or otherwise) that are related to the Loan Documents, (d) charges paid or incurred by Lender resulting from the dishonor of checks related to the Loan Documents, (e) reasonable costs and expenses paid or incurred by Lender to correct any default or enforce any provision of the Loan Documents, or in gaining possession of, maintaining, handling, preserving, storing, shipping, selling, preparing for sale, or advertising to sell the Collateral, or any portion thereof, irrespective of whether a sale is consummated, (f) audit fees and expenses of Lender related to audit examinations of the Books to the extent of the fees and charges (and up to the amount of any limitation) contained in this Agreement, (g) reasonable costs and expenses of third party claims or any other suit paid or incurred by Lender in enforcing or defending the Loan Documents or in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or Lender's relationship with Borrower or any guarantor of the Obligations, (h) Lender's reasonable fees and expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred in advising, structuring, drafting, reviewing, administering, or amending the Loan Documents, and (i) Lender's reasonable fees and expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred in terminating, enforcing (including attorneys fees and expenses incurred in connection with a "workout," a "restructuring," or an Insolvency Proceeding concerning Borrower or in exercising rights or remedies under the Loan Documents), or defending the Loan Documents, irrespective of whether suit is brought, or in taking any Remedial Action concerning the Collateral.

"Lender-Related Person" means Lender, Lender's Affiliates, and the officers, directors, employees, and agents of Lender.

"Letter of Credit" means an L/C or an L/C Undertaking, as the context requires.

"Letter of Credit Usage" means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit plus 100% of the amount of outstanding time drafts accepted by an Underlying Issuer as a result of drawings under Underlying Letters of Credit.

"LIBOR Deadline" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.13(b)(i).

"LIBOR Notice" means a written notice in the form of Exhibit L-1.

"LIBOR Option" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.13(a).

"LIBOR Rate" means, for each Interest Period for each LIBOR Rate Loan, the rate per annum determined by Lender (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next ¹/16%) by dividing (a) the Base LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period, by (b) 100% minus the Reserve Percentage. The LIBOR Rate shall be adjusted on and as of the effective day of any change in the Reserve Percentage.

"LIBOR Rate Loan" means each portion of an Advance or the Term Loan that bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate.

"LIBOR Rate Margin" means the interest rate margin that applies to LIBOR Rate Loans as set forth in Schedule 1 attached hereto.

"License Agreements" means all license agreements entered into by Borrower with respect to intellectual property (whether Borrower is the licensor or licensee).

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"Lien" means any interest in an asset securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, any Person other than the owner of the asset, whether such interest shall be based on the common law, statute, or contract, whether such interest shall be recorded or perfected, and whether such interest shall be contingent upon the occurrence of some future event or events or the existence of some future circumstance or circumstances, including the lien or security interest arising from a mortgage, deed of trust, encumbrance, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security agreement, conditional sale or trust receipt, or from a lease, consignment, or bailment for security purposes and also including reservations, exceptions, encroachments, easements, rights-of-way, covenants, conditions, restrictions, leases, and other title exceptions and encumbrances affecting Real Property.

"Loan Account" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

"Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Cash Management Agreements, the Control Agreements, the Disbursement Letter, the Due Diligence Letter, the Fee Letter, the Letters of Credit, the Officers' Certificate, the Patent Security Agreement, the Trademark Security Agreement, any note or notes executed by Borrower in connection with this Agreement and payable to Lender, and any other agreement entered into, now or in the future, by Borrower and Lender in connection with this Agreement.

"Material Adverse Change" means (a) a material adverse change in the business, operations, results of operations, assets, liabilities or condition (financial or otherwise) of Borrower, (b) a material impairment of Borrower's ability to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents (excluding the Due Diligence Letter and Officers' Certificate) to which it is a party or of Lender's ability to enforce the Obligations or realize upon the Collateral, or (c) a material impairment of the enforceability or priority of Lender's Liens with respect to the Collateral as a result of an action or failure to act on the part of Borrower.

"Maturity Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.

"Maximum Revolver Amount" means $25,000,000.

"Negotiable Collateral" means all of Borrower's now owned and hereafter acquired right, title, and interest with respect to letters of credit, letter of credit rights, instruments, promissory notes, drafts, documents, and chattel paper (including electronic chattel paper and tangible chattel paper), and any and all supporting obligations in respect thereof.

"Net Liquidation Percentage" means the percentage of the book value of Borrower's Inventory that is estimated to be recoverable in an orderly liquidation of such Inventory, such percentage to be as determined from time to time by a qualified appraisal company selected by Lender in its Permitted Discretion.

"Obligations" means all loans (including the Term Loan), Advances, debts, principal, interest (including any interest that, but for the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued), contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to outstanding Letters of Credit, premiums, liabilities (including all amounts charged to Borrower's Loan Account pursuant hereto), obligations, fees (including the fees provided for in the Fee Letter), charges, costs, Lender Expenses (including any fees or expenses that, but for the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued), lease payments, guaranties, covenants, and duties of any kind and description owing by Borrower to Lender pursuant to or evidenced by any of the Loan Documents and irrespective of whether for the payment of money, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, and including all interest not paid when due and all Lender Expenses that Borrower is required to pay or reimburse by the Loan Documents, by law, or otherwise. Any reference in this Agreement or in the Loan Documents to the Obligations shall include all amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals replacements, substitutions, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable, both prior and subsequent to any Insolvency Proceeding.

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"Officers' Certificate" means the representations and warranties of officers form submitted by Lender to Borrower, together with Borrower's completed responses to the inquiries set forth therein, the form and substance of such responses to be reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion.

"Originating Lender" has the meaning set forth in Section 14.1(d).

"Other Hedging Agreements" shall mean any foreign exchange contracts, currency swap agreements, commodity agreements or other similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect against the fluctuations in currency values.

"Overadvance" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.

"Paribas" means Paribas Principal Incorporated, a New York corporation.

"Participant" has the meaning set forth in Section 14.1(d).

"Patent Security Agreement" means a patent security agreement executed and delivered by Borrower and Lender, the form and substance of which is reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion.

"Pay-Off Letter" means a letter, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion, from Existing Lender to Lender respecting the amount necessary to repay in full all of the obligations of Borrower owing to Existing Lender and obtain a release of all of the Liens existing in favor of Existing Lender in and to the assets of Borrower.

"Permitted Discretion" means a determination made in good faith and in the exercise of reasonable (from the perspective of a secured asset-based lender) business judgment.

"Permitted Dispositions" means:

(a) sales or other dispositions by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of Equipment that is substantially worn, damaged, or obsolete in the ordinary course of Borrower's or such Subsidiary's business,

(b) sales by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of Inventory to buyers in the ordinary course of business,

(c) the use or transfer of money or Cash Equivalents by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in a manner that is not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents,

(d) the licensing by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, on a non-exclusive basis, of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of Borrower's or such Subsidiary's business (provided that Borrower may license such intellectual property to the German Joint Venture on an exclusive basis in respect to the territory of the German Joint Venture (other than North America to the extent North America becomes a territory of the German Joint Venture)),

(e) sales of assets by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Accounts, Inventory (except as permitted in clause (b) of this definition), and the Appraised Equipment), so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, (ii) each such sale is in an arm's-length transaction and Borrower or such Subsidiary receives at least fair market value (as determined in good faith by Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be), (iii) the total consideration received by Borrower or such Subsidiary is at least 80% cash, which cash is paid at the time of the closing of such sale, provided that the amount of any liabilities (as shown on Borrower's or such Subsidiary's most recent balance sheet) of Borrower or such Subsidiary (other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Obligations) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of this clause (iii), (iv) the

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net proceeds therefrom are used to purchase assets that will be used in the business of Borrower or such Subsidiary within 180 days following the date of such sale (and, to the extent so used, any unused net proceeds shall be applied to principal installments of the Term Loan (in the inverse order of maturity) within such 180-day period), and (v) the aggregate amount of the proceeds received from all assets sold pursuant to this clause (e) (including, for this purpose, the amount of any assumed liabilities referred to in clause (iii) above) shall not exceed $500,000 in any fiscal year of Borrower,

(f) sales of Appraised Equipment, so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, (ii) each such sale is in an arm's-length transaction, (iii) Borrower receives cash proceeds for such sale and Borrower remits to Lender such cash proceeds together with such additional amounts that in the aggregate equal or exceed 115% of the orderly liquidation value of the sold Appraised Equipment as set forth on Schedule A-1 attached hereto (the "Minimum Release Payment"), and such Minimum Release Payment shall be remitted to Lender within one Business Day after the consummation of the sale thereof, and (iv) Borrower shall either (A) apply the Minimum Release Payment to principal installments of the Term Loan (in the inverse order of maturity), or (B) apply the Minimum Release Payment to outstanding Advances (and to the extent such Advances have been paid in full with the Minimum Release Payment and a portion of the Minimum Release Payment remains after such application, the remaining portion of the Minimum Release Payment shall be remitted back to Borrower)—provided that Lender may establish a reserve (under Section 2.1) in an amount equal to the Minimum Release Payment (the "Advances Repayment Reserve") and within 60 days of when any Advances have been so repaid (or cash returned to Borrower) Borrower shall either request a new Advance under this Agreement in an amount equal to the Minimum Release Payment and repay the Term Loan in accordance with clause (A) of this clause (iv) and/or purchase replacement Equipment satisfying the terms and conditions set forth in the next sentence of this paragraph (it being understood that (1) the combination of the Term Loan repayment and the purchase of replacement Equipment shall equal in the aggregate the Minimum Release Payment, and (2) Lender shall release the Advances Repayment Reserve upon any such Term Loan repayment and/or purchase of replacement Equipment). In lieu of receiving a cash payment for the sold Appraised Equipment, Borrower may receive replacement Equipment provided the following terms and conditions are satisfied: (x) the replacement Equipment shall be of a type, condition, and orderly liquidation value that is acceptable to Lender in Lender's Permitted Discretion (it being understood that the orderly liquidation value of any such replacement Equipment shall be equal to or greater than the sold Appraised Equipment), (y) Lender must have a first priority perfected Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) on the replacement Equipment concurrently with the release of Lender's Lien on the sold Appraised Equipment, and (z) Borrower may not sell more than $1,000,000 (of orderly liquidation value) of Appraised Equipment and replace it with replacement Equipment during the term of this Agreement.

(g) the grant of leases or subleases by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to other Persons with respect to Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' real property so long as such leases or subleases do not materially interfere with the conduct of the business of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,

(h) the sale of Cash Equivalents by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries so long as each such sale is for cash and at fair market value (as determined in good faith by Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be),

(i) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, the payment of distributions or dividends to the extent permitted by Section 7.11,

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(j) the application by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any insurance proceeds or condemnation awards received by Borrower under Section 6.8(b),

(k) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, any Subsidiary of Borrower (x) may be merged, consolidated or liquidated with or into Borrower so long as (A) Borrower is the surviving corporation of such merger, consolidation or liquidation, (B) Lender maintains a first priority perfected Lien on the Collateral (subject to Permitted Liens), (C) such Subsidiary shall have (immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or liquidation) a positive net worth determined in accordance with GAAP, (D) after the consummation of any such merger, consolidation, or liquidation, Borrower will continue to comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Section 7.20 hereof), and (E) the terms of such merger, consolidation, or liquidation are reasonably satisfactory to Lender in Lender's Permitted Discretion, and (y) may transfer all or any portion of its assets to Borrower; provided that any Accounts and/or Inventory acquired by Borrower pursuant to any such merger, consolidation, liquidation, or transfer shall not be counted as Eligible Accounts or Eligible Inventory until such time as Lender has completed an audit, appraisal, and/or collateral analysis of such acquired Accounts and Inventory which shall be satisfactory to Lender in Lender's sole discretion, and

(l) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, (i) any U.S. Subsidiary of Borrower (x) may be merged, consolidated or liquidated with or into any other U.S. Subsidiary of Borrower so long as, in the case of any such merger, consolidation or liquidation involving a wholly-owned U.S. Subsidiary, the wholly-owned U.S. Subsidiary is the surviving corporation of such merger, consolidation or liquidation, and (y) may transfer all or any portion of its assets to any other Subsidiary and (ii) any non-U.S. Subsidiary of Borrower (x) may be merged, consolidated or liquidated with or into any wholly-owned non-U.S. Subsidiary of Borrower so long as the wholly-owned non-U.S. Subsidiary of Borrower is the surviving corporation of such merger, consolidation or liquidation and (y) may transfer all or any portion of its assets to any other wholly-owned non-U.S. Subsidiary of Borrower; provided that, in each event covered by this paragraph (m), (i) after the consummation of such event, Lender will continue to have a first priority security interest in all Collateral (and all personal property assets of the relevant subsidiary), and Borrower will continue to comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and (ii) the terms and conditions of such event shall be reasonably satisfactory to Lender in Lender's Permitted Discretion.

"Permitted Holder" means X. X. Xxxxxx, JFL Equity, JFL Co-Invest, Paribas, and any Person who is a direct or indirect equity owner of any of the foregoing entities to the extent such equity owner is deemed to be an indirect shareholder or beneficial owner of Borrower.

"Permitted Investments" means:

(a) Investments in Cash Equivalents and Deposit Funds,

(b) Investments in negotiable instruments for collection,

(d) Investments held by Borrower on the Closing Date and described on Schedule P-2 hereto,

(e) Investments in connection with the purchase of Senior Subordinated Notes otherwise permissible hereunder,

(f) Investments (including, without limitation, debt obligations) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers and in good faith settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers and suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business,

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(g) (A) loans and advances in the ordinary course of business to its officers and employees so long as the aggregate principal amount thereof at any time outstanding (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans and advances) shall not exceed $500,000 and (B) advances to employees of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for moving, relocation and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business,

(h) obligations of one or more officers or other employees of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such officers' acquisition of shares of common stock of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries so long as no cash is paid by Borrower or such Subsidiary to such officers or employees in connection with the acquisition of any such obligations in an aggregate amount of up to $2,500,000,

(i) non-cash consideration issued by the purchaser of assets in connection with a sale of such assets to the extent permitted by clause (e) of the definition of "Permitted Dispositions",

(j) Borrower and its Subsidiaries may enter into Other Hedging Agreements in the ordinary course of business providing protection against fluctuations in currency values in connection with Borrower's or such Subsidiary's operations so long as management of Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, has determined in good faith that the entering into of such Other Hedging Agreements are bona fide hedging activities and are not for speculative purposes,

(k) Borrower may acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any Person (or all or substantially all of the assets of a product line or division of any Person) or 100% of the Stock of any Person, which Person shall, as a result of such stock acquisition, become a Subsidiary of Borrower (any such Acquisition permitted by this clause (l) a "Permitted Acquisition"), so along as (i) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, (ii) each of the representations and warranties contained in Article V shall be true and correct in all material respects both before and after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition, (iii) any Liens or Indebtedness assumed or issued in connection with such Acquisition are otherwise permitted under Sections 7.1 or 7.2, as the case may be, (iv) the only consideration paid by Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection with any Permitted Acquisition consists solely of cash, Indebtedness incurred, assumed or issued in accordance with Section 7.1, common stock of Borrower and/or Qualified Preferred Stock of Borrower, (v) at least 10 Business Days prior to the consummation of any Permitted Acquisition, Borrower shall have delivered to Lender a certificate of the chief financial officer certifying (and showing calculations in reasonable detail) that Borrower would have been in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.20, for the period then most recently ended prior to the date of consummation of such Permitted Acquisition, in each case with such financial covenants to be determined on a pro forma basis as if such Permitted Acquisition had been consummated on the first day of such period (and assuming that any Indebtedness incurred, issued or assumed in connection therewith had been incurred, issued or assumed on the first day of, and had remained outstanding throughout, such period, (vi) the sum of the aggregate consideration paid in connection with all Permitted Acquisitions effected after the Closing Date (including, without limitation, any earn-out, non-compete or deferred compensation arrangements (in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Borrower), the aggregate principal amount of any Indebtedness assumed or issued in connection therewith and the fair market value of any Stock of Borrower issued in connection therewith (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Borrower) does not exceed $10,000,000, (vii) such Person is primarily engaged in a similar line of business as Borrower as of the Closing Date, (viii) all or substantially all of the assets acquired or owned by the Person being acquired are located in the United States and such Person (in the case of an acquisition of Stock) is organized under the laws of the United States or a state thereof or the District of Columbia and Borrower will comply with Section 6.16 and Borrower will grant to Lender a perfected Lien on any real property (in which Borrower acquires a fee interest) having a fair market value greater than $500,000 (pursuant to

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documentation in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender in Lender's Permitted Discretion), (ix) all of the Stock or assets so acquired will become subject to perfected first priority Liens (subject to Permitted Liens) created under the Loan Documents concurrently with such acquisition, (x) Lender shall have received a certificate, dated a date reasonably acceptable to Lender, of an Authorized Person certifying as to a true and complete copy of each purchase agreement, and all other documents and instruments delivered in connection with the consummation of any Permitted Acquisitions and that are required to be delivered pursuant to the terms of the relevant purchase agreement and Lender shall be satisfied with all amendments, waiver or other modifications of, or other forbearance to exercise any rights with respect to, any of the terms or provisions of such purchase agreements and the exhibits and schedules thereto, and (xi) Borrower must have not less than $5,000,000 of Excess Availability after taking into account any such Permitted Acquisition,

(l) (i) Borrower and its U.S. Subsidiaries may make intercompany loans and advances between or among one another (collectively, "Intercompany Loans"), so long as (A) no such Intercompany Loan shall be evidenced by a promissory note or other instrument except an intercompany note that is pledged to Lender pursuant to a pledge agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender in Lender's Permitted Discretion, (B) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing prior to, nor will any Default or Event of Default result from, such Intercompany Loan, (C) the aggregate amount of Intercompany Loans that Borrower has made shall not exceed $5,000,000 outstanding at any time, and (D) at the time Borrower makes any Intercompany Loan, Borrower must have not less than $5,000,000 of Excess Availability (after giving effect to such Intercompany Loan), and (ii) wholly-owned non-U.S. Subsidiaries of Borrower may make intercompany loans and advances between or among one another, and

(m) Investments not otherwise permitted under this Agreement in an amount not to exceed $6,000,000, so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing prior to, nor will any Default or Event of Default result from, any such Investment, and (ii) at the time Borrower makes any such Investment, Borrower must have not less than $5,000,000 of Excess Availability (after giving effect to each such Investment).

"Permitted Liens" means (a) Liens held by Lender, (b) Liens for unpaid taxes that either (i) are not yet delinquent, or (ii) do not constitute an Event of Default hereunder and are the subject of Permitted Protests, (c) Liens set forth on Schedule P-1, (d) the interests of lessors under operating leases, (e) purchase money Liens or the interests of lessors under Capital Leases to the extent that such Liens or interests secure Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness and so long as such Lien attaches only to the asset purchased or acquired and the proceeds thereof, (f) Liens arising by operation of law in favor of warehousemen, landlords, carriers, mechanics, materialmen, laborers, or suppliers, incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money, and which Liens either (i) are for sums not yet delinquent, or (ii) are the subject of Permitted Protests, (g) Liens arising from deposits made in connection with obtaining worker's compensation or other unemployment insurance, (h) Liens or deposits to secure performance of bids, tenders, or leases incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money, (i) Liens granted as security for surety or appeal bonds in connection with obtaining such bonds in the ordinary course of business of Borrower or a Subsidiary, (j) Liens resulting from any judgment or award that is not an Event of Default hereunder, (k) with respect to any Real Property, easements, rights of way, and restrictions (zoning, building and similar restrictions), utility agreements, covenants, reservations, encroachments and other similar charges or encumbrances, and minor title deficiencies that do not materially interfere with or impair the use or operation thereof, (l) statutory and common law landlords' liens under leases to which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party (provided that if any of the Collateral is located on real property leased by Borrower, Lender shall have received a

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Collateral Access Agreement from the applicable landlord (which Collateral Access Agreement shall include, among other things, a waiver by the applicable landlord or lessor of any landlord security interests or liens)), (m) Liens on property or assets acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition, or on property or assets of a Subsidiary of Borrower in existence at the time such Subsidiary is acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition, provided that (I) any Indebtedness that is secured by such Liens is permitted to exist under Section 7.1(h) and (II) such Liens are not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation or anticipation of such Permitted Acquisition and do not attach to any other asset of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (n) Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statement filings regarding operating leases or with respect to any inventory held on consignment in the ordinary course of business, (o) Liens consisting of leases or subleases of real property entered into with other Persons not materially interfering with the conduct of Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' business, (p) Liens encumbering cash pledged to secure Indebtedness permitted to exist under Section 7.1(m), and (q) other Liens incidental to the conduct of the business or the ownership of the assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that (i) were not incurred in connection with borrowed money, (ii) do not encumber any Collateral and do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of the assets subject thereto or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of such business and (iii) do not secure obligations in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate for all such Liens.

"Permitted Protest" means the right of Borrower to protest any Lien (other than any such Lien that secures the Obligations), taxes (other than payroll taxes or taxes that are the subject of a United States federal tax lien), or rental payment, provided that (a) a reserve with respect to such obligation is established on the Books in such amount as is required under GAAP, (b) any such protest is instituted promptly and prosecuted diligently by Borrower in good faith, and (c) Lender is reasonably satisfied in its Permitted Discretion that, while any such protest is pending, there will be no impairment of the enforceability, validity, or priority of any of Lender's Liens.

"Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness" means, as of any date of determination, Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred after the Closing Date in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not in excess of $3,000,000.

"Person" means natural persons, corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, land trusts, business trusts, or other organizations, irrespective of whether they are legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.

"Personal Property Collateral" means all Collateral other than Real Property.

"Projections" means Borrower's forecasted (a) balance sheets, (b) profit and loss statements, and (c) cash flow statements, all prepared on a basis consistent with Borrower's historical financial statements, together with appropriate supporting details and a statement of underlying assumptions.

"Purchase Money Indebtedness" means Indebtedness (other than the Obligations, but including Capitalized Lease Obligations), incurred at the time of, or within 20 days after, the acquisition of any fixed assets for the purpose of financing all or any part of the acquisition cost thereof.

"Qualified Import Letter of Credit" means a Letter of Credit that (a) is issued to facilitate the purchase by Borrower of Eligible Inventory, (b) is in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender, and (c) is issued to support an Underlying Letter of Credit that only is drawable by the beneficiary thereof by the presentation of, among other documents, either (i) a negotiable xxxx of lading that is consigned to Lender (either directly or by means of endorsements) and that was issued by the carrier respecting the subject Eligible Inventory, or (ii) a negotiable cargo receipt that is consigned to Lender (either directly or by means of endorsements) and that was issued by a consolidator respecting the subject Eligible Inventory; provided, however, that, in the latter case, no xxxx of lading shall have been issued by the carrier (other than a xxxx of lading consigned to the consolidator or to Lender).

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"Qualified Preferred Stock" means (a) Borrower's Series A Preferred Stock, and (b) any class of preferred stock of Borrower so long as the terms of any such preferred stock (i) do not contain any mandatory put, redemption, repayment, sinking fund or other similar provision occurring before July 31, 2007, (ii) do not require the cash payment of dividends, (iii) do not contain any operating or financial maintenance covenants or any other covenants that could, in the reasonable opinion of Lender, adversely affect the interests of Lender or (iv) do not grant the holders thereof any voting rights except for (x) voting rights required to be granted to such holders under applicable law, (y) limited customary voting rights on fundamental matters such as mergers, consolidations, sales of all or substantially all of the assets of Borrower, or liquidations involving Borrower, or (z) other voting rights which are reasonably satisfactory to Lender.

"Real Property" means any estates or interests in real property now owned or hereafter acquired by Borrower and the improvements thereto.

"Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or which is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

"Remedial Action" means all actions taken to (a) clean up, remove, remediate, contain, treat, monitor, assess, evaluate, or in any way address Hazardous Materials in the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) prevent or minimize a release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials so they do not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment, (c) perform any pre-remedial studies, investigations, or post-remedial operation and maintenance activities, or (d) conduct any other actions authorized by 42 USC § 9601.

"Report" has the meaning set forth in Section 16.17.

"Required Availability" means Excess Availability in an amount of not less than $20,000,000.

"Reserve Percentage" means, on any day, for Lender, the maximum percentage prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor Governmental Authority) for determining the reserve requirements (including any basic, supplemental, marginal, or emergency reserves) that are in effect on such date with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as "eurocurrency liabilities") of Lender, but so long as Lender is not required or directed under applicable regulations to maintain such reserves, the Reserve Percentage shall be zero.

"Revolver Usage" means, as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) the then extant amount of outstanding Advances, plus (b) the then extant amount of the Letter of Credit Usage.

"SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor thereto.

"Securities Account" means a "securities account" as that term is defined in the Code.

"Senior Subordinated Notes" means those certain 11³/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 issued by Borrower pursuant to the Indenture dated December 15, 1998 by and between Borrower and U.S. Trust Company of New York, as trustee, as amended from time to time.

"Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture" means that certain Indenture dated December 15, 1998, by and between the Borrower and U. S. Trust Company of New York, as trustee.

"Series A Preferred Stock" means the Borrower's Series A 6% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock.

"Solvent" means, with respect to any Person on a particular date, that such Person is not insolvent (as such term is defined in the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act).

"Stock" means all shares, options, warrants, interests, participations, or other equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a Person, whether voting or nonvoting, including common stock,

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preferred stock, or any other "equity security" (as such term is defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act).

"Subsidiary" of a Person means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity in which that Person directly or indirectly owns or controls the shares of Stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors (or appoint other comparable managers) of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity. For purposes of this Agreement, Special Devices Business Park Owners Association shall not be deemed a Subsidiary of Borrower.

"Supply Agreements" means each of Borrower's material supply agreements or other contractual arrangements whereby Borrower has agreed to sell or supply goods and/or services to various customers of Borrower.

"Tangible Net Worth" means, as of any date of determination, the result of (a) Borrower's total stockholder's equity, minus (b) the sum of (i) all Intangible Assets of Borrower, (ii) all of Borrower's prepaid expenses, and (iii) all amounts due to Borrower from Affiliates.

"Taxes" has the meaning set forth in Section 16.5.

"Term Loan" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

"Term Loan Amount" means $5,000,000.

"Trademark Security Agreement" means a trademark security agreement executed and delivered by Borrower and Lender, the form and substance of which is reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion.

"Underlying Issuer" means a third Person which is the beneficiary of an L/C Undertaking and which has issued a letter of credit at the request of Lender for the benefit of Borrower and, in the case of a proposed Qualified Import Letter of Credit, has agreed, in writing, to hold documents of title as agent for Lender.

"Underlying Letter of Credit" means a letter of credit that has been issued by an Underlying Issuer.

"U.S. Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that is incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States or a state thereof or the District of Columbia.

"Voidable Transfer" has the meaning set forth in Section 16.8.

"Voting Stock" means the Stock of Borrower having the right to vote for the election of members of the Board of Directors.

"Xxxxx Fargo" means Xxxxx Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association.

1.2 Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP. When used herein, the term "financial statements" shall include the notes and schedules thereto. Whenever the term "Borrower" is used in respect of a financial covenant or a related definition, it shall be understood to mean Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

1.3 Code. Any terms used in this Agreement that are defined in the Code shall be construed and defined as set forth in the Code unless otherwise defined herein.

1.4 Construction. Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the term "including" is not limiting, and the term "or" has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase "and/or." The words "hereof," "herein," "hereby," "hereunder," and similar terms in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refer to this

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Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be, as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be. Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any reference in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein). Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person's successors and assigns. Any requirement of a writing contained herein or in the other Loan Documents shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record and any Record transmitted shall constitute a representation and warranty as to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained therein.

1.5 Schedules and Exhibits. All of the schedules and exhibits attached to this Agreement shall be deemed incorporated herein by reference.

2. LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT.

2.1 Revolver Advances.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and during the term of this Agreement, Lender agrees to make advances ("Advances") to Borrower in an amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the Maximum Revolver Amount less the Letter of Credit Usage, and (ii) the Borrowing Base less the sum of the Adjusted Letter of Credit Usage and the aggregate amount of the Inventory Reserves. For purposes of this Agreement, "Borrowing Base," as of any date of determination, shall mean the result of:

(x) the lesser of

(i) the sum of

(A) 85% of the amount of Eligible Domestic Accounts, less the amount, if any, of the Dilution Reserve plus

(B) the lesser of (1) $5,000,000; and (2) 85% of the amount of Eligible Foreign Accounts, less the amount, if any, of the Dilution Reserve (to the extent not deducted in clause (x)(i)(A) of this Section 2.1(a)), and

(ii) an amount equal to Borrower's Collections with respect to Accounts for the immediately preceding 60-day period, plus

(y) the lowest of

(i) $7,000,000,

(ii) 65% of the value of Eligible Inventory, and

(iii) 80% times the then extant Net Liquidation Percentage times the book value of Borrower's Inventory, minus

(z) the aggregate amount of reserves, if any, established by Lender under Section 2.1(b).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Advance shall be made (or requested) hereunder if such Advance would not constitute "Permitted Indebtedness" and "Senior Indebtedness" under the Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture.

(b) Anything to the contrary in this Section 2.1 notwithstanding, Lender shall have the right to establish reserves in such amounts, and with respect to such matters, as Lender in its Permitted Discretion shall deem necessary or appropriate, against the Borrowing Base, including reserves

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with respect to (i) sums that Borrower is required to pay (such as taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, or, in the case of leased assets, rents or other amounts payable under such leases) and has failed to pay under any Section of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and (ii) amounts owing by Borrower to any Person to the extent secured by a Lien on, or trust over, any of the Collateral (other than any existing Permitted Lien set forth on Schedule P-1 which is specifically identified thereon as entitled to have priority over Lender's Liens), which Lien or trust, in the Permitted Discretion of Lender likely would have a priority superior to Lender's Liens (such as Liens or trusts in favor of landlords, warehousemen, carriers, mechanics, materialmen, laborers, or suppliers, or Liens or trusts for ad valorem, excise, sales, or other taxes where given priority under applicable law) in and to such item of the Collateral. In addition to the foregoing, Lender shall have the right to have the Inventory reappraised by a qualified appraisal company selected by Lender in its Permitted Discretion from time to time after the Closing Date for the purpose of redetermining the Net Liquidation Percentage of the Eligible Inventory portion of the Collateral and, as a result, redetermining the Borrowing Base.

(c) Lender shall have no obligation to make additional Advances hereunder to the extent such additional Advances would cause the Revolver Usage to exceed the Maximum Revolver Amount.

(d) Amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section may be repaid and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, reborrowed at any time during the term of this Agreement.

2.2 Term Loan. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, on the Closing Date Lender agrees to make a term loan (the "Term Loan") to Borrower in an amount equal to the Term Loan Amount. The principal balance of the Term Loan shall be repaid in quarterly installments of $250,000 each, with the first such installment due and payable on November 1, 2001, and continuing on the first day of each February, May, August, and November thereafter until paid in full; provided that, in any event, the outstanding unpaid principal balance and all accrued and unpaid interest under the Term Loan shall be due and payable on the date of termination of this Agreement, whether by its terms, by prepayment, or by acceleration. All amounts outstanding under the Term Loan shall constitute Obligations.

2.3 Borrowing Procedures and Settlements.

(a) Procedure for Borrowing. Each Borrowing shall be made by a request by an Authorized Person delivered to Lender (which notice must be received by Lender no later than 11:00 a.m. (California time) on the Business Day that is the requested Funding Date specifying (i) the amount of such Borrowing, and (ii) the requested Funding Date, which shall be a Business Day. At Lender's election, in lieu of delivering the above-described request in writing, any Authorized Person may give Lender telephonic notice of such request by the required time, with such telephonic notice to be confirmed in writing within 24 hours of the giving of such notice.

(b) Making of Advances. If Lender has received a timely request for a Borrowing in accordance with the provisions hereof, and subject to the satisfaction of the applicable terms and conditions set forth herein, Lender shall make the proceeds of such Advance available to Borrower on the applicable Funding Date by transferring immediately available funds equal to such proceeds to Borrower's Designated Account.

2.4 Payments.

(a) Payments by Borrower.

(i) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by Borrower shall be made to Lender's Account and shall be made in immediately available funds, no later than 11:00 a.m. (California time) on the date specified herein. Any payment received by Lender

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later than 11:00 a.m. (California time) shall be deemed to have been received on the following Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue until such following Business Day.

(b) Application of Payments.

(i) Subject to subsection (ii) below, all payments shall be remitted to Lender and all such payments (other than payments received while no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and which relate to the payment of principal or interest of specific Obligations or which relate to the payment of specific fees), and all proceeds of Accounts or other Collateral received by Lender, shall be applied as follows:

(A) first, to pay any Lender Expenses then due to Lender under the Loan Documents, until paid in full,

(B) second, to pay any fees then due to Lender under the Loan Documents until paid in full,

(D) fourth, ratably to pay all principal amounts then due and payable (other than as a result of an acceleration thereof) with respect to the Term Loan until paid in full,

(E) fifth, to pay the principal of all Advances until paid in full,

(F) sixth, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to pay the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan (in the inverse order of the maturity of the installments due thereunder) until the Term Loan is paid in full,

(G) seventh, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to be held by Lender as cash collateral in an amount up to 105% of the then extant Letter of Credit Usage until paid in full,

(H) eighth, to pay any other Obligations until paid in full, and

(I) ninth, to Borrower (to be wired to the Designated Account) or such other Person entitled thereto under applicable law.

(ii) In each instance, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Section 2.4(b) shall not be deemed to apply to any payment by Borrower specified by Borrower to be for the payment of specific Obligations then due and payable (or prepayable) under any provision of this Agreement.

(iii) For purposes of the foregoing, "paid in full" means payment of all amounts owing under the Loan Documents according to the terms thereof, including loan fees, service fees, professional fees, interest (and specifically including interest accrued after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding), default interest, interest on interest, and expense reimbursements, whether or not the same would be or is allowed or disallowed in whole or in part in any Insolvency Proceeding.

(iv) In the event of a direct conflict between the priority provisions of this Section 2.4 and other provisions contained in any other Loan Document, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such priority provisions in such documents shall be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other. In the event of any actual, irreconcilable conflict that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, the terms and provisions of this Section 2.4 shall control and govern.

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2.5 Overadvances. If, at any time or for any reason, the amount of Obligations owed by Borrower to Lender pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.12 is greater than either the Dollar or percentage limitations set forth in Sections 2.1 or 2.12, (an "Overadvance"), Borrower immediately shall pay to Lender, in cash, the amount of such excess, which amount shall be used by Lender to reduce the Obligations in accordance with the priorities set forth in Section 2.4(b). In addition, Borrower hereby promises to pay the Obligations (including principal, interest, fees, costs, and expenses) in Dollars in full to Lender as and when due and payable under the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

2.6 Interest Rates and Letter of Credit Fee: Rates, Payments, and Calculations.

(a) Interest Rates. Except as provided in clause (c) below, all Obligations (except for undrawn Letters of Credit) that have been charged to the Loan Account pursuant to the terms hereof shall bear interest on the Daily Balance thereof as follows (i) if the relevant Obligation is all or a portion of an Advance or the Term Loan that is a LIBOR Rate Loan, at a per annum rate equal to the LIBOR Rate plus the LIBOR Rate Margin, and (ii) otherwise, at a per annum rate equal to the Base Rate plus the Base Rate Margin.

(b) Letter of Credit Fee. Borrower shall pay Lender a Letter of Credit fee (in addition to the charges, commissions, fees, and costs set forth in Section 2.12(e)) which shall accrue at a rate equal to 1.50% per annum times the Daily Balance of the undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit.

(i) at the election of Lender (in Lender's sole discretion), all Obligations (except for undrawn Letters of Credit) that have been charged to the Loan Account pursuant to the terms hereof shall bear interest on the Daily Balance thereof at a per annum rate equal to 2 percentage points above the per annum rate otherwise applicable hereunder, and

(ii) the Letter of Credit fee provided for above shall be increased to 2 percentage points above the per annum rate otherwise applicable hereunder.

(d) Payment. Except with respect to interest accruing on LIBOR Rate Loans as provided in Section 2.13, interest, Letter of Credit fees, and all other fees payable hereunder shall be due and payable, in arrears, on the first day of each month at any time that Obligations or obligation to extend credit hereunder are outstanding. Borrower hereby authorizes Lender, from time to time without prior notice to Borrower, to charge such interest and fees, all Lender Expenses (as and when incurred), the charges, commissions, fees, and costs provided for in Section 2.12(e) (as and when accrued or incurred), the fees and costs provided for in Section 2.11 (as and when accrued or incurred), and all other payments as and when due and payable under any Loan Document (including the installments due and payable with respect to the Term Loan) to Borrower's Loan Account, which amounts thereafter constitute Advances hereunder and shall accrue interest at the rate then applicable to Advances hereunder. Any interest not paid when due shall be compounded by being charged to Borrower's Loan Account and shall thereafter constitute Advances hereunder and shall accrue interest at the rate then applicable to Advances that are Base Rate Loans hereunder.

(e) Computation. All interest and fees chargeable under the Loan Documents shall be computed on the basis of a 360 day year for the actual number of days elapsed. In the event the Base Rate is changed from time to time hereafter, the rates of interest hereunder based upon the Base Rate automatically and immediately shall be increased or decreased by an amount equal to such change in the Base Rate.

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(f) Intent to Limit Charges to Maximum Lawful Rate. In no event shall the interest rate or rates payable under this Agreement, plus any other amounts paid in connection herewith, exceed the highest rate permissible under any law that a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem applicable. Borrower and Lender, in executing and delivering this Agreement, intend legally to agree upon the rate or rates of interest and manner of payment stated within it; provided, however, that, anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if said rate or rates of interest or manner of payment exceeds the maximum allowable under applicable law, then, ipso facto, as of the date of this Agreement, Borrower is and shall be liable only for the payment of such maximum as allowed by law, and payment received from Borrower in excess of such legal maximum, whenever received, shall be applied to reduce the principal balance of the Obligations to the extent of such excess.

2.7 Cash Management.

(a) Borrower shall (i) establish and maintain cash collateral services of a type and on terms satisfactory to Lender at one or more of the banks set forth on Schedule 2.7(a) (each, a "Cash Management Bank"), and shall request in writing and otherwise take such reasonable steps to ensure that all of its Account Debtors forward payment of the amounts owed by them directly to such Cash Management Bank, and (ii) deposit or cause to be deposited promptly, and in any event no later than the first Business Day after the date of receipt thereof, all Collections (including those sent directly by Account Debtors to a Cash Management Bank) into a bank account in Lender's name (a "Cash Management Account") at one of the Cash Management Banks.

(b) Each Cash Management Bank shall establish and maintain Cash Management Agreements with Lender and Borrower, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender. Each such Cash Management Agreement shall provide, among other things, that (i) all items of payment deposited in such Cash Management Account and proceeds thereof are held by such Cash Management Bank as agent or bailee-in-possession for Lender, (ii) the Cash Management Bank has no rights of setoff or recoupment or any other claim against the applicable Cash Management Account other than for payment of its service fees and other charges directly related to the administration of such Cash Management Account and for returned checks or other items of payment, and (iii) it immediately will forward by daily sweep all amounts in the applicable Cash Management Account to Lender's Account.

(c) So long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower may amend Schedule 2.7(a) to add or replace a Cash Management Bank or Cash Management Account; provided, however, that (i) such prospective Cash Management Bank shall be satisfactory to Lender in Lender's Permitted Discretion and Lender shall have consented in writing in advance to the opening of such Cash Management Account with the prospective Cash Management Bank, and (ii) prior to the time of the opening of such Cash Management Account, Borrower and such prospective Cash Management Bank shall have executed and delivered to Lender a Cash Management Agreement. Borrower shall close any of its Cash Management Accounts (and establish replacement Cash Management accounts in accordance with the foregoing sentence) promptly and in any event within 30 days of notice from Lender that the creditworthiness of any Cash Management Bank is no longer acceptable in Lender's reasonable judgment, or as promptly as practicable and in any event within 60 days of notice from Lender that the operating performance, funds transfer, or availability procedures or performance of the Cash Management Bank with respect to Cash Management Accounts or Lender's liability under any Cash Management Agreement with such Cash Management Bank is no longer acceptable in Lender's reasonable judgment.

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(d) The Cash Management Accounts shall be cash collateral accounts, with all cash, checks and similar items of payment in such accounts securing payment of the Obligations, and in which Borrower is hereby deemed to have granted a Lien to Lender.

2.8 Crediting Payments; Float Charge. The receipt of any payment item by Lender (whether from transfers to Lender by the Cash Management Banks pursuant to the Cash Management Agreements or otherwise) shall not be considered a payment on account unless such payment item is a wire transfer of immediately available federal funds made to Lender's Account or unless and until such payment item is honored when presented for payment. Should any payment item not be honored when presented for payment, then Borrower shall be deemed not to have made such payment and interest shall be calculated accordingly. Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, any payment item shall be deemed received by Lender only if it is received into Lender's Account on a Business Day on or before 11:00 a.m. (California time). If any payment item is received into Lender's Account on a non-Business Day or after 11:00 a.m. (California time) on a Business Day, it shall be deemed to have been received by Lender as of the opening of business on the immediately following Business Day. From and after the Closing Date, Lender shall be entitled to charge Borrower for one Business Day of "clearance" or "float" at the rate applicable to Advances accruing interest as Base Rate Loans under Section 2.6 on all Collections that are received by Borrower (regardless of whether forwarded by the Cash Management Banks to Lender). This across-the-board one Business Day clearance or float charge on all Collections is acknowledged by the parties to constitute an integral aspect of the pricing of the financing of Borrower and shall apply irrespective of whether or not there are any outstanding monetary Obligations; the effect of such clearance or float charge being the equivalent of charging one Business Day of interest on such Collections.

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2.9 Designated Account. Lender is authorized to make the Advances and the Term Loan, and Lender is authorized to issue the Letters of Credit, under this Agreement based upon telephonic or other instructions received from anyone purporting to be an Authorized Person, or without instructions if pursuant to Section 2.6(d). Borrower agrees to establish and maintain the Designated Account with the Designated Account Bank for the purpose of receiving the proceeds of the Advances requested by Borrower and made by Lender hereunder. Unless otherwise agreed by Lender and Borrower, any Advance requested by Borrower and made by Lender hereunder shall be made to the Designated Account.

2.10 Maintenance of Loan Account; Statements of Obligations. Lender shall maintain an account on its books in the name of Borrower (the "Loan Account") on which Borrower will be charged with the Term Loan, all Advances made by Lender to Borrower or for Borrower's account, the Letters of Credit issued by Lender for Borrower's account, and with all other payment Obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including, accrued interest, fees and expenses, and Lender Expenses. In accordance with Section 2.8, the Loan Account will be credited with all payments received by Lender from Borrower or for Borrower's account, including all amounts received in Lender's Account from any Cash Management Bank. Lender shall render statements regarding the Loan Account to Borrower, including principal, interest, fees, and including an itemization of all charges and expenses constituting Lender Expenses owing, and such statements shall be conclusively presumed to be correct and accurate (absent manifest error) and constitute an account stated between Borrower and Lender unless, within 30 days after receipt thereof by Borrower, Borrower shall deliver to Lender written objection thereto describing the error or errors contained in any such statements.

2.11 Fees. Borrower shall pay to Lender the following fees and charges, which fees and charges shall be non-refundable when paid (irrespective of whether this Agreement is terminated thereafter):

(a) Unused Line Fee. On the first day of each month during the term of this Agreement, an unused line fee in an amount equal to .375% per annum times the result of (a) the Maximum Revolver Amount, less (b) the sum of (i) the average Daily Balance of Advances that were outstanding during the immediately preceding month, plus (ii) the average Daily Balance of the Letter of Credit Usage during the immediately preceding month,

(b) Fee Letter Fees. As and when due and payable under the terms of the Fee Letter, Borrower shall pay to Lender the fees set forth in the Fee Letter, and

(c) Audit, Appraisal, and Valuation Charges. Audit, appraisal, and valuation fees and charges as follows: (i) a fee of $750 per day, per auditor, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for each financial audit of Borrower performed by personnel employed by Lender, (ii) if implemented, a one time charge of $3,000 plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for expenses for the establishment of electronic collateral reporting systems, (iii) reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, for each appraisal of the Collateral performed by personnel employed by Lender, and (iv) the actual charges paid or incurred by Lender if it elects to employ the services of one or more third Persons to perform financial audits of Borrower, to appraise the Collateral, or any portion thereof. So long as no Event of Default has occurred, Lender shall (x) limit the number of financial audits of Borrower to four times per calendar year, (y) limit the number of appraisals of Borrower's inventory to twice per calendar year (and if Lender elects to conduct an appraisal of Borrower's inventory more than once per calendar year while no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Lender shall do so at its own cost and expense), and (z) limit the number of appraisals of Borrower's machinery and equipment to once per year.

2.12 Letters of Credit.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Lender agrees to issue letters of credit for the account of Borrower (each, an "L/C") or to purchase participations or execute

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indemnities or reimbursement obligations (each such undertaking, an "L/C Undertaking") with respect to letters of credit issued by an Underlying Issuer (as of the Closing Date, the prospective Underlying Issuer is to be Xxxxx Fargo) for the account of Borrower. To request the issuance of an L/C or an L/C Undertaking (or the amendment, renewal, or extension of an outstanding L/C or L/C Undertaking), Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by Lender) to Lender (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal, or extension) a notice requesting the issuance of an L/C or L/C Undertaking, or identifying the L/C or L/C Undertaking to be amended, renewed, or extended, the date of issuance, amendment, renewal, or extension, the date on which such L/C or L/C Undertaking is to expire, the amount of such L/C or L/C Undertaking, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof (or the beneficiary of the Underlying Letter of Credit, as applicable), and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew, or extend such L/C or L/C Undertaking. If requested by Lender, Borrower also shall be an applicant under the application with respect to any Underlying Letter of Credit that is to be the subject of an L/C Undertaking. Lender shall have no obligation to issue a Letter of Credit if any of the following would result after giving effect to the requested Letter of Credit:

(i) the Adjusted Letter of Credit Usage would exceed the Borrowing Base less the amount of outstanding Advances, or

(ii) the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed $8,000,000, or

(iii) the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed the Maximum Revolver Amount less the then extant amount of outstanding Advances.

Borrower and Lender acknowledge and agree that certain Underlying Letters of Credit may be issued to support letters of credit that already are outstanding as of the Closing Date. Each Letter of Credit (and corresponding Underlying Letter of Credit) shall have an expiry date no later than 30 days prior to the Maturity Date and all such Letters of Credit (and corresponding Underlying Letter of Credit) shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender (in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion), including the requirement that the amounts payable thereunder must be payable in Dollars. If Lender is obligated to advance funds under a Letter of Credit, Borrower immediately shall reimburse such L/C Disbursement to Lender by paying to Lender an amount equal to such L/C Disbursement not later than 11:00 a.m., California time, on the date that such L/C Disbursement is made, if Borrower shall have received written or telephonic notice of such L/C Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., California time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than 11:00 a.m., California time, on the Business Day that Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is received prior to 10:00 a.m., California time, on the date of receipt, and, in the absence of such reimbursement, the L/C Disbursement immediately and automatically shall be deemed to be an Advance hereunder and, thereafter, shall bear interest at the rate then applicable to Advances that are Base Rate Loans under Section 2.6. To the extent an L/C Disbursement is deemed to be an Advance hereunder, Borrower's obligation to reimburse such L/C Disbursement shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting Advance.

(b) Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify, save, defend, and hold Lender harmless from any loss, cost, expense, or liability, and reasonable attorneys fees incurred by Lender arising out of or in connection with any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that Borrower shall not be obligated hereunder to indemnify for any loss, cost, expense, or liability that is caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Lender. Borrower agrees to be bound by the Underlying Issuer's regulations and interpretations of any Underlying Letter of Credit or by Lender's interpretations of any L/C issued by Lender to or for Borrower's account, even though this interpretation may be different from Borrower's own, and Borrower understands and agrees that Lender shall not be liable for any error, negligence, or mistake, whether of omission or

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commission, in following Borrower's instructions or those contained in the Letter of Credit or any modifications, amendments, or supplements thereto. Borrower understands that the L/C Undertakings may require Lender to indemnify the Underlying Issuer for certain costs or liabilities arising out of claims by Borrower against such Underlying Issuer. Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify, save, defend, and hold Lender harmless with respect to any loss, cost, expense (including reasonable attorneys fees), or liability incurred by Lender under any L/C Undertaking as a result of Lender's indemnification of any Underlying Issuer; provided, however, that Borrower shall not be obligated hereunder to indemnify for any loss, cost, expense, or liability that is caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Lender.

(c) Borrower hereby authorizes and directs any Underlying Issuer to deliver to Lender all instruments, documents, and other writings and property received by such Underlying Issuer pursuant to such Underlying Letter of Credit and to accept and rely upon Lender's instructions with respect to all matters arising in connection with such Underlying Letter of Credit and the related application.

(d) Any and all charges, commissions, fees, and costs incurred by Lender relating to Underlying Letters of Credit shall be Lender Expenses for purposes of this Agreement and immediately shall be reimbursable by Borrower to Lender; it being acknowledged and agreed by Borrower that, as of the Closing Date, the issuance charge imposed by the prospective Underlying Issuer is .825% per annum times the face amount of each Underlying Letter of Credit, that such issuance charge may be changed from time to time, and that the Underlying Issuer also imposes a schedule of charges for amendments, extensions, drawings, and renewals.

(e) If by reason of (i) any change in any applicable law, treaty, rule, or regulation or any change in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority, or (ii) compliance by the Underlying Issuer or Lender with any direction, request, or requirement (irrespective of whether having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority or monetary authority including, Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board as from time to time in effect (and any successor thereto):

(i) any reserve, deposit, or similar requirement is or shall be imposed or modified in respect of any Letter of Credit issued hereunder, or

(ii) there shall be imposed on the Underlying Issuer or Lender any other condition regarding any Underlying Letter of Credit or any Letter of Credit issued pursuant hereto,

and the result of the foregoing is to increase, directly or indirectly, the cost to Lender of issuing, making, guaranteeing, or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount receivable in respect thereof by Lender, then, and in any such case, Lender may, at any time within a reasonable period after the additional cost is incurred or the amount received is reduced, notify Borrower, and Borrower shall pay on demand such amounts as Lender may specify to be necessary to compensate Lender for such additional cost or reduced receipt, together with interest on such amount from the date of such demand until payment in full thereof at the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans hereunder. The determination by Lender of any amount due pursuant to this Section, as set forth in a certificate setting forth the calculation thereof in reasonable detail, shall, in the absence of manifest or demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding on all of the parties hereto.

(f) Borrower acknowledges and agrees that certain of the Qualified Import Letters of Credit may provide for the presentation of time drafts to the Underlying Issuer. If an Underlying Issuer accepts such a time draft that is presented under an Underlying Letter of Credit, it is acknowledged and agreed that (i) the Letter of Credit will require Lender to reimburse the Underlying Issuer for amounts paid on account of such time draft on or after the maturity date thereof, (ii) the pricing provisions hereof (including Sections 2.6(b) and 2.12(e)) shall continue to

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apply, until payment of such time draft on or after the maturity date thereof, as if the Underlying Letter of Credit were still outstanding, and (iii) on the date on which Lender makes payment to the Underlying Issuer of the amounts paid on account of such time draft, Borrower immediately shall reimburse such amount to Lender and such amount shall constitute an L/C Disbursement hereunder.

2.13 LIBOR Option.

(a) Interest and Interest Payment Dates. In lieu of having interest charged at the rate based upon the Base Rate, Borrower shall have the option (the "LIBOR Option") to have interest on all or a portion of the Advances or the Term Loan be charged at the LIBOR Rate. Interest on LIBOR Rate Loans shall be payable on the earliest of (i) the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto if such Interest Period is 1, 2 or 3 months, or on the last day of the third month and the last day of the six month of the Interest Period if such Interest Period applicable thereto is a 6 month period, (ii) the occurrence of an Event of Default in consequence of which Lender has elected to accelerate the maturity of the Obligations, or (iii) termination of this Agreement pursuant to the terms hereof. On the last day of each applicable Interest Period, unless Borrower properly has exercised the LIBOR Option with respect thereto, the interest rate applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan automatically shall convert to the rate of interest then applicable to Base Rate Loans of the same type hereunder. At any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower no longer shall have the option to request that Advances or the Term Loan bear interest at the LIBOR Rate and Lender shall have the right to convert the interest rate on all outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans to the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans hereunder.

(b) LIBOR Election.

(i) Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, elect to exercise the LIBOR Option by notifying Lender prior to 11:00 a.m. (California time) at least 3 Business Days prior to the commencement of the proposed Interest Period (the "LIBOR Deadline"). Notice of Borrower's election of the LIBOR Option for a permitted portion of the Advances or the Term Loan and an Interest Period pursuant to this Section shall be made by delivery to Lender of a LIBOR Notice received by Lender before the LIBOR Deadline, or by telephonic notice received by Lender before the LIBOR Deadline (to be confirmed by delivery to Lender of a LIBOR Notice received by Lender prior to 5:00 p.m. (California time) on the same day.

(ii) Each LIBOR Notice shall be irrevocable and binding on Borrower. In connection with each LIBOR Rate Loan, Borrower shall indemnify, defend, and hold Lender harmless against any loss, cost, or expense incurred by Lender as a result of (a) the payment of any principal of any LIBOR Rate Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any LIBOR Rate Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any LIBOR Rate Loan on the date specified in any LIBOR Notice delivered pursuant hereto (such losses, costs, and expenses, collectively, "Funding Losses"). Funding Losses shall be deemed to equal the amount determined by Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such LIBOR Rate Loan had such event not occurred, at the LIBOR Rate that would have been applicable thereto, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert, or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period therefor), minus(ii) the amount of interest that would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which Lender would be offered were it to be offered, at the commencement of such period, Dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period in the

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London interbank market. A certificate of Lender delivered to Borrower setting forth any amount or amounts that Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(iii) Borrower shall have not more than 5 LIBOR Rate Loans in effect at any given time. Borrower only may exercise the LIBOR Option for LIBOR Rate Loans of at least $500,000 and integral multiples of $250,000 in excess thereof.

(c) Prepayments. Borrower may prepay LIBOR Rate Loans at any time; provided, however, that in the event that LIBOR Rate Loans are prepaid on any date that is not the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, including as a result of any automatic prepayment through the required application by Lender of proceeds of Collections in accordance with Section 2.4(b) or for any other reason, including early termination of the term of this Agreement or acceleration of the Obligations pursuant to the terms hereof, Borrower shall indemnify, defend, and hold Lender and its Participants harmless against any and all Funding Losses in accordance with clause (b)(ii) above.

(d) Special Provisions Applicable to LIBOR Rate.

(i) The LIBOR Rate may be adjusted by Lender on a prospective basis to take into account any additional or increased costs to Lender of maintaining or obtaining any eurodollar deposits or increased costs due to changes in applicable law occurring subsequent to the commencement of the then applicable Interest Period, including changes in tax laws (except changes of general applicability in corporate income tax laws) and changes in the reserve requirements imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor), excluding the Reserve Percentage, which additional or increased costs would increase the cost of funding loans bearing interest at the LIBOR Rate. In any such event, Lender shall give Borrower notice of such a determination and adjustment and, upon its receipt of the notice from Lender, Borrower may, by notice to Lender (y) require Lender to furnish to Borrower a statement setting forth the basis for adjusting such LIBOR Rate and the method for determining the amount of such adjustment, or (z) repay the LIBOR Rate Loans with respect to which such adjustment is made (together with any amounts due under clause (b)(ii) above).

(ii) In the event that any change in market conditions or any law, regulation, treaty, or directive, or any change therein or in the interpretation of application thereof, shall at any time after the date hereof, in the reasonable opinion of Lender, make it unlawful or impractical for Lender to fund or maintain LIBOR Advances or to continue such funding or maintaining, or to determine or charge interest rates at the LIBOR Rate, Lender shall give notice of such changed circumstances to Borrower and (y) in the case of any LIBOR Rate Loans that are outstanding, the date specified in Lender's notice shall be deemed to be the last day of the Interest Period of such LIBOR Rate Loans, and interest upon the LIBOR Rate Loans thereafter shall accrue interest at the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans, and (z) Borrower shall not be entitled to elect the LIBOR Option until Lender determines that it would no longer be unlawful or impractical to do so.

(e) No Requirement of Matched Funding. Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, neither Lender, nor any of its Participants, is required actually to acquire eurodollar deposits to fund or otherwise match fund any Obligation as to which interest accrues at the LIBOR Rate. The provisions of this Section shall apply as if Lender or its Participants had match funded any Obligation as to which interest is accruing at the LIBOR Rate by acquiring eurodollar deposits for each Interest Period in the amount of the LIBOR Rate Loans.

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2.14 Capital Requirements. If, after the date hereof, Lender determines that (i) the adoption of or change in any law, rule, regulation or guideline regarding capital requirements for banks or bank holding companies, or any change in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the administration thereof, or (ii) compliance by Lender or its parent bank holding company with any guideline, request, or directive of any such entity regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law), the effect of reducing the return on Lender's or such holding company's capital as a consequence of Lender's obligations hereunder to a level below that which Lender or such holding company could have achieved but for such adoption, change, or compliance (taking into consideration Lender's or such holding company's then existing policies with respect to capital adequacy and assuming the full utilization of such entity's capital) by any amount deemed by Lender to be material, then Lender may notify Borrower thereof. Following receipt of such notice, Borrower agrees to pay Lender on demand the amount of such reduction of return of capital as and when such reduction is determined, payable within 90 days after presentation by Lender of a statement in the amount and setting forth in reasonable detail Lender's calculation thereof and the assumptions upon which such calculation was based (which statement shall be deemed true and correct absent manifest error). In determining such amount, Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

3. CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT.

3.1 Conditions Precedent to the Initial Extension of Credit. The obligation of Lender to make the initial Advance, the Term Loan, or issue Letters of Credit (or otherwise to extend any credit provided for hereunder), is subject to the fulfillment, to the satisfaction of Lender, of each of the conditions precedent set forth below:

(a) the Closing Date shall occur on or before June 30, 2001;

(b) Lender shall have received all financing statements required by Lender, duly executed by Borrower, and Lender shall have received searches reflecting the filing of all such financing statements;

(c) Lender shall have received each of the following documents, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, duly executed, and each such document shall be in full force and effect:

(i) the Control Agreements,

(ii) the Disbursement Letter,

(iii) the Due Diligence Letter,

(iv) the Fee Letter,

(v) the Cash Management Agreements,

(vi) the Officers' Certificate,

(vii) the Patent Security Agreement,

(viii) the Trademark Security Agreement, and

(ix) the Pay-Off Letter, together with UCC termination statements and other documentation evidencing the termination by Existing Lender of its Liens in and to the properties and assets of Borrower;

(d) Lender shall have received a certificate from the Secretary of Borrower attesting to the resolutions of Borrower's Board of Directors authorizing its execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party and authorizing specific officers of Borrower to execute the same;

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(e) Lender shall have received copies of Borrower's Governing Documents, as amended, modified, or supplemented to the Closing Date, certified by the Secretary of Borrower;

(f) Lender shall have received a certificate of status with respect to Borrower, dated within 10 days of the Closing Date, such certificate to be issued by the appropriate officer of the jurisdiction of organization of Borrower, which certificate shall indicate that Borrower is in good standing in such jurisdiction;

(g) Lender shall have received certificates of status with respect to Borrower, each dated within 30 days of the Closing Date, such certificates to be issued by the appropriate officer of the jurisdictions (other than the jurisdiction of organization of Borrower) in which its failure to be duly qualified or licensed would constitute a Material Adverse Change, which certificates shall indicate that Borrower is in good standing in such jurisdictions;

(h) Lender shall have received a certificate of insurance, together with the endorsements thereto, as are required by Section 6.8, the form and substance of which shall be satisfactory to Lender;

(i) Lender shall have received Collateral Access Agreements with respect to the following locations: (i) 00000 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, and (ii) 0000 X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx, Xxxxxxx;

(j) Lender shall have received an opinion of Borrower's counsel in form and substance satisfactory to Lender;

(k) Lender shall have received satisfactory evidence (including a certificate of the chief financial officer of Borrower) that all material tax returns required to be filed by Borrower have been timely filed and all material taxes upon Borrower or its properties, assets, income, and franchises (including Real Property taxes and payroll taxes) have been paid prior to delinquency, except such taxes that are the subject of a Permitted Protest;

(l) Borrower shall have the Required Availability after giving effect to the initial extensions of credit hereunder;

(m) Lender shall have completed its business, legal, and collateral due diligence, including (i) a collateral audit and review of Borrower's books and records and verification of Borrower's representations and warranties to Lender, the results of which shall be satisfactory to Lender, and (ii) an inspection of each of the locations where Inventory is located, the results of which shall be satisfactory to Lender;

(n) Lender shall have received completed reference checks with respect to Borrower's senior management, the results of which are satisfactory to Lender in its sole discretion;

(o) Lender shall have satisfactorily reviewed an appraisal of Borrower's Inventory;

(p) Lender shall have received Borrower's Closing Date Business Plan;

(q) Borrower shall pay all Lender Expenses incurred in connection with the transactions evidenced by this Agreement;

(r) Lender shall have received copies of all agreements, documents, indentures, and instruments relating to any outstanding Indebtedness;

(s) Lender shall have received copies of all agreements, documents, and instruments relating to Borrower's stockholders, bondholders, or noteholders;

(t) Lender shall have received all material information concerning Borrower's former Newhall, California facility, and such information shall be satisfactory to Lender (including, but not

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limited to, Borrower shall not be liable for any material Environmental Liability or Cost associated with such facility);

(u) Lender shall have received evidence (in form and substance satisfactory to Lender) that Borrower shall have closed a sale-leaseback transaction with respect to Borrower's Moorpark, California location, and the terms of such sale-leaseback shall be satisfactory to Lender in Lender's sole discretion;

(v) Lender shall have received copies of each of the Supply Agreements and the License Agreements, together with a certificate of the Secretary of Borrower certifying each such document as being a true, correct, and complete copy thereof;

(w) Borrower shall have received all licenses, approvals or evidence of other actions required by any Governmental Authority in connection with the execution and delivery by Borrower of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and

(x) all other documents and legal matters in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been delivered, executed, or recorded and shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion.

3.2 Conditions Subsequent to the Initial Extension of Credit. The obligation of Lender to continue to make Advances (or otherwise extend credit hereunder) is subject to the fulfillment, on or before the date applicable thereto, of each of the conditions subsequent set forth below (the failure by Borrower to so perform or cause to be performed constituting an Event of Default):

(a) within 30 days of the Closing Date, deliver to Lender certified copies of the policies of insurance, together with the endorsements thereto, as are required by Section 6.8, the form and substance of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion and its counsel.

(b) within 90 days of the Closing Date, deliver to Lender a Control Agreement for each securities account and deposit or other bank account maintained by Borrower.

(c) within 15 days of the Closing Date, deliver to Lender such Cash Management Agreements as Lender shall reasonably request, each duly executed by all requisite parties thereto.

3.3 Conditions Precedent to all Extensions of Credit. The obligation of Lender to make all Advances (or to extend any other credit hereunder) shall be subject to the following conditions precedent:

(a) the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such extension of credit, as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date),

(b) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such extension of credit, nor shall either result from the making thereof,

(c) no injunction, writ, restraining order, or other order of any nature prohibiting, directly or indirectly, the extending of such credit shall have been issued and remain in force by any Governmental Authority against Borrower, Lender, or any of their Affiliates.

(d) no Material Adverse Change shall have occurred since April 29, 2001.

3.4 Term. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by Borrower and Lender and shall continue in full force and effect for a term ending on June 30, 2006 (the "Maturity Date"). The foregoing notwithstanding, Lender shall have the right to terminate its

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obligations under this Agreement immediately and without notice upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default.

3.5 Effect of Termination. On the date of termination of this Agreement, all Obligations (including contingent reimbursement obligations of Borrower with respect to outstanding Letters of Credit) immediately shall become due and payable without notice or demand. No termination of this Agreement, however, shall relieve or discharge Borrower of its duties, Obligations, or covenants hereunder and Lender's Liens in the Collateral shall remain in effect until all Obligations have been fully and finally discharged and all obligations to provide additional credit under any of the Loan Documents have been terminated. When this Agreement has been terminated and all of the Obligations have been fully and finally discharged and all obligations to provide additional credit under the Loan Documents have been terminated, Lender will, at Borrower's sole expense, execute and deliver any UCC termination statements, lien releases, mortgage releases, re-assignments of trademarks, discharges of security interests, and other similar discharge or release documents (and, if applicable, in recordable form) as are necessary to release, as of record, Lender's Liens and all notices of security interests and liens previously filed by Lender with respect to the Obligations.

3.6 Early Termination by Borrower. Borrower has the option, at any time upon 90 days prior written notice to Lender, to terminate this Agreement by paying to Lender, in cash, the Obligations (including either (i) providing cash collateral to be held by Lender in an amount equal to 105% of the then extant Letter of Credit Usage, or (ii) causing the original Letters of Credit to be returned to Lender), in full, together with the Applicable Prepayment Premium. If Borrower has sent a notice of termination pursuant to the provisions of this Section, then Lender's obligations to extend credit hereunder shall terminate and Borrower shall be obligated to repay the Obligations (including either (i) providing cash collateral to be held by Lender in an amount equal to 105% of the then extant Letter of Credit Usage, or (ii) causing the original Letters of Credit to be returned to Lender), in full, together with the Applicable Prepayment Premium, on the date set forth as the date of termination of this Agreement in such notice. In the event of the termination of this Agreement and repayment of the Obligations at any time prior to the Maturity Date, for any other reason, including (a) termination upon the election of Lender to terminate after the occurrence of an Event of Default, (b) foreclosure and sale of Collateral, (c) sale of the Collateral in any Insolvency Proceeding, or (iv) restructure, reorganization, or compromise of the Obligations by the confirmation of a plan of reorganization or any other plan of compromise, restructure, or arrangement in any Insolvency Proceeding, then, in view of the impracticability and extreme difficulty of ascertaining the actual amount of damages to Lender or profits lost by Lender as a result of such early termination, and by mutual agreement of the parties as to a reasonable estimation and calculation of the lost profits or damages of Lender, Borrower shall pay the Applicable Prepayment Premium to Lender, measured as of the date of such termination.

4. CREATION OF SECURITY INTEREST.

4.1 Grant of Security Interest. Borrower hereby grants to Lender a continuing security interest in all of its right, title, and interest in all currently existing and hereafter acquired or arising Personal Property Collateral in order to secure prompt repayment of any and all of the Obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents and in order to secure prompt performance by Borrower of each of its covenants and duties under the Loan Documents; provided that Borrower's obligation to pledge the Stock of non-U.S. Subsidiaries shall be limited as set forth in Section 6.16. Lender's Liens in and to the Personal Property Collateral shall attach to all Personal Property Collateral without further act on the part of Lender or Borrower. Anything contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, except for Permitted Dispositions, Borrower has no authority, express or implied, to dispose of any item or portion of the Collateral. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) Borrower shall have no obligation to pledge the stock of SDI Germany GmbH, (ii) Borrower's ownership interest in the Special Devices

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Business Park Owners Association shall not be deemed to be part of the Collateral, and (iii) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Lender shall release its security interest in any Collateral securing Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness, if requested by Borrower and the creditor providing such Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness.

4.2 Negotiable Collateral. In the event that any Collateral, including proceeds, is evidenced by or consists of Negotiable Collateral, and if and to the extent that perfection or first priority of Lender's security interest is dependent on possession, Borrower, immediately upon the request of Lender, shall endorse and deliver physical possession of such Negotiable Collateral to Lender.

4.3 Collection of Accounts, General Intangibles, and Negotiable Collateral. At any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Lender or Lender's designee may (a) notify Account Debtors of Borrower that the Accounts, chattel paper, or General Intangibles have been assigned to Lender or that Lender has a security interest therein, or (b) collect the Accounts, chattel paper, or General Intangibles directly and charge the collection costs and expenses to the Loan Account. Borrower agrees that it will hold in trust for Lender, as Lender's trustee, any Collections that it receives and immediately will deliver said Collections to Lender or a Cash Management Bank in their original form as received by Borrower.

4.4 Delivery of Additional Documentation Required. At any time upon the request of Lender, Borrower shall execute and deliver to Lender, any and all financing statements, original financing statements in lieu of continuation statements, fixture filings, security agreements, pledges, assignments, endorsements of certificates of title, and all other documents (the "Additional Documents") that Lender may request in its Permitted Discretion, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion, to perfect and continue perfected or better perfect Lender's Liens in the Collateral (whether now owned or hereafter arising or acquired), to create and perfect Liens in favor of Lender in any Real Property acquired after the Closing Date (except as expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement), and in order to fully consummate all of the transactions contemplated hereby and under the other Loan Documents; provided that Borrower shall have no obligation to arrange for the perfection of Lender's security interest in registered motor vehicles (absent the occurrence of an Event of Default). To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Borrower authorizes Lender to execute any such Additional Documents in Borrower's name and authorizes Lender to file such executed Additional Documents in any appropriate filing office. In addition, on such periodic basis as Lender shall require, Borrower shall (a) provide Lender with a report of all new patentable, copyrightable, or trademarkable materials acquired or generated by Borrower during the prior period, (b) cause all patents, copyrights, and trademarks acquired or generated by Borrower that are not already the subject of a registration with the appropriate filing office (or an application therefor diligently prosecuted) to be registered with such appropriate filing office in a manner sufficient to impart constructive notice of Borrower's ownership thereof, and (c) cause to be prepared, executed, and delivered to Lender supplemental schedules to the applicable Loan Documents to identify such patents, copyrights, and trademarks as being subject to the security interests created thereunder.

4.5 Power of Attorney. Borrower hereby irrevocably makes, constitutes, and appoints Lender (and any of Lender's officers, employees, or agents designated by Lender) as Borrower's true and lawful attorney, with power to (a) if Borrower refuses to, or fails timely to execute and deliver any of the documents described in Section 4.4, sign the name of Borrower on any of the documents described in Section 4.4, (b) at any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, sign Borrower's name on any invoice or xxxx of lading relating to the Collateral, drafts against Account Debtors, or notices to Account Debtors, (c) send requests for verification of Accounts, (d) endorse Borrower's name on any Collection item that may come into Lender's possession, (e) at any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, make, settle, and adjust all claims under Borrower's policies of insurance and make all determinations and decisions with respect to such policies of insurance, and (f) at any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, settle and adjust disputes and

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claims respecting the Accounts, chattel paper, or General Intangibles directly with Account Debtors, for amounts and upon terms that Lender determines to be reasonable, and Lender may cause to be executed and delivered any documents and releases that Lender determines to be necessary. The appointment of Lender as Borrower's attorney, and each and every one of its rights and powers, being coupled with an interest, is irrevocable until all of the Obligations have been fully and finally repaid and performed and Lender's obligations to extend credit hereunder are terminated.

4.6 Right to Inspect. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.11(c), Lender and its officers, employees, or agents shall have the right, from time to time hereafter to inspect the Books and to check, test, and appraise the Collateral in order to verify Borrower's financial condition or the amount, quality, value, condition of, or any other matter relating to, the Collateral; provided that so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing Lender shall exercise its right set forth in this Section 4.6 during normal business hours.

4.7 Control Agreements. Borrower agrees that it will not transfer assets out of any Securities Accounts other than as permitted under Section 7.19 and, if to another securities intermediary, unless each of Borrower, Lender, and the substitute securities intermediary have entered into a Control Agreement. No arrangement contemplated hereby or by any Control Agreement in respect of any Securities Accounts or other Investment Property shall be modified by Borrower without the prior written consent of Lender. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default, Lender may notify any securities intermediary to liquidate the applicable Securities Account or any related Investment Property maintained or held thereby and remit the proceeds thereof to Lender's Account.

5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

In order to induce Lender to enter into this Agreement, Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to Lender which shall be true, correct, and complete, in all material respects, as of the date hereof, and shall be true, correct, and complete, in all material respects, as of the Closing Date, and at and as of the date of the making of each Advance, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or other extension of credit) made thereafter, as though made on and as of the date of such Advance or Letter of Credit (or other extension of credit) (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date) and such representations and warranties shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement:

5.1 No Encumbrances. Borrower has good and indefeasible title to the Collateral and the Real Property, free and clear of Liens except for Permitted Liens.

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5.2 Eligible Accounts. The Eligible Accounts are bona fide existing payment obligations of Account Debtors created by the sale and delivery of Inventory or the rendition of services to such Account Debtors in the ordinary course of Borrower's business, owed to Borrower without defenses, disputes, offsets, counterclaims, or rights of return or cancellation. As to each Eligible Account, such Account is not:

(a) owed by an employee, Affiliate, or agent of Borrower,

(b) on account of a transaction wherein goods were placed on consignment or were sold pursuant to a guaranteed sale, a sale or return, a sale on approval, a xxxx and hold, or on any other terms by reason of which the payment by the Account Debtor may be conditional (unless such conditions have been satisfied),

(d) owed by an Account Debtor that has or has asserted a right of setoff, has disputed its liability, or has made any claim with respect to its obligation to pay the Account,

(e) owed by an Account Debtor that is subject to any Insolvency Proceeding or is not Solvent or as to which Borrower has received notice of an imminent Insolvency Proceeding or a material impairment of the financial condition of such Account Debtor,

(f) on account of a transaction as to which the goods giving rise to such Account have not been shipped and billed to the Account Debtor or the services giving rise to such Account have not been performed and accepted by the Account Debtor,

(g) a right to receive progress payments or other advance xxxxxxxx that are due prior to the completion of performance by Borrower of the subject contract for goods or services, and

(h) an Account that has not been billed to the customer.

5.3 Eligible Inventory. All Eligible Inventory is of good and merchantable quality, free from defects. As to each item of Eligible Inventory, such Inventory is

(a) owned by Borrower free and clear of all Liens other than Liens in favor of Lender,

(b) either located at one of the locations set forth on Schedule E-1 or in transit from one such location to another such location, provided, however, that in the case of Eligible In-Transit Inventory, such Inventory (i) is currently in transit from a location not set forth on Schedule E-1 to a location on Schedule E-1, (ii) title to such Inventory has passed to Borrower, and (iii) such Inventory otherwise conforms with the definition of Eligible In-Transit Inventory,

(c) not located on real property leased by Borrower, in a contract warehouse, or other location that is not owned by Borrower, in each case, unless subject to a Collateral Access Agreement executed by the lessor, the warehouseman, or other third party, as the case may be, and unless segregated or otherwise separately identifiable from goods of others, if any, stored on the premises,

(d) not goods that have been returned or rejected by Borrower's customers,

(e) not goods that are obsolete or slow moving, restrictive or custom items, work-in-process, or that constitute spare parts, packaging and shipping materials, supplies used or consumed in Borrower's business, xxxx and hold goods, defective goods, "seconds," or Inventory acquired on consignment, and

(f) not subject to the rights of other Persons (including rights associated with trademarks, patents, or copyrights) that would expose Lender to any liability (including the payment of any

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royalty or other sum) or prevent the sale of such goods, as determined by Lender in its Permitted Discretion;

provided that up to $500,000 (of value—which shall be the lower of cost or fair market value) of Inventory on consignment with Atlantic Research Corporation shall be included in Eligible Inventory if (x) it satisfies the criteria for Eligible Inventory set forth in the definition of Eligible Inventory (other than such consigned inventory is not located at one of the locations set forth on Schedule E-1) and (ii) Borrower has complied with the provisions of Section 9114(1)(a), (b), (c), and (d) of the Code (as in effect prior to July 1, 2001), or Section 9324(b) of the Code (as in effect on and after July 1, 2001).

5.4 Equipment. All of the Equipment is used or held for use in Borrower's business and is fit for such purposes except for an immaterial amount of Equipment.

5.5 Location of Inventory and Equipment. The Inventory and Equipment are not stored with a bailee, warehouseman, or similar party and are located only at the locations identified on Schedule 5.5.

5.6 Inventory Records. Borrower keeps correct and accurate records, in all material respects, itemizing and describing the type, quality, and quantity of its Inventory and the book value thereof.

5.7 Location of Chief Executive Office; FEIN. The chief executive office of Borrower is located at the address indicated in Schedule 5.7 and Borrower's FEIN is identified in Schedule 5.7.

5.8 Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries.

(a) Borrower is duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and qualified to do business in any state where the failure to be so qualified reasonably could be expected to have a Material Adverse Change.

(b) Set forth on Schedule 5.8(b) (which Schedule may be amended from time to time by notice to the Lender as set forth in Section 16.6) is a complete and accurate description of the authorized capital Stock of Borrower, by class, and, as of the Closing Date, a description of the number of shares of each such class that are issued and outstanding. Other than as described on Schedule 5.8(b), there are no subscriptions, options, warrants, or calls relating to any shares of Borrower's capital Stock, including any right of conversion or exchange under any outstanding security or other instrument. Other than as described on Schedule 5.8(b), as of the Closing Date, Borrower is not subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of its capital Stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable for any of its capital Stock.

5.9 Due Authorization; No Conflict.

(a) The execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower of this Agreement and the Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Borrower.

(b) The execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower of this Agreement and the Loan Documents to which it is a party do not and will not (i) violate any provision of federal, state, or local law or regulation applicable to Borrower, the Governing Documents of Borrower, or any order, judgment, or decree of any court or other Governmental Authority binding on Borrower, (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any material contractual obligation of Borrower, (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien of any nature whatsoever upon any properties or assets of Borrower, other than Permitted Liens, or (iv) require any approval of Borrower's stockholders or any holders of the Senior Subordinate Notes or any approval or consent of any Person under any material

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contractual obligation of Borrower, other than those obtained and in full force and effect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Advance made (or deemed made) and the Term Loan shall constitute "Permitted Indebtedness" and "Senior Indebtedness" under the Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture.

(c) Other than the filing of financing statements, the execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower of this Agreement and the Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party do not and will not require any registration with, consent, or approval of, or notice to, or other action with or by, any Governmental Authority or other Person, other than those obtained and in full force and effect.

(d) This Agreement and the other Loan Documents (other than the Officers' Certificate and the Due Diligence Letter) to which Borrower is a party, and all other documents contemplated hereby and thereby, when executed and delivered by Borrower will be the legally valid and binding obligations of Borrower, enforceable against Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors' rights generally.

(e) Lender's Liens are validly created, perfected, and first priority Liens, subject only to Permitted Liens.

5.10 Litigation. Other than those matters disclosed on Schedule 5.10, there are no actions, suits, or proceedings pending or, to the best knowledge of Borrower, threatened against Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, except for (a) matters that are fully covered by insurance (subject to customary deductibles), and (b) matters arising after the Closing Date that, if decided adversely to Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, reasonably could not be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

5.11 No Material Adverse Change. All financial statements relating to Borrower that have been delivered by Borrower to Lender have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for the lack of footnotes and being subject to year-end audit adjustments) and present fairly in all material respects, Borrower's financial condition as of the date thereof and results of operations for the period then ended. There has not been a Material Adverse Change with respect to Borrower since the date of the latest financial statements submitted to Lender on or before the Closing Date.

5.12 Fraudulent Transfer. No transfer of property is being made by Borrower and no obligation is being incurred by Borrower in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud either present or future creditors of Borrower.

5.13 Employee Benefits. None of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their ERISA Affiliates maintains or contributes to any Benefit Plan.

5.14 Environmental Condition. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.14, (a) to Borrower's knowledge, none of Borrower's assets has ever been used by Borrower or by previous owners or operators in the disposal of, or to produce, store, handle, treat, release, or transport, any Hazardous Materials, where such production, storage, handling, treatment, release or transport was in violation, in any material respect, of applicable Environmental Law, (b) to Borrower's knowledge, none of Borrower's properties or assets has ever been designated or identified by any Governmental Authority in any manner pursuant to any environmental protection statute as a Hazardous Materials disposal site, (c) Borrower has not received notice that a Lien arising under any Environmental Law has attached to any revenues or to any Real Property owned or operated by Borrower, and (d) Borrower has not received a summons, citation, notice, or directive from the Environmental Protection Agency or any other federal or state governmental agency concerning any action or omission by Borrower resulting in

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the releasing or disposing of Hazardous Materials into the environment in violation, in any material respect, of applicable Environmental Law.

5.15 Brokerage Fees. Borrower has not utilized the services of any broker or finder in connection with Borrower's obtaining financing from Lender under this Agreement and no brokerage commission or finders fee is payable by Borrower in connection herewith.

5.16 Intellectual Property. Borrower owns, or holds licenses in, all trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, and licenses that are necessary to the conduct of its business as currently conducted. Attached hereto as Schedule 5.16 (which Schedule may be amended from time to time by notice to Lender, as set forth in Section 16.6) is a true, correct, and complete listing of all material patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, copyrights, and copyright registrations as to which Borrower is the owner or is an exclusive licensee.

5.17 Leases. Borrower enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession under all leases material to the business of Borrower and to which it is a party or under which it is operating. All of such leases are valid and subsisting and no material default by Borrower exists under any of them.

5.18 DDAs. Set forth on Schedule 5.18 (which Schedule may be amended from time to time by notice to Lender, as set forth in Section 16.6) are all of Borrower's DDAs, including, with respect to each depository (i) the name and address of such depository, and (ii) the account numbers of the accounts maintained with such depository.

5.19 Complete Disclosure. All factual information (taken as a whole) furnished by or on behalf of Borrower in writing to Lender (including all information contained in the Schedules hereto or in the other Loan Documents, but excluding the Closing Date Business Plan) for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, or any transaction contemplated herein or therein is, and all other such factual information (taken as a whole) (excluding the Projections) hereafter furnished by or on behalf of Borrower in writing to Lender will be, true and accurate, in all material respects, on the date as of which such information is dated or certified and not incomplete by omitting to state any fact necessary to make such information (taken as a whole) not misleading in any material respect at such time in light of the circumstances under which such information was provided. On and as of the Closing Date, the Closing Date Business Plan has been prepared in good faith and is based on reasonable assumptions, and there are no statements or conclusions in the Closing Date Business Plan which are based upon or include information known to Borrower as of the Closing Date to be misleading in any material respect or which fail to take into account material information known to Borrower regarding the matters reported therein. On the Closing Date, Borrower believes that the Closing Date Business Plan is reasonable, it being recognized by Lender, however, that projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that the actual results during the period or periods covered by the Closing Date Business Plan may differ from the projected results and that the differences may be material.

5.20 Indebtedness. Set forth on Schedule 5.20 is a true and complete list of all Indebtedness of Borrower outstanding immediately prior to the Closing Date that is to remain outstanding after the Closing Date and such Schedule accurately reflects the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness and the principal terms thereof.

6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any credit hereunder shall be available and until full and final payment of the Obligations, Borrower shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to do all of the following:

6.1 Accounting System. Maintain a system of accounting that enables Borrower to produce financial statements in accordance with GAAP and maintain records pertaining to the Collateral that

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contain information as from time to time reasonably may be requested by Lender. Borrower also shall keep an inventory reporting system that shows all additions, sales, claims, returns, and allowances with respect to the Inventory.

6.2 Collateral Reporting. Provide Lender with the following documents at the following times in form satisfactory to Lender:


Daily		(a) a sales journal, collection journal, and credit register since the last such schedule, and
		(b) notice of all returns, disputes, or claims.
Weekly		(c) Inventory reports specifying Borrower's cost of its Inventory, by category, with additional detail showing additions to and deletions from the Inventory.
Monthly (not later than the 10th day of each month)		(d) a detailed calculation of the Borrowing Base (including detail regarding those Accounts that are not Eligible Accounts, and detail concerning which Eligible Accounts are Eligible Domestic Accounts and which Eligible Accounts are Eligible Foreign Accounts),
		(e) a detailed aging, by total, of the Accounts, together with a reconciliation to the detailed calculation of the Borrowing Base previously provided to Lender,
		(f) a summary aging, by vendor, of Borrower's accounts payable and any book overdraft, and
		(g) a calculation of Dilution for the prior month.
		(h) a certificate of the Borrower's Chief Financial Officer (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender in Lender's Permitted Discretion), dated as of the end of the most recently concluded calendar month, that the outstanding Obligations constitute "Permitted Indebtedness" and "Senior Indebtedness" under the Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture and the incurrence of all Obligations has not violated the terms and conditions of the Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture.
Quarterly		(i) a detailed list of Borrower's customers,
		(j) a report regarding Borrower's accrued, but unpaid, ad valorem taxes,
Upon request by Lender		(k) copies of invoices in connection with the Accounts, credit memos, remittance advices, deposit slips, shipping and delivery documents in connection with the Accounts and, for Inventory and Equipment acquired by Borrower, purchase orders and invoices, and
		(l) such other reports as to the Collateral, or the financial condition of Borrower, as Lender may request.

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6.3 Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates. Deliver to Lender:

(a) as soon as available, but in any event within 30 days (45 days in the case of a month that is the end of one of the first 3 fiscal quarters in a fiscal year) after the end of each month during each of Borrower's fiscal years,

(i) a company prepared consolidated balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flow covering Borrower's and its Subsidiaries' operations during such period,

(ii) a certificate signed by the chief financial officer of Borrower to the effect that:

(A) the financial statements delivered hereunder have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except for the lack of footnotes and being subject to year-end audit adjustments) and fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries,

(B) the representations and warranties of Borrower contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such certificate, as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date), and

(C) to the best of such officer's knowledge, there does not exist any condition or event that constitutes a Default or Event of Default (or, to the extent of any non-compliance, describing such non-compliance as to which he or she may have knowledge and what action Borrower has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect thereto), and

(iii) for each month that is the date on which a financial covenant in Section 7.20 is to be tested, a Compliance Certificate demonstrating, in reasonable detail, compliance at the end of such period with the applicable financial covenants contained in Section 7.20, and

(b) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each of Borrower's fiscal years,

(i) financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for each such fiscal year, audited by independent certified public accountants reasonably acceptable to Lender and certified, without any qualifications, by such accountants to have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (such audited financial statements to include a balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flow and, if prepared, such accountants' letter to management),

(ii) a certificate of such accountants addressed to Lender stating that such accountants do not have knowledge of the existence of any Default or Event of Default under Section 7.20,

(i) copies of Borrower's Projections, in form and substance (including as to scope and underlying assumptions) satisfactory to Lender, in its Permitted Discretion, for the forthcoming 2 years, year by year, and for the forthcoming fiscal year, month by month, certified by the chief financial officer of Borrower as being such officer's good faith best estimate of the financial performance of Borrower during the period covered thereby,

(d) if and when filed by Borrower,

(i) Form 10-Q quarterly reports, Form 10-K annual reports, and Form 8-K current reports,

(ii) any other filings made by Borrower with the SEC, and

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(iii) copies of Borrower's federal income tax returns, and any amendments thereto, filed with the Internal Revenue Service,

(e) if and when filed by Borrower and as requested by Lender, satisfactory evidence of payment of applicable excise taxes in each jurisdictions in which (i) Borrower conducts business or is required to pay any such excise tax, (ii) where Borrower's failure to pay any such applicable excise tax would result in a Lien on the properties or assets of Borrower, or (iii) where Borrower's failure to pay any such applicable excise tax reasonably could be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change,

(f) as soon as Borrower has knowledge of any event or condition that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default, notice thereof and a statement of the curative action that Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto,

(g) concurrently with the delivery to Borrower's noteholders or received by Borrower from its noteholders, any notice, report, demand, or other communication or information sent or received by Borrower in connection with the Senior Subordinated Notes, and

(h) upon the request of Lender, any other report reasonably requested relating to the financial condition of Borrower.

In addition to the financial statements referred to above, Borrower agrees to deliver financial statements prepared on both a consolidated and consolidating basis and agrees that no Subsidiary of Borrower will have a fiscal year different from that of Borrower. Borrower agrees that its independent certified public accountants are authorized to communicate with Lender and to release to Lender whatever financial information concerning Borrower Lender reasonably may request. Borrower waives the right to assert a confidential relationship, if any, it may have with any accounting firm or service bureau in connection with any information requested by Lender pursuant to or in accordance with this Agreement, and agrees that Lender may contact directly any such accounting firm or service bureau in order to obtain such information.

6.4 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

6.5 Return. Cause returns and allowances, as between Borrower and its Account Debtors, to be on the same basis and in accordance with the usual customary practices of Borrower, as they exist at the time of the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

6.6 Maintenance of Properties. Maintain and preserve all of its properties which are necessary or useful in the proper conduct to its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and comply at all times with the provisions of all leases to which it is a party as lessee so as to prevent any loss or forfeiture thereof or thereunder.

6.7 Taxes. Cause all assessments and taxes, whether real, personal, or otherwise, due or payable by, or imposed, levied, or assessed against Borrower or any of its assets to be paid in full, before delinquency or before the expiration of any extension period, except to the extent that the validity of such assessment or tax shall be the subject of a Permitted Protest. Borrower will make timely payment or deposit of all tax payments and withholding taxes required of it by applicable laws, to the extent such taxes are not the subject of a Permitted Protest, including those laws concerning F.I.C.A., F.U.T.A., state disability, and local, state, and federal income taxes, and will, upon request, furnish Lender with proof satisfactory to Lender indicating that Borrower has made such payments or deposits; provided that Borrower may not protest any tax or taxes which individually or in the aggregate exceed $25,000 outstanding at any time. Borrower shall deliver satisfactory evidence of payment of applicable excise taxes in each jurisdictions in which Borrower is required to pay any such excise tax.

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6.8 Insurance.

(a) At Borrower's expense, maintain insurance respecting its assets wherever located, covering loss or damage by fire, theft, explosion, and all other hazards and risks as ordinarily are insured against by other Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses. Borrower also shall maintain business interruption, public liability, and product liability insurance, as well as insurance against larceny, embezzlement, and criminal misappropriation. All such policies of insurance shall be in such amounts and with such insurance companies as are reasonably satisfactory to Lender in its Permitted Discretion. Borrower shall deliver copies of all such policies to Lender with a satisfactory lender's loss payable endorsement naming Lender as sole loss payee or additional insured, as appropriate. Each policy of insurance or endorsement shall contain a clause requiring the insurer to give not less than 30 days prior written notice to Lender in the event of cancellation of the policy for any reason whatsoever.

(b) Borrower shall give Lender prompt notice of any loss covered by such insurance. Except with respect to the insurance claims described on Schedule 6.8(b), upon the occurrence and during the continuation of a Default or Event of Default Lender shall have the exclusive right to adjust any losses payable, with respect to the Collateral, under any casualty insurance policies in excess of $500,000, without any liability to Borrower whatsoever in respect of such adjustments. Any monies received as payment for any loss under any insurance policy mentioned above (other than liability insurance policies) or as payment of any award or compensation for condemnation or taking by eminent domain, shall be paid over to Lender to be applied at the option of Lender either to the prepayment of the Obligations (in accordance with Section 2.4(b)) or shall be disbursed to Borrower under staged payment terms reasonably satisfactory to Lender for application to the cost of repairs, replacements, or restorations. Any such repairs, replacements, or restorations shall be effected with reasonable promptness and shall be of a value at least equal to the value of the items of property destroyed prior to such damage or destruction.

(c) Borrower will not take out separate insurance concurrent in form or contributing in the event of loss with that required to be maintained under this Section 6.8, unless Lender is included thereon as named insured with the loss payable to Lender under a lender's loss payable endorsement or its equivalent. Borrower immediately shall notify Lender whenever such separate insurance is taken out, specifying the insurer thereunder and full particulars as to the policies evidencing the same, and copies of such policies promptly shall be provided to Lender.

6.9 Location of Inventory and Equipment. Keep the Inventory and Equipment (except for deminimus amounts of Inventory and Equipment) only at the locations identified on Schedule 5.5; provided, however, that Borrower may amend Schedule 5.5 so long as such amendment occurs by written notice to Lender not less than 30 days prior to the date on which Inventory or Equipment is moved to such new location, so long as such new location is within the continental United States, and so long as, at the time of such written notification, Borrower provides any financing statements necessary to perfect and continue perfected Lender's Liens on such assets and also provides to Lender a Collateral Access Agreement.

6.10 Compliance with Laws. Comply with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and orders of any Governmental Authority, including the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act, other than laws, rules, regulations, and orders the non-compliance with which, individually or in the aggregate, would not result in and reasonably could not be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

6.11 Leases. Pay when due all rents and other amounts payable under any leases to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower's properties and assets are bound, unless such payments are the subject of a Permitted Protest.

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6.12 Brokerage Commissions. Pay any and all brokerage commission or finders fees incurred in connection with or as a result of Borrower's obtaining financing from Lender under this Agreement. Borrower agrees and acknowledges that payment of all such brokerage commissions or finders fees shall be the sole responsibility of Borrower, and Borrower agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold Lender harmless from and against any claim of any broker or finder arising out of Borrower's obtaining financing from Lender under this Agreement.

6.13 Existence. At all times preserve and keep in full force and effect Borrower's valid existence and good standing and any rights and franchises material to Borrower's businesses.

6.14 Environmental.

(a) Keep any property either owned or operated by Borrower free of any Environmental Liens or post bonds or other financial assurances sufficient to satisfy the obligations or liability evidenced by such Environmental Liens, (b) comply, in all material respects, with Environmental Laws and provide to Lender documentation of such compliance which Lender reasonably requests, (c) promptly notify Lender of any release of a Hazardous Material in any reportable quantity from or onto property owned or operated by Borrower and take any Remedial Actions required to xxxxx said release or otherwise to come into compliance with applicable Environmental Law, and (d) promptly provide Lender with written notice within 10 days of the receipt of any of the following: (i) written notice that an Environmental Lien has been filed against any of the real or personal property of Borrower, (ii) commencement of any Environmental Action or written notice that an Environmental Action will be filed against Borrower, and (iii) written notice of a violation, citation, or other administrative order which reasonably could be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

6.15 Disclosure Updates. Promptly and in no event later than 5 Business Days after obtaining knowledge thereof, (a) notify Lender if any written information, exhibit, or report furnished to Lender contained when made any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which made, and (b) correct any defect or error that may be discovered therein or in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgement, filing, or recordation thereof.

6.16 Future Subsidiaries; Collateral. Borrower shall not establish or acquire a Subsidiary without complying with the provisions of this Section 6.16 (it being understood that any Subsidiary acquired by Borrower or a direct or indirect Subsidiary of Borrower shall be in accordance with the other terms and conditions of this Agreement). Borrower shall promptly notify Lender upon any Person becoming a Subsidiary, or upon Borrower or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly acquiring additional Stock of any existing Subsidiary, and

(a) such Person shall, if it is a U.S. Subsidiary, (i) execute and deliver to Lender a guaranty and a security agreement, both in favor of Lender and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender, in Lender's Permitted Discretion, and (ii) to the extent Borrower or such U.S. Subsidiary is required to pledge stock of a Subsidiary pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 6.16, execute and deliver to Lender a pledge agreement, in favor of Lender and in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender, in Lender's Permitted Discretion;

(b) Borrower and each U.S. Subsidiary shall, pursuant to a pledge agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender in Lender's Permitted Discretion (as supplemented, if necessary, by a foreign pledge agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender), pledge to Lender all of the outstanding shares of Stock of (i) each U.S. Subsidiary and (ii) any non-U.S. Subsidiary that is owned directly by Borrower or such U.S. Subsidiary (provided, that, subject to the last sentence of this Section, not more than 66% of the Stock of any non-U.S. Subsidiary shall be so pledged), along with undated stock powers for such certificates, executed in blank (or, if any such shares of Stock are uncertificated, confirmation and evidence satisfactory to Lender that the security interest in such uncertificated securities has been perfected (as a first priority Lien) by Lender in accordance with the Code or any other similar or local or foreign law which may be applicable); and

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(c) Borrower and each U.S. Subsidiary shall, pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to Lender in Lender's Permitted Discretion, pledge to Lender all intercompany notes evidencing Indebtedness in favor of Borrower or such U.S. Subsidiary (which shall be in a form reasonably acceptable to Lender in Lender's Permitted Discretion); together, in each case, with such opinions of legal counsel for Borrower (which shall be from counsel satisfactory to Lender in Lender's Permitted Discretion) relating thereto, which legal opinions shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender in Lender's Permitted Discretion. Borrower agrees that if, as a result of a change in law after the date hereof, (i) a non-U.S. Subsidiary can execute and deliver a guaranty or execute and deliver a pledge agreement as a pledgor or (ii) Borrower or any U.S. Subsidiary can pledge more than 66% of the Stock of any non-U.S. Subsidiary or any intercompany Indebtedness of any Subsidiary evidenced by a note or other instrument, in any such case without material adverse tax consequences to Borrower or such Subsidiary, then the provisions of clause (a) of this Section shall thereafter apply to any non-U.S. Subsidiary and/or (as the case may be) the provisions of clause (b) of this Section shall thereafter apply to 100% of the Stock of such non-U.S. Subsidiary. Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, cause Lender to have at all times a first priority perfected security interest (subject only to Permitted Liens) in all of the personal property (including Stock owned by Borrower and such Subsidiaries) now or hereafter acquired from time to time by Borrower and such Subsidiaries to the extent the same is of the type of property that constitutes "Collateral" (as defined in any Loan Document) or is required to be pledged or assigned to Lender hereunder; provided that Borrower shall not be required to arrange for the attachment or perfection of Lender's security interest in registered motor vehicles (absent the occurrence of an Event of Default). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, promptly execute, deliver and/or file (as applicable) Uniform Commercial Code financing statements and other instruments and documentation deemed necessary by Lender to grant and perfect such security interest, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to Lender.

7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any credit hereunder shall be available and until full and final payment of the Obligations, Borrower will not and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to do any of the following:

7.1 Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume, permit, guarantee, or otherwise become or remain, directly or indirectly, liable with respect to any Indebtedness, except:

(a) Indebtedness evidenced by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with Indebtedness owed to Underlying Issuers with respect to Underlying Letters of Credit,

(b) Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 5.20,

(d) refinancings, renewals, or extensions of Indebtedness permitted under clauses (b) and (c) of this Section 7.1 (and continuance or renewal of any Permitted Liens associated therewith) so long as: (i) the terms and conditions of such refinancings, renewals, or extensions do not, in Lender's judgment, materially impair the prospects of repayment of the Obligations by Borrower or materially impair Borrower's creditworthiness, (ii) such refinancings, renewals, or extensions do not result in an increase in the principal amount of the Indebtedness so refinanced, renewed, or extended, (iii) such refinancings, renewals, or extensions do not result in a shortening of the average weighted maturity of the Indebtedness so refinanced, renewed, or extended, nor are they on terms or conditions that, taken as a whole, are materially more burdensome or restrictive to Borrower, and (iv) if the Indebtedness that is refinanced, renewed, or extended was subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, then the terms and conditions of the refinancing, renewal,

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or extension Indebtedness must include subordination terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to Lender as those that were applicable to the refinanced, renewed, or extended Indebtedness,

(e) Indebtedness under Interest Rate Protection Agreements entered into with respect to other Indebtedness permitted under this Section 7.1,

(f) Indebtedness in respect of Other Hedging Agreements to the extent permitted by clause (k) of the definition of "Permitted Investments",

(g) intercompany Indebtedness among Borrower and its Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by clause (m) of the definition of "Permitted Investments",

(h) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary of Borrower acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition (or Indebtedness assumed at the time of a Permitted Acquisition of an asset securing such Indebtedness) or any extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement thereof for the same or lesser amount, provided that (i) such Indebtedness was not incurred in connection with, or in anticipation or contemplation of, such Permitted Acquisition, (ii) such Indebtedness does not constitute debt for borrowed money incurred in connection with industrial revenue or industrial development or similar bond financings, it being understood and agreed that Capitalized Lease Obligations and purchase money Indebtedness shall not constitute debt for borrowed money for purposes of this clause (ii), (iii) at the time of such Permitted Acquisition, such Indebtedness does not exceed 10% of the total value of the assets of the Subsidiary so acquired, or of the asset so acquired, as the case may be, and (iv) prior to and after giving effect to the acquisition or assumption of such Indebtedness Borrower will comply with each of the other terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Section 7.20),

(i) (I) guaranties by Borrower and its Subsidiaries of each other's Indebtedness and other obligations to the extent that such Indebtedness and other obligations are otherwise permitted under this Section 7.1 and (II) guaranties by Borrower of Indebtedness of non-U.S. Subsidiaries incurred pursuant to Section 7.1(n),

(j) Indebtedness of Borrower and its Subsidiaries consisting of any obligations in respect of purchase price adjustments in connection with the acquisition of assets not resulting in a violation of Section 7.20,

(k) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business so long as such Indebtedness is extinguished within two Business Days of the incurrence thereof,

(l) obligations in connection with any guarantee by Borrower permitted by Section 7.6,

(m) unsecured Indebtedness, or Indebtedness secured by cash only, in respect of letters of credit (other than Letters of Credit issued hereunder) in an aggregate principal amount equal to $500,000 at any one time outstanding,

(n) Indebtedness (other than Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness) secured by Permitted Liens, and

(o) additional unsecured Indebtedness incurred by Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any one time outstanding.

7.2 Liens. Create, incur, assume, or permit to exist, directly or indirectly, any Lien on or with respect to any of its assets, of any kind, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, except for Permitted Liens (including Liens that are replacements of Permitted Liens to the extent that the original Indebtedness is refinanced, renewed, or extended under Section 7.1(d)

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and so long as the replacement Liens only encumber those assets that secured the refinanced, renewed, or extended Indebtedness).

7.3 Restrictions on Fundamental Changes.

(a) Enter into any merger, consolidation, reorganization, or recapitalization, or reclassify its Stock, except as permitted by clauses (l) and (m) of the definition of "Permitted Dispositions."

(b) Liquidate, wind up, or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), except as permitted by clauses (l) and (m) of the definition of "Permitted Dispositions."

(c) Convey, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or any substantial part of its assets (other than Permitted Dispositions).

7.4 Disposal of Assets. Other than Permitted Dispositions, convey, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any of Borrower's assets.

7.5 Change Name. Change Borrower's name, FEIN, corporate structure, or identity, or add any new fictitious name; provided, however, that Borrower may change its name upon at least 30 days prior written notice to Lender of such change and so long as, at the time of such written notification, Borrower provides any financing statements or fixture filings necessary to perfect and continue perfected Lender's Liens.

7.6 Guarantee. Guarantee or otherwise become in any way liable with respect to the obligations of any third Person except (i) by endorsement of instruments or items of payment for deposit to the account of Borrower or which are transmitted or turned over to Lender, and (ii) for guaranties of obligations of a non-U.S. Subsidiary of Borrower or the German Joint Venture ("Foreign Guaranties") which do not exceed an amount equal to (x) $6,000,000 less (y) the sum of the aggregate amount of outstanding Foreign Guaranties previously issued by Borrower or a Subsidiary of Borrower plus the amount of all other Investments outstanding at any one time as permitted by clause "(m)" of the definition of "Permitted Investments."

7.7 Nature of Business. Make any change in the principal nature of its business.

7.8 Prepayments and Amendments.

(a) Except in connection with a refinancing permitted by Section 7.1(d), prepay, redeem, defease, purchase, or otherwise acquire any Indebtedness of Borrower, (i) other than the Obligations in accordance with this Agreement, and (ii) as permitted in Section 7.17, and

(b) Except in connection with a refinancing permitted by Section 7.1(d), directly or indirectly, amend, modify, alter, increase, or change any of the terms or conditions of any agreement, instrument, document, indenture, or other writing evidencing or concerning Indebtedness permitted under Sections 7.1(b) or (c) if the effect of any such amendment, modification, alteration, increase, or change is materially adverse to Lender.

7.9 Change of Control. Cause, permit, or suffer, directly or indirectly, any Change of Control.

7.10 Consignments. Consign any Inventory or sell any Inventory on xxxx and hold, sale or return, sale on approval, or other conditional terms of sale; provided, however, that Borrower may consign Inventory if (i) the amount on consignment, at any time, does not have a value (determined at the lower of cost or fair market value) in the aggregate exceeding $500,000, and (ii) Borrower has complied with the provisions of Section 9114(1)(a), (b), (c), and (d) of the Code (as in effect prior to July 1, 2001), or Section 9324(b) of the Code (as in effect on and after July 1, 2001) with respect to such consigned Inventory.

7.11 Distributions. Make any distribution or declare or pay any dividends (in cash or other property, other than common Stock) on, or purchase, acquire, redeem, or retire any of Borrower's

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Stock, of any class, whether now or hereafter outstanding, except that: (a) Borrower may repurchase outstanding shares of its common stock (or options to purchase such common stock) of directors, officers or employees of Borrower, provided that the aggregate amount paid by Borrower pursuant to this clause (a) shall not in the aggregate exceed the sum of (i) $500,000 in any fiscal year, plus (ii) any amounts contributed to Borrower as a result of resales of such repurchased shares of capital stock; (b) Borrower may pay dividends on Qualified Preferred Stock of Borrower solely through the issuance of additional shares of such Qualified Preferred Stock of Borrower in accordance with the terms of the respective certificate of designation therefor as in effect on the date of issuance of such Qualified Preferred Stock (it being understood that nothing in this Section 7.11 shall prevent Borrower from accruing (as opposed to declaring and paying) dividends on any Qualified Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms of the respective certificate of designation therefor as in effect on the date of issuance of such Qualified Preferred Stock; (c) any Subsidiary of Borrower may pay cash dividends to Borrower or to any wholly-owned Subsidiary of Borrower; (d) any Subsidiary of Borrower may make distributions to Borrower or to any wholly-owned Subsidiary of Borrower in connection with the liquidation of such Subsidiary pursuant to clauses (l) or (m) of the definition of "Permitted Disposition" to the extent that such distribution constitutes a dividend; (e) Borrower may redeem its redeemable common stock, provided that the aggregate amount paid by Borrower pursuant to this clause (e) shall not in the aggregate exceed $500,000 in any fiscal year, and after giving effect to such redemption, Borrower shall have not less than $10,000,000 of Excess Availability, and (f) the conversion of shares of Borrower's Series A Preferred Stock into shares of Borrower's common stock pursuant to the terms of the applicable Certificate of Designation shall be permitted hereunder.

7.12 Accounting Methods. Modify or change its method of accounting (other than as may be required to conform to GAAP) or enter into, modify, or terminate any agreement currently existing, or at any time hereafter entered into with any third party accounting firm or service bureau for the preparation or storage of Borrower's accounting records without said accounting firm or service bureau agreeing to provide Lender information regarding the Collateral or Borrower's financial condition.

7.13 Investments. Except for Permitted Investments, directly or indirectly, make or acquire any Investment or incur any liabilities (including contingent obligations) for or in connection with any Investment; provided, however, that Borrower shall not have Permitted Investments consisting of cash, Cash Equivalents, or securities (other than in the Cash Management Accounts) in excess of $500,000 outstanding at any one time unless Borrower and the applicable securities intermediary or bank have entered into Control Agreements governing such Permitted Investments, as Lender shall determine in its Permitted Discretion, to perfect (and further establish) Lender's Liens in such Permitted Investments.

7.14 Transactions with Affiliates. Directly or indirectly enter into or permit to exist any transaction with any Affiliate of Borrower except for transactions that are in the ordinary course of Borrower's business, upon fair and reasonable terms, that are fully disclosed to Lender (other than those transactions described in clauses (a) through (h) of this paragraph), and that are no less favorable to Borrower than would be obtained in an arm's length transaction with a non-Affiliate, except that the following in any event shall be permitted: (a) distributions may be paid to the extent provided in Section 7.11; (b) loans may be made and other transactions may be entered into by Borrower to the extent permitted by Sections 7.1, 7.4 and 7.13; (c) customary fees may be paid to directors of Borrower; (d) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, Borrower may pay regular quarterly management fees to Xxxxxx and its Affiliates quarterly in advance pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms of the Xxxxxx Management Agreements; (e) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, Borrower may reimburse Xxxxxx and its Affiliates for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their performing management services to Borrower pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms of the Xxxxxx Management Agreements; (f) Borrower may enter into, and may make payments under, employment

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agreements, employee benefit plans, indemnification provisions and other similar compensatory arrangements with officers and directors of Borrower in the ordinary course of business; (g) Borrower may engage in any transaction among themselves to the extent otherwise expressly permitted under this Agreement; (h) Borrower may purchase parts and components from Multi-Screw, Inc. in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice.

7.15 Suspension. Suspend or go out of a substantial portion of its business.

7.16 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

7.17 Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of the Advances and the Term Loan for any purpose other than (a) on the Closing Date, (i) to repay, in full, the outstanding principal, accrued interest, and accrued fees and expenses owing to Existing Lender, and (ii) to pay transactional fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and (b) thereafter, consistent with the terms and conditions hereof, for its lawful and permitted purposes; provided that Borrower may use a portion of the proceeds of the Advances and the Term Loan to retire the Senior Subordinated Notes if, after giving effect to such retirement payment, credit availability under Section 2.1(a) hereof, plus Borrower's cash on hand, minus a reserve for any outstanding trade accounts payable in excess of historically aged levels, is in excess of $10,000,000.

7.18 Change in Location of Chief Executive Office; Inventory and Equipment with Bailees. Relocate its chief executive office to a new location without providing 30 days prior written notification thereof to Lender and so long as, at the time of such written notification, Borrower provides any financing statements or fixture filings necessary to perfect and continue perfected Lender's Liens and also provides to Lender a Collateral Access Agreement with respect to such new location. The Inventory and Equipment shall not at any time now or hereafter be stored with a bailee, warehouseman, or similar party without Lender's prior written consent (except for consigned Inventory with a value (determined at the lower of cost or market) not to exceed $500,000).

7.19 Securities Accounts. Establish or maintain any Securities Account unless Lender shall have received a Control Agreement in respect of such Securities Account. Borrower shall not transfer assets out of any Securities Account; provided, however, that, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, Borrower may use such assets (and the proceeds thereof) to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement.

7.20 Financial Covenants.

(a) Tangible Net Worth. Permit its negative Tangible Net Worth to exceed the amounts set forth in the following table as of the applicable date set forth opposite thereto:

Applicable Amount		Applicable Date
<$	59,000,000>	The last day of the fourth quarter of Borrower's fiscal year 2001.
<$	60,000,000>	The last day of both the first and second quarter of Borrower's fiscal year 2002.
<$	63,000,000>	The last day of the third quarter of Borrower's fiscal year 2002.
<$	64,000,000>	The last day of the fourth quarter of Borrower's fiscal year 2002, and the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter

After the submission to Lender of Borrower's Projections each year (as required by Section 6.3(c)) Borrower may request that the Tangible Net Worth requirement in this Section 7.20 be adjusted for subsequent fiscal quarters. Lender will consider such request by Borrower in Lender's sole discretion.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Borrower's average unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents on the relevant measurement date exceeds $5,000,0000 and there is no Revolver Usage (other than Letter

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of Credit Usage) on such date, then Borrower shall not be obligated to comply with this Section 7.20(a)(i).

8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

Any one or more of the following events shall constitute an event of default (each, an "Event of Default") under this Agreement:

8.1 If Borrower fails to pay when due and payable, or when declared due and payable, all or any portion of the Obligations (whether of principal, interest (including any interest which, but for the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued on such amounts), fees and charges due Lender, reimbursement of Lender Expenses, or other amounts constituting Obligations); provided, however, that in the case of Overadvances that are caused by the charging of interest, fees, or Lender Expenses to the Loan Account, such event shall not constitute an Event of Default if, within five (5) days of incurring such Overadvance, Borrower repays, or otherwise eliminates, such Overadvance;

8.2 (a) If Borrower fails or neglects to perform, keep, or observe any term, provision, condition, covenant, or agreement contained in Sections 6.2, 6.3, 6.9, 6.10, or 6.11 of this Agreement and such failure continues for a period of five (5) Business Days; (b) if Borrower fails or neglects to perform, keep, or observe any term, provision, condition, covenant, or agreement contained in Section 6.1 or 6.6 of this Agreement and such failure continues for a period of then (10) Business Days; or (c) if Borrower fails or neglects to perform, keep, or observe any other term, provision, condition, covenant, or agreement contained in this Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents (other than the Officers' Certificate and the Due Diligence Letter), giving effect to any grace periods, cure periods, or required notices, if any, expressly provided for in such Loan Document; in each case, other than any such term, provision, condition, covenant, or agreement that is the subject of another provision of this Section 8, in which event such other provision of this Section 8 shall govern;

8.3 If any material portion of Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' assets is attached, seized, subjected to a writ or distress warrant, levied upon, or comes into the possession of any third Person;

8.4 If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

8.5 If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced against Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries, and any of the following events occur: (a) Borrower or the Subsidiary consents to the institution of such Insolvency Proceeding against it, (b) the petition commencing the Insolvency Proceeding is not timely controverted, (c) the petition commencing the Insolvency Proceeding is not dismissed within 60 calendar days of the date of the filing thereof; provided, however, that, during the pendency of such period, Lender shall be relieved of its obligations to extend credit hereunder, (d) an interim trustee is appointed to take possession of all or any substantial portion of the properties or assets of, or to operate all or any substantial portion of the business of, Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (e) an order for relief shall have been entered therein;

8.6 If Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is enjoined, restrained, or in any way prevented by court order from continuing to conduct all or any material part of its business affairs;

8.7 If (a) a notice of Lien (other than a Permitted Lien), levy, or assessment is filed of record with respect to any of Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' assets by the United States, or any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof, or by any state, county, municipal, or governmental agency, or (b) if any taxes or debts owing at any time hereafter to any one or more of such entities described in clause (a) of this Section 8.7 becomes a Lien, whether xxxxxx or otherwise, upon any of Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' assets and the same is not paid before such payment is delinquent if such Lien, levy or assessment, together with any other such Lien, levy or assessment, (x) is in excess of $25,000, for all such Liens, levies, or assessments that impair the Collateral or the perfection or priority of Lender's security interest in the Collateral, or (y) is in excess of $500,000, for Liens, levies,

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or assessments not covered by the immediately preceding clause (x); provided, however, that (in any case) Lender may create a reserve against the Borrowing Base to the extent of any such Lien, levy, or assessment;

8.8 If a judgment or other claim for an amount in excess of $500,000 becomes a Lien or encumbrance upon any material portion of Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' assets and shall not be vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending appeal for any period of 30 consecutive days;

8.9 If there is a default (a) in any payment of Indebtedness (other than Obligations) beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created or (b) in the observance or performance of any material agreement to which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party relating to any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) and such default results in a right by the other party thereto, irrespective of whether exercised, to accelerate the maturity of such Indebtedness thereunder; provided that it shall not be a Default or Event of Default under this Section 8.9 unless the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness as described in this Section 8.9 is at least $1,000,000;

8.10 If Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries makes any payment on account of Indebtedness that has been contractually subordinated in right of payment to the payment of the Obligations, except to the extent such payment is permitted by the terms of the subordination provisions applicable to such Indebtedness, and except as permitted by Section 7.8;

8.11 If any material misstatement or misrepresentation exists now or hereafter in any warranty, representation, statement when made or deemed made to Lender by Borrower, its Subsidiaries, or any officer, employee, agent, or director of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

8.12 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

8.13 If this Agreement or any other Loan Document that purports to create a Lien, shall, for any reason, fail or cease to create a valid and perfected and, except to the extent permitted by the terms hereof or thereof, first priority Lien on or security interest in the Collateral covered hereby or thereby; or

8.14 Any provision of any Loan Document (other than the Officers' Certificate and the Due Diligence Letter) shall at any time for any reason be declared to be null and void, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested by Borrower, or a proceeding shall be commenced by Borrower, or by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over Borrower, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof, or Borrower shall deny that Borrower has any liability or obligation purported to be created under any Loan Document (other than the Officers' Certificate and the Due Diligence Letter).

9. LENDER'S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.

9.1 Rights and Remedies. Upon the occurrence, and during the continuation, of an Event of Default, Lender (at its election but without notice of its election and without demand) may do any one or more of the following, all of which are authorized by Borrower:

(a) Declare all Obligations, whether evidenced by this Agreement, by any of the other Loan Documents, or otherwise, immediately due and payable;

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(b) Cease advancing money or extending credit to or for the benefit of Borrower under this Agreement, under any of the Loan Documents, or under any other agreement between Borrower and Lender;

(c) Terminate this Agreement and any of the other Loan Documents as to any future liability or obligation of Lender, but without affecting any of Lender's Liens in the Collateral and without affecting the Obligations;

(d) Settle or adjust disputes and claims directly with Account Debtors for amounts and upon terms which Lender considers advisable, and in such cases, Lender will credit Borrower's Loan Account (or such other Obligations as may be appropriate) with only the net amounts received by Lender in payment of such disputed Accounts after deducting all Lender Expenses incurred or expended in connection therewith;

(e) Cause Borrower to hold all returned Inventory in trust for Lender, segregate all returned Inventory from all other assets of Borrower or in Borrower's possession and conspicuously label said returned Inventory as the property of Lender;

(f) Without notice to or demand upon Borrower, make such payments and do such acts as Lender considers necessary or reasonable to protect its security interests in the Collateral. Borrower agrees to assemble the Personal Property Collateral if Lender so requires, and to make the Personal Property Collateral available to Lender at a place that Lender may designate which is reasonably convenient to both parties. Borrower authorizes Lender to enter the premises where the Personal Property Collateral is located, to take and maintain possession of the Personal Property Collateral, or any part of it, and to pay, purchase, contest, or compromise any Lien that in Lender's determination appears to conflict with Lender's Liens and to pay all expenses incurred in connection therewith and to charge Borrower's Loan Account therefor. With respect to any of Borrower's owned or leased premises, Borrower hereby grants Lender a license to enter into possession of such premises and to occupy the same, without charge, in order to exercise any of Lender's rights or remedies provided herein, at law, in equity, or otherwise;

(g) Without notice to Borrower (such notice being expressly waived), and without constituting a retention of any collateral in satisfaction of an obligation (within the meaning of the Code), set off and apply to the Obligations any and all (i) balances and deposits of Borrower held by Lender (including any amounts received in the Cash Management Accounts), or (ii) Indebtedness at any time owing to or for the credit or the account of Borrower held by Lender;

(h) Hold, as cash collateral, any and all balances and deposits of Borrower held by Lender, and any amounts received in the Cash Management Accounts, to secure the full and final repayment of all of the Obligations;

(i) Ship, reclaim, recover, store, finish, maintain, repair, prepare for sale, advertise for sale, and sell (in the manner provided for herein) the Personal Property Collateral. Borrower hereby grants to Lender a license or other right to use, without charge, Borrower's labels, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trade names, trademarks, service marks, and advertising matter, or any property of a similar nature, as it pertains to the Personal Property Collateral, in completing production of, advertising for sale, and selling any Personal Property Collateral and Borrower's rights under all licenses and all franchise agreements shall inure to Lender's benefit;

(j) Sell the Personal Property Collateral at either a public or private sale, or both, by way of one or more contracts or transactions, for cash or on terms, in such manner and at such places (including Borrower's premises) as Lender determines is commercially reasonable. It is not necessary that the Personal Property Collateral be present at any such sale;

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(k) Lender shall give notice of the disposition of the Personal Property Collateral as follows:

(i) Lender shall give Borrower a notice in writing of the time and place of public sale, or, if the sale is a private sale or some other disposition other than a public sale is to be made of the Personal Property Collateral, the time on or after which the private sale or other disposition is to be made; and

(ii) The notice shall be personally delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to Borrower as provided in Section 12, at least 10 days before the earliest time of disposition set forth in the notice; no notice needs to be given prior to the disposition of any portion of the Personal Property Collateral that is perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value or that is of a type customarily sold on a recognized market;

(l) Lender may credit bid and purchase at any public sale; and

(m) Lender may seek the appointment of a receiver or keeper to take possession of all or any portion of the Collateral or to operate same and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, may seek the appointment of such a receiver without the requirement of prior notice or a hearing;

(n) Lender shall have all other rights and remedies available to them at law or in equity or pursuant to any other Loan Document; and

(o) Any deficiency that exists after disposition of the Personal Property Collateral as provided above will be paid immediately by Borrower. Any excess will be returned, without interest and subject to the rights of third Persons, by Lender to Borrower.

9.2 Remedies Cumulative. The rights and remedies of Lender under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and all other agreements shall be cumulative. Lender shall have all other rights and remedies not inconsistent herewith as provided under the Code, by law, or in equity. No exercise by Lender of one right or remedy shall be deemed an election, and no waiver by Lender of any Event of Default shall be deemed a continuing waiver. No delay by Lender shall constitute a waiver, election, or acquiescence by it.

10. TAXES AND EXPENSES.

If Borrower fails to pay any monies (whether taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, or, in the case of leased properties or assets, rents or other amounts payable under such leases) due to third Persons, or fails to make any deposits or furnish any required proof of payment or deposit, all to the extent and when required under the terms of this Agreement, except to the extent that the validity of such assessment, tax, or other amount shall be the subject of a Permitted Protest or such nonpayment shall be otherwise permitted under Section 6.7, then, Lender, in its sole discretion and without prior notice to Borrower, may do any or all of the following: (a) make payment of the same or any part thereof, (b) set up such reserves in Borrower's Loan Account as Lender deems necessary to protect Lender from the exposure created by such failure, or (c) in the case of the failure to comply with Section 6.8 hereof, obtain and maintain insurance policies of the type described in Section 6.8 and take any action with respect to such policies as Lender deems prudent. Any such amounts paid by Lender shall constitute Lender Expenses and any such payments shall not constitute an agreement by Lender to make similar payments in the future or a waiver by Lender of any Event of Default under this Agreement. Lender need not inquire as to, or contest the validity of, any such expense, tax, or Lien and the receipt of the usual official notice for the payment thereof shall be conclusive evidence that the same was validly due and owing.

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11. WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION.

11.1 Demand; Protest. Borrower waives demand, protest, notice of protest, notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment, nonpayment at maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension, or renewal of documents, instruments, chattel paper, and guarantees at any time held by Lender on which Borrower may in any way be liable.

11.2 Lender's Liability for Collateral. Borrower hereby agrees that: (a) so long as Lender complies with its obligations, if any, under the Code, Lender shall not in any way or manner be liable or responsible for: (i) the safekeeping of the Collateral, (ii) any loss or damage thereto occurring or arising in any manner or fashion from any cause, (iii) any diminution in the value thereof, or (iv) any act or default of any carrier, warehouseman, bailee, forwarding agency, or other Person, and (b) all risk of loss, damage, or destruction of the Collateral shall be borne by Borrower.

11.3 Indemnification. Borrower shall pay, indemnify, defend, and hold Lender-Related Persons, each Participant, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and attorneys-in-fact (each, an "Indemnified Person") harmless (to the fullest extent permitted by law) from and against any and all claims, demands, suits, actions, investigations, proceedings, and damages, and all reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements and other costs and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith (as and when they are incurred and irrespective of whether suit is brought), at any time asserted against, imposed upon, or incurred by any of them (a) in connection with or as a result of or related to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance, or administration of this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, and (b) with respect to any investigation, litigation, or proceeding related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or the use of the proceeds of the credit provided hereunder (irrespective of whether any Indemnified Person is a party thereto), or any act, omission, event, or circumstance in any manner related thereto (all the foregoing, collectively, the "Indemnified Liabilities"). The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, Borrower shall have no obligation to any Indemnified Person under this Section 11.3 with respect to any Indemnified Liability that a court of competent jurisdiction finally determines to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the repayment of the Obligations. If any Indemnified Person makes any payment to any other Indemnified Person with respect to an Indemnified Liability as to which Borrower was required to indemnify the Indemnified Person receiving such payment, the Indemnified Person making such payment is entitled to be indemnified and reimbursed by Borrower with respect thereto. WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE FOREGOING INDEMNITY SHALL APPLY TO EACH INDEMNIFIED PERSON WITH RESPECT TO INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES WHICH IN WHOLE OR IN PART ARE CAUSED BY OR ARISE OUT OF ANY NEGLIGENT ACT OR OMISSION OF SUCH INDEMNIFIED PERSON OR OF ANY OTHER PERSON.

12. NOTICES.

Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices or demands by Borrower or Lender to the other relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be in writing and (except for financial statements and other informational documents which may be sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid) shall be personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), overnight courier, electronic mail (at such email addresses as Borrower or Lender,

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as applicable, may designate to each other in accordance herewith), or telefacsimile to Borrower or Lender, as the case may be, at its address set forth below:


If to Borrower:		SPECIAL DEVICES, INCORPORATED 00000 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx Fax No.: 000-000-0000
If to Lender:		FOOTHILL CAPITAL CORPORATION 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx 0000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 Attn: Business Finance Division Manager Fax No.: 000-000-0000
with copies to:		Xxxxxx, Xxxxx & Bockius LLP 000 X. Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000 Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 Attn: J. Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Esq. Fax No.: 000-000-0000

Lender and Borrower may change the address at which they are to receive notices hereunder, by notice in writing in the foregoing manner given to the other party. All notices or demands sent in accordance with this Section 12, other than notices by Lender in connection with enforcement rights against the Collateral under the provisions of the Code, shall be deemed received on the earlier of the date of actual receipt or 3 Business Days after the deposit thereof in the mail. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that notices sent by Lender in connection with the exercise of enforcement rights against Collateral under the provisions of the Code shall be deemed sent when deposited in the mail or personally delivered, or, where permitted by law, transmitted by telefacsimile or any other method set forth above.

13. CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER.

(a) THE VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED TO THE CONTRARY IN ANOTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN RESPECT OF SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT), THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF AND THEREOF, AND THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO WITH RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS ARISING HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO OR THERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

(b) THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT LENDER'S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE LENDER ELECTS TO BRING SUCH ACTION OR WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND. BORROWER AND LENDER WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 13(b).

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(c) BORROWER AND LENDER HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS. BORROWER AND LENDER REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

14. ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS.

14.1 Assignments and Participations.

(a) Lender may assign and delegate to one or more assignees (each an "Assignee") all, or any ratable part of all, of the Obligations and the other rights and obligations of Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, provided that, unless an Event of Default is then in existence and has theretofore been continuing for 30 consecutive days, the consent of Borrower shall be required for any such assignment other than an assignment by Lender as part of a sale of all or substantially all of Lender's assets (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, further, that Borrower may continue to deal solely and directly with Lender in connection with the interest so assigned to an Assignee until (i) written notice of such assignment, together with payment instructions, addresses, and related information with respect to the Assignee, have been given to Borrower by Lender and the Assignee, and (ii) Lender and its Assignee have delivered to Borrower an appropriate assignment and acceptance agreement.

(b) From and after the date that Lender provides Borrower with such written notice and executed assignment and acceptance agreement, (i) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such assignment and acceptance agreement, shall have the assigned and delegated rights and obligations of Lender under the Loan Documents, and (ii) Lender shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents have been assigned and delegated by it pursuant to such assignment and acceptance agreement, relinquish its rights (except with respect to Section 11.3 hereof) and be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and in the case of an assignment and acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Lender shall cease to be a party hereto and thereto), and such assignment shall affect a novation between Borrower and the Assignee.

(c) Immediately upon Borrower's receipt of such fully executed assignment and acceptance agreement, this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to the extent, but only to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of the Assignee and the resulting adjustment of the rights and duties of Lender arising therefrom.

(d) Lender may at any time sell to one or more commercial banks, financial institutions, or other Persons not Affiliates of such Lender (a "Participant") participating interests in the Obligations and the other rights and interests of Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided, however, that (i) Lender shall remain the "Lender" for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the Participant receiving the participating interest in the Obligations and the other rights and interests of Lender shall not constitute a "Lender" hereunder or under the other Loan Documents and Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) Lender shall remain solely responsible for the performance of such obligations, (iii) Borrower and Lender shall continue to deal solely and directly with each other in connection with Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iv) Lender shall not transfer or grant any

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participating interest under which the Participant has the right to approve any amendment to, or any consent or waiver with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except to the extent such amendment to, or consent or waiver with respect to this Agreement or of any other Loan Document would (A) extend the final maturity date of the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (B) reduce the interest rate applicable to the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (C) release all or a material portion of the Collateral or guaranties (except to the extent expressly provided herein or in any of the Loan Documents) supporting the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (D) postpone the payment of, or reduce the amount of, the interest or fees payable to such Participant through Lender, or (E) change the amount or due dates of scheduled principal repayments or prepayments or premiums, and (v) all amounts payable by Borrower hereunder shall be determined as if Lender had not sold such participation, except that, if amounts outstanding under this Agreement are due and unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant shall be deemed to have the right of set-off in respect of its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement to the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it as Lender under this Agreement. The rights of any Participant only shall be derivative through Lender and no Participant shall have any rights under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any direct rights as to Borrower, the Collections, the Collateral, or otherwise in respect of the Obligations. No Participant shall have the right to participate directly in the making of decisions by Lender.

(e) In connection with any such assignment or participation or proposed assignment or participation, a Lender may disclose all documents and information which it now or hereafter may have relating to Borrower or Borrower's business.

(f) Any other provision in this Agreement notwithstanding, Lender may at any time create a security interest in, or pledge, all or any portion of its rights under and interest in this Agreement in favor of any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the Federal Reserve Bank or U.S. Treasury Regulation 31 CFR §203.14, and such Federal Reserve Bank may enforce such pledge or security interest in any manner permitted under applicable law.

14.2 Successors. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of each of the parties; provided, however, that Borrower may not assign this Agreement or any rights or duties hereunder without Lender's prior written consent and any prohibited assignment shall be absolutely void ab initio. No consent to assignment by Lender shall release Borrower from its Obligations. Lender may assign this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and its rights and duties hereunder and thereunder pursuant to Section 14.1 hereof and, except as expressly required pursuant to Section 14.1 hereof, no consent or approval by Borrower is required in connection with any such assignment.

15. AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS.

15.1 Amendments and Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent with respect to any departure by Borrower therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Lender and Borrower and then any such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

15.2 No Waivers; Cumulative Remedies. No failure by Lender to exercise any right, remedy, or option under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or delay by Lender in exercising the same, will operate as a waiver thereof. No waiver by Lender will be effective unless it is in writing, and then only to the extent specifically stated. No waiver by Lender on any occasion shall affect or diminish Lender's rights thereafter to require strict performance by Borrower of any provision of this

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Agreement. Lender's rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents will be cumulative and not exclusive of any other right or remedy that Lender may have.

16. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

16.1 Effectiveness. This Agreement shall be binding and deemed effective when executed by Borrower and Lender.

16.2 Section Headings. Headings and numbers have been set forth herein for convenience only. Unless the contrary is compelled by the context, everything contained in each Section applies equally to this entire Agreement.

16.3 Interpretation. Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed against Lender or Borrower, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise. On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by all parties and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to accomplish fairly the purposes and intentions of all parties hereto.

16.4 Severability of Provisions. Each provision of this Agreement shall be severable from every other provision of this Agreement for the purpose of determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.

16.5 Withholding Taxes. All payments made by Borrower hereunder or under any note will be made without setoff, counterclaim, or other defense, except as required by applicable law other than for Taxes (as defined below). All such payments will be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for, any present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, assessments or other charges of whatever nature now or hereafter imposed by any jurisdiction (other than the United States) or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (other than of the United States) with respect to such payments (but excluding, any tax imposed by any jurisdiction or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (i) measured by or based on the net income or net profits of Lender, or (ii) to the extent that such tax results from a change in the circumstances of Lender, including a change in the residence, place of organization, or principal place of business of Lender, or a change in the branch or lending office of Lender participating in the transactions set forth herein) and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with respect thereto (all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, assessments or other charges being referred to collectively as "Taxes"). If any Taxes are so levied or imposed, Borrower agrees to pay the full amount of such Taxes, and such additional amounts as may be necessary so that every payment of all amounts due under this Agreement or under any note, including any amount paid pursuant to this Section 16.5 after withholding or deduction for or on account of any Taxes, will not be less than the amount provided for herein; provided, however, that Borrower shall not be required to increase any such amounts payable to Lender if the increase in such amount payable results from Lender's own willful misconduct or gross negligence. Borrower will furnish to Lender as promptly as possible after the date the payment of any Taxes is due pursuant to applicable law certified copies of tax receipts evidencing such payment by Borrower. In the event that any Taxes are imposed on Lender, (i) Lender agrees to provide Borrower with such documentation as is reasonably requested by Borrower in order to establish an exception from or reduced rate of such Tax and (ii) to take such actions as Borrower reasonably requests to reduce the amount of such Taxes provided that such actions do not have an adverse impact on Lender, as determined in Lender's sole discretion.

16.6 Amendments in Writing. This Agreement only can be amended by a writing signed by Lender and Borrower; provided that Borrower can amend Schedules 5.8(b), Schedule 5.16, and Schedule 5.18 by written notice to Lender without Lender's consent.

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16.7 Counterparts; Telefacsimile Execution. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Agreement. The foregoing shall apply to each other Loan Document mutatis mutandis.

16.8 Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations. If the incurrence or payment of the Obligations by Borrower or the transfer to Lender of any property should for any reason subsequently be declared to be void or voidable under any state or federal law relating to creditors' rights, including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code relating to fraudulent conveyances, preferences, or other voidable or recoverable payments of money or transfers of property (collectively, a "Voidable Transfer"), and if Lender is required to repay or restore, in whole or in part, any such Voidable Transfer, or elects to do so upon the reasonable advice of its counsel, then, as to any such Voidable Transfer, or the amount thereof that Lender is required or elects to repay or restore, and as to all reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys fees of Lender related thereto, the liability of Borrower automatically shall be revived, reinstated, and restored and shall exist as though such Voidable Transfer had never been made, to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law.

16.9 Integration. This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, reflects the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not be contradicted or qualified by any other agreement, oral or written, before the date hereof.

[Signature page to follow.]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.


		SPECIAL DEVICES, INCORPORATED, a Delaware corporation

		By:	/s/ XXXXXX X. XXXXXXX Executive Vice President & CFO

		FOOTHILL CAPITAL CORPORATION, a California corporation

		By:	/s/ XXXXXX X. XXXXXXX SVP

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EXHIBIT 10.43
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LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT by and among SPECIAL DEVICES, INCORPORATED as Borrower, and FOOTHILL CAPITAL CORPORATION as Lender Dated as of June 27, 2001

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