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EXHIBIT 4.3
EXECUTION COPY
EXCHANGE AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
EXCHANGE AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of June 24, 1998,
among Tropical Sportswear Int'l Corporation, a Florida corporation (the
"Company") and Prudential Securities Incorporated (the "Purchaser"), Purchaser
of the 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due June 15, 2008 of the Company, which are
guaranteed by the Company's wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (the
"Guarantors") listed on Schedule I to the Note Purchase Agreement (as defined
herein).
The Company proposes to issue and sell to the Purchaser upon the terms
set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement the Securities (as defined herein). As
an inducement to the Purchaser to enter into the Note Purchase Agreement and in
satisfaction of a condition to the obligations of the Purchaser thereunder, the
Company agrees with the Purchaser for the benefit of holders (as defined herein)
from time to time of the Registrable Securities (as defined herein) as follows:
1. Certain Definitions.
For purposes of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, the
following terms shall have the following respective meanings:
"Base Interest" shall mean the interest, if any, that would
otherwise accrue on the Securities under the terms thereof and the
Indenture, without giving effect to the provisions of this Agreement.
The term "broker-dealer" shall mean any broker or dealer
registered with the Commission under the Exchange Act.
"Closing" shall mean the date of the closing of the issuance and
sale of the Securities pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement.
"Commission" shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission, or any other federal agency at the time administering the
Exchange Act or the Securities Act, whichever is the relevant statute
for the particular purpose.
"Effective Time," in the case of (i) an Exchange Registration,
shall mean the time and date as of which the Commission declares the
Exchange Registration Statement effective or as of which the Exchange
Registration Statement otherwise becomes effective and (ii) a Shelf
Registration, shall mean the time and date as of which the Commission
declares the Shelf Registration Statement effective or as of which the
Shelf Registration Statement otherwise becomes effective.
"Electing Holder" shall mean any holder of Registrable Securities
that has returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the
Company in accordance with Section 3(d)(ii) or 3(d)(iii) hereof.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or
any successor thereto, as the same shall be amended from time to time.
"Exchange Offer" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2(a) hereof.
"Exchange Registration" shall have the meaning assigned thereto
in Section 3(c) hereof.
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"Exchange Registration Statement" shall have the meaning assigned
thereto in Section 2(a) hereof.
"Exchange Securities" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2(a) hereof.
The term "holder" shall mean the Purchaser and other persons who
acquire Registrable Securities from time to time (including any
successors or assigns), in each case for so long as such person owns any
Registrable Securities.
"Indenture" shall mean the Indenture, dated as of June 24, 1998,
between the Company, the Guarantors and SunTrust Bank, Atlanta, as
Trustee, as the same shall be amended from time to time.
"Note Purchase Agreement" shall mean the Purchase Agreement,
dated as of June 18, 1998, between the Purchaser and the Company
relating to the Securities.
"Notice and Questionnaire" means a Notice of Registration
Statement and Selling Securityholder Questionnaire substantially in the
form of Exhibit A hereto.
The term "person" shall mean a corporation, association,
partnership, organization, business, individual, government or political
subdivision thereof or governmental agency.
"Registrable Securities" shall mean the Securities; provided,
however, that a Security shall cease to be a Registrable Security when
(i) in the circumstances contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof, the
Security has been exchanged for an Exchange Security in an Exchange
Offer as contemplated in Section 2(a) hereof (provided that any Exchange
Security received by a broker-dealer in an Exchange Offer in exchange
for a Registrable Security that was not acquired by the broker-dealer
directly from the Company will also be a Registrable Security through
and including the earlier of the 90th day after the Exchange Offer is
completed or such time as such broker-dealer no longer owns such
Security); (ii) in the circumstances contemplated by Section 2(b)
hereof, a Shelf Registration Statement registering such Security under
the Securities Act has been declared or becomes effective and such
Security has been sold or otherwise transferred by the holder thereof
pursuant to and in a manner contemplated by such effective Shelf
Registration Statement; (iii) such Security is sold pursuant to Rule 144
under circumstances in which any legend borne by such Security relating
to restrictions on transferability thereof, under the Securities Act or
otherwise, is removed by the Company or pursuant to the Indenture; (iv)
such Security is eligible to be sold pursuant to paragraph (k) of Rule
144; or (v) such Security shall cease to be outstanding.
"Registration Default" shall have the meaning assigned thereto
in Section 2(c) hereof.
"Registration Expenses" shall have the meaning assigned thereto
in Section 4 hereof.
"Resale Period" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2(a) hereof.
"Restricted Holder" shall mean (i) a holder that is an affiliate
of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405, (ii) a holder who
acquires Exchange Securities outside the ordinary course of such
holder's business, (iii) a holder who has arrangements or understandings
with any person to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of
distributing Exchange Securities and (iv) a holder that is a
broker-dealer, but only with respect to Exchange Securities received by
such broker-dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer in exchange for
Registrable Securities acquired by the broker-dealer directly from the
Company.
"Rule 144," "Rule 405" and "Rule 415" shall mean, in each case,
such rule promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor
provision), as the same shall be amended from time to time.
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"Securities" shall mean, collectively, the 11% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2008 of the Company to be issued and sold to the
Purchaser, guaranteed as to payment of principal, premium, if any, and
interest by the Guarantors, and securities issued in exchange therefor
or in lieu thereof pursuant to the Indenture.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, or any
successor thereto, as the same shall be amended from time to time.
"Shelf Registration" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2(b) hereof.
"Shelf Registration Statement" shall have the meaning assigned
thereto in Section 2(b) hereof.
"Special Interest" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2(c) hereof.
"Trust Indenture Act" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
or any successor thereto, and the rules, regulations and forms
promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be amended from time to
time.
Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference herein to a
"Section" or "clause" refers to a Section or clause, as the case may be, of this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, and the words "herein," "hereof" and
"hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or
other subdivision.
2. Registration Under the Securities Act.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 2(b) below, the Company agrees to
file under the Securities Act, as soon as practicable, but no later than 60 days
after the Closing, a registration statement relating to an offer to exchange
(such registration statement, the "Exchange Registration Statement," and such
offer, the "Exchange Offer") any and all of the Securities for a like aggregate
principal amount at maturity of debt securities issued by the Company, which
debt securities are substantially identical to the Securities, respectively (and
are entitled to the benefits of a trust indenture which is substantially
identical to the Indenture or is the Indenture and which has been qualified
under the Trust Indenture Act), except that they have been registered pursuant
to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and do not
contain provisions for the additional interest contemplated in Section 2(c)
below (such new debt securities hereinafter called "Exchange Securities"). The
Company agrees to use its best efforts to cause the Exchange Registration
Statement to become effective under the Securities Act as soon as practicable,
but no later than 150 days after the Closing. The Exchange Offer will be
registered under the Securities Act on the appropriate form and will comply with
all applicable tender offer rules and regulations under the Exchange Act. The
Company further agrees to use its best efforts to commence and complete the
Exchange Offer promptly, but no later than 30 business days after such
registration statement has become effective, hold the Exchange Offer open for at
least 20 business days and issue Exchange Securities for all Registrable
Securities that have been properly tendered and not withdrawn on or prior to the
expiration of the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer will be deemed to have been
"completed" only if the debt securities received by holders other than
Restricted Holders in the Exchange Offer for Registrable Securities are, upon
receipt, transferable by each such holder without need for further compliance
with Section 5 of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (except for the
requirement to deliver a prospectus included in the Exchange Registration
Statement applicable to resales by any broker-dealer of Exchange Securities
received by such broker-dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer in exchange for
Registrable Securities other than those acquired by the broker-dealer directly
from the Company), and without material restrictions under the blue sky or
securities laws of a substantial majority of the States of the United States of
America. The Exchange Offer shall be deemed to have been completed upon the
earlier to occur of (i) the Company having exchanged the Exchange Securities for
all outstanding Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer and (ii)
the Company having exchanged, pursuant to the Exchange Offer, Exchange
Securities for all Registrable Securities that have been properly tendered and
not withdrawn before the expiration of the Exchange Offer, which shall be on a
date that is at least 30 days following the commencement of the Exchange Offer.
The Company agrees (x) to include in the
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Exchange Registration Statement a prospectus for use in connection with any
resales of Exchange Securities by a broker-dealer, other than resales of
Exchange Securities received by a broker-dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer in
exchange for Registrable Securities acquired by the broker-dealer directly from
the Company, and (y) to keep such Exchange Registration Statement effective for
a period (the "Resale Period") beginning when Exchange Securities are first
issued in the Exchange Offer and ending upon the earlier of the expiration of
the 180th day after the Closing or such time as such broker-dealers no longer
own any Registrable Securities. With respect to such Exchange Registration
Statement, each broker-dealer that holds Exchange Securities received in an
Exchange Offer in exchange for Registerable Securities not acquired by it
directly from the Company shall have the benefit of the rights of
indemnification and contribution set forth in Sections 6(a), (c), (d) and (e)
hereof.
(b) If prior to the time the Exchange Offer is completed existing
Commission interpretations are changed such that the Exchange Securities
received by holders other than Restricted Holders in the Exchange Offer for
Registrable Securities are not or would not be, upon receipt, transferable by
each such holder without need for further compliance with Section 5 of the
Securities Act (except for the requirement to deliver a prospectus included in
the Exchange Registration Statement applicable to resales by broker-dealers of
Exchange Securities received by such broker-dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer
in exchange for Registrable Securities other than those acquired by the
broker-dealer directly from the Company), in lieu of conducting the Exchange
Offer contemplated by Section 2(a) the Company shall file under the Securities
Act as soon as practicable, but no later than the later of 30 days after the
time such obligation to file arises and 60 days after the Closing, a "shelf"
registration statement providing for the registration of, and the sale on a
continuous or delayed basis by the holders of, all of the Registrable
Securities, pursuant to Rule 415 or any similar rule that may be adopted by the
Commission (such filing, the "Shelf Registration" and such registration
statement, the "Shelf Registration Statement"). In addition, in the event that
the Purchaser shall not have resold all of the Securities initially purchased by
them from the Company pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement prior to the
consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall file under the Securities
Act as soon as practicable a Shelf Registration Statement. The Company agrees to
use its best efforts (i) to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to become or
be declared effective no later than 180 days after the Closing and to keep such
Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective in order to permit the
prospectus forming a part thereof to be usable by holders for resales of
Registrable Securities for a period ending on the earlier of the second
anniversary of the Closing (or the first anniversary if the Shelf Registration
Statement is filed because the Purchaser has not resold all of the Securities)
or such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities outstanding,
provided, however, that no holder shall be entitled to be named as a selling
securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement or to use the prospectus
forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities unless such holder
is an Electing Holder, and (ii) after the Effective Time of the Shelf
Registration Statement, promptly upon the request of any holder of Registrable
Securities that is not then an Electing Holder, to take any action reasonably
necessary to enable such holder to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for
resales of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, any action
necessary to identify such holder as a selling securityholder in the Shelf
Registration Statement, provided, however, that nothing in this Clause (ii)
shall relieve any such holder of the obligation to return a completed and signed
Notice and Questionnaire to the Company in accordance with Section 3(d)(iii)
hereof. The Company further agrees to supplement or make amendments to the Shelf
Registration Statement, as and when required by the rules, regulations or
instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such
Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations
thereunder for shelf registration, and the Company agrees to furnish to each
Electing Holder copies of any such supplement or amendment prior to its being
used or promptly following its filing with the Commission. Notwithstanding the
immediately preceding sentence, the Company may postpone, for a period not to
exceed 30 days, supplementing or amending the Shelf Registration Statement if
(i) the Company is in possession of material non-public information related to a
proposed financing, recapitalization, acquisition, business combination or other
material transaction and the Board of Directors of the Company determines (in
good faith in a written resolution) that disclosure of such information would
have a material adverse effect on the business or operations of the Company and
its subsidiaries and disclosure of such information is not otherwise required by
law and (ii) the Company delivers notice (which shall include a copy of the
resolution of the Board of Directors with respect to such determination) to the
Electing Holders and any placement agent or underwriter as contemplated by
Section 3(d)(viii)(F) to the effect that Electing Holders may not make offers or
sales under the Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however, that the
Company may deliver only two such notices within any 12-month period. Promptly
upon the earlier of (x) public disclosure of
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such material non-public information, (y) the date on which such non-public
information is no longer material and (z) 30 days after the date notice is given
by the Company pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Company shall supplement or
amend the Shelf Registration Statement as required by the immediately preceding
sentence and give notice to the Electing Holders that offers and sales under the
Shelf Registration Statement may be resumed.
(C) In the event that (i) the Company has not filed the Exchange
Registration Statement on or before the date on which such Exchange Registration
Statement is required to be filed pursuant to Section 2(a), or (ii) such
Exchange Registration Statement has not become effective or been declared
effective by the Commission on or before the date on which such Exchange
Registration Statement is required to become or be declared effective pursuant
to Section 2(a), or (iii) the Exchange Offer has not been completed or a Shelf
Registration Statement is not declared effective within 180 days following the
Closing (if the Exchange Offer is then required to be made) or (iv) any Exchange
Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement required by Section 2(a)
or 2(b) hereof is filed and declared effective but shall thereafter either be
withdrawn by the Company or shall become subject to an effective stop order
issued pursuant to Section 8(d) of the Securities Act suspending the
effectiveness of such registration statement (except as specifically permitted
herein) without being succeeded immediately by an additional registration
statement filed and declared effective (each such event referred to in clauses
(i) through (iv), a "Registration Default" and each period during which a
Registration Default has occurred and is continuing, a "Registration Default
Period"), then, as liquidated damages for such Registration Default, subject to
the provisions of Section 9(b), special cash interest ("Special Interest"), in
addition to Base Interest, shall accrue and be payable at a rate of 0.5% per
annum following such 60-day period in the case of clause (i) above, following
such 150-day period in the case of clause (ii) above, following such 180-day
period in the case of clause (iii) above and following the date on which the
Exchange Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case
may be, ceases to be effective in the case of clause (iv) above. The amount of
such additional interest will increase by an additional 0.5% for each subsequent
90-day period until such Registration Default has been cured; provided that the
aggregate amount of such increase in the original interest rate will in no event
exceed 1.50% per annum. Upon (w) the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement after the 60-day period described in clause (i) above, (x) the
effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement after the 150-day
period described in clause (ii) above, (y) the consummation of the Exchange
Offer or the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may
be, after the 180-day period described in clause (iii) above or (z) the
effectiveness of a succeeding registration statement after the date in clause
(iv) above, the interest rate borne by the Registrable Securities from the date
of filing, effectiveness or consummation, as the case may be, will be reduced to
the original interest rate.
(d) The Company shall take all reasonable actions necessary or advisable
to be taken by it to ensure that the transactions contemplated herein are
effected as so contemplated.
(e) Any reference herein to a registration statement as of any time
shall be deemed to include any document incorporated, or deemed to be
incorporated, therein by reference as of such time and any reference herein to
any post-effective amendment to a registration statement as of any time shall be
deemed to include any document incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated,
therein by reference as of such time.
2. Registration Procedures.
If the Company files a registration statement pursuant to Section 2(a)
or Section 2(b), the following provisions shall apply:
(a) At or before the Effective Time of the Exchange Offer or the Shelf
Registration, as the case may be, the Company shall qualify the Indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act.
(b) In the event that such qualification would require the appointment
of a new trustee under the Indenture, the Company shall appoint a new trustee
thereunder pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture.
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(c) In connection with the Company's obligations with respect to the
registration of Exchange Securities as contemplated by Section 2(a) (the
"Exchange Registration"), if applicable, the Company shall, as soon as
practicable (or as otherwise specified):
(i) prepare and file with the Commission, as soon as practicable
but no later than 60 days after the Closing, an Exchange Registration
Statement on any form which may be utilized by the Company and which
shall permit the Exchange Offer and resales of Exchange Securities by
broker-dealers during the Resale Period to be effected as contemplated
by Section 2(a), and use its best efforts to cause such Exchange
Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable
thereafter, but no later than 150 days after the Closing;
(ii) as soon as practicable prepare and file with the Commission
such amendments and supplements to such Exchange Registration Statement
and the prospectus included therein as may be necessary to effect and
maintain the effectiveness of such Exchange Registration Statement for
the periods and purposes contemplated in Section 2(a) hereof and as may
be required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission
and the instructions applicable to the form of such Exchange
Registration Statement, and promptly provide each broker-dealer holding
Exchange Securities with such number of copies of the prospectus
included therein (as then amended or supplemented), in conformity in all
material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the
Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, as such broker-dealer reasonably may request prior to the
expiration of the Resale Period, for use in connection with resales of
Exchange Securities;
(iii) promptly notify each broker-dealer that has requested or
received copies of the prospectus included in such registration
statement, and confirm such advice in writing, (A) when such Exchange
Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein or any
prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment has been
filed, and, with respect to such Exchange Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (B) of any
comments by the Commission and by the blue sky or securities
commissioner or regulator of any state with respect thereto or any
request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to such Exchange
Registration Statement or prospectus or for additional information, (C)
of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of such Exchange Registration Statement or the initiation
or threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (D) if at any time
the representations and warranties of the Company contemplated by
Section 5 cease to be true and correct in all material respects, (E) of
the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the
suspension of the qualification of the Exchange Securities for sale in
any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for
such purpose or (F) at any time during the Resale Period when a
prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, that
such Exchange Registration Statement, prospectus, prospectus amendment
or supplement or post-effective amendment does not conform in all
material respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act
and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder or contains an untrue statement of a material fact
or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances then existing;
(iv) in the event that the Company would be required, pursuant to
Section 3(c)(iii)(F) above, to notify any broker-dealers holding
Exchange Securities, without unreasonable delay prepare and furnish to
each such holder a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus
supplemented or amended so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers
of such Exchange Securities during the Resale Period, such prospectus
shall conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of
the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder and shall not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;
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(v) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of
any order suspending the effectiveness of such Exchange Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto at the earliest
practicable date;
(vi) use its reasonable best efforts to (A) register or qualify
the Exchange Securities under the securities laws or blue sky laws of
such jurisdictions as are contemplated by Section 2(a), if such
registration or qualification is required by such laws, no later than
the commencement of the Exchange Offer, (B) keep such registrations or
qualifications in effect and comply with such laws so as to permit the
continuance of offers, sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions
until the expiration of the Resale Period and (C) take any and all other
actions as may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each
broker-dealer holding Exchange Securities to consummate the disposition
thereof in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall
not be required for any such purpose to (1) qualify as a foreign
corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not otherwise be
required to qualify but for the requirements of this Section 3(c)(vi),
(2) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction or
(3) make any changes to its articles of incorporation or bylaws or any
agreement between it and its shareholders;
(vii) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the consent or
approval of each governmental agency or authority, whether federal,
state or local, which may be required to effect the Exchange
Registration, the Exchange Offer and the offering and sale of Exchange
Securities by broker-dealers during the Resale Period;
(viii) provide a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities, not
later than the applicable Effective Time;
(ix) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission, and make generally available to its securityholders as soon
as practicable but no later than eighteen months after the effective
date of such Exchange Registration Statement, an earning statement of
the Company and its subsidiaries complying with Section 11(a) of the
Securities Act (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158
thereunder).
(d) In connection with the Company's obligations with respect to the
Shelf Registration, if applicable, the Company shall, as soon as practicable (or
as otherwise specified):
(i) prepare and file with the Commission, as soon as practicable
but in any case within the time periods specified in Section 2(b), a
Shelf Registration Statement on any form which may be utilized by the
Company and which shall register all of the Registrable Securities for
resale by the holders thereof in accordance with such method or methods
of disposition as may be specified by such of the holders as, from time
to time, may be Electing Holders and use its reasonable best efforts to
cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become effective as soon as
practicable but in any case within the time periods specified in Section
2(b);
(ii) not less than 30 calendar days prior to the Effective Time
of the Shelf Registration Statement, mail the Notice and Questionnaire
to the holders of Registrable Securities; no holder shall be entitled to
be named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement
as of the Effective Time, and no holder shall be entitled to use the
prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities
at any time, unless such holder has returned a completed and signed
Notice and Questionnaire to the Company by the deadline for response set
forth therein; provided, however, holders of Registrable Securities
shall have at least 28 calendar days from the date on which the Notice
and Questionnaire is first mailed to such holders to return a completed
and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company;
(iii) after the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration
Statement, upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities that
is not then an Electing Holder, promptly send a Notice and Questionnaire
to
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such holder; provided that the Company shall not be required to take any
action to name such holder as a selling securityholder in the Shelf
Registration Statement or to enable such holder to use the prospectus
forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities until such
holder has returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to
the Company;
(iv) as soon as practicable prepare and file with the
Commission such amendments and supplements to such Shelf Registration
Statement and the prospectus included therein as may be necessary to
effect and maintain the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration
Statement for the period specified in Section 2(b) hereof and as may be
required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and
the instructions applicable to the form of such Shelf Registration
Statement, and furnish to the Electing Holders copies of any such
supplement or amendment simultaneously with or prior to its being used
or filed with the Commission;
(v) comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with
respect to the disposition of all of the Registrable Securities covered
by such Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the intended
methods of disposition by the Electing Holders provided for in such
Shelf Registration Statement;
(vi) provide (A) the Electing Holders, (B) the underwriters
(which term, for purposes of this Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement, shall include a person deemed to be an underwriter within the
meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act), if any, thereof, (C)
any sales or placement agent therefor, (D) counsel for any such
underwriter or agent and (E) not more than one counsel for all the
Electing Holders, the opportunity to participate in the preparation of
such Shelf Registration Statement, each prospectus included therein or
filed with the Commission and each amendment or supplement thereto;
(vii) for a reasonable period prior to the filing of such Shelf
Registration Statement, and throughout the period specified in Section
2(b), make available at reasonable times at the Company's principal
place of business or such other reasonable place for inspection by the
persons referred to in Section 3(d)(vi) who shall certify to the Company
that they have a current intention to sell the Registrable Securities
pursuant to the Shelf Registration such financial and other information
and books and records of the Company, and cause the officers, employees,
counsel and independent certified public accountants of the Company to
respond to such inquiries, as shall be reasonably necessary, in the
judgment of the respective counsel referred to in such Section, to
conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of Section 11 of
the Securities Act; provided, however, that each such party shall be
required to maintain in confidence and not to disclose to any other
person any information or records reasonably designated by the Company
as being confidential, until such time as (A) such information becomes a
matter of public record (whether by virtue of its inclusion in such
registration statement or otherwise), (B) such person shall be required
so to disclose such information pursuant to a subpoena or order of any
court or other governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the
matter (subject to the requirements of such order, and only after such
person shall have given the Company prompt prior written notice of such
requirement) or (C) such information is required to be set forth in such
Shelf Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein or in an
amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or an amendment or
supplement to such prospectus in order that such Shelf Registration
Statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement, as the case may be,
complies with applicable requirements of the federal securities laws and
the rules and regulations of the Commission and does not contain an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;
(viii) promptly notify each of the Electing Holders, any sales or
placement agent therefor and any underwriter thereof (which notification
may be made through any managing underwriter that is a representative of
such underwriter for such purpose) and confirm such advice in writing,
(A) when such Shelf Registration Statement or the prospectus included
therein or any prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective
amendment has been filed, and, with respect to such Shelf Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become
effective, (B) of any comments by
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the Commission and by the blue sky or securities commissioner or
regulator of any state with respect thereto or any request by the
Commission for amendments or supplements to such Shelf Registration
Statement or prospectus or for additional information, (C) of the
issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement or the initiation or
threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (D) if at any time the
representations and warranties of the Company contemplated by Section
3(d)(xvii) or Section 5 cease to be true and correct in all material
respects, (E) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with
respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable
Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening
of any proceeding for such purpose or (F) the happening of any event or
the existence of any state of facts that requires the making of any
changes in the Shelf Registration Statement or the prospectus so that,
as of such date, the Shelf Registration Statement and the prospectus do
not contain an untrue statement of a material fact and do not omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein (in the case of the prospectus, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made) not misleading (which advice
shall be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the
prospectus until the requisite changes have been made).
(ix) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal
of any order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement
or any post-effective amendment thereto at the earliest practicable
date;
(x) if requested by any managing underwriter or underwriters,
any placement or sales agent or any Electing Holder, promptly
incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such
information as is required by the applicable rules and regulations of
the Commission and as such managing underwriter or underwriters, such
agent or such Electing Holder specifies should be included therein
relating to the terms of the sale of such Registrable Securities,
including information with respect to the principal amount at maturity
of Registrable Securities being sold by such Electing Holder or agent or
to any underwriters, the name and description of such Electing Holder,
agent or underwriter, the offering price of such Registrable Securities
and any discount, commission or other compensation payable in respect
thereof, the purchase price being paid therefor by such underwriters and
with respect to any other terms of the offering of the Registrable
Securities to be sold by such Electing Holder or agent or to such
underwriters; and make all required filings of such prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment promptly after notification of
the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment;
(xi) furnish to each Electing Holder, each placement or sales
agent, if any, therefor, each underwriter, if any, thereof and the
respective counsel referred to in Section 3(d)(vi) an executed copy (or,
in the case of an Electing Holder, a conformed copy) of such Shelf
Registration Statement, each such amendment and supplement thereto (in
each case including all exhibits thereto (in the case of an Electing
Holder of Registrable Securities, upon request) and documents
incorporated by reference therein) and such number of copies of such
Shelf Registration Statement (excluding exhibits thereto and documents
incorporated by reference therein unless specifically so requested by
such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, as the case may be) and of
the prospectus included in such Shelf Registration Statement (including
each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus), in conformity
in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the
Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations
of the Commission thereunder, and such other documents, as such Electing
Holder, agent, if any, and underwriter, if any, may reasonably request
in order to facilitate the offering and disposition of the Registrable
Securities owned by such Electing Holder, offered or sold by such agent
or underwritten by such underwriter and to permit such Electing Holder,
agent and underwriter to satisfy the prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act; and the Company hereby consents to the use of such
prospectus (including such preliminary and summary prospectus) and any
amendment or supplement thereto by each such Electing Holder and by any
such agent and underwriter, in each case in the form most recently
provided to such person by the Company, in connection with the offering
and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by the prospectus
(including such preliminary and summary prospectus) or any supplement or
amendment thereto;
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(xii) use its reasonable best efforts to (A) register or qualify
the Registrable Securities to be included in such Shelf Registration
Statement under such securities laws or blue sky laws of such
jurisdictions as any Electing Holder and each placement or sales agent,
if any, therefor and underwriter, if any, thereof shall reasonably
request, (B) keep such registrations or qualifications in effect and
comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of offers, sales
and dealings therein in such jurisdictions during the period the Shelf
Registration is required to remain effective under Section 2(b) above
and for so long as may be necessary to enable any such Electing Holder,
agent or underwriter to complete its distribution of Securities pursuant
to such Shelf Registration Statement and (C) take any and all other
actions as may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each such
Electing Holder, agent, if any, and underwriter, if any, to consummate
the disposition in such jurisdictions of such Registrable Securities;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be required for any such
purpose to (1) qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction
wherein it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for the
requirements of this Section 3(d)(xii), (2) consent to general service
of process in any such jurisdiction or (3) make any changes to its
articles of incorporation or bylaws or any agreement between it and its
shareholders;
(xiii) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the consent or
approval of each governmental agency or authority, whether federal,
state or local, which may be required to effect the Shelf Registration
or the offering or sale in connection therewith or to enable the selling
holder or holders to offer, or to consummate the disposition of, their
Registrable Securities;
(xiv) cooperate with the Electing Holders and the managing
underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery
of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold, which
certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved, or produced by
any combination of such methods, and which shall not bear any
restrictive legends; and, in the case of an underwritten offering,
enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and
registered in such names as the managing underwriters may request at
least two business days prior to any sale of the Registrable Securities;
(xv) provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities, not
later than the applicable Effective Time;
(xvi) enter into one or more underwriting agreements, engagement
letters, agency agreements, "best efforts" underwriting agreements or
similar agreements, as appropriate, including customary provisions
relating to indemnification and contribution, and take such other
actions in connection therewith as any Electing Holders aggregating at
least 20% in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Registrable
Securities at the time outstanding shall reasonably request in order to
expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;
(xvii) whether or not an agreement of the type referred to in
Section 3(d)(xvi) hereof is entered into and whether or not any portion
of the offering contemplated by the Shelf Registration is an
underwritten offering or is made through a placement or sales agent or
any other entity, (A) make such representations and warranties to the
Electing Holders and the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and
the underwriters, if any, thereof in form, substance and scope as are
customarily made in connection with an offering of debt securities
pursuant to any appropriate agreement or to a registration statement
filed on the form applicable to the Shelf Registration; (B) obtain an
opinion of counsel to the Company in customary form and covering such
matters, of the type customarily covered by such an opinion, as the
managing underwriters, if any, or as any Electing Holders of at least
20% in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Registrable
Securities at the time outstanding may reasonably request, addressed to
such Electing Holder or Electing Holders and the placement or sales
agent, if any, therefor and the underwriters, if any, thereof and dated
the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement (and if such
Shelf Registration Statement contemplates an underwritten offering of a
part or all of the Registrable Securities, dated the date of the closing
under the underwriting agreement relating thereto) (it being agreed that
the
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matters to be covered by such opinion shall include, without limitation,
the compliance as to form in all material respects of such Shelf
Registration Statement and any documents incorporated by reference
therein and of the Indenture with the requirements of the Securities Act
and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder, respectively; and, as of the date of the opinion
and of the Shelf Registration Statement or most recent post-effective
amendment thereto, as the case may be, the absence from such Shelf
Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, as then
amended or supplemented, and from the documents incorporated by
reference therein (in each case other than the financial statements and
other financial information contained therein) of an untrue statement of
a material fact or the omission to state therein a material fact
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of
such documents, in the light of the circumstances existing at the time
that such documents were filed with the Commission under the Exchange
Act)); (C) obtain a "cold comfort" letter or letters from the
independent certified public accountants of the Company addressed to the
selling Electing Holders, the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor
or the underwriters, if any, thereof, dated (i) the effective date of
such Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) the effective date of any
prospectus supplement to the prospectus included in such Shelf
Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to such Shelf
Registration Statement which includes unaudited or audited financial
statements as of a date or for a period subsequent to that of the latest
such statements included in such prospectus (and, if such Shelf
Registration Statement contemplates an underwritten offering pursuant to
any prospectus supplement to the prospectus included in such Shelf
Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to such Shelf
Registration Statement which includes unaudited or audited financial
statements as of a date or for a period subsequent to that of the latest
such statements included in such prospectus, dated the date of the
closing under the underwriting agreement relating thereto), such letter
or letters to be in customary form and covering such matters of the type
customarily covered by letters of such type; (D) deliver such documents
and certificates, including officers' certificates, as may be reasonably
requested by any Electing Holders of at least 20% in aggregate principal
amount at maturity of the Registrable Securities at the time outstanding
or the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the managing
underwriters, if any, thereof to evidence the accuracy of the
representations and warranties made pursuant to clause (A) above or
those contained in Section 5(a) hereof and the compliance with or
satisfaction of any agreements or conditions contained in the
underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company;
and (E) undertake such obligations relating to expense reimbursement,
indemnification and contribution as are provided in Section 6 hereof;
(xviii) notify in writing each holder of Registrable Securities
of any proposal by the Company to amend or waive any provision of this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to Section 9(h)
hereof and of any amendment or waiver effected pursuant thereto, each of
which notices shall contain the text of the amendment or waiver proposed
or effected, as the case may be; and
(xix) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission, and make generally available to its securityholders as soon
as practicable but in any event not later than eighteen months after the
effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement, an earning
statement of the Company and its subsidiaries complying with Section
11(a) of the Securities Act (including, at the option of the Company,
Rule 158 thereunder).
(e) In the event that the Company would be required, pursuant to Section
3(d)(viii)(F) above, to notify the Electing Holders, the placement or sales
agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriters, if any, thereof, the
Company shall without delay prepare and furnish to each of the Electing Holders,
to each placement or sales agent, if any, and to each such underwriter, if any,
a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so that,
as thereafter delivered to purchasers of Registrable Securities, such prospectus
shall conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the
Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder and shall not contain an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then
existing. Each Electing Holder agrees that upon receipt of any notice from the
Company pursuant to Section 3(d)(viii)(F) hereof, such Electing Holder shall
forthwith discontinue the disposition of
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Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement applicable
to such Registrable Securities until such Electing Holder shall have received
copies of such amended or supplemented prospectus, and if so directed by the
Company, such Electing Holder shall deliver to the Company (at the Company's
expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Electing
Holder's possession of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at
the time of receipt of such notice.
(f) In the event of a Shelf Registration, in addition to the information
required to be provided by each Electing Holder in its Notice and Questionnaire,
the Company may require such Electing Holder to furnish to the Company such
additional information regarding such Electing Holder and such Electing Holder's
intended method of distribution of Registrable Securities as may be required in
order to comply with the Securities Act. Each such Electing Holder agrees to
notify the Company as promptly as practicable of any inaccuracy or change in
information previously furnished by such Electing Holder to the Company or of
the occurrence of any event in either case as a result of which any prospectus
relating to such Shelf Registration contains or would contain an untrue
statement of a material fact regarding such Electing Holder or such Electing
Holder's intended method of disposition of such Registrable Securities or omits
to state any material fact regarding such Electing Holder or such Electing
Holder's intended method of disposition of such Registrable Securities required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading
in light of the circumstances then existing, and promptly to furnish to the
Company any additional information required to correct and update any previously
furnished information or required so that such prospectus shall not contain,
with respect to such Electing Holder or the disposition of such Registrable
Securities, an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing.
(g) Until the expiration of two years after the Closing, the Company
will not, and will not permit any of its "affiliates" (as defined in Rule 144)
to, resell any of the Securities that have been reacquired by any of them except
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.
4. Registration Expenses.
The Company agrees to bear and to pay or cause to be paid promptly all
expenses incident to the Company's performance of or compliance with this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, including (a) all Commission and any
NASD registration, filing and review fees and expenses in connection with such
registration, filing and review, (b) all fees and expenses in connection with
the qualification of the Securities for offering and sale under the State
securities and blue sky laws referred to in Section 3(d)(xii) hereof and
determination of their eligibility for investment under the laws of such
jurisdictions as any managing underwriters or the Electing Holders may
designate, including any fees and disbursements of counsel for the Electing
Holders (subject to the limitations of clause (g) below) or underwriters in
connection with such qualification and determination, (c) all expenses relating
to the preparation, printing, production, distribution and reproduction of each
registration statement required to be filed hereunder, each prospectus included
therein or prepared for distribution pursuant hereto, each amendment or
supplement to the foregoing, the expenses of preparing the Securities for
delivery and the expenses of printing or producing any underwriting agreements,
agreements among underwriters, selling agreements and blue sky or legal
investment memoranda and all other documents in connection with the offering,
sale or delivery of Securities to be disposed of (including certificates
representing the Securities), (d) fees and expenses of the Trustee under the
Indenture, any agent of the Trustee and any counsel for the Trustee and of any
collateral agent or custodian, (e) internal expenses (including all salaries and
expenses of the Company's officers and employees performing legal or accounting
duties), (f) fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel and independent
certified public accountants of the Company (including the expenses of any
opinions or "cold comfort" letters required by or incident to such performance
and compliance), (g) fees, disbursements and expenses of one counsel for the
Electing Holders retained in connection with a Shelf Registration, as selected
by the Electing Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount at
maturity of the Registrable Securities held by Electing Holders (which counsel
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company), (h) any fees charged by
securities rating services for rating the Securities, and (i) fees, expenses and
disbursements of any other persons, including special experts, retained by the
Company in connection with such registration (collectively, the "Registration
Expenses"). To the extent that any
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Registration Expenses are incurred, assumed or paid by any holder of Registrable
Securities or any placement or sales agent therefor or underwriter thereof, the
Company shall reimburse such person for the full amount of the Registration
Expenses so incurred, assumed or paid promptly after receipt of a request
therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders of the Registrable
Securities being registered shall pay all agency fees and commissions and
underwriting discounts and commissions attributable to the sale of such
Registrable Securities and the fees and disbursements of any counsel or other
advisors or experts retained by such holders (severally or jointly), other than
the counsel and experts specifically referred to above.
5. General Undertaking. Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, the
Company will ensure that (i) any Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf
Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and any prospectus forming part
thereof and any supplement thereto complies as to form in all material respects
with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, (ii) any
Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement and any
amendment thereto does not, when it becomes effective, contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and
(iii) any prospectus forming part of any Exchange Registration Statement or
Shelf Registration Statement, and any supplement to such prospectus, does not,
as of its date, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
6. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall indemnify and hold
harmless each of the holders of Registrable Securities included in an Exchange
Registration Statement, each of the Electing Holders of Registrable Securities
included in a Shelf Registration Statement and each person who participates as a
placement or sales agent or as an underwriter in any offering or sale of such
Registrable Securities against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint
or several, to which such holder, agent or underwriter may become subject under
the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may
be, under which such Registrable Securities were registered under the Securities
Act, or any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein or
furnished by the Company to any such holder, Electing Holder, agent or
underwriter, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are
based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, and the Company shall, and it hereby agrees to, reimburse such
holder, such Electing Holder, such agent and such underwriter for any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or
defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be liable to any such person in any such
case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of
or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission made in such registration statement, or preliminary, final or
summary prospectus, or amendment or supplement thereto, in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such person
expressly for use therein; provided, further, that the Company shall not be
liable pursuant to this Section 6(a) with respect to any preliminary prospectus
to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises solely from
the fact that such holder of Registrable Securities, such Electing Holder, such
placement or sales agent or such underwriter sold Securities to a person to whom
there was not sent or given, on or prior to the written confirmation of such
sale, a copy of the final prospectus relating to such Securities, as amended and
supplemented, provided that the Company and previously furnished copies thereof
to such holder of Registrable Securities, such Electing Holder, such placement
or sales agent or such underwriter in accordance with this Agreement and such
final prospectus, as amended and supplemented, would have corrected any such
untrue statement or omission and that such holder of Registrable Securities,
such Electing Holder, such placement or sales agent or such underwriter failed
to deliver such final propsectus to such purchaser.
(b) Indemnification by the Holders and any Agents and Underwriters. The
Company may require, as a condition to including any Registrable Securities in
any registration statement filed pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof and to entering
into any underwriting agreement with respect thereto, that the Company shall
have received an
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undertaking reasonably satisfactory to it from the Electing Holder of such
Registrable Securities and from each underwriter named in any such underwriting
agreement, severally and not jointly, to (i) indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, and all other holders of Registrable Securities, against any losses,
claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company or such other holders of
Registrable Securities may become subject, under the Securities Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in such registration statement, or
any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein or furnished by
the Company to any such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, or any amendment
or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the
extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Electing
Holder or underwriter expressly for use therein, and (ii) reimburse the Company
for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection
with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are
incurred; provided, however, that no such Electing Holder shall be required to
undertake liability to any person under this Section 6(b) for any amounts in
excess of the dollar amount of the proceeds to be received by such Electing
Holder from the sale of such Electing Holder's Registrable Securities pursuant
to such registration.
(c) Notices of Claims, Etc. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified
party under subsection (a) or (b) above of written notice of the commencement of
any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be
made against an indemnifying party pursuant to the indemnification provisions of
or contemplated by this Section 6, notify such indemnifying party in writing of
the commencement of such action; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying
party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any
indemnified party other than under the indemnification provisions of or
contemplated by Section 6(a) or 6(b) hereof. In case any such action shall be
brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify an indemnifying party
of the commencement thereof, such indemnifying party shall be entitled to
participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any
other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except
with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying
party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party
of its election so to assume the defense thereof, such indemnifying party shall
not be liable to such indemnified party for any legal expenses of other counsel
or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified
party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the
indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the
entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim
in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder
(whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such
action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an
unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of
such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission
of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified
party.
(d) Contribution. If for any reason the indemnification provisions
contemplated by Section 6(a) or Section 6(b) are unavailable to or insufficient
to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in connection
with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and
indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or
alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by
such indemnifying party or by such indemnified party, and the parties' relative
intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such statement or omission. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just
and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by
pro rata allocation (even if the holders or any agents or underwriters or all of
them were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of
allocation which
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does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this
Section 6(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of
the losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 6(d), no holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of
the amount by which the dollar amount of the proceeds received by such holder
from the sale of any Registrable Securities (after deducting any fees, discounts
and commissions applicable thereto) exceeds the amount of any damages which such
holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission, and no underwriter shall be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Registrable Securities underwritten by it and distributed to
the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which
such underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the
Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The holders' and any underwriters'
obligations in this Section 6(d) to contribute shall be several in proportion to
the principal amount at maturity of Registrable Securities registered or
underwritten, as the case may be, by them and not joint.
(e) The obligations of the Company under this Section 6 shall be in
addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend,
upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer, director and partner of
each holder, agent and underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any
holder, agent or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act; and the
obligations of the holders and any agents or underwriters contemplated by this
Section 6 shall be in addition to any liability which the respective holder,
agent or underwriter may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms
and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company (including any
person who, with his consent, is named in any registration statement as about to
become a director of the Company) and to each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of the Securities Act.
7. Underwritten Offerings.
(a) Selection of Underwriters. If any of the Registrable Securities
covered by the Shelf Registration are to be sold pursuant to an underwritten
offering, the managing underwriter or underwriters thereof shall be designated
by Electing Holders holding at least a majority in aggregate principal amount at
maturity of the Registrable Securities to be included in such offering, provided
that such designated managing underwriter or underwriters is or are reasonably
acceptable to the Company.
(b) Participation by Holders. Each holder of Registrable Securities
hereby agrees with each other such holder that no such holder may participate in
any underwritten offering hereunder unless such holder (i) agrees to sell such
holder's Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting
arrangements approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such
arrangements and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of
attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably
required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
8. Rule 144.
The Company covenants to the holders of Registrable Securities that to
the extent it shall be required to do so under the Exchange Act, the Company
shall timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act
or the Securities Act (including the reports under Section 13 and 15(d) of the
Exchange Act referred to in subparagraph (c)(1) of Rule 144 adopted by the
Commission under the Securities Act) and the rules and regulations adopted by
the Commission thereunder, and shall take such further action as any holder of
Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from
time to time to enable such holder to sell Registrable Securities without
registration under the Securities Act within the limitations of the exemption
provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from
time to time, or any similar or successor rule or regulation hereafter adopted
by the Commission. Upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities in
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connection with that holder's sale pursuant to Rule 144, the Company shall
deliver to such holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with
such requirements.
9. Miscellaneous.
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company represents, warrants,
covenants and agrees that it has not granted, and shall not grant, registration
rights with respect to Registrable Securities or any other securities which
would be inconsistent with the terms contained in this Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement.
(b) Specific Performance. The parties hereto acknowledge that there
would be no adequate remedy at law if the Company fails to perform any of its
obligations hereunder and that the Purchaser and the holders from time to time
of the Registrable Securities may be irreparably harmed by any such failure, and
accordingly agree that the Purchaser and such holders, in addition to any other
remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to
compel specific performance of the obligations of the Company under this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, in any court of
the United States or any State thereof having jurisdiction.
(c) Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands, waivers and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given when delivered by hand, if delivered personally or by courier, or
three days after being deposited in the mail (registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid, return receipt requested) as follows: If to the Company, to it
at 0000 X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000; Attention: Executive Vice
President-Chief Financial Officer, with a copy to Xxxxxx & Bird LLP, One
Atlantic Center, 0000 X. Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000, Attention:
Xxxx XxXxxxxx, and if to a holder, to the address of such holder set forth in
the security register or other records of the Company, or to such other address
as the Company or any such holder may have furnished to the other in writing in
accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective
only upon receipt.
(d) Parties in Interest. All the terms and provisions of this Exchange
and Registration Rights Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the
benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and the holders from
time to time of the Registrable Securities and the respective successors and
assigns of the parties hereto and such holders. In the event that any transferee
of any holder of Registrable Securities shall acquire Registrable Securities, in
any manner, whether by gift, bequest, purchase, operation of law or otherwise,
such transferee shall, without any further writing or action of any kind, be
deemed a beneficiary hereof for all purposes and such Registrable Securities
shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such
transferee shall be entitled to receive the benefits of, and be conclusively
deemed to have agreed to be bound by all of the applicable terms and provisions
of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement. If the Company shall so
request, any such successor, assign or transferee shall agree in writing to
acquire and hold the Registrable Securities subject to all of the applicable
terms hereof.
(e) Survival. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations,
warranties and each other provision set forth in this Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement or made pursuant hereto shall remain in full force and effect
regardless of any investigation (or statement as to the results thereof) made by
or on behalf of any holder of Registrable Securities, any director, officer or
partner of such holder, any agent or underwriter or any director, officer or
partner thereof, or any controlling person of any of the foregoing, and shall
survive delivery of and payment for the Registrable Securities pursuant to the
Note Purchase Agreement and the transfer and registration of Registrable
Securities by such holder and the consummation of an Exchange Offer.
(f) LAW GOVERNING. THIS EXCHANGE AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SHALL
BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK.
(g) Headings. The descriptive headings of the several Sections and
paragraphs of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement are inserted for
convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Exchange and
16
17
Registration Rights Agreement and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
(h) Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement and the other writings referred to herein (including the Indenture and
the form of Securities) or delivered pursuant hereto which form a part hereof
contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to its subject
matter. This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to its subject
matter. This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement may be amended and the
observance of any term of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement may be
waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or
prospectively) only by a written instrument duly executed by the Company and the
holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the
Registrable Securities at the time outstanding. Each holder of any Registrable
Securities at the time or thereafter outstanding shall be bound by any amendment
or waiver effected pursuant to this Section 9(h), whether or not any notice,
writing or marking indicating such amendment or waiver appears on such
Registrable Securities or is delivered to such holder.
(i) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties in
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
respective counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
Agreed to and accepted as of the date referred to above.
TROPICAL SPORTSWEAR INT'L CORPORATION
By: /s/ N. Xxxxx XxXxxxxxx
-----------------------------------------------
Name: N. Xxxxx XxXxxxxxx
Title: Executive Vice President -- Finance
and Operations and Treasurer
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Managing Director
17
18
EXHIBIT A
TROPICAL SPORTSWEAR INT'L CORPORATION
INSTRUCTION TO DTC PARTICIPANTS
(Date of Mailing)
URGENT - IMMEDIATE ATTENTION REQUESTED
DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE: [DATE](1)
The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") has identified you as a DTC
Participant through which beneficial interests in TROPICAL SPORTSWEAR INT'L
CORPORATION (the "Company") 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the
"Securities") are held.
The Company is in the process of registering the Securities under the
Securities Act of 1933 for resale by the beneficial owners thereof. In order to
have their Securities included in the registration statement, beneficial owners
must complete and return the enclosed Notice of Registration Statement and
Selling Securityholder Questionnaire.
It is important that beneficial owners of the Securities receive a copy
of the enclosed materials as soon as possible as their rights to have the
Securities included in the registration statement depend upon their returning
the Notice and Questionnaire by [DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE]. Please forward a copy
of the enclosed documents to each beneficial owner that holds interests in the
Securities through you. If you require more copies of the enclosed materials or
have any questions pertaining to this matter, please contact Tropical Sportswear
Int'l Corporation, 0000 X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000; Attention:
Executive Vice-President-Chief Financial Officer,
-----------------
(1) Not less than 28 calendar days from date of mailing.
X-0
00
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Int'l Corporation
Notice of Registration Statement
and
Selling Securityholder Questionnaire
(Date)
Reference is hereby made to the Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement (the "Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement") between Tropical
Sportswear Int'l Corporation (the "Company") and Prudential Securities
Incorporated. Pursuant to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, the
Company has filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement on Form [___] (the "Shelf Registration
Statement") for the registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of the Company's 11% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "Securities"). A copy of the Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement is attached hereto. All capitalized terms not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
Each beneficial owner of Registrable Securities (as defined below) is
entitled to have the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by it included in
the Shelf Registration Statement. In order to have Registrable Securities
included in the Shelf Registration Statement, this Notice of Registration
Statement and Selling Securityholder Questionnaire ("Notice and Questionnaire")
must be completed, executed and delivered to the Company's counsel at the
address set forth herein for receipt ON OR BEFORE [DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE].
Beneficial owners of Registrable Securities who do not complete, execute and
return this Notice and Questionnaire by such date (i) will not be named as
selling securityholders in the Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) may not use
the Prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities.
Certain legal consequences arise from being named as a selling
securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus.
Accordingly, holders and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised
to consult their own securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being
named or not being named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration
Statement and related Prospectus.
The term "Registrable Securities" is defined in the Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement.
ELECTION
The undersigned holder (the "Selling Securityholder") of Registrable
Securities hereby elects to include in the Shelf Registration Statement the
Registrable Securities beneficially owned by it and listed below in Item (3).
The undersigned, by signing and returning this Notice and Questionnaire, agrees
to be bound with respect to such Registrable Securities by the terms and
conditions of this Notice and Questionnaire and the Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 6 of the Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement, as if the undersigned Selling Securityholder were
an original party thereto.
Upon any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement, the Selling Securityholder will be required to deliver
to the Company and Trustee the Notice of Transfer set forth in Appendix A to the
Prospectus and as Exhibit B to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
The Selling Securityholder hereby provides the following information to
the Company and represents and warrants that such information is accurate and
complete:
A-2
20
QUESTIONNAIRE
(i) (A) Full Legal Name of Selling Securityholder:
________________________________________________________________
(B) Full Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as in (a)
above) of Registrable Securities Listed in Item (3) below:
________________________________________________________________
(C) Full Legal Name of DTC Participant (if applicable and if not the
same as (b) above) Through Which Registrable Securities Listed in
Item (3) below are Held:
_________________________________________________________________
(ii) Address for Notices to Selling Securityholder:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Telephone:_________________________
Fax: ______________________________
Contact Person:_________________________________
(iii) Beneficial Ownership of Securities:
Except as set forth below in this Item (3), the undersigned does not
beneficially own any Securities.
(A) Principal amount at maturity of Registrable Securities
beneficially owned:_____________________________________________
CUSIP No(s). of such Registrable Securities:____________________
(B) Principal amount at maturity of Securities other than
Registrable Securities beneficially owned:______________________
CUSIP No(s). of such other Securities:__________________________
(C) Principal amount at maturity of Registrable Securities which the
undersigned wishes to be included in the Shelf Registration
Statement:______________________________________________________
CUSIP No(s). of such Registrable Securities to be included in
the Shelf Registration Statement:_______________________________
(iv) Beneficial Ownership of Other Securities of the Company:
Except as set forth below in this Item (4), the undersigned Selling
Securityholder is not the beneficial or registered owner of any other securities
of the Company, other than the Securities listed above in Item (3).
State any exceptions here:
A-3
21
(v) Relationships with the Company:
Except as set forth below, neither the Selling Securityholder nor any of
its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (5% or more) has
held any position or office or has had any other material relationship with the
Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during the past three years.
State any exceptions here:
(vi) Plan of Distribution:
Except as set forth below, the undersigned Selling Securityholder
intends to distribute the Registrable Securities listed above in Item (3) only
as follows (if at all): Such Registrable Securities may be sold from time to
time directly by the undersigned Selling Securityholder or, alternatively,
through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. Such Registrable Securities may
be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices
at the time of sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at
negotiated prices. Such sales may be effected in transactions (which may involve
crosses or block transactions) (i) on any national securities exchange or
quotation service on which the Registered Securities may be listed or quoted at
the time of sale, (ii) in the over-the-counter market, (iii) in transactions
otherwise than on such exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market,
or (iv) through the writing of options. In connection with sales of the
Registrable Securities or otherwise, the Selling Securityholder may enter into
hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short
sales of the Registrable Securities in the course of hedging the positions they
assume. The Selling Securityholder may also sell Registrable Securities short
and deliver Registrable Securities to close out such short positions, or loan or
pledge Registrable Securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such
securities.
State any exceptions here:
By signing below, the Selling Securityholder acknowledges that it
understands its obligation to comply, and agrees that it will comply, with the
provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder,
particularly Regulation M (which governs manipulation, stabilization and trading
activity during a distribution of securities).
In the event that the Selling Securityholder transfers all or any
portion of the Registrable Securities listed in Item (3) above after the date on
which such information is provided to the Company, the Selling Securityholder
agrees to notify the transferee(s) at the time of the transfer of its rights and
obligations under this Notice and Questionnaire and the Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement.
A-4
22
By signing below, the Selling Securityholder consents to the disclosure
of the information contained herein in its answers to Items (1) through (6)
above and the inclusion of such information in the Shelf Registration Statement
and related Prospectus. The Selling Securityholder understands that such
information will be relied upon by the Company, and any underwriters in an
underwritten offering of such Selling Securityholder's Registrable Securities
listed in Item(3) above, in connection with the preparation of the Shelf
Registration Statement and related Prospectus.
In accordance with the Selling Securityholder's obligation under Section
3(d) of the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement to provide such
information as may be required by law for inclusion in the Shelf Registration
Statement, the Selling Securityholder agrees to promptly notify the Company of
any inaccuracies or changes in the information provided herein which may occur
subsequent to the date hereof at any time while the Shelf Registration Statement
remains in effect. All notices hereunder and pursuant to the Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement shall be made in writing, by hand-delivery,
first-class mail, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery as follows:
(i) To the Company:
Tropical Sportswear Int'l Corporation
0000 X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Executive Vice-President-Chief
Financial Officer
(000) 000-0000
(ii) With a copy to:
Xxxxxx & Bird LLP
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx XxXxxxxx
(000) 000-0000
Once this Notice and Questionnaire is executed by the Selling
Securityholder and received by the Company's counsel, the terms of this Notice
and Questionnaire, and the representations and warranties contained herein,
shall be binding on, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by
the respective successors, heirs, personal representatives, and assigns of the
Company and the Selling Securityholder (with respect to the Registrable
Securities beneficially owned by such Selling Securityholder and listed in Item
(3) above. This Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the
State of New York.
A-5
23
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused
this Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or
by its duly authorized agent.
Dated: ________________
____________________________________________
Selling Securityholder
(Print/type full legal name of beneficial
owner of Registrable Securities)
By:_________________________________________
Name:
Title:
PLEASE RETURN THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE FOR RECEIPT ON
OR BEFORE [DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE] TO THE COMPANY'S COUNSEL AT:
Xxxxxx & Bird LLP
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx XxXxxxxx
(000) 000-0000
A-6
24
EXHIBIT B
NOTICE OF TRANSFER PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Tropical Sportswear Int'l Corp.
c/ SunTrust Bank, Atlanta
[ ]
Atlanta, Georgia [ ]
Attention: Trust Officer
Re: Tropical Sportswear Int'l Corporation (the "Company")
11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008
--------------------------------------
Dear Sirs:
Please be advised that _____________________ has transferred
$___________ aggregate principal amount at maturity of the above-referenced
Notes pursuant to an effective Registration Statement on Form [___] (File No.
333-____) filed by the Company.
We hereby certify that the prospectus delivery requirements, if
any, of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, have been satisfied and that the
above-named beneficial owner of the Notes is named as a "Selling Holder" in the
Prospectus dated ___________, 199_ or in supplements thereto, and that the
aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Notes transferred are the Notes
listed in such Prospectus opposite such owner's name.
Dated:
Very truly yours,
------------------------
(Name)
By:
(Authorized Signature)
B-1
