RECITALS
Exhibit
10.3
AMENDED
AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”),
dated
as of April 3, 2006 among MEASUREMENT SPECIALTIES, INC., a New Jersey
corporation (“Borrower”);
the
other US Credit Parties signatory hereto; WACHOVIA
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Syndication Agent and as Lender,
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A., as Documentation Agent and as Lender,
GENERAL
ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (in its individual
capacity, “GE
Capital”),
for
itself, as Lender, and as Agent for Lenders, and the other Lenders signatory
hereto from time to time.
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
Borrower, the US Credit Parties signatory thereto, the lenders signatory thereto
(the “Existing
Lenders”)
and
General Electric Capital Corporation, as agent for the Existing Lenders, are
parties to a Credit Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2004, as amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the
date
hereof (the “Existing
Credit Agreement”);
and
WHEREAS,
pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement, the Existing Lenders agreed to
continue and to make certain loans and other extensions of credit to Borrower;
and
WHEREAS,
each of the parties hereto wishes to and agrees to amend and restate the
Existing Credit Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
and
WHEREAS,
in connection with such amendment and restatement, Borrower has requested that
Lenders extend revolving and term credit facilities to Borrower of up to Seventy
Five Million Dollars ($75,000,000) in the aggregate for the purpose of funding
a
portion of Acquisitions (as hereinafter defined) and to provide (a) working
capital financing for Borrower, (b) funds for other general corporate
purposes of Borrower and (c) funds for other purposes permitted hereunder,
including Permitted Acquisitions; and for these purposes, Lenders are willing
to
make and continue certain loans and other extensions of credit to Borrower
of up
to such amount upon the terms and conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS,
Borrower has agreed to continue to secure all of its obligations under the
Loan
Documents by granting to Agent, for the benefit of Agent and Existing Lenders,
a
security interest in and lien upon all of its existing and after-acquired
personal and real property; and
WHEREAS,
certain Subsidiaries of Borrower have guaranteed all of the obligations of
Borrower to General Electric Capital Corporation, as agent, and Existing Lenders
under the Loan Documents and have granted to Agent, for the benefit of Agent
and
Existing Lenders, a security interest in substantially all of its assets to
secure such guaranty; and
WHEREAS,
it is the intent of the parties hereto that this Agreement not constitute a
novation of the obligations and liabilities existing under the Existing Credit
Agreement or evidence payment of all or any of such obligations and liabilities,
that this Agreement amend and restate in its entirety the Existing Credit
Agreement, and that from and after the date hereof, the Existing Credit
Agreement be of no further force and effect except as to evidence the incurrence
of the “Obligations” thereunder and the representations and warranties made
thereunder.
1
WHEREAS,
capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to
them in Annex
A
and, for
purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the rules of
construction set forth in Annex A
shall
govern. All Annexes, Disclosure Schedules, Exhibits and other attachments
(collectively, “Appendices”)
hereto, or expressly identified to this Agreement, are incorporated herein
by
reference, and taken together with this Agreement, shall constitute but a single
agreement. These Recitals shall be construed as part of the
Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter
contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto
agree that, effective on the Closing Date, the Existing Credit Agreement shall
be and hereby is amended and restated in its entirety to read as
follows:
1. AMOUNT
AND TERMS OF CREDIT
1.1 Credit
Facilities.
(a) Revolving
Credit Facility.
(i) Subject
to the terms and conditions hereof, each Revolving Lender agrees to make
available to Borrower from time to time until the Commitment Termination Date
its Pro Rata Share of advances (each, a “Revolving
Credit Advance”).
The
Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loan of any Revolving Lender shall not at any
time exceed its separate Revolving Loan Commitment. The obligations of each
Revolving Lender hereunder shall be several and not joint. Until the Commitment
Termination Date, Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow under this
Section 1.1(a);
provided
that the
amount of any Revolving Credit Advance to be made at any time shall not exceed
Borrowing Availability at such time. Each Revolving Credit Advance shall be
made
on notice by Borrower to one of the representatives of Agent identified in
Schedule
1.1
at the
address specified therein. Any such notice must be given no later than (1)
11:00
a.m. (New York time) on the Business Day of the proposed Revolving Credit
Advance, in the case of an Index Rate Loan, or (2) 11:00 a.m. (New York time)
on
the date which is 3 Business Days prior to the proposed Revolving Credit
Advance, in the case of a LIBOR Loan. Each such notice (a “Notice
of Revolving Credit Advance”)
must
be given in writing (by telecopy or overnight courier) substantially in the
form
of Exhibit
1.1(a)(i),
and
shall include the information required in such Exhibit and such other
information as may be required by Agent; provided that unless otherwise
consented to by Agent Borrower shall not be entitled to give a Notice of
Revolving Credit Advance more than once in any calendar week. If Borrower
desires to have the Revolving Credit Advances bear interest by reference to
a
LIBOR Rate, it must comply with Section
1.5(e).
(ii) Except
as
provided in Section
1.12,
Borrower shall execute and deliver to each Revolving Lender a note to evidence
the Revolving Loan Commitment of that Revolving Lender. Each note shall be
in
the principal amount of the Revolving Loan Commitment of the applicable
Revolving Lender, dated the Closing Date and substantially in the form of
Exhibit
1.1(a)(ii)
(each a
“Revolving
Note”
and,
collectively, the “Revolving
Notes”).
Each
Revolving Note shall represent the obligation of Borrower to pay the amount
of
Revolving Lender’s Revolving Loan Commitment or, if less, such Revolving
Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all
Revolving Credit Advances to Borrower together with interest thereon as
prescribed in Section
1.5.
The
entire unpaid balance of the Revolving Loan and all other non-contingent
Obligations (other than Rate Management Obligations) shall be immediately due
and payable in full in immediately available funds on the Commitment Termination
Date. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender agrees on the
Closing Date to exchange its Revolving Note (as defined in the Existing Credit
Agreement) for such Lender’s Revolving Note issued pursuant to the terms hereof.
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(b) Term
Loan.
(i) Subject
to the terms and conditions hereof, each Term Lender agrees to make a term
loan
(collectively, the “Term
Loan”)
on the
Closing Date to Borrower in the original principal amount of its Term Loan
Commitment. The obligations of each Term Lender hereunder shall be several
and
not joint. The Term Loan shall be evidenced by promissory notes substantially
in
the form of Exhibit
1.1(b)
(each a
“Term
Note”
and
collectively the “Term
Notes”),
and,
except as provided in Section
1.12,
Borrower shall execute and deliver each Term Note to the applicable Term Lender.
Each Term Note shall represent the obligation of Borrower to pay the amount
of
the applicable Term Lender’s Term Loan Commitment, together with interest
thereon as prescribed in Section
1.5.
Borrower
shall repay the principal amount of the Term Loan (a) in nineteen equal
quarterly installments, each in the amount of $500,000, on the first day of
March, June, September and December of each year, commencing June 1, 2006,
and
(b) in a final installment due on April 3, 2011 shall be in the amount of
$10,500,000 or, if different, the remaining principal balance of the Term
Loan.
(ii) Notwithstanding
Section
1.2(b)(ii),
the
aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan shall be due and
payable in full in immediately available funds on the Commitment Termination
Date, if not sooner paid in full. No payment with respect to the Term Loan
may
be reborrowed.
(iii) Each
payment of principal with respect to the Term Loan shall be paid to Agent for
the ratable benefit of each Term Lender, ratably in proportion to each such
Term
Lender’s respective Term Loan Commitment.
(c) Reliance
on Notices.
Agent
shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall be fully protected in relying upon,
any Notice of Revolving Credit Advance, Notice of Conversion/Continuation or
similar notice believed by Agent to be genuine. Agent may assume that each
Person executing and delivering any notice in accordance herewith was duly
authorized, unless the responsible individual acting thereon for Agent has
actual knowledge to the contrary.
(d) Loans
Under Existing Credit Agreement.
The US
Credit Parties acknowledge and agree that as of the Closing Date (i) the
outstanding principal amount of Revolving Credit Advances under the Existing
Credit Agreement equals $3,500,000 and that such Revolving Credit Advances
are
continued as Revolving Credit Advances hereunder; (ii) the outstanding principal
amount of the Term Loan under the Existing Credit Agreement equals $17,500,000
and that such Term Loan is continued as the Term Loan hereunder; and (iii)
Letters of Credit are outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement having
a
stated amount of $0 and such Letters of Credit are continued as Letters of
Credit hereunder. All Term Loan Commitments and Revolving Loan Commitments
under
the Existing Credit Agreement shall hereinafter be assigned and re-allocated
among the Term Loan Commitments and Revolving Loan Commitments hereunder, and
after giving effect hereto, the percentages of the Commitments are as set forth
on Annex
J
hereto.
Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, in order to effect
the continuation of the outstanding Loans contemplated by the preceding
sentence, the amount to be funded on the Closing Date by each Lender hereunder
in respect of its Commitments shall be reduced by the principal amount of such
Lender’s Loans under the Existing Credit Agreement outstanding on the Closing
Date.
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1.2 Letters
of Credit.
Subject
to and in accordance with the terms and conditions contained herein and in
Annex
B,
Borrower shall have the right to request, and Revolving Lenders agree to incur,
or purchase participations in, Letter of Credit Obligations in respect of
Borrower.
1.2A Swap
Related Reimbursement Obligations.
(a) Borrower
agrees to reimburse GE Capital in immediately available funds in the amount
of
any payment made by GE Capital under a Swap Related L/C (such reimbursement
obligation, whether contingent upon payment by GE Capital under the Swap Related
L/C or otherwise, being herein called a “Swap
Related Reimbursement Obligation”).
No
Swap Related Reimbursement Obligation for any Swap Related L/C may exceed the
amount of the payment obligations owed by Borrower under the interest rate
protection or hedging agreement or transaction supported by the Swap Related
L/C.
(b) A
Swap
Related Reimbursement Obligation shall be due and payable by Borrower within
one
(1) Business Day after the date on which the related payment is made by GE
Capital under the Swap Related L/C.
(c) Any
Swap
Related Reimbursement Obligation shall, during the period in which it is unpaid,
bear interest at the rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate plus one percent
(1%), as if the unpaid amount of the Swap Related Reimbursement Obligation
were
a LIBOR Loan, and not at any otherwise applicable Default Rate. Such interest
shall be payable upon demand. The following additional provisions apply to
the
calculation and charging of interest by reference to the LIBOR
Rate:
(i) The
LIBOR
Rate shall be determined for each successive one-month LIBOR Period during
which
the Swap Related Reimbursement Obligation is unpaid, notwithstanding the
occurrence of any Event of Default and even if the LIBOR Period were to extend
beyond the Commitment Termination Date.
(ii) If
a Swap
Related Reimbursement Obligation is paid during a monthly period for which
the
LIBOR Rate is determined, interest shall be pro-rated and charged for the
portion of the monthly period during which the Swap Related Reimbursement
Obligation was unpaid. Section
1.13(b)
shall
not apply to any payment of a Swap Related Reimbursement Obligation during
the
monthly period.
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(iii) Notwithstanding
the last paragraph of the definition of “LIBOR Rate”, if the LIBOR Rate is no
longer available from Telerate News Service, the LIBOR Rate shall be determined
by GE Capital from such financial reporting service or other information
available to GE Capital as in GE Capital’s reasonable discretion indicates GE
Capital’s cost of funds.
(d) Except
as
provided in the foregoing provisions of this Section
1.2A
and in
Section
11.3,
Borrower shall not be obligated to pay to GE Capital or any of its Affiliates
any Letter of Credit Fee, or any other fees, charges or expenses, in respect
of
a Swap Related L/C or arranging for any interest rate protection or hedging
agreement or transaction supported by the Swap Related L/C. GE Capital and
its
Affiliates shall look to the beneficiary of a Swap Related L/C for payment
of
any such letter of credit fees or other fees, charges or expenses and such
beneficiary may factor such fees, charges, or expenses into the pricing of
any
interest rate protection or hedging arrangement or transaction supported by
the
Swap Related L/C.
(e) If
any
Swap Related L/C is revocable prior to its scheduled expiry date, GE Capital
agrees not to revoke the Swap Related L/C unless the Commitment Termination
Date
or an Event of Default has occurred.
(f) GE
Capital or any of its Affiliates shall be permitted to (i) provide confidential
or other information furnished to it by any of the Credit Parties (including,
without limitation, copies of any documents and information in or referred
to in
the Closing Checklist, Financial Statements and Compliance Certificates) to
a
beneficiary or potential beneficiary of a Swap Related L/C and (ii) receive
confidential or other information from the beneficiary or potential beneficiary
relating to any agreement or transaction supported or to be supported by the
Swap Related L/C. However, no confidential information shall be provided to
any
Person under this paragraph unless the Person has agreed to comply with the
covenant substantially as contained in Section
11.8
of this
Agreement.
1.3 Prepayments.
(a) Voluntary
Prepayments.
Borrower may at any time on at least 5 days’ prior written notice to Agent
voluntarily prepay all or part of the Term Loan; provided
that any
such prepayments shall be in a minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples
of $250,000 in excess of such amount. In addition, Borrower may at any time
on
at least 10 days’ prior written notice to Agent terminate the Revolving Loan
Commitment; provided
that
upon such termination, all Loans and other Obligations (other than Rate
Management Obligations) shall be immediately due and payable in full and all
Letter of Credit Obligations shall be cash collateralized or otherwise satisfied
in accordance with Annex B.
Any
such voluntary prepayment and any such termination of the Revolving Loan
Commitment must be accompanied by the payment of the Fee required by
Section
1.9(c),
if any,
plus the payment of any LIBOR funding breakage costs in accordance with
Section
1.13(b).
Upon
any such prepayment and termination of the Revolving Loan Commitment, Borrower’s
right to request Revolving Credit Advances, or request that Letter of Credit
Obligations be incurred on its behalf, shall simultaneously be terminated.
Any
partial prepayments of the Term Loan made by Borrower shall be applied to prepay
the scheduled installments of the Term Loan in inverse order of
maturity.
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(b) Mandatory
Prepayments.
(i) If
at any
time the outstanding balances of the Revolving Loan exceed the Maximum Amount,
Borrower shall immediately repay the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit
Advances to the extent required to eliminate such excess. If any such excess
remains after repayment in full of the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit
Advances, Borrower shall provide cash collateral for the Letter of Credit
Obligations in the manner set forth in Annex
B
to the
extent required to eliminate such excess.
(ii) Immediately
upon receipt by any Credit Party of any payment under the Acquisition
Agreements with respect to any material claim or adjustment related to fixed
assets of the acquired entities or
proceeds of any asset disposition (excluding (a) proceeds of asset dispositions
permitted by Section
6.8(a),
(b)
proceeds of asset dispositions permitted by Sections
6.8(b) and (c)
in an
aggregate amount not exceeding $500,000 in any Fiscal Year,
(c)
proceeds of asset dispositions permitted by Sections
6.8(b) and (c)
or
Acquisition Agreements with respect to any material claim or adjustment related
to fixed assets of the acquired entities which are used to purchase Equipment,
Fixtures or Real Estate
to
replace the Equipment, Fixtures or Real Estate so disposed within 90 days of
such disposition, and (d) proceeds from the disposition of the consumer products
division permitted by that certain Consent dated as of November 30, 2005 among
Borrower, the other Credit Parties, Agent and Lenders) or any sale of Stock
of
any Subsidiary of any Credit Party, Borrower shall prepay the Loans in an amount
equal to all such proceeds, net of (A) commissions and other reasonable and
customary transaction costs, fees and expenses properly attributable to such
transaction and payable by Borrower in connection therewith (in each case,
paid
to non-Affiliates), (B) transfer taxes, (C) amounts payable to holders of senior
Liens (to the extent such Liens constitute Permitted Encumbrances hereunder),
if
any, and (D) an appropriate reserve for income taxes in accordance with GAAP
in
connection therewith. Any such prepayment shall be applied in accordance with
Section
1.3(c).
(iii) If
any
Credit Party issues Stock (other than
(A)
Stock issued to finance all or a part of the purchase price of a Permitted
Acquisition or (B) upon exercise of stock options or warrants issued pursuant
to
any employee benefit plan or compensation arrangement with directors, officers
or employees) with aggregate proceeds in any Fiscal Year
of
greater than $1,000,000), no later than the Business Day following the date
of
receipt of the proceeds thereof, Borrower shall prepay the Loans in an amount
equal to all such excess proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and commissions
and other reasonable costs paid to non-Affiliates in connection therewith.
Any
such prepayment shall be applied in accordance with Section
1.3(c).
(c) Application
of Certain Mandatory Prepayments.
Any
prepayments made by Borrower pursuant to Sections
1.3(b)(ii) or (b)(iii)
above
and any prepayments from insurance or condemnation proceeds in accordance with
Section
5.4(f)
shall be
applied as follows: first,
to Fees
and reimbursable expenses of Agent then due and payable pursuant to any of
the
Loan Documents; second,
to
interest then due and payable on the Term Loan; third,
to
prepay the scheduled principal installments of the Term Loan in inverse order
of
maturity, until such Term Loan shall have been prepaid in full; fourth,
to
interest then due and payable on the Revolving Credit Advances; fifth,
to the
outstanding principal balance of Revolving Credit Advances until the same has
been paid in full; and sixth,
to any
Letter of Credit Obligations, to provide cash collateral therefor in the manner
set forth in Annex
B,
until
all such Letter of Credit Obligations have been fully cash collateralized in
the
manner set forth in Annex
B.
The
Revolving Loan Commitment shall not be permanently reduced by the amount of
any
such prepayments.
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(d) No
Implied Consent.
Nothing
in this Section
1.3
shall be
construed to constitute Agent’s or any Lender’s consent to any transaction that
is not permitted by other provisions of this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents.
1.4 Use
of
Proceeds.
Borrower shall utilize the proceeds of the Term Loan and the Revolving Loan
solely for the Acquisition (and to pay any related transaction expenses), and
for the financing of Borrower’s ordinary working capital and general corporate
needs. Disclosure
Schedule (1.4)
contains
a description of Borrower’s sources and uses of funds as of the Closing Date,
including Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations to be made or incurred on
that
date, and a funds flow memorandum detailing how funds from each source are
to be
transferred to particular uses.
1.5 Interest
and Applicable Margins.
(a) Borrower
shall pay interest to Agent, for the ratable benefit of Lenders in accordance
with the various Loans being made by each Lender, in arrears on each applicable
Interest Payment Date, at the following rates: (i) with respect to the Revolving
Credit Advances, the Index Rate plus the Applicable Revolver Index Margin per
annum or, at the election of Borrower, the applicable LIBOR Rate plus the
Applicable Revolver LIBOR Margin per annum, based on the aggregate Revolving
Credit Advances outstanding from time to time; and (ii) with respect to the
Term
Loan, the Index Rate plus the Applicable Term Loan Index Margin per annum or,
at
the election of Borrower, the applicable LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Term
Loan LIBOR Margin per annum.
As
of the
Closing Date the Applicable Margins are as follows:
Applicable
Revolver Index Margin
|
1.00%
|
Applicable
Revolver LIBOR Margin
|
2.75%
|
Applicable
Term Loan Index Margin
|
1.00%
|
Applicable
Term Loan LIBOR Margin
|
2.75%
|
Applicable
L/C Margin
|
2.75%
|
The
Applicable Margins may be adjusted by reference to the following
grids:
If
Senior Leverage Ratio is:
|
Level
of
Applicable
Margins:
|
<
2.00:1.00
|
Level
I
|
>
2.00:1:00
|
Level
II
|
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Applicable
Margins
|
||
Level
I
|
Level
II
|
|
Applicable
Revolver Index Margin
|
0.50%
|
1.00%
|
Applicable
Revolver LIBOR Margin
|
2.25%
|
2.75%
|
Applicable
Term Loan Index Margin
|
0.50%
|
1.00%
|
Applicable
Term Loan LIBOR Margin
|
2.25%
|
2.75%
|
Applicable
L/C Margin
|
2.25%
|
2.75%
|
Adjustments
in the Applicable Margins commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending September
30, 2006 shall be implemented quarterly on a prospective basis, for each
calendar month commencing not more than five (5) days after the date of delivery
to Lenders of the quarterly unaudited or annual audited (as applicable)
Financial Statements evidencing the need for an adjustment. Concurrently with
the delivery of those Financial Statements, Borrower shall deliver to Agent
and
Lenders a certificate, signed by its chief financial officer, setting forth
in
reasonable detail the basis for the continuance of, or any change in, the
Applicable Margins. Failure to timely deliver such Financial Statements shall,
in addition to any other remedy provided for in this Agreement, result in an
increase in the Applicable Margins to the highest level set forth in the
foregoing grid, until the first day of the first calendar month following the
delivery of those Financial Statements demonstrating that such an increase
is
not required. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the
time
any reduction in the Applicable Margins is to be implemented, that reduction
shall be deferred until the first day of the first calendar month following
the
date on which such Event of Default is waived or cured.
(b) If
any
payment on any Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business
Day,
the maturity thereof will be extended to the next succeeding Business Day
(except as set forth in the definition of LIBOR Period) and, with respect to
payments of principal, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable
rate during such extension.
(c) All
computations of Fees calculated on a per annum basis and interest shall be
made
by Agent on the basis of a 360-day year, in each case for the actual number
of
days occurring in the period for which such interest and Fees are payable.
The
Index Rate is a floating rate determined for each day. Each determination by
Agent of an interest rate and Fees hereunder shall be final, binding and
conclusive on Borrower, absent manifest error.
(d) So
long
as any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under Section
8.1
(h) or
(i), or so long as any other Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing and at the election of Agent (or upon the written request of
Requisite Lenders) confirmed by written notice from Agent to Borrower, the
interest rates applicable to the Loans and the Letter of Credit Fees shall
be
increased by two percentage points (2%) per annum above the rates of interest
or
the rate of such Fees otherwise applicable hereunder (“Default
Rate”),
and
all outstanding Obligations shall bear interest at the Default Rate applicable
to such Obligations. Interest and Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate
shall accrue from the initial date of such Default or Event of Default until
that Default or Event of Default is cured or waived and shall be payable upon
demand.
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(e) Subject
to the conditions precedent set forth in Section
2.2,
Borrower shall have the option to (i) request that any Revolving Credit Advance
be made as a LIBOR Loan, (ii) convert at any time all or any part of outstanding
Loans from Index Rate Loans to LIBOR Loans, (iii) convert any LIBOR Loan to
an
Index Rate Loan, subject to payment of LIBOR breakage costs in accordance with
Section
1.13(b)
if such
conversion is made prior to the expiration of the LIBOR Period applicable
thereto, or (iv) continue all or any portion of any Loan as a LIBOR Loan upon
the expiration of the applicable LIBOR Period and the succeeding LIBOR Period
of
that continued Loan shall commence on the first day after the last day of the
LIBOR Period of the Loan to be continued. Any Loan or group of Loans having
the
same proposed LIBOR Period to be made or continued as, or converted into, a
LIBOR Loan must be in a minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of
$500,000 in excess of such amount. Any such election must be made by 11:00
a.m.
(New York time) on the 3rd Business Day prior to (1) the date of any
proposed Advance which is to bear interest at the LIBOR Rate, (2) the end of
each LIBOR Period with respect to any LIBOR Loans to be continued as such,
or
(3) the date on which Borrower wishes to convert any Index Rate Loan to a
LIBOR Loan for a LIBOR Period designated by Borrower in such election. If no
election is received with respect to a LIBOR Loan by 11:00 a.m. (New York time)
on the 3rd Business Day prior to the end of the LIBOR Period with respect
thereto (or if a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
or the additional conditions precedent set forth in Section
2.2
shall
not have been satisfied), that LIBOR Loan shall be converted to an Index Rate
Loan at the end of its LIBOR Period. Borrower must make such election by notice
to Agent in writing, by telecopy or overnight courier. In the case of any
conversion or continuation, such election must be made pursuant to a written
notice (a “Notice
of Conversion/Continuation”)
in the
form of Exhibit 1.5(e). No Loan may be made as or converted into a LIBOR Loan
until the earlier of (i) 30 days after the Closing Date or (ii) completion
of primary syndication as determined by Agent.
(f) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 1.5,
if a
court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final order that the rate of
interest payable hereunder exceeds the highest rate of interest permissible
under law (the “Maximum
Lawful Rate”),
then
so long as the Maximum Lawful Rate would be so exceeded, the rate of interest
payable hereunder shall be equal to the Maximum Lawful Rate; provided, however,
that if at any time thereafter the rate of interest payable hereunder is less
than the Maximum Lawful Rate, Borrower shall continue to pay interest hereunder
at the Maximum Lawful Rate until such time as the total interest received by
Agent, on behalf of Lenders, is equal to the total interest that would have
been
received had the interest rate payable hereunder been (but for the operation
of
this paragraph) the interest rate payable since the Closing Date as otherwise
provided in this Agreement. Thereafter, interest hereunder shall be paid at
the
rate(s) of interest and in the manner provided in Sections
1.5(a)
through
(e),
unless
and until the rate of interest again exceeds the Maximum Lawful Rate, and at
that time this paragraph shall again apply. In no event shall the total interest
received by any Lender pursuant to the terms hereof exceed the amount that
such
Lender could lawfully have received had the interest due hereunder been
calculated for the full term hereof at the Maximum Lawful Rate. If the Maximum
Lawful Rate is calculated pursuant to this paragraph, such interest shall be
calculated at a daily rate equal to the Maximum Lawful Rate divided by the
number of days in the year in which such calculation is made. If,
notwithstanding the provisions of this Section
1.5(f),
a court
of competent jurisdiction shall finally determine that a Lender has received
interest hereunder in excess of the Maximum Lawful Rate, Agent shall, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, promptly apply such excess in the order
specified in Section
1.11
and
thereafter shall refund any excess to Borrower or as a court of competent
jurisdiction may otherwise order.
9
1.6 [Intentionally
Omitted].
1.7 [Intentionally
Omitted].
1.8 Cash
Management Systems.
Borrower will maintain until the Termination Date, the cash management systems
described in Annex
C
(the
“Cash
Management Systems”).
1.9 Fees.
(a) Borrower
shall pay to GE Capital, individually, the Fees specified in that certain fee
letter of even date herewith between Borrower and GE Capital (the “GE
Capital Fee Letter”),
at
the times specified for payment therein.
(b) As
additional compensation for the Revolving Lenders, Borrower shall pay to Agent,
for the ratable benefit of such Lenders, in arrears, on the first Business
Day
of each month prior to the Commitment Termination Date and on the Commitment
Termination Date, a Fee for Borrower’s non-use of available funds in an amount
equal to three-eighths of one percent (0.375%) per annum (calculated on the
basis of a 360 day year for actual days elapsed) multiplied by the difference
between (x) the Maximum Amount (as it may be reduced from time to time) and
(y)
the average for the period of the daily closing balances of the Revolving Loan
outstanding during the period for which the such Fee is due.
(c) If
Borrower pays after acceleration or prepays all or any portion of the Term
Loan
or the Revolving Loan Commitment is terminated, whether voluntarily or
involuntarily and whether before or after acceleration of the Obligations (other
than Rate Management Obligations) or if the Commitments are otherwise
terminated, Borrower shall pay to Agent, for the benefit of Lenders as
liquidated damages and compensation for the costs of being prepared to make
funds available hereunder an amount equal to the Applicable Percentage (as
defined below) multiplied by the sum of (i) the principal amount of the Term
Loan paid after acceleration or prepaid, and (ii) if the Revolving Loan
Commitment is terminated, the amount of the Revolving Loan Commitment. As used
herein, the term “Applicable
Percentage”
shall
mean (x) one percent (1.00%), in the case of a prepayment on or prior to
December 17, 2007, and (y) zero percent (0%), in the case of a prepayment after
December 17, 2007. The Credit Parties agree that the Applicable Percentages
are
a reasonable calculation of Lenders’ lost profits in view of the difficulties
and impracticality of determining actual damages resulting from an early
termination of the Commitments.
(d) Borrower
shall pay to Agent, for the ratable benefit of Revolving Lenders, the Letter
of
Credit Fee as provided in Annex B.
1.10 Receipt
of Payments.
Borrower shall make each payment under this Agreement not later than 2:00 p.m.
(New York time) on the day when due in immediately available funds in Dollars
to
the Collection Account. For purposes of computing interest and Fees, all
payments shall be deemed received on the third Business Day following the
Business Day on which immediately available funds therefor are received in
the
Collection Account prior to 2:00 p.m. New York time. Payments received after
2:00 p.m. New York time on any Business Day or on a day that is not a Business
Day shall be deemed to have been received on the following Business
Day.
10
1.11 Application
and Allocation of Payments.
(a) So
long
as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (i) payments
matching specific scheduled payments then due shall be applied to those
scheduled payments; (ii) voluntary prepayments shall be applied as determined
by
Borrower, subject to the provisions of Section
1.3(a);
and
(iii) mandatory prepayments shall be applied as set forth in Section
1.3(c).
All
payments and prepayments applied to a particular Loan shall be applied ratably
to the portion thereof held by each Lender as determined by its Pro Rata Share.
As to any other payment, and as to all payments made when a Default or Event
or
Default has occurred and is continuing or following the Commitment Termination
Date (including
all proceeds of Collateral),
Borrower hereby irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of any
and all payments received from or on behalf of Borrower, and Borrower hereby
irrevocably agrees that Agent shall have the continuing exclusive right to
apply
any and all such payments against the Obligations as Agent may deem advisable
notwithstanding any previous entry by Agent in the Loan Account or any other
books and records. In the absence of a specific determination by Agent with
respect thereto, payments (including all proceeds of Collateral), shall be
applied to amounts then due and payable in the following order: (1) to Fees
and
Agent’s expenses reimbursable hereunder; (2) to interest on the other Loans,
unpaid Swap Related Reimbursement Obligations and unpaid Interest Rate
Management Obligations, ratably in proportion to the interest accrued as to
each
Loan, unpaid Swap Related Reimbursement Obligation and unpaid Interest Rate
Management Obligations, as applicable; (3) to principal payments on the other
Loans, unpaid Swap Related Reimbursement Obligations, unpaid Interest Rate
Management Obligations and to provide cash collateral for Letter of Credit
Obligations in the manner described in Annex
B,
ratably
to the aggregate, combined principal balance of the other Loans, unpaid Swap
Related Reimbursement Obligations, unpaid Interest Rate Management Obligations
and outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations; and; (4) to all other Obligations,
including expenses of Lenders to the extent reimbursable under Section
11.3,
but
excluding Other Rate Management Obligations; and (5) to any Other Rate
Management Obligations (on a ratable basis based upon respective amounts
thereof).
(b) Agent
is
authorized to, and at its sole election may, charge to the Revolving Loan
balance on behalf of Borrower and cause to be paid all Fees, expenses, Charges,
costs (including insurance premiums in accordance with Section
5.4(a))
and
interest and principal, other than principal of the Revolving Loan, owing by
Borrower under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents if and to
the
extent Borrower fails to pay promptly any such amounts as and when due. At
Agent’s option and to the extent permitted by law, any charges so made shall
constitute part of the Revolving Loan hereunder.
1.12 Loan
Account and Accounting.
Agent
shall maintain a loan account (the “Loan
Account”)
on its
books to record: all Advances and the Term Loan, all payments made by Borrower,
and all other debits and credits as provided in this Agreement with respect
to
the Loans or any other Obligations (other than Rate Management Obligations).
All
entries in the Loan Account shall be made in accordance with Agent’s customary
accounting practices as in effect from time to time. The balance in the Loan
Account, as recorded on Agent’s most recent printout or other written statement,
shall, absent manifest error, be presumptive evidence of the amounts due and
owing to Agent and Lenders by Borrower; provided
that any
failure to so record or any error in so recording shall not limit or otherwise
affect Borrower’s duty to pay the Obligations. Agent shall render to Borrower a
monthly accounting of transactions with respect to the Loans setting forth
the
balance of the Loan Account for the immediately preceding month. Unless Borrower
notifies Agent in writing of any objection to any such accounting (specifically
describing the basis for such objection), within 30 days after the date thereof,
each and every such accounting shall, absent manifest error, be deemed final,
binding and conclusive on Borrower in all respects as to all matters reflected
therein. Only those items expressly objected to in such notice shall be deemed
to be disputed by Borrower. Notwithstanding any provision herein contained
to
the contrary, any Lender may elect (which election may be revoked) to dispense
with the issuance of Notes to that Lender and may rely on the Loan Account
as
evidence of the amount of Obligations (other than Rate Management Obligations)
from time to time owing to it.
11
1.13 Indemnity.
(a) Each
US
Credit Party that is a signatory hereto shall jointly and severally indemnify
and hold harmless each of Agent, Lenders and their respective Affiliates, and
each such Person’s respective officers, directors, employees, attorneys, agents
and representatives (each, an “Indemnified
Person”),
from
and against any and all suits, actions, proceedings, claims, damages, losses,
liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements
and other costs of investigation or defense, including those incurred upon
any
appeal) that may be instituted or asserted against or incurred by any such
Indemnified Person as the result of credit having been extended, suspended
or
terminated under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the
administration of such credit, and in connection with or arising out of the
transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder and any actions or failures
to act in connection therewith, including any and all Environmental Liabilities
and legal costs and expenses arising out of or incurred in connection with
disputes between or among any parties to any of the Loan Documents
(collectively, “Indemnified
Liabilities”);
provided, that no such US Credit Party shall be liable for any indemnification
to an Indemnified Person to the extent that any such suit, action, proceeding,
claim, damage, loss, liability or expense results from that Indemnified Person’s
gross negligence or willful misconduct. NO INDEMNIFIED PERSON SHALL BE
RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE TO ANY OTHER PARTY TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, ANY SUCCESSOR,
ASSIGNEE OR THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY OF SUCH PERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON ASSERTING
CLAIMS DERIVATIVELY THROUGH SUCH PARTY, FOR INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY BE ALLEGED AS A RESULT OF CREDIT HAVING BEEN
EXTENDED, SUSPENDED OR TERMINATED UNDER ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR AS A RESULT OF
ANY
OTHER TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER.
(b) To
induce
Lenders to provide the LIBOR Rate option on the terms provided herein, if (i)
any LIBOR Loans are repaid in whole or in part prior to the last day of any
applicable LIBOR Period (whether that repayment is made pursuant to any
provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or occurs as a result
of
acceleration, by operation of law or otherwise); (ii) Borrower shall default
in
payment when due of the principal amount of or interest on any LIBOR Loan;
(iii)
Borrower shall refuse to accept any borrowing of, or shall request a termination
of any borrowing, conversion into or continuation of LIBOR Loans after Borrower
has given notice requesting the same in accordance herewith; or (iv) Borrower
shall fail to make any prepayment of a LIBOR Loan after Borrower has given
a
notice thereof in accordance herewith, then Borrower shall indemnify and hold
harmless each Lender from and against all losses, costs and expenses resulting
from or arising from any of the foregoing. Such indemnification shall include
any loss (including loss of margin) or expense arising from the reemployment
of
funds obtained by it or from fees payable to terminate deposits from which
such
funds were obtained. For the purpose of calculating amounts payable to a Lender
under this subsection, each Lender shall be deemed to have actually funded
its
relevant LIBOR Loan through the purchase of a deposit bearing interest at the
LIBOR Rate in an amount equal to the amount of that LIBOR Loan and having a
maturity comparable to the relevant LIBOR Period; provided, that each Lender
may
fund each of its LIBOR Loans in any manner it sees fit, and the foregoing
assumption shall be utilized only for the calculation of amounts payable under
this subsection. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement
and the payment of the Notes and all other amounts payable hereunder. As
promptly as practicable under the circumstances, each Lender shall provide
Borrower with its written calculation of all amounts payable pursuant to this
Section
1.13(b),
and
such calculation shall be binding on the parties hereto unless Borrower shall
object in writing within 10 Business Days of receipt thereof, specifying the
basis for such objection in detail.
12
1.14 Access.
Each
Credit Party that is a party hereto shall, during normal business hours, from
time to time upon 1 Business Day’s prior notice as frequently as Agent
reasonably determines to be appropriate: (a) provide Agent and any of its
officers, employees and agents access to its properties, facilities, advisors
and employees (including officers) of each Credit Party and to the Collateral,
(b) permit Agent, and any of its officers, employees and agents, to inspect,
audit and make extracts from any Credit Party’s books and records, and (c)
permit Agent, and its officers, employees and agents, to inspect, review,
evaluate, and (so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing) after consultation and cooperation with such Credit Party, make
test
verifications and counts of the Accounts, Inventory and other Collateral of
any
Credit Party. If a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
or
if access is necessary to preserve or protect the Collateral as determined
by
Agent, each such Credit Party shall provide such access to Agent and to each
Lender at all times and without advance notice. Furthermore, so long as any
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower shall provide Agent
and each Lender with access to its suppliers and customers. Each Credit Party
shall make available to Agent and its counsel, as quickly as is possible under
the circumstances, originals or copies of all books and records that Agent
may
reasonably request. Each Credit Party shall deliver any document or instrument
necessary for Agent, as it may from time to time request, to obtain records
from
any service bureau or other Person that maintains records for such Credit Party,
and shall maintain duplicate records or supporting documentation on media,
including computer tapes and discs owned by such Credit Party. Agent will give
Lenders at least 5 days’ prior written notice of regularly scheduled audits.
Representatives of other Lenders may accompany Agent’s representatives on
regularly scheduled audits at no charge to Borrower.
13
1.15 Taxes.
(a) Any
and
all payments by Borrower hereunder or under the Notes shall be made, in
accordance with this Section
1.15,
free
and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future Taxes.
If
Borrower shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of
any
sum payable hereunder or under the Notes, (i) the sum payable shall be increased
as much as shall be necessary so that after making all required deductions
(including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this
Section
1.15)
Agent
or Lenders, as applicable, receive an amount equal to the sum they would have
received had no such deductions been made, (ii) Borrower shall make such
deductions, and (iii) Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the
relevant taxing or other authority in accordance with applicable law. Within
30
days after the date of any payment of Taxes, Borrower shall furnish to Agent
the
original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof. Agent
and
Lenders shall not be obligated to return or refund any amounts received pursuant
to this Section.
(b) Each
US
Credit Party that is a signatory hereto shall indemnify and, within 10 days
of
demand therefor, pay Agent and each Lender for the full amount of Taxes
(including any Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this
Section
1.15)
paid by
Agent or such Lender, as appropriate, and any liability (including penalties,
interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or
not
such Taxes were correctly or legally asserted.
(c) Each
Lender organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States
(a
“Foreign
Lender”)
as to
which payments to be made under this Agreement or under the Notes are exempt
from United States withholding tax under an applicable statute or tax treaty
shall provide to Borrower and Agent a properly completed and executed IRS Form
W-8ECI or Form W-8BEN or other applicable form, certificate or document
prescribed by the IRS or the United States certifying as to such Foreign
Lender’s entitlement to such exemption (a “Certificate
of Exemption”).
Any
foreign Person that seeks to become a Lender under this Agreement shall provide
a Certificate of Exemption to Borrower and Agent prior to becoming a Lender
hereunder. No foreign Person may become a Lender hereunder if such Person fails
to deliver a Certificate of Exemption in advance of becoming a
Lender.
(d) Treatment
of
Certain Refunds.
If
Agent or any Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received
a
refund of any amounts as to which it has been indemnified by a US Credit Party
or with respect to which a US Credit Party has paid additional amounts pursuant
to this Section, it shall pay to such US Credit Party an amount equal to such
refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts
paid, by such US Credit Party under this Section with respect to the amounts
giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of Agent or
such
Lender, as the case may be, and net of any taxes imposed on such refund, and
without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental
Authority with respect to such refund), provided
that the
US Credit Parties, upon the request of Agent or such Lender, agree to repay
the
amount paid over to such US Credit Party (plus any penalties, interest or other
charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to Agent or such Lender
in the event Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such
Governmental Authority. This paragraph shall not be construed to require Agent
or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information
relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the US Credit Parties
or
any other Person.
14
1.16 Capital
Adequacy; Increased Costs; Illegality.
(a) If
any
Lender shall have determined that any law, treaty, governmental (or
quasi-governmental) rule, regulation, guideline or order regarding capital
adequacy, reserve requirements or similar requirements or compliance by any
Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy, reserve
requirements or similar requirements (whether or not having the force of law),
in each case, adopted after the Closing Date, from any central bank or other
Governmental Authority increases or would have the effect of increasing the
amount of capital, reserves or other funds required to be maintained by such
Lender and thereby reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital as a
consequence of its obligations hereunder, then Borrower shall from time to
time
upon demand by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to Agent) pay to Agent,
for the account of such Lender, additional amounts sufficient to compensate
such
Lender for such reduction. A certificate as to the amount of that reduction
and
showing the basis of the computation thereof submitted by such Lender to
Borrower and to Agent shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and
binding for all purposes.
(b) If,
due
to either (i) the introduction of or any change in any law or regulation
(or any change in the interpretation thereof) or (ii) the compliance with
any guideline or request from any central bank or other Governmental Authority
(whether or not having the force of law), in each case adopted after the Closing
Date, there shall be any increase in the cost to any Lender of agreeing to
make
or making, funding or maintaining any Loan, then Borrower shall from time to
time, upon demand by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to Agent), pay
to
Agent for the account of such Lender additional amounts sufficient to compensate
such Lender for such increased cost. A certificate as to the amount of such
increased cost, submitted to Borrower and to Agent by such Lender, shall be
conclusive and binding on Borrower for all purposes, absent manifest error.
Each
Lender agrees that, as promptly as practicable after it becomes aware of any
circumstances referred to above which would result in any such increased cost,
the affected Lender shall, to the extent not inconsistent with such Lender’s
internal policies of general application, use reasonable commercial efforts
to
minimize costs and expenses incurred by it and payable to it by Borrower
pursuant to this Section
1.16(b).
(c) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, if the introduction of or any
change
in any law or regulation (or any change in the interpretation thereof) shall
make it unlawful, or any central bank or other Governmental Authority shall
assert that it is unlawful, for any Lender to agree to make or to make or
to
continue to fund or maintain any LIBOR Loan, then, unless that Lender is
able to
make or to continue to fund or to maintain such LIBOR Loan at another branch
or
office of that Lender without, in that Lender’s opinion, adversely affecting it
or its Loans or the income obtained therefrom, on notice thereof and demand
therefor by such Lender to Borrower through Agent, (i) the obligation of
such Lender to agree to make or to make or to continue to fund or maintain
LIBOR
Loans shall terminate and (ii) Borrower shall forthwith prepay in full all
outstanding LIBOR Loans owing to such Lender, together with interest accrued
thereon, unless Borrower, within 5 Business Days after the delivery of such
notice and demand, converts all LIBOR Loans into Index Rate
Loans.
15
(d) Within
15
days after receipt by Borrower of written notice and demand from any Lender
(an
“Affected
Lender”)
for
payment of additional amounts or increased costs as provided in Sections
1.15(a),
1.16(a)
or
1.16(b),
Borrower may, at its option, notify Agent and such Affected Lender of its
intention to replace the Affected Lender. So long as no Default or Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower, with the consent of Agent,
may
obtain, at Borrower’s expense, a replacement Lender (“Replacement
Lender”)
for
the Affected Lender, which Replacement Lender must be reasonably satisfactory
to
Agent. If Borrower obtains a Replacement Lender within 90 days following notice
of its intention to do so, the Affected Lender must sell and assign its Loans
and Commitments to such Replacement Lender for an amount equal to the principal
balance of all Loans held by the Affected Lender and all accrued interest and
Fees with respect thereto through the date of such sale; provided,
that
Borrower shall have reimbursed such Affected Lender for the additional amounts
or increased costs that it is entitled to receive under this Agreement through
the date of such sale and assignment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower
shall not have the right to obtain a Replacement Lender if the Affected Lender
rescinds its demand for increased costs or additional amounts within 15 days
following its receipt of Borrower’s notice of intention to replace such Affected
Lender. Furthermore, if Borrower gives a notice of intention to replace and
does
not so replace such Affected Lender within 90 days thereafter, Borrower’s rights
under this Section
1.16(d)
shall
terminate and Borrower shall promptly pay all increased costs or additional
amounts demanded by such Affected Lender pursuant to Sections
1.15(a), 1.16(a) and 1.16(b).
1.17 Single
Loan.
All
Loans to Borrower and all of the other Obligations of Borrower arising under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall constitute one general
obligation of Borrower secured, until the Termination Date, by all of the
Collateral.
1.18 Rate
Management Agreements.
On the
Commitment Termination Date, notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement to the contrary, the US Credit Parties shall, after satisfying all
other Obligations hereunder, provide cash collateral for any outstanding Rate
Management Agreements (in an amount jointly determined by Agent and the
applicable Rate Management Provider as sufficient to satisfy the reasonably
estimated credit exposure with respect to such Rate Management Agreements)
to be
held by the applicable Rate Management Provider with respect to its Rate
Management Obligations). For all purposes of this Agreement, including in
connection with any distribution of payments and collections, Agent shall be
entitled to assume no amounts are due to any Rate Management Provider unless
such Rate Management Provider has notified Agent in writing of the amount of
any
such liability owed to it prior to such distribution.
2. CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
2.1 Conditions
to the Initial Loans.
No
Lender shall be obligated to make any Loan or incur any Letter of Credit
Obligations on the Closing Date, or to take, fulfill, or perform any other
action hereunder, until the following conditions have been satisfied or provided
for in a manner satisfactory to Agent, or waived in writing by Agent and
Lenders:
(a) Credit
Agreement; Loan Documents.
This
Agreement or counterparts hereof shall have been duly executed by, and delivered
to, Borrower, each other Credit Party, Agent and Lenders; and Agent shall have
received such documents, instruments, agreements and legal opinions as Agent
shall reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including all those listed in
the
Closing Checklist attached hereto as Annex
D,
each in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent.
16
(b) Intentionally
Omitted.
(c) Approvals.
Agent
shall have received (i) satisfactory evidence that the Credit Parties have
obtained all required consents and approvals of all Persons including all
requisite Governmental Authorities, to the execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the consummation of the
Acquisitions and the Related Transactions or (ii) an officer’s certificate in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent affirming that no such
consents or approvals are required.
(d) Opening
Availability.
Borrower shall have Borrowing Availability, after giving effect to the initial
Revolving Credit Advance, the incurrence of any initial Letter of Credit
Obligations and the consummation of the Related Transactions (on a pro forma
basis, with trade payables being paid currently and not more than 60 days past
due, and expenses and liabilities being paid in the ordinary course of business
and without acceleration of sales), plus cash-on-hand and Cash Equivalents,
in
the aggregate, of at least $10,000,000.
(e) Payment
of Fees.
Borrower shall have paid the Fees required to be paid on the Closing Date in
the
respective amounts specified in Section
1.9
(including the Fees specified in the GE Capital Fee Letter), and shall have
reimbursed Agent for all fees, costs and expenses of closing presented as of
the
Closing Date.
(f) Capital
Structure: Other Indebtedness.
The
capital structure of each Credit Party and the terms and conditions of all
Indebtedness, equity and stockholder agreements, incentive or other employment
agreements, tax agreements and other material contracts, organizational
documents, management structure and composition of board of directors and board
selection procedures of each Credit Party, and the tax effects resulting from
the Acquisitions, shall be acceptable to Agent in its sole
discretion.
(g) Due
Diligence.
Agent
shall have completed its business, environmental and legal due diligence,
including a roll-forward of its previous audits and background
checks.
(h) Consummation
of Related Transactions.
Agent
shall have received fully executed copies of each of the BetaTHERM Acquisition
Agreement and the YSIS Acquisition Agreement and each of the other Related
Transactions Documents, each of which shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Agent and its counsel. The Acquisitions and the other Related
Transactions shall have been consummated in accordance with the terms of each
of
the BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement and the YSIS
Acquisition Agreement and the other Related Transactions Documents but for
the
payment of the cash purchase price payable pursuant to the BetaTHERM Acquisition
Agreement and the YSIS Acquisition Agreement and delivery the closing documents
specified in the BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement and the YSIS Acquisition
Agreement.
17
2.2 Further
Conditions to Each Loan.
Except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, no Lender shall be obligated to fund
any
Advance, convert or continue any Loan as a LIBOR Loan or incur any Letter of
Credit Obligation, if, as of the date thereof:
(a) any
representation or warranty by any Credit Party contained herein or in any other
Loan Document is untrue or incorrect as of such date, except to the extent
that
such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date and except
for changes therein expressly permitted or expressly contemplated by this
Agreement, and Agent or Requisite Lenders have determined not to make such
Advance, convert or continue any Loan as LIBOR Loan or incur such Letter of
Credit Obligation as a result of the fact that such warranty or representation
is untrue or incorrect;
(b) any
event
or circumstance having a Material Adverse Effect has occurred since the date
hereof as determined by the Requisite Lenders, and Agent or Requisite Lenders
have determined not to make such Advance, convert or continue any Loan as a
LIBOR Loan or incur such Letter of Credit Obligation as a result of the fact
that such event or circumstance has occurred;
(c) any
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result
after
giving effect to any Advance (or the incurrence of any Letter of Credit
Obligation), and Agent or Requisite Lenders shall have determined not to make
any Advance, convert or continue any Loan as a LIBOR Loan or incur any Letter
of
Credit Obligation as a result of that Default or Event of Default;
(d) after
giving effect to any Advance (or the incurrence of any Letter of Credit
Obligations),
the
outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loan would exceed the Maximum
Amount; or
(e) after
giving effect to any Advance
(or the incurrence of any Letter of Credit Obligations),
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis shall have (i) a Senior
Leverage Ratio not in excess of 3.00 to 1.00, and (ii) a Total Leverage Ratio
not in excess of 3.50 to 1.00, in each case, calculated using EBITDA for the
twelve Fiscal Month period ended at the end of Fiscal Month for which financial
statements have most recently been required to delivered to Agent pursuant
to
paragraph (a) of Annex
E
prior to
the date of such Advance (or the incurrence of any Letter of Credit
Obligations).
The
request and acceptance by Borrower of the proceeds of any Advance, the
incurrence of any Letter of Credit Obligations or the conversion or continuation
of any Loan into, or as, a LIBOR Loan shall be deemed to constitute, as of
the
date thereof, (i) a representation and warranty by Borrower that the conditions
in this Section
2.2
have
been satisfied and (ii) a reaffirmation by Borrower of the granting and
continuance of Agent’s Liens, on behalf of itself and Lenders, pursuant to the
Collateral Documents.
3. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
To
induce
Lenders to make the Loans and to incur Letter of Credit Obligations, the US
Credit Parties executing this Agreement, jointly and severally, make the
following representations and warranties to Agent and each Lender with respect
to all Credit Parties, each and all of which shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Agreement.
18
3.1 Corporate
Existence; Compliance with Law.
Each
Credit Party (a) is a corporation, limited liability company or limited
partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws
of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation or organization set forth in
Disclosure
Schedule (3.1);
(b) is
duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing in each other
jurisdiction where its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its
business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so
qualified would not result in exposure to losses, damages or liabilities in
excess of $50,000; (c) has the requisite power and authority and the legal
right
to own, pledge, mortgage or otherwise encumber and operate its properties,
to
lease the property it operates under lease and to conduct its business as now,
heretofore and proposed to be conducted; (d) subject to specific representations
regarding Environmental Laws, has all material licenses, permits, consents
or
approvals from or by, and has made all material filings with, and has given
all
material notices to, all Governmental Authorities having jurisdiction, to the
extent required for such ownership, operation and conduct; (e) is in compliance
with its charter and bylaws or partnership or operating agreement, as
applicable; and (f) subject to specific representations set forth herein
regarding ERISA, Environmental Laws, tax and other laws, is in compliance with
all applicable provisions of law, except where the failure to comply,
individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect.
3.2 Executive
Offices, Collateral Locations, FEIN.
As of
the Closing Date, the current location of each US Credit Party’s chief executive
office and the warehouses and premises at which any Collateral is located are
set forth in Disclosure
Schedule (3.2),
and
none of such locations has changed within 12 months preceding the Closing Date
except as disclosed therein. In addition, Disclosure
Schedule (3.2)
lists
the federal employer identification number of each US Credit Party.
3.3 Corporate
Power, Authorization, Enforceable Obligations.
The
execution, delivery and performance by each Credit Party of the Loan Documents
to which it is a party and the creation of all Liens provided for therein:
(a)
are within such Person’s power; (b) have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate, limited liability company or limited partnership action; (c) do
not
contravene any provision of such Person’s charter, bylaws or partnership or
operating agreement as applicable; (d) do not violate any law or regulation,
or
any order or decree of any court or Governmental Authority; (e) do not conflict
with or result in the breach or termination of, constitute a default under
or
accelerate or permit the acceleration of any performance required by, any
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, agreement or other instrument to
which such Person is a party or by which such Person or any of its property
is
bound; (f) do not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any
of
the property of such Person other than those in favor of Agent, on behalf of
itself and Lenders, pursuant to the Loan Documents; and (g) do not require
the
consent or approval of any Governmental Authority or any other Person, except
those referred to in Section
2.1(c),
all of
which will have been duly obtained, made or complied with prior to the Closing
Date. Each of the Loan Documents has been or shall be duly executed and
delivered by each Credit Party that is a party thereto and each such Loan
Document constitutes or shall constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation
of such Credit Party enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms.
19
3.4 Financial
Statements and Projections.
Except
for the Projections, all Financial Statements concerning Borrower and its
Subsidiaries that are referred to below have been prepared in accordance with
GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered (except as disclosed
therein and except, with respect to unaudited Financial Statements, for the
absence of footnotes and normal year-end audit adjustments) and present fairly
in all material respects the financial position of the Persons covered thereby
as at the dates thereof and the results of their operations and cash flows
for
the periods then ended.
(a) Financial
Statements.
The
following Financial Statements attached hereto as Disclosure
Schedule (3.4(a))
have
been delivered on the date hereof:
(i) The
audited consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2005 and the related statements
of income and cash flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year
then ended, certified by Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP, and the unaudited consolidating
balance sheets at March 31, 2005 and the related statements of income and cash
flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year then
ended.
(ii) The
audited consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2004 and 2005 and the related
statements of income and cash flows of BetaTHERM Group and its Subsidiaries
for
the Fiscal Years then ended, certified by Ernst & Young.
(iii) The
unaudited consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and
the related statements of income of YSIS and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal
Years then ended.
(iv) The
unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets at December 31, 2005,
January 31, 2006 and February 28, 2006 and the related statements of income
of
Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal periods then ended.
(v) The
unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets at and February 28,
2006
and the related statements of income of BetaTHERM Group and its Subsidiaries
for
the 8 Fiscal Months then ended.
(vi) The
unaudited consolidated balance sheets at January 31, 2006 and February 28,
2006
and the related statements of income of YSIS and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal
periods then ended.
(b) Pro
Forma.
The Pro
Forma delivered on the date hereof and attached hereto as Disclosure
Schedule (3.4(b))
was
prepared by Borrower giving pro
forma
effect
to the Related Transactions, was based on the unaudited consolidated and
consolidating balance sheets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries dated March 31,
2006 and was prepared in accordance with GAAP, with only such adjustments
thereto as would be required in accordance with GAAP, except to the extent
otherwise disclosed on Disclosure
Schedule (3.4(b)).
(c) Projections.
The
Projections delivered on the date hereof and attached hereto as Disclosure
Schedule (3.4(c))
have
been prepared by Borrower, on a consolidated and consolidating basis, in light
of the past operations of its businesses, but including future payments of
known
contingent liabilities, and reflect projections for the five year period
beginning on March 1, 2006 on a month-by-month. The Projections are based upon
estimates and assumptions stated therein, all of which Borrower believes to
be
reasonable and fair in light of current conditions and current facts known
to
Borrower and, as of the Closing Date, reflect Borrower’s good faith and
reasonable estimates of the future financial performance of Borrower and of
the
other information projected therein for the period set forth therein, except
to
the extent otherwise disclosed therein..
20
3.5 Material
Adverse Effect.
Between
March 31, 2005 and the Closing Date, (a) no Credit Party has incurred any
obligations, contingent or noncontingent liabilities, liabilities for Charges,
long-term leases or unusual forward or long-term commitments that are not
reflected in the Pro Forma and that, alone or in the aggregate, could reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) no contract, lease or other
agreement or instrument has been entered into by any Credit Party or has become
binding upon any Credit Party’s assets and no law or regulation applicable to
any Credit Party has been adopted that has had or could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (c) no Credit Party is in default and
to
the best of Borrower’s knowledge no third party is in default under any material
contract, lease or other agreement or instrument, that alone or in the aggregate
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Between March
31, 2005 and the Closing Date no event has occurred, that alone or together
with
other events, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
3.6 Ownership
of Property; Liens.
As of
the Closing Date, the real estate (“Real
Estate”)
listed
in Disclosure
Schedule (3.6)
constitutes all of the real property owned, leased, subleased, or used by any
Credit Party. Each Credit Party owns good and marketable fee simple title to
all
of its owned Real Estate, and valid and marketable leasehold interests in all
of
its leased Real Estate, all as described on Disclosure
Schedule (3.6),
and
copies of all such leases or a summary of terms thereof reasonably satisfactory
to Agent have been delivered to Agent. Disclosure
Schedule (3.6)
further
describes any Real Estate with respect to which any Credit Party is a lessor,
sublessor or assignor as of the Closing Date. Each Credit Party also has good
and marketable title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all of its personal
property and assets. As of the Closing Date, none of the properties and assets
of any Credit Party are subject to any Liens other than Permitted Encumbrances,
and there are no facts, circumstances or conditions known to any Credit Party
that may result in any Liens (including Liens arising under Environmental Laws)
other than Permitted Encumbrances.
3.7 Labor
Matters.
As of
the Closing Date (a) no strikes or other material labor disputes against any
Credit Party are pending or, to any Credit Party’s knowledge, threatened; (b)
hours worked by and payment made to employees of each Credit Party comply with
the Fair Labor Standards Act and each other federal, state, local or foreign
law
applicable to such matters; (c) all payments due from any Credit Party for
employee health and welfare insurance have been paid or accrued as a liability
on the books of such Credit Party; (d) except as set forth in Disclosure
Schedule (3.7),
no
Credit Party is a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement,
management agreement, consulting agreement, employment agreement, bonus,
restricted stock, stock option, or stock appreciation plan or agreement or
any
similar plan, agreement or arrangement (and true and complete copies of any
agreements described on Disclosure
Schedule (3.7)
have
been delivered to Agent); (e) there is no organizing activity involving any
Credit Party pending or, to any Credit Party’s knowledge, threatened by any
labor union or group of employees; (f) there are no representation proceedings
pending or, to any Credit Party’s knowledge, threatened with the National Labor
Relations Board, and no labor organization or group of employees of any Credit
Party has made a pending demand for recognition; and (g) except as set forth
in
Disclosure
Schedule (3.7),
there
are no material complaints or charges against any Credit Party pending or,
to
the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened to be filed with any Governmental
Authority or arbitrator based on, arising out of, in connection with, or
otherwise relating to the employment or termination of employment by any Credit
Party of any individual.
21
3.8 Ventures,
Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock and Indebtedness.
Except
as set forth in Disclosure
Schedule (3.8),
as of
the Closing Date, no Credit Party has any Subsidiaries, is engaged in any joint
venture or partnership with any other Person, or is an Affiliate of any other
Person. All of the issued and outstanding Stock of each Credit Party
(other
than Borrower) is
owned
by each of the Stockholders and in the amounts set forth in Disclosure
Schedule (3.8).
Except
as set forth in Disclosure
Schedule (3.8),
there
are no outstanding rights to purchase, options, warrants or similar rights
or
agreements pursuant to which any Credit Party (including Borrower) may be
required to issue, sell, repurchase or redeem any of its Stock or other equity
securities or any Stock or other equity securities of its Subsidiaries. All
outstanding Indebtedness and Guaranteed Indebtedness of each Credit Party as
of
the Closing Date (except for the Obligations) is described in Section
6.3
(including Disclosure
Schedule (6.3)).
3.9 Government
Regulation.
No
Credit Party is an “investment company” or an “affiliated person” of, or
“promoter” or “principal underwriter” for, an “investment company,” as such
terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940. No Credit Party is
subject to regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935,
the
Federal Power Act, or any other federal or state statute that restricts or
limits its ability to incur Indebtedness or to perform its obligations
hereunder. The making of the Loans by Lenders to Borrower, the incurrence of
the
Letter of Credit Obligations on behalf of Borrower, the application of the
proceeds thereof and repayment thereof and the consummation of the Related
Transactions will not violate any provision of any such statute or any rule,
regulation or order issued by the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
3.10 Margin
Regulations.
No
Credit Party is engaged, nor will it engage, principally or as one of its
important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of
“purchasing” or “carrying” any “margin stock” as such terms are defined in
Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board as now and from time to time hereafter
in effect (such securities being referred to herein as “Margin
Stock”).
None
of the proceeds of the Loans or other extensions of credit under this Agreement
will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
any Margin Stock, for the purpose of reducing or retiring any Indebtedness
that
was originally incurred to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or for any other
purpose that might cause any of the Loans or other extensions of credit under
this Agreement to be considered a “purpose credit” within the meaning of
Regulations T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board. No Credit Party will take
or
permit to be taken any action that might cause any Loan Document to violate
any
regulation of the Federal Reserve Board.
22
3.11 Taxes.
All tax
returns, reports and statements, including information returns, required by
any
Governmental Authority (“Tax
Returns”)
to be
filed by any Credit Party have been filed with the appropriate Governmental
Authority; all such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in all material
respects; and all Charges have been paid prior to the date on which any fine,
penalty, interest or late charge may be added thereto for nonpayment thereof
(or
any such fine, penalty, interest, late charge or loss has been paid), excluding
Charges or other amounts being contested in accordance with Section
5.2(b).
There
are no Liens for Charges (other than for current Charges not yet due and
payable) upon the assets of any Credit Party. No adjustment relating to such
Tax
Returns has been proposed formally or informally by any Governmental Authority
and, to the knowledge of each Credit Party, no basis exists for any such
adjustment. Proper and accurate amounts have been withheld by each Credit Party
from its respective employees, independent contractors, creditors, members,
partners and other third parties for all periods in full and complete compliance
with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws and such withholdings
have been timely paid to the respective Governmental Authorities. Disclosure
Schedule (3.11)
sets
forth as of the Closing Date those taxable years for which any Credit Party’s
tax returns are currently being audited by the IRS or any other applicable
Governmental Authority and any assessments or threatened assessments in
connection with such audit, or otherwise currently outstanding. Except as
indicated on Disclosure
Schedule (3.11),
all
Charges that have been claimed, proposed, asserted or assessed against any
Credit Party (or with respect to any of their assets) have been fully paid
or
finally settled. Except as described in Disclosure
Schedule (3.11),
no
Credit Party has executed or filed with the IRS or any other Governmental
Authority any agreement or other document extending, or having the effect of
extending, the period for assessment or collection of any Charges. None of
the
Credit Parties and their respective predecessors are liable for any Charges:
(a)
under any agreement (including any tax sharing agreements) or (b) to each Credit
Party’s knowledge, as a transferee. As of the Closing Date, no Credit Party has
agreed or been requested to make any adjustment under IRC Section 481(a), by
reason of a change in accounting method or otherwise, which would have a
Material Adverse Effect.
3.12 ERISA.
(a) Disclosure
Schedule (3.12)
lists
all Plans and separately identifies all Pension Plans, including Title IV Plans,
Multiemployer Plans, ESOPs and Welfare Plans, including all Retiree Welfare
Plans in effect as of the Closing Date. Copies of all such listed Plans,
together with a copy of the latest form IRS/DOL 5500-series for each such Plan
have been delivered to Agent. Except with respect to Multiemployer Plans, each
Qualified Plan has been determined by the IRS to qualify under Section 401
of
the IRC, the trusts created thereunder have been determined to be exempt from
tax under the provisions of Section 501 of the IRC, and nothing has occurred
that would cause the loss of such qualification or tax-exempt status. Each
Plan
is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the IRC, including
the timely filing of all reports required under the IRC or ERISA, including
the
statement required by 29 CFR Section 2520.104-23. Neither any Credit Party
nor
ERISA Affiliate has failed to make any contribution or pay any amount due as
required by either Section 412 of the IRC or Section 302 of ERISA or the terms
of any such Plan. Neither any Credit Party nor ERISA Affiliate has engaged
in a
“prohibited
transaction,”
as
defined in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the IRC, in connection
with
any Plan, that would subject any Credit Party to a material tax on prohibited
transactions imposed by Section 502(i) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
IRC.
23
(b) Except
as
set forth in Disclosure
Schedule (3.12):
(i) no
Title IV Plan has any Unfunded Pension Liability; (ii) no ERISA Event or event
described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA with respect to any Title IV Plan has
occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (iii) there are no pending, or
to
the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened claims (other than claims for
benefits in the normal course), sanctions, actions or lawsuits, asserted or
instituted against any Plan or any Person as fiduciary or sponsor of any Plan;
(iv) no Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate has incurred or reasonably expects
to
incur any liability as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from a
Multiemployer Plan; (v) within the last five years no Title IV Plan of any
Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate has been terminated, whether or not in a
“standard termination” as that term is used in Section 404(b)(1) of ERISA, nor
has any Title IV Plan of any Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate (determined at
any
time within the past five years) with Unfunded Pension Liabilities been
transferred outside of the “controlled group” (within the meaning of Section
4001(a)(14) of ERISA) of any Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate; (vi) except
in the case of any ESOP, Stock of all Credit Parties and their ERISA Affiliates
makes up, in the aggregate, no more than 10% of fair market value of the assets
of any Plan measured on the basis of fair market value as of the latest
valuation date of any Plan; and (vii) no liability under any Title IV Plan
has been satisfied with the purchase of a contract from an insurance company
that is not rated AAA by the Standard & Poor’s Corporation or an equivalent
rating by another nationally recognized rating agency.
3.13 No
Litigation.
(a) No
action, claim, lawsuit, demand, investigation or proceeding is now pending
or,
to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened against any Credit Party,
before any Governmental Authority or before any arbitrator or panel of
arbitrators (collectively, “Litigation”),
(a) that challenges any Credit Party’s right or power to enter into or
perform any of its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party,
or the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any action taken
thereunder, or (b) that has a reasonable risk of being determined adversely
to
any Credit Party and that, if so determined, could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Disclosure
Schedule (3.13),
as of
the Closing Date there is no Litigation pending or threatened that seeks damages
in excess of $100,000 or injunctive relief against, or alleges criminal
misconduct of, any Credit Party.
(b) Borrower
has fully and finally settled the Class Action Litigation and paid all amounts
payable by it in connection with such settlement and has no further liabilities
or obligations, contingent or otherwise, relating to the Class Action
Litigation. Borrower has fully and finally settled the SEC Investigation and
paid all amounts payable by it in connection with such settlement and has no
further liabilities or obligations, contingent or otherwise, relating to the
SEC
Investigation.
3.14 Brokers.
No
broker or finder acting on behalf of any Credit Party or Affiliate thereof
brought about the obtaining, making or closing of the Loans or the Related
Transactions, and no Credit Party or Affiliate thereof has any obligation to
any
Person in respect of any finder’s or brokerage fees in connection
therewith.
3.15 Intellectual
Property.
As of
the Closing Date, each Credit Party owns or has rights to use all Intellectual
Property necessary to continue to conduct its business as now or heretofore
conducted by it or proposed to be conducted by it, and each Patent, Trademark,
Copyright and License is listed, together with application or registration
numbers, as applicable, in Disclosure
Schedule (3.15).
Each
Credit Party conducts its business and affairs without infringement of or
interference with any Intellectual Property of any other Person in any material
respect. Except as set forth in Disclosure
Schedule (3.15),
no
Credit Party is aware of any infringement claim by any other Person with respect
to any Intellectual Property.
24
3.16 Full
Disclosure.
No
information contained in this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents, any
Projections, Financial Statements or other written reports from time to time
delivered hereunder or any written statement furnished by or on behalf of any
Credit Party to Agent or any Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or
will omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained
herein or therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which
they
were made. The Liens granted to Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, pursuant
to the Collateral Documents will at all times be fully perfected first priority
Liens in and to the Collateral described therein, subject, as to priority,
only
to Permitted Encumbrances.
3.17 Environmental
Matters.
(a) Except
as
set forth in Disclosure
Schedule (3.17),
as of
the Closing Date: (i) the Real Estate is free of contamination from any
Hazardous Material except for such contamination that would not adversely impact
the value or marketability of such Real Estate and that would not result in
Environmental Liabilities that could reasonably be expected to exceed $500,000;
(ii) the Credit Parties are and have been in compliance with all Environmental
Laws, except for such noncompliance that would not result in Environmental
Liabilities which could reasonably be expected to exceed $500,000; (iii) the
Credit Parties have obtained, and are in compliance with, all Environmental
Permits required by Environmental Laws for the operations of their respective
businesses as presently conducted or as proposed to be conducted, except where
the failure to so obtain or comply with such Environmental Permits would not
result in Environmental Liabilities that could reasonably be expected to exceed
$500,000, and all such Environmental Permits are valid, uncontested and in
good
standing; (iv) no Credit Party is involved in operations or knows of any facts,
circumstances or conditions, including any Releases of Hazardous Materials,
that
are likely to result in any Environmental Liabilities of such Credit Party
which
could reasonably be expected to exceed $500,000, and no Credit Party has
permitted any current or former tenant or occupant of the Real Estate to engage
in any such operations; (v) there is no Litigation arising under or related
to
any Environmental Laws, Environmental Permits or Hazardous Material that seeks
damages, penalties, fines, costs or expenses in excess of $500,000 or injunctive
relief against, or that alleges criminal misconduct by, any Credit Party; (vi)
no notice has been received by any Credit Party identifying it as a “potentially
responsible party” or requesting information under CERCLA or analogous state
statutes, and to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, there are no facts,
circumstances or conditions that may result in any Credit Party being identified
as a “potentially responsible party” under CERCLA or analogous state statutes;
and (vii) the Credit Parties have provided to Agent copies of all existing
environmental reports, reviews and audits and all written information pertaining
to actual or potential Environmental Liabilities, in each case relating to
any
Credit Party.
25
(b) Each
Credit Party hereby acknowledges and agrees that Agent (i) is not now, and
has
not ever been, in control of any of the Real Estate or any Credit Party’s
affairs, and (ii) does not have the capacity through the provisions of the
Loan
Documents or otherwise to influence any Credit Party’s conduct with respect to
the ownership, operation or management of any of its Real Estate or compliance
with Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits.
3.18 Insurance.
Disclosure
Schedule (3.18)
lists
all insurance policies of any nature maintained, as of the Closing Date, for
current occurrences by each Credit Party, as well as a summary of the terms
of
each such policy.
3.19 Deposit
and Disbursement Accounts.
Disclosure
Schedule (3.19)
lists
all banks and other financial institutions at which any Credit Party maintains
deposit or other accounts as of the Closing Date, including any Disbursement
Accounts, and such Schedule correctly identifies the name, address and telephone
number of each depository, the name in which the account is held, a description
of the purpose of the account, and the complete account number
therefor.
3.20 Government
Contracts.
Except
as set forth in Disclosure
Schedule (3.20),
as of
the Closing Date, no Credit Party is a party to any contract or agreement with
any Governmental Authority and no Credit Party’s Accounts are subject to the
Federal Assignment of Claims Act (31 U.S.C. Section 3727) or any similar state
or local law.
3.21 Customer
and Trade Relations.
As of
the Closing Date, there exists no actual or, to the knowledge of any Credit
Party, threatened termination or cancellation of, or any material adverse
modification or change in the business relationship of any Credit Party with
any
customer or group of customers whose purchases during the preceding 12 months
caused them to be ranked among the ten largest customers of such Credit Party
or
the business relationship of any Credit Party with any supplier material to
its
operations.
3.22 Agreements
and Other Documents.
As of
the Closing Date, each Credit Party has provided to Agent or its counsel, on
behalf of Lenders, accurate and complete copies (or summaries) of all of the
following agreements or documents to which it is subject and each of which
is
listed in Disclosure
Schedule (3.22):
any
supply agreements and purchase agreements, leases or other agreements or
licenses and permits, in each case, the absence of which could be reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; and instruments and documents
evidencing any Indebtedness or Guaranteed Indebtedness of such Credit Party
and
any Lien granted by such Credit Party with respect thereto.
3.23 Solvency.
Both
before and after giving effect to (a) the Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations
to be made or incurred on the Closing Date or such other date as Loans and
Letter of Credit Obligations requested hereunder are made or incurred, (b)
the
disbursement of the proceeds of such Loans pursuant to the instructions of
Borrower, (c) the Acquisitions and the consummation of the other Related
Transactions and (d) the payment and accrual of all transaction costs in
connection with the foregoing, each Credit Party is and will be
Solvent.
3.24 Acquisition
Agreements.
As of
the Closing Date:
26
(a) Borrower
has delivered to Agent a complete and correct copy of the BetaTHERM Acquisition
Agreement (including all schedules, exhibits, amendments, supplements,
modifications, assignments and all other documents delivered pursuant thereto
or
in connection therewith) and all of conditions to consummation of the BetaTHERM
Acquisition (other than payment of the purchase price and delivery of various
ancillary closing documents as disclosed by Borrower to Agent and Lenders)
in
accordance with the terms of the BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement (including
execution and delivery all documents required to delivered pursuant thereto
or
in connection therewith) have been satisfied by the parties thereto. No Credit
Party and no other Person party thereto is in default in the performance or
compliance with any provisions thereof. The BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement
complies with, and the BetaTHERM Acquisition will be consummated in accordance
with all applicable laws upon payment of the Purchase Price (as defined the
BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement) on the Closing Date. The BetaTHERM Acquisition
Agreement is in full force and effect as of the Closing Date and has not been
terminated, rescinded or withdrawn. All requisite approvals by Governmental
Authorities having jurisdiction over BetaTHERM Sellers, any Credit Party and
other Persons referenced therein, with respect to the transactions contemplated
by the BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement, have been obtained, and no such
approvals impose any conditions to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement or to the conduct by any
Credit Party of its business thereafter. To the best of each Credit Party’s
knowledge, none of the BetaTHERM Sellers’ representations or warranties in the
BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement contain any untrue statement of a material
fact
or omit any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. Each
of the representations and warranties given by each applicable Credit Party
in
the BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement is true and correct in all material
respects; and
(b) Borrower
has delivered to Agent a complete and correct copy of the YSIS Acquisition
Agreement (including all schedules, exhibits, amendments, supplements,
modifications, assignments and all other documents delivered pursuant thereto
or
in connection therewith) and all of conditions to consummation of the YSIS
Acquisition (other than payment of the purchase price and delivery of various
ancillary closing documents as disclosed by Borrower to Agent and Lenders)
in
accordance with the terms of the YSIS Acquisition Agreement (including execution
and delivery all documents required to delivered pursuant thereto or in
connection therewith) have been satisfied by the parties thereto. No Credit
Party and no other Person party thereto is in default in the performance or
compliance with any provisions thereof. The YSIS Acquisition Agreement complies
with, and the YSIS Acquisition will be consummated in accordance with all
applicable laws upon payment of the Closing Date Purchase Price Payment (as
defined the YSIS Acquisition Agreement) on the Closing Date. The YSIS
Acquisition Agreement is in full force and effect as of the Closing Date and
has
not been terminated, rescinded or withdrawn. All requisite approvals by
Governmental Authorities having jurisdiction over YSIS Sellers, any Credit
Party
and other Persons referenced therein, with respect to the transactions
contemplated by the YSIS Acquisition Agreement, have been obtained, and no
such
approvals impose any conditions to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the YSIS Acquisition Agreement or to the conduct by any Credit
Party of its business thereafter. To the best of each Credit Party’s knowledge,
none of the YSIS Sellers’ representations or warranties in the YSIS Acquisition
Agreement contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit any fact
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. Each of the
representations and warranties given by each applicable Credit Party in the
YSIS
Acquisition Agreement is true and correct in all material respects.
27
3.25 Foreign
Assets Control Regulations.
None of
the Credit Parties nor, to the best knowledge of each Credit Party, any
Affiliate of any Credit Party, is, or will be after consummation of the Related
Transactions and application of the proceeds of the Loans, by reason of being
a
“national” of a “designated foreign country” or a “specially designated
national” within the meaning of the Regulations of the Office of Foreign Assets
Control, United States Treasury Department (31 C.F.R., Subtitle B, Chapter
V),
or for any other reason, in violation of, any United States Federal statute
or
Presidential Executive Order concerning trade or other relations with any
foreign country or any citizen or national thereof or the ownership or operation
of any Property.
3.26 Anti-Terrorism
Law.
(a) No
Credit
Party and, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, none of its Affiliates is
in
violation of any laws relating to terrorism or money laundering (“Anti-Terrorism
Laws”),
including Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective September
24, 2001 (the “Executive
Order”),
and
the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required
to
Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56 (the
“Patriot
Act”).
(b) No
Credit
Party, and to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, no Affiliate or broker or
other agent of any Credit Party acting or benefiting in any capacity in
connection with the Loans is any of the following:
(i) a
Person
that is listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of,
the Executive Order;
(ii) a
Person
owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, any Person that is listed
in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, the Executive
Order;
(iii) a
Person
with which any Lender is prohibited from dealing or otherwise engaging in any
transaction by any Anti-Terrorism Law; or
(iv) a
Person
that commits, threatens or conspires to commit or supports “terrorism” as
defined in the Executive Order.
(c) No
Credit
Party and, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, no broker or other agent
of
any Credit Party acting in any capacity in connection with the Loans (i)
conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of
funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Person described in
paragraph (b) above, (ii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction
relating to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to the
Executive Order, or (iii) engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction
that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts
to
violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism
Law.
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4. FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION
(a) Reports
and Notices.
Each US
Credit Party executing this Agreement hereby agrees that from and after the
Closing Date and until the Termination Date, it shall deliver to Agent or to
Agent and Lenders, as required, the Financial Statements, notices, Projections
and other information at the times, to the Persons and in the manner set forth
in Annex
E.
4.2 Communication
with Accountants.
Each US
Credit Party executing this Agreement authorizes (a) Agent and (b) so long
as an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, each Lender, to communicate
directly with its independent certified public accountants, including Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx LLP and KPMG LLP, and authorizes and, at Agent’s request, shall
instruct those accountants and advisors to disclose and make available to Agent
and each Lender any and all Financial Statements and other supporting financial
documents, schedules and information relating to any Credit Party (including
copies of any issued management letters) with respect to the business, financial
condition and other affairs of any Credit Party.
5. AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS
Each
US
Credit Party executing this Agreement jointly and severally agrees as to itself,
and to cause all other Credit Parties, from and after the date hereof and until
the Termination Date to comply with the following:
5.1 Maintenance
of Existence and Conduct of Business.
Except
as contemplated by the BetaTHERM Reorganization, Each Credit Party shall: do
or
cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and
effect its corporate existence and its rights and franchises; continue to
conduct its business substantially as now conducted or as otherwise permitted
hereunder; at all times maintain, preserve and protect all of its assets and
properties used or useful in the conduct of its business, and keep the same
in
good repair, working order and condition in all material respects (taking into
consideration ordinary wear and tear) and from time to time make, or cause
to be
made, all necessary or appropriate repairs, replacements and improvements
thereto consistent with industry practices; and transact business only in such
corporate and trade names as are set forth in Disclosure
Schedule (5.1).
5.2 Payment
of Charges.
(a) Subject
to Section
5.2(b),
each
Credit Party shall pay and discharge or cause to be paid and discharged promptly
all Charges payable by it, including (i) Charges imposed upon it, its
income and profits, or any of its property (real, personal or mixed) and all
Charges with respect to tax, social security and unemployment withholding with
respect to its employees, (ii) lawful claims for labor, materials, supplies
and services or otherwise, and (iii) all storage or rental charges payable
to warehousemen and bailees, in each case, before any thereof shall become
past
due.
(b) Each
Credit Party may in good faith contest, by appropriate proceedings, the validity
or amount of any Charges, Taxes or claims described in Section
5.2(a);
provided, that (i) adequate reserves with respect to such contest are maintained
on the books of such Credit Party, in accordance with GAAP; (ii) no Lien shall
be imposed to secure payment of such Charges (other than payments to
warehousemen and/or bailees) that is superior to any of the Liens securing
payment of the Obligations and such contest is maintained and prosecuted
continuously and with diligence and operates to suspend collection or
enforcement of such Charges, (iii) none of the Collateral becomes subject to
forfeiture or loss as a result of such contest, (iv) such Credit Party shall
promptly pay or discharge such contested Charges, Taxes or claims and all
additional charges, interest, penalties and expenses, if any, and shall deliver
to Agent evidence reasonably acceptable to Agent of such compliance, payment
or
discharge, if such contest is terminated or discontinued adversely to such
Credit Party or the conditions set forth in this Section
5.2(b)
are no
longer met, and (v) Agent has not advised Borrower in writing that Agent
reasonably believes that nonpayment or nondischarge thereof could have or result
in a Material Adverse Effect.
29
5.3 Books
and Records.
Each
Credit Party shall keep adequate books and records with respect to its business
activities in which proper entries, reflecting all financial transactions,
are
made in accordance with GAAP and on a basis consistent with the Financial
Statements attached as Disclosure
Schedule (3.4(a)).
Each
Credit Party shall record all intercompany transactions on its books and records
in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Agent.
5.4 Insurance;
Damage to or Destruction of Collateral.
(a) Coverage.
Without
limiting any of the other obligations or liabilities
of the Credit Parties under this Agreement, the Credit Parties shall, during
the
term of this Agreement, carry and maintain, at their own expense, at least
the
minimum insurance coverage set forth in this Section
5.4.
The
Credit Parties shall also carry and maintain any other insurance that Agent
may
reasonably require from time to time. All insurance carried pursuant to this
Section
5.4
shall be
placed with such insurers having a minimum A.M. Best rating of A:X (or as may
be
otherwise agreed by Agent) and be in such form, with terms, conditions, limits
and deductibles as shall be acceptable to Agent. The insurance required to
be
carried and maintained by the Credit Parties hereunder shall, in all events,
include the following:
(i) All
Risk Property Insurance.
The
Credit Parties shall maintain all risk property insurance covering against
physical loss or damage, including but not limited to fire and extended
coverage, collapse, flood, earth movement and comprehensive boiler and machinery
coverage (including electrical malfunction and mechanical breakdown). Coverage
shall be written on a replacement cost basis in an amount acceptable to Agent.
Such insurance policy shall contain an agreed amount endorsement waiving any
coinsurance penalty and shall include expediting expense coverage;
and
(ii) Business
Interruption Insurance.
As an
extension of the insurance required under paragraph (a)(i), the Credit Parties
shall maintain business interruption insurance in an amount equal to 12 months
projected net profits, and continuing expenses (including the debt service
payments due on the loan). The insurance shall include coverage for contingent
business interruption arising from loss or damage to property and equipment
of
major suppliers and customers of the Credit Parties. Such insurance shall
contain an agreed amount endorsement waiving any coinsurance penalty and shall
include extra expense coverage. Deductibles shall not exceed thirty (30) days;
and
30
(iii) Comprehensive
or Commercial General Liability Insurance.
The
Credit Parties shall maintain comprehensive general liability insurance written
on an occurrence basis with a limit of not less than $1,000,000. Such coverage
shall include, but not be limited to, premises/operations, broad form
contractual liability, independent contractors, products/completed operations,
property damage and personal injury liability. Such insurance shall not contain
an exclusion for punitive or exemplary damages where insurable by law;
and
(iv) Workers’
Compensation/Employer’s Liability Insurance.
The
Credit Parties shall maintain (i) Workers’ Compensation insurance in accordance
with statutory provisions covering accidental injury, illness or death of an
employee of the Credit Parties while at work or in the scope of his employment
with the Credit Parties and (ii) Employer’s Liability in an amount not less than
$1,000,000. Such coverage shall not contain any occupational disease exclusions;
and
(v) Automobile
Liability Insurance.
The
Credit Parties shall maintain Automobile Liability insurance covering owned,
non-owned, leased, hired or borrowed vehicles against bodily injury or property
damage. Such coverage shall have a limit of not less than $1,000,000;
and
(vi) Excess/Umbrella
Liability Insurance.
The
Credit Parties shall maintain excess or umbrella liability insurance written
on
an occurrence basis in an amount not less than $25,000,000 providing coverage
limits in excess of the insurance limits required under paragraphs (a)(iii),
and
(a)(iv), employer’s liability only, and (v). Such insurance shall follow from
the primary insurances and drop down in case of exhaustion of underlying limits
and/or aggregates. Such insurance shall not contain an exclusion for punitive
or
exemplary damages where insurable under law; and
(vii) Aircraft
Products Liability Insurance.
The
Credit Parties shall maintain aircraft products liability insurance written
in
an amount not less than $10,000,000.
(b) Endorsements.
The
Credit Parties shall cause all insurance policies carried and maintained in
accordance with this Section
5.4
to be
endorsed as follows:
(i) Agent
and
Lenders shall be an additional insureds, with Agent as loss payee, with respect
to property policies described in paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii). Agent and
Lenders shall be additional insureds with respect to liability policies
described in paragraphs (a)(iii), (a)(iv), and, to the extent allowed by law,
(a)(v), (vi) and (vii). It shall be understood that any obligation imposed
upon
the Credit Parties, including the obligation to pay premiums, shall be the
sole
obligation of the Credit Parties and not that of Agent and Lenders;
and
(ii) With
respect to property policies described in paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii), the
interests of Agent and Lenders shall not be invalidated by any action or
inaction of the Credit Parties or any other person, and shall insure Agent
and
Lenders regardless of any breach or violation by the Credit Parties or any
other
person, of any warranties, declarations or conditions of such policies;
and
(iii) Inasmuch
as the liability policies are written to cover more than one insured, all terms
conditions, insuring agreements and endorsements, with the exception of the
limits of liability, shall operate in the same manner as if there were a
separate policy covering each insured; and
31
(iv) The
insurers thereunder shall waive all rights of subrogation against Agent and
Lenders, any right of setoff or counterclaim, and any other right to deduction,
whether by attachment or otherwise; and
(v) Such
insurance shall be primary without right of contribution of any other insurance
carried by or on behalf of Agent and Lenders; and
(vi) If
such
insurance is canceled for any reason whatsoever, including nonpayment of
premium, or any changes are initiated by the Credit Parties or the carrier
which
affect the interests of Agent and Lenders, such cancellation or change shall
not
be effective as to Agent and Lenders until 30 days (ten (10) days in the case
of
non-payment of premium) after receipt by Agent of written notice sent by
registered mail from such insurer.
(c) Certifications.
On the
Closing Date, and at each policy renewal, but not less than annually, the Credit
Parties shall provide to Agent a certification from each insurer or by an
authorized representative of each insurer. Such certification shall identify
the
underwriters, the type of insurance, the limits, deductibles, and term thereof
and shall specifically list the special provisions delineated in Section
5.4(b)
above
for such insurance required for this Section
5.4.
(d) Insurance
Report.
Concurrently with the furnishing of all certificates referred to in this
Section
5.4,
the
Credit Parties shall furnish Agent with a letter from an independent insurance
broker, acceptable to Agent, stating that (i) all premiums then due by the
Credit Parties have been paid, (ii) in the opinion of such broker, the insurance
then maintained by the Credit Parties is in compliance with this Section
5.4,
(iii)
the endorsements in Section
5.4(b)
above,
have been or shall soon be, endorsed to the Credit Parties’ relevant insurance
policies and (iv) upon its first knowledge, such broker shall advise Agent
promptly in writing of any default in the payment of any premiums or any other
act or omission, on the part of any person, which might invalidate or render
unenforceable, in whole or in part, any insurance provided by the Credit Parties
hereunder.
(e) General.
Upon
request, the Credit Parties shall furnish Agent with copies of all insurance
policies, binders and cover notes or other evidence of such insurance.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no provision of this
Section
5.4
or any
provision of this Agreement shall impose on Agent any duty or obligation to
verify the existence or adequacy of the insurance coverage maintained by the
Credit Parties, nor shall Agent or any Lender be responsible for any
representations or warranties made by or on behalf of the Credit Parties to
any
insurance broker, company or underwriter. Agent, at its sole option, may obtain
such insurance if not provided by the Credit Parties and in such event, the
Credit Parties shall reimburse Agent upon demand for the cost thereof together
with interest.
32
(f) Power
of Attorney.
Each of
the US Credit Parties irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints Agent (and
all
officers, employees or agents designated by Agent), so long as any Default
or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or the anticipated insurance
proceeds exceed $250,000, as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact
for
the purpose of making, settling and adjusting claims under such “All Risk”
policies of insurance, endorsing its name on any check or other item of payment
for the proceeds of such “All Risk” policies of insurance and for making all
determinations and decisions with respect to such “All Risk” policies of
insurance. Agent shall have no duty to exercise any rights or powers granted
to
it pursuant to the foregoing power-of-attorney. The Credit Parties shall
promptly notify Agent of any loss, damage, or destruction to the Collateral
in
the amount of $250,000 or more, whether or not covered by insurance. After
deducting from such proceeds the expenses, if any, incurred by Agent in the
collection or handling thereof, Agent may, at its option, apply such proceeds
to
the reduction of the Obligations in accordance with Section 1.3(c),
or
permit or require the Credit Parties to use such money, or any part thereof,
to
replace, repair, restore or rebuild the Collateral in a diligent and expeditious
manner with materials and workmanship of substantially the same quality as
existed before the loss, damage or destruction. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if the casualty giving rise to such insurance proceeds could not reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and such insurance proceeds do not
exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate, Agent shall permit the Credit Parties to
replace, restore, repair or rebuild the property; provided that if the Credit
Parties has not completed or entered into binding agreements to complete such
replacement, restoration, repair or rebuilding within 180 days of such casualty,
Agent may apply such insurance proceeds to the Obligations in accordance with
Section
1.3(c).
All
insurance proceeds that are to be made available to the Credit Parties to
replace, repair, restore or rebuild the Collateral shall be applied by Agent
to
reduce the outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Loan (which
application shall not result in a permanent reduction of the Revolving Loan
Commitment) and upon such application, Agent shall establish a reserve against
the Borrowing Availability in an amount equal to the amount of such proceeds
so
applied. Thereafter, such funds shall be made available to the Credit Parties
to
provide funds to replace, repair, restore or rebuild the Collateral as follows:
(i) the Credit Parties shall request a Revolving Credit Advance in the amount
requested to be released; (ii) so long as the conditions set forth in Section
2.2 have been met, Revolving Lenders shall make such Revolving Credit Advance;
and (iii) the reserve established with respect to such insurance proceeds shall
be reduced by the amount of such Revolving Credit Advance. To the extent not
used to replace, repair, restore or rebuild the Collateral, such insurance
proceeds shall be applied in accordance with Section
1.3(c).
Nothing
herein shall be construed to entitle the Agent to the proceeds of insurance
from
any loss with respect to any property or assets of any Credit Party that is
not
a US Credit Party.
5.5 Compliance
with Laws.
Each
Credit Party shall comply with all federal, state, local and foreign laws and
regulations applicable to it, including those relating to ERISA and labor
matters and Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits, except to the extent
that the failure to comply, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.6 Supplemental
Disclosure.
From
time to time as may be reasonably requested by Agent (which request will not
be
made more frequently than once each year absent the occurrence and continuance
of a Default or an Event of Default), the Credit Parties shall supplement each
Disclosure Schedule hereto, or any representation herein or in any other Loan
Document, with respect to any matter hereafter arising that, if existing or
occurring at the date of this Agreement, would have been required to be set
forth or described in such Disclosure Schedule or as an exception to such
representation or that is necessary to correct any information in such
Disclosure Schedule or representation which has been rendered inaccurate thereby
(and, in the case of any supplements to any Disclosure Schedule, such Disclosure
Schedule shall be appropriately marked to show the changes made therein);
provided
that (a)
no such supplement to any such Disclosure Schedule or representation shall
amend, supplement or otherwise modify the term Disclosure Schedule as used
herein or any or representation with respect thereto, or be or be deemed a
waiver of any Default or Event of Default resulting from the matters disclosed
therein, except as consented to by Agent and Requisite Lenders in writing,
and
(b) no supplement shall be required or permitted as to representations and
warranties that relate solely to the Closing Date.
33
5.7 Intellectual
Property.
Each
Credit Party will conduct its business and affairs without infringement of
or
interference with any Intellectual Property of any other Person in any material
respect.
5.8 Environmental
Matters.
Each
Credit Party shall and shall cause each Person within its control to: (a)
conduct its operations and keep and maintain its Real Estate in compliance
with
all Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits other
than noncompliance that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect;
(b)
implement any and all investigation, remediation, removal and response actions
that are appropriate or necessary to comply with Environmental Laws and
Environmental Permits other than noncompliance that could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (c) notify Agent promptly after
such
Credit Party becomes aware of any violation of Environmental Laws or
Environmental Permits or any Release on, at, in, under, above, to, from or
about
any Real Estate that is reasonably likely to result in Environmental Liabilities
in excess of $100,000; and (d) promptly forward to Agent a copy of any order,
notice, request for information or any communication or report received by
such
Credit Party in connection with any such violation or Release or any other
matter relating to any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits that could
reasonably be expected to result in Environmental Liabilities in excess of
$100,000, in each case whether or not the Environmental Protection Agency or
any
Governmental Authority has taken or threatened any action in connection with
any
such violation, Release or other matter.
5.9 Landlords’
Agreements, Mortgagee Agreements, Bailee Letters and Real Estate
Purchases.
Each US
Credit Party shall obtain a landlord’s agreement, mortgagee agreement or bailee
letter, as applicable, from the lessor of each leased property (other than
Hampton, Virginia), mortgagee of owned property or bailee with respect to any
warehouse, processor or converter facility or other location where Collateral
is
stored or located having a fair market value of greater than $500,000, which
agreement or letter shall contain a waiver or subordination of all Liens or
claims that the landlord, mortgagee or bailee may assert against the Collateral
at that location, and shall otherwise be reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to Agent; provided
that
with respect to (i) 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, the US
Credit Parties shall deliver a landlord’s agreement reasonably satisfactory in
form and substance to Agent on or before October 1, 2006, unless the lease
for
such location is not renewed, and (ii) 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxx,
the US Credit Parties shall deliver a landlord’s agreement reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to Agent on or before the fifth Business
Day
following the Closing Date. After the Closing Date, no Collateral having a
fair
market value of greater than $500,000 shall be located at any real property
or
warehouse space leased by any US Credit Party or shall be shipped to a processor
or converter under arrangements established after the Closing Date unless and
until a satisfactory landlord agreement or bailee letter, as appropriate, shall
first have been obtained with respect to such location, unless otherwise
required by Agent. Each US Credit Party shall timely and fully pay and perform
its obligations under all leases and other agreements with respect to each
leased location or public warehouse where any Collateral is or may be located.
To the extent permitted hereunder, if any US Credit Party proposes to acquire
a
fee ownership interest in Real Estate after the Closing Date, it shall first
provide to Agent a mortgage or deed of trust granting Agent a first priority
Lien on such Real Estate, together with environmental audits, mortgage title
insurance commitment, real property survey, local counsel opinion(s), and,
if
required by Agent, supplemental casualty insurance and flood insurance, and
such
other documents, instruments or agreements reasonably requested by Agent, in
each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent.
34
5.10 Key
Man Life Insurance.
Borrower shall maintain in full force and effect, with an insurance company
satisfactory to Agent, a key man life insurance policy insuring the life of
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx in an amount no less than $5,000,000, naming Agent as beneficiary
under such insurance policy and assigned to Agent by Borrower (which assignment
will be consented to by the issuer of such insurance), and otherwise terms
reasonably satisfactory in all respects to Agent. Borrower hereby assigns to
Agent, and grants to Agent, for the benefit of Agent and Lenders, a security
interest in and lien upon, all right, title and interest of Borrower in and
to
such policy and all proceeds thereof, to secure the Obligations, and such
assignment and grant continue without any diminution thereof and remain in
full
force and effect. Upon receipt by Agent of any cash proceeds of such key man
life insurance, Agent may at its option apply such proceeds to the prepayment
of
principal of the Loans in accordance with Section
1.3(c).
In the
event any payment of such insurance proceeds is later rescinded, revoked or
reduced or must otherwise be restored or returned for any reason, any such
payment or prepayment of any Obligations shall be reinstated and deemed reduced
only by such proceeds paid and not rescinded, reduced or returned. At any time
and from time to time, upon the written request of Agent and at the sole expense
of Borrower, Borrower shall promptly and duly execute and deliver any and all
such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as Agent
may deem desirable to obtain the full benefits of such assignment and security
interest and of the rights and powers herein granted.
5.11 ERISA.
Each
Credit Party shall comply in all material respects with the applicable
provisions of ERISA and the IRC, except to the extent such failure to company,
individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Affect. Each Credit Party shall furnish to Agent
written notice as soon as possible, and in any event within 10 Business Days
after any Credit Party knows, or has reason to know, of: (a) a material increase
in the benefits of any existing Plan, the establishment of any new Plan, or
the
commencement of contributions to any Plan; or (b) an ERISA Event, together
with
a statement of an officer setting forth the details of such ERISA Event and
action which the Credit Parties propose to take with respect thereto. The
Credit Parties shall furnish to Agent, within 30 Business Days after
the filing thereof with the Department of Labor, IRS or PBGC, copies of each
annual report (Form 5500 series) filed for each Plan. The Credit
Parties shall furnish to Agent, within 30 days after receipt by any
Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate, copies of each actuarial report for
each Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan and each annual report for any
Multiemployer Plan.
35
5.12 Foreign
Subsidiaries.
If
Borrower shall at any time consolidate its and any of its Foreign Subsidiaries’
financial statements for US tax-reporting purposes on a world-wide basis, at
the
request of Agent, Borrower shall cause such Foreign Subsidiary to execute and
deliver to Agent (a) a Guaranty in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to
Agent, guarantying the Obligations under the other Loan Documents, and (b)
Collateral Documents in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent,
granting to Agent a Lien over such Foreign Subsidiary’s properties and assets,
in each case, to the extent such Guaranty or Collateral Document is not
prohibited by the law of the jurisdiction of formation of such Foreign
Subsidiary, and shall cause the pledge of all of the Stock of such Foreign
Subsidiary to Agent to secure all of the Obligations. In making any request
under the immediately preceding sentence, Agent shall, so long as no Default
or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, exercise reasonable credit
judgment and take into consideration the costs associated therewith in relation
to the value or importance of such Guaranty or Collateral Documents. The
security interests required to be granted pursuant to this Section shall be
valid and enforceable perfected security interests prior to the rights of all
third Persons and subject to no other Liens, except Permitted Encumbrances.
The
Collateral Documents and other instruments related thereto shall be duly
recorded or filed in such manner and in such places and at such times, and
such
other actions shall be taken, as are required by law to establish, perfect,
preserve and protect the Liens, in favor of Agent, required to be granted
pursuant to such documents and all taxes, fees and other charges payable in
connection therewith shall be paid in full by Borrower and such Foreign
Subsidiary. At the time of the execution and delivery of the additional
documents, Borrower shall cause to be delivered to Agent such opinions of
counsel, mortgage policies, title surveys, real estate appraisals, certificates
of title, stock certificates and other related documents as may be reasonably
requested by Agent to assure itself that this Section has been complied
with.
5.13 Further
Assurances.
Each US
Credit Party executing this Agreement agrees that it shall and shall cause
each
other Credit Party to, at such Credit Party’s expense and upon request of Agent,
duly execute and deliver, or cause to be duly executed and delivered, to Agent
such further instruments and do and cause to be done such further acts as may
be
necessary or proper in the reasonable opinion of Agent to carry out more
effectively the provisions and purposes of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document.
5.14 Patriot
Act Compliance.
The
Credit Parties shall provide such information and take such actions as are
reasonably required by Agent or any Lender in order to assist Agent and Lenders
with compliance with the Patriot Act.
5.15 BetaTHERM
Reorganization.
Within
180 after the Closing Date, Borrower shall have caused the BetaTHERM
Reorganization to be completed and shall have provided true, correct and
complete copies of all documents and filings effecting such transactions;
provided
that
clauses (i) and (iii) of the BetaTHERM Reorganization shall be completed on
or
before April 10, 2006.
6. NEGATIVE
COVENANTS
Each
US
Credit Party executing this Agreement jointly and severally agrees for itself,
and to cause all other Credit Parties, from and after the date hereof until
the
Termination Date to comply with the following:
36
6.1 Mergers,
Subsidiaries, Etc.
No
Credit Party shall directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise,
(a)
form or acquire any Subsidiary, or (b) merge with, consolidate with, acquire
all
or substantially all of the assets or Stock of, or otherwise combine with or
acquire, any Person, except (i) any wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary of Borrower
(other than IC Sensors, Elekon, Entran Devices and Intermediate Holdings) may
merge with and into Borrower or another wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary of
Borrower (so long as Borrower is the surviving entity in any merger involving
Borrower), (ii) the Credit Parties may consummate the BetaTHERM Reorganization,
and (iii) any wholly-owned Foreign Subsidiary of Borrower may merge with another
wholly-owned Foreign Subsidiary of Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Borrower, may acquire all or substantially all of the assets or Stock of any
Person (the “Target”)
(in
each case, a “Permitted
Acquisition”)
subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions:
(i) Agent
shall receive at least 20 Business Days’ prior written notice of such proposed
Permitted Acquisition, which notice shall include a reasonably detailed
description of such proposed Permitted Acquisition;
(ii) such
Permitted Acquisition shall only involve assets comprising a business, or those
assets of a business, of the type engaged in by the Credit Parties as of the
Closing Date, and which business would not subject Agent or any Lender to
regulatory or third party approvals in connection with the exercise of its
rights and remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents other
than
approvals applicable to the exercise of such rights and remedies with respect
to
Borrower prior to such Permitted Acquisition;
(iii) such
Permitted Acquisition shall be consensual and shall have been approved by the
Target’s board of directors;
(iv) no
additional Indebtedness or Guaranteed Indebtedness, contingent obligations
or
other liabilities shall be incurred, assumed or otherwise be reflected on a
consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and Target after giving effect to such
Permitted Acquisition, except to the extent such Indebtedness or Guaranteed
Indebtedness is permitted under Section
6.3
or
Section
6.6;
(v) the
purchase price and all other amounts payable by the Credit Parties in connection
with any Permitted Acquisitions, including all transaction costs and Loans
made
hereunder related thereto, shall not exceed $40,000,000
in
the
aggregate in any Fiscal Year (and, with respect to Permitted Acquisitions by
Foreign Subsidiaries of Borrower, such purchase price shall be paid from cash
and cash equivalents of the Foreign Subsidiaries prior to use of cash and cash
equivalents of the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries);
(vi) the
business and assets acquired in such Permitted Acquisition shall be free and
clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Encumbrances);
(vii) at
or
prior to the closing of any Permitted Acquisition, Agent will be granted a
first
priority perfected Lien (subject to Permitted Encumbrances) in all assets
acquired pursuant thereto by a US Credit Party or
in the
assets and Stock of the Target which is a US Credit Party
(and in
66% of Stock held by the US Credit Parties of any Target which is a Foreign
Subsidiary of a US Credit Party), and the Credit Parties and the Target shall
have executed such documents and taken such actions as may be required by Agent
in connection therewith;
37
(viii) Concurrently
with delivery of the notice referred to in clause
(i)
above,
Borrower shall have delivered to Agent, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Agent:
(A) a
pro
forma consolidated and consolidating balance sheet, income statement and cash
flow statement of Borrower and its Subsidiaries (the “Acquisition
Pro Forma”),
based
on recent financial statements, which shall be complete and shall fairly present
in all material respects the assets, liabilities, financial condition and
results of operations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied, but taking into account such Permitted Acquisition and
the
funding of all Loans in connection therewith, and such Acquisition Pro Forma
shall reflect that (x) with respect to a Permitted Acquisition of any Target
that is a Domestic Subsidiary,
on a
pro forma basis, Borrower and its Subsidiaries would have had (1) a Senior
Leverage Ratio not in excess of 3.00 to 1.00, and (2) a Total Leverage Ratio
not
in excess of 3.50 to 1.00, and,
with
respect to a Permitted Acquisition of any Target that is a Foreign Subsidiary
of
a US Credit Party, on a pro forma basis, Borrower and its Subsidiaries would
have had (1) a Senior Leverage Ratio not in excess of 2.00 to 1.00, and (2)
a
Total Leverage Ratio not in excess of 2.50 to 1.00, in each case, calculated
using EBITDA for the twelve Fiscal Month period ended at the end of Fiscal
Month
for which financial statements have most recently been required to delivered
to
Agent pursuant to paragraph (a) of Annex
E
prior to
the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition (as adjusted for such Permitted
Acquisition in accordance with clause (y) of the second sentence of the
definition of EBITDA and Section
6.1(viii)(D)
below)
and calculated using Senior Indebtedness and Indebtedness, as applicable, after
giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition and all Loans funded in connection
therewith as of the date of such Permitted Acquisition, (y) Borrowing
Availability (after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition and all Loans
funded in connection therewith) shall be no less than $5,000,000, and
(z) on a pro forma basis, no Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing or would result after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition
and
Borrower would have been in compliance with the financial covenants set forth
in
Annex
G
for the
four quarter period reflected in the Compliance Certificate most recently
delivered to Agent pursuant to Annex
E
prior to
the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition (after giving effect to such
Permitted Acquisition and all Loans funded in connection therewith as if made
on
the first day of such period);
(B) updated
versions of the most recently delivered consolidated and consolidating
Projections covering the 1 year period commencing on the date of such Permitted
Acquisition and otherwise prepared in accordance with the Projections (the
“Acquisition
Projections”)
and
based upon historical financial data of a recent date reasonably satisfactory
to
Agent, taking into account such Permitted Acquisition, which shall include
a
projected income statement of the Target for such period which demonstrates
that
the projected EBITDA of the Target for such period is positive;
38
(C) a
certificate of the Borrower executed by the Chief Executive Officer of Borrower
to the effect that: (w) Borrower (after taking into consideration all rights
of
contribution and indemnity such Borrower has against each of its Subsidiaries)
will be Solvent upon the consummation of the Permitted Acquisition; (x) the
Acquisition Pro Forma fairly presents the financial condition of Borrower (on
a
consolidated basis) as of the date thereof after giving effect to the Permitted
Acquisition, (y) the Acquisition Projections are reasonable estimates of the
future financial performance of Borrower and its Subsidiaries subsequent to
the
date thereof based upon the historical performance of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries and the Target and show that (i) Borrower shall continue to be
in
compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Annex
G
for the
1-year period thereafter and (ii) the projected EBITDA of the Target for the
1-year period thereafter is positive, and (z) Borrower has completed its due
diligence investigation with respect to the Target and such Permitted
Acquisition, which investigation was conducted in a manner similar to that
which
would have been conducted by a prudent purchaser of a comparable business and
the results of which investigation were delivered to Agent and Lenders;
and
(D) a
certificate of the Borrower executed by the Chief Executive Officer of Borrower
as to the historical EBITDA of the Target for each of the 12 Fiscal Months
prior
to the date of such Permitted Acquisition, which are proposed to be included
in
the calculation of Borrower’s consolidated net income in calculating EBITDA for
any such period, provided the methodology of calculating such amounts shall
be
reasonably satisfactory to Agent;
(ix) on
or
prior to the date of such Permitted Acquisition, Agent shall have received,
in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, copies of the acquisition
agreement and related agreements and instruments, and all opinions,
certificates, lien search results and other documents reasonably requested
by
Agent, including those specified in the last sentence of Section 5.9;
(x) Agent
shall have received: (x) with respect to any Target that is a Domestic
Subsidiary of a US Credit Party, Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Reports,
consistent with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard
E
1527-00 (or the current ASTM standard for Phase I environmental site assessment
reports), and applicable state requirements, and with respect to any Target
that
is a Foreign Subsidiary of a US Credit Party, environmental review and audit
reports of the type customary in the applicable jurisdiction, in each case,
with
respect to all real property owned or leased by the Target, dated no more than
6
months prior to the Closing Date, prepared by environmental engineers reasonably
satisfactory to Agent, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Agent, in its sole discretion; (y) such environmental
review and audit reports,
including Phase II reports, with respect to any such real property as Agent
shall have requested, and Agent shall be satisfied, in its sole discretion,
with
the contents of all such environmental reports; and (z) letters executed by
the
environmental firms preparing such environmental reports, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Agent, authorizing Agent and Lenders to rely on
such
reports; and
39
(xi) at
the
time of such Permitted Acquisition and after giving effect thereto, no Default
or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
6.2 Investments;
Loans and Advances.
Except
as otherwise expressly permitted by this Section
6,
no
Credit Party shall make or permit to exist any investment in, or make, accrue
or
permit to exist loans or advances of money to, any Person, through the direct
or
indirect lending of money, holding of securities or otherwise, except that:
(a)
Borrower may hold investments comprised of notes payable, or stock or other
securities issued by Account Debtors to Borrower pursuant to negotiated
agreements with respect to settlement of such Account Debtor’s Accounts in the
ordinary course of business; (b) each Credit Party may maintain its existing
investments in its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date; (c) so long as Agent
has
not delivered an Activation Notice, no Default or Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing and there is no outstanding Revolving Loan balance, Borrower
may make investments, subject to Control Letters in favor of Agent for the
benefit of Lenders or otherwise subject to a perfected security interest in
favor of Agent for the benefit of Lenders, in Permitted Investments; (d) capital
contributions by any US Credit Party to any wholly-owned direct Domestic
Subsidiary thereof; (e) capital contributions by any Foreign Subsidiary of
Borrower to any wholly-owned direct Foreign Subsidiary thereof; (f) capital
contributions by any US Credit Party to any wholly-owned direct Foreign
Subsidiary thereof permitted under clause (i) of Section
6.3;
and (g)
Credit Parties may make loans and advances to employees for moving,
entertainment, travel and other similar expenses in the ordinary course of
business not to exceed $50,000 to any employee and not to exceed $250,000 in
the
aggregate at any time outstanding. No Credit Party shall permit the Foreign
Subsidiaries to have cash or cash equivalents which at any time exceed in the
aggregate the lesser of (i) $40,000,000, and (ii) an amount equal to EBITDA
of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the twelve Fiscal Month period ended
at
the end of Fiscal Month for which financial statements have most recently been
required to delivered to Agent pursuant to paragraph (a) of Annex
E.
6.3 Indebtedness.
No
Credit Party shall create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness,
except (without duplication) (a) Indebtedness secured by purchase money security
interests and Capital Leases permitted in Section
6.7(c);
(b) the
Loans and the other Obligations; (c) unfunded pension fund and other employee
benefit plan obligations and liabilities to the extent they are permitted to
remain unfunded under applicable law; (d) existing Indebtedness described in
Disclosure
Schedule (6.3)
and
refinancings, amendments or modifications thereof that do not have the effect
of
increasing the principal amount thereof or changing the amortization thereof
(other than to extend the same) and that are otherwise on terms and conditions
no less favorable to any Credit Party, Agent or any Lender, as determined by
Agent, than the terms of the Indebtedness being refinanced, amended or modified;
(e) Indebtedness specifically permitted under Section
6.17;
(f) the
Closing Date Earnouts and other unsecured Subordinated Debt and unsecured
Indebtedness consisting of Earnouts, in each case, incurred by the Credit
Parties to finance the purchase price of a Permitted Acquisition at the time
of
closing of such Permitted Acquisition; (g) Indebtedness of the Foreign
Subsidiaries of Borrower (other than Kenabell Holding or any other Foreign
Subsidiary organized under the laws The Peoples Republic of China including
Hong
Kong), including any such Indebtedness described in Disclosure
Schedule (6.3)
and
refinancings, amendments or modifications thereof, in an aggregate outstanding
principal amount not exceeding $15,000,000 at any time; (h) Indebtedness
consisting of intercompany loans and advances made by Borrower to any other
US
Credit Party that is a Guarantor or by any such Guarantor to Borrower
or
by any
Foreign Subsidiary of Borrower to another Foreign Subsidiary of
Borrower
or by
any Foreign Subsidiary of Borrower to any US Credit Party; (i) Indebtedness
consisting of intercompany loans and advances made by any US Credit Party to
any
Foreign Subsidiary of Borrower and capital contributions by any US Credit Party
to any wholly-owned direct Foreign Subsidiary thereof, provided
that,
with respect to this clause (i), (A) no Default or Event of Default would occur
and be continuing after giving effect to any such proposed intercompany
loan
or
capital contribution,
(B)
Borrower shall have Borrowing Availability of not less than $1,000,000 after
giving effect to such intercompany loan or capital contribution, and (C) the
aggregate amount of such
intercompany loans and capital contributions made
after
the Closing Date by the US Credit Parties to the Foreign Subsidiaries of
Borrower (net of loan repayments, dividends and distributions made after the
Closing Date by the Foreign Subsidiaries of Borrower to US Credit Parties)
shall
not exceed $2,000,000 (excluding any such intercompany loans and capital
contributions made to finance the Acquisitions, Permitted Acquisitions or
Capital Expenditures permitted hereunder); and (j) Indebtedness consisting
of
deferred payments of insurance premiums incurred in the ordinary course of
business. Any Credit Party receiving any intercompany loan under the foregoing
clauses (h) or (i), shall have executed and delivered to any Credit Party making
such loan or advance, a demand note (collectively, the “Intercompany
Notes”)
to
evidence any such intercompany Indebtedness, which Intercompany Notes shall
be
(x) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and any Intercompany
Notes held by a US Credit Party shall be pledged and delivered to Agent pursuant
to the applicable Pledge Agreement or Security Agreement as additional
collateral security for the Obligations and (y) subordinated to the Obligations
of the Credit Parties hereunder in a manner reasonably satisfactory to
Agent.
40
6.4 Affiliate
Transactions.
Except
as otherwise expressly permitted in this Section
6
with
respect to Affiliates, no Credit Party shall enter into or be a party to any
transaction with any other Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof except in
the
ordinary course of and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of such Credit
Party’s business and upon fair and reasonable terms that are no less favorable
to such Credit Party than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s length
transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of such Credit Party. All such
transactions existing as of the date hereof are described in Disclosure
Schedule (6.4(a)).
6.5 Capital
Structure and Business.
No
Credit Party shall (a) make any changes in any of its business objectives,
purposes or operations that could in any way adversely affect the repayment
of
the Loans or any of the other Obligations or could reasonably be expected to
have or result in a Material Adverse Effect, (b) make any change in its capital
structure as described in Disclosure
Schedule (3.8),
including the issuance or sale of any shares of Stock, warrants or other
securities convertible into Stock or any revision of the terms of its
outstanding Stock; provided,
that
Borrower may issue or sell its common Stock and warrants or other securities
convertible into its common Stock so long as (i) the proceeds thereof are
applied in prepayment of the Obligations to the extent required by Section
1.3(b)(iii),
and
(ii) no Change of Control occurs after giving effect thereto, or (c) amend
its
charter or bylaws in a manner that would adversely affect Agent or Lenders
or
such Credit Party’s duty or ability to repay the Obligations. No Credit Party
shall engage in any business other than the businesses currently engaged in
by
it or businesses reasonably related thereto.
41
6.6 Guaranteed
Indebtedness.
No
Credit Party shall create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Guaranteed
Indebtedness except (a) by endorsement of instruments or items of payment for
deposit to the general account of any Credit Party, and (b) for Guaranteed
Indebtedness incurred for the benefit of any other Credit Party if the primary
obligation is expressly permitted by this Agreement; provided
that no
US Credit Party may guaranty any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section
6.3(g)
except
for any guaranties existing as of the Closing Date and described on Disclosure
Schedule (6.6).
6.7 Liens.
No
Credit Party shall create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on or
with
respect to its Accounts or any of its other properties or assets (whether now
owned or hereafter acquired) except for (a) Permitted Encumbrances; (b) Liens
in
existence on the date hereof and summarized on Disclosure
Schedule (6.7)
securing
Indebtedness described on Disclosure
Schedule (6.3)
and
permitted refinancings, extensions and renewals thereof, including extensions
or
renewals of any such Liens; provided that the principal amount so secured is
not
increased and the Lien does not attach to any other property; (c) Liens created
after the date hereof by conditional sale or other title retention agreements
(including Capital Leases) or in connection with purchase money Indebtedness
with respect to Equipment and Fixtures acquired by any Credit Party in the
ordinary course of business, involving the incurrence of an aggregate amount
of
purchase money Indebtedness and Capital Lease Obligations of not more than
$1,000,000 outstanding at any one time for all such Liens (provided that such
Liens attach only to the assets subject to such purchase money debt and such
Indebtedness is incurred within 20 days following such purchase and does not
exceed 100% of the purchase price of the subject assets); and (d) Liens securing
Indebtedness of certain Foreign Subsidiaries of Borrower permitted under
Section
6.3(g);
provided
such
Liens (x) do not encumber any Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary, and (y) only
encumber assets of such Foreign Subsidiaries. In addition, no Credit Party
shall
become a party to any agreement, note, indenture or instrument, or take any
other action, that would prohibit the creation of a Lien on any of its
properties or other assets in favor of Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders,
as additional collateral for the Obligations, except operating leases, Capital
Leases or Licenses which prohibit Liens upon the assets that are subject
thereto.
6.8 Sale
of Stock and Assets.
No
Credit Party shall sell, transfer, convey, assign or otherwise dispose of any
of
its properties or other assets, including the Stock of any of its Subsidiaries
(whether in a public or a private offering or otherwise) or any of its Accounts,
other than (a) the sale of Inventory in the ordinary course of business, (b)
the
sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition by a Credit Party of Equipment,
Fixtures or Real Estate that are obsolete, (c) the sale, transfer, conveyance
or
other disposition by a Credit Party of Equipment, Fixtures or Real Estate having
a value not exceeding $500,000 in any single transaction or $2,000,000 in the
aggregate in any Fiscal Year, and (d) transfers contemplated under the BetaTHERM
Reorganization. With respect to any disposition of assets or other properties
permitted pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) above, subject to Section 1.3(b),
Agent
agrees on reasonable prior written notice to release its Lien on such assets
or
other properties in order to permit the applicable Credit Party to effect such
disposition and shall execute and deliver to Borrower, at Borrower’s expense,
appropriate UCC-3 termination statements and other releases as reasonably
requested by Borrower.
42
6.9 ERISA.
No
Credit Party shall, or shall cause or permit any ERISA Affiliate to, cause
or
permit to occur an event that could result in the imposition of a Lien under
Section 412 of the IRC or Section 302 or 4068 of ERISA or cause or permit to
occur an ERISA Event to the extent such ERISA Event could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.10 Financial
Covenants.
Borrower shall not breach or fail to comply with any of the Financial
Covenants.
6.11 Hazardous
Materials.
No
Credit Party shall cause or permit a Release of any Hazardous Material on,
at,
in, under, above, to, from or about any of the Real Estate where such Release
would (a) violate in any respect, or form the basis for any Environmental
Liabilities under, any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits or (b)
otherwise adversely impact the value or marketability of any of the Real Estate
or any of the Collateral, other than such violations or Environmental
Liabilities that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
6.12 Sale-Leasebacks.
No
Credit Party shall engage in any sale-leaseback, synthetic lease or similar
transaction involving any of its assets.
6.13 Cancellation
of Indebtedness.
No
Credit Party shall cancel any claim or debt owing to it, except for reasonable
consideration negotiated on an arm’s-length basis and in the ordinary course of
its business consistent with past practices.
6.14 Restricted
Payments.
No
Credit Party shall make any Restricted Payment, except (a) intercompany
loans and advances between Borrower and its Subsidiaries to the extent permitted
by Section
6.3,
(b) dividends and distributions by Subsidiaries of Borrower paid to
Borrower, (c) employee loans permitted under Section
6.2(g),
(d) payments of principal and interest of Intercompany Notes issued in
accordance with Section
6.3,
(e) payments of principal of and interest on Subordinated Debt to the
extent expressly permitted under the subordination provisions and agreements
relating thereto, and (f) repurchase or redemption by Borrower of its Stock
in
an aggregate amount not exceeding $1,000,000 in any Fiscal Year and not
exceeding $4,000,000 after the Closing Date.
6.15 Change
of Corporate Name or Location; Change of Fiscal Year.
No US
Credit Party shall (a) change its name as it appears in official filings in
the
state of its incorporation or other organization, (b) change its chief executive
office, principal place of business, corporate offices or warehouses or
locations at which Collateral is held or stored, or the location of its records
concerning the Collateral, (c) change the type of entity that it is, (d) change
its organization identification number, if any, issued by its state of
incorporation or other organization, or (e) change its state of incorporation
or
organization, in each case without at least 30 days prior written notice to
Agent and after Agent’s written acknowledgment that any reasonable action
requested by Agent in connection therewith, including to continue the perfection
of any Liens in favor of Agent, on behalf of Lenders, in any Collateral, has
been completed or taken, and provided
that any
such new location shall be in the continental United States. No
Credit
Party shall change its Fiscal Year.
43
6.16 No
Impairment of Intercompany Transfers.
No
Credit Party shall directly or indirectly enter into or become bound by any
agreement, instrument, indenture or other obligation that could directly or
indirectly restrict, prohibit or require the consent of any Person with respect
to the payment of dividends or distributions or the making or repayment of
intercompany loans by a Subsidiary of Borrower to Borrower, other than such
restrictions under the Loan Documents and such restrictions on Foreign
Subsidiaries of Borrower pursuant to documents evidencing Indebtedness of such
Foreign Subsidiaries permitted under clause (g) of Section
6.3).
6.17 No
Speculative Transactions.
No
Credit Party shall engage in any transaction involving commodity options,
futures contracts or similar transactions, except solely to hedge against
fluctuations in the prices of commodities owned or purchased by it and the
values of foreign currencies receivable or payable by it and interest swaps,
caps or collars.
6.18 Changes
Relating to the Acquisition Agreements.
Without
the prior written consent of Agent, no
Credit
Party shall change or amend the terms of the BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement
or
the YSIS Acquisition Agreement in any manner materially adverse to the Credit
Parties.
6.19 Intermediate
Holdings.
Intermediate Holdings shall not engage in any trade or business, or own any
assets (other than Stock of its Subsidiaries) or incur any Indebtedness (other
than Indebtedness consisting of subordinated intercompany loans and advances
permitted by Section
6.3(h))
or
Guaranteed Indebtedness (other than the Obligations).
7. TERM
7.1 Termination.
The
financing arrangements contemplated hereby shall be in effect until the
Commitment Termination Date, and the Loans and all other Obligations (other
than
Rate Management Obligations) shall be automatically due and payable in full
on
such date.
7.2 Survival
of Obligations Upon Termination of Financing Arrangements.
Except
as otherwise expressly provided for in the Loan Documents, no termination or
cancellation (regardless of cause or procedure) of any financing arrangement
under this Agreement shall in any way affect or impair the obligations, duties
and liabilities of the Credit Parties or the rights of Agent and Lenders
relating to any unpaid portion of the Loans or any other Obligations, due or
not
due, liquidated, contingent or unliquidated or any transaction or event
occurring prior to such termination, or any transaction or event, the
performance of which is required after the Commitment Termination Date. Except
as otherwise expressly provided herein or in any other Loan Document, all
undertakings, agreements, covenants, warranties and representations of or
binding upon the Credit Parties, and all rights of Agent and each Lender, all
as
contained in the Loan Documents, shall not terminate or expire, but rather
shall
survive any such termination or cancellation and shall continue in full force
and effect until the Termination Date; provided,
that
the provisions of Section
11,
the
payment obligations under Sections
1.15 and 1.16,
and the
indemnities contained in the Loan Documents shall survive the Termination
Date.
44
8. EVENTS
OF DEFAULT; RIGHTS AND REMEDIES
8.1 Events
of Default.
The
occurrence of any one or more of the following events (regardless of the reason
therefor) shall constitute an “Event
of Default”
hereunder:
(a) Borrower
(i) fails to make any payment of principal of the Loans when due and payable,
(ii) fails to make any payment of interest on, or Fees owing in respect of,
the
Loans or any of the other Obligations within 5 days of the due date or (iii)
fails to pay or reimburse Agent or Lenders for any expense reimbursable
hereunder or under any other Loan Document within 10 days following Agent’s
demand for such reimbursement or payment of expenses.
(b) Any
Credit Party fails or neglects to perform, keep or observe any of the provisions
of Sections
1.4, 1.8, 5.4(a), 5.15 or 6,
or any
of the provisions set forth in Annexes
C or G,
respectively.
(c) Borrower
fails or neglects to perform, keep or observe any of the provisions of
Section
4
or any
provisions set forth in Annex
E,
and the
same shall remain unremedied for 3 days or more.
(d) Any
Credit Party fails or neglects to perform, keep or observe any other provision
of this Agreement or of any of the other Loan Documents (other than any
provision embodied in or covered by any other clause of this Section
8.1)
and the
same shall remain unremedied for 20 days or more.
(e) A
default
or breach occurs under any other agreement, document or instrument to which
any
Credit Party is a party that is not cured within any applicable grace period
therefor, and such default or breach (i) involves the failure to make any
payment when due in respect of any Indebtedness or Guaranteed Indebtedness
(other than the Obligations) of any Credit Party in excess of $500,000 in the
aggregate (including (x) undrawn committed or available amounts and (y) amounts
owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangements),
or
(ii) causes, or permits any holder of such Indebtedness or Guaranteed
Indebtedness or a trustee to cause, Indebtedness or Guaranteed Indebtedness
or a
portion thereof in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate to become due prior
to
its stated maturity or prior to its regularly scheduled dates of payment, or
cash collateral to be demanded in respect thereof, in each case, regardless
of
whether such default is waived, or such right is exercised, by such holder
or
trustee.
(f) Any
representation or warranty herein or in any Loan Document or in any written
statement, report, financial statement or certificate made or delivered to
Agent
or any Lender by any Credit Party is untrue or incorrect in any material respect
as of the date when made or deemed made.
(g) Assets
of
any Credit Party with a fair market value of $250,000 or more are attached,
seized, levied upon or subjected to a writ or distress warrant, or come within
the possession of any receiver, trustee, custodian or assignee for the benefit
of creditors of any Credit Party and such condition continues for 30 days or
more.
45
(h) A
case or
proceeding is commenced against any Credit Party seeking a decree or order
in
respect of such Credit Party (i) under the Bankruptcy Code or any other
applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy or other similar law, (ii)
appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or sequestrator
(or similar official) for such Credit Party or for any substantial part of
any
such Credit Party’s assets, or (iii) ordering the winding-up or liquidation
of the affairs of such Credit Party, and such case or proceeding shall remain
undismissed or unstayed for 60 days or more or a decree or order granting the
relief sought in such case or proceeding by a court of competent
jurisdiction.
(i) Any
Credit Party (i) files a petition seeking relief under the Bankruptcy Code
or
any other applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy or other similar
law,
(ii) consents to or fails to contest in a timely and appropriate manner to
the
institution of proceedings thereunder or to the filing of any such petition
or
to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator,
assignee, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) for such Credit Party
or
for any substantial part of any such Credit Party’s assets, (iii) makes an
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (iv) takes any action in furtherance
of any of the foregoing, or (v) admits in writing its inability to, or is
generally unable to, pay its debts as such debts become due.
(j) A
final
judgment or judgments for the payment of money in excess of $500,000 in the
aggregate at any time are outstanding against one or more of the Credit Parties
and the same are not, within 30 days after the entry thereof, discharged or
execution thereof stayed or bonded pending appeal, or such judgments are not
discharged prior to the expiration of any such stay.
(k) Any
material provision of any Loan Document for any reason ceases to be valid,
binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms (or any Credit Party shall
challenge the enforceability of any Loan Document or shall assert in writing,
or
engage in any action or inaction based on any such assertion, that any provision
of any of the Loan Documents has ceased to be or otherwise is not valid, binding
and enforceable in accordance with its terms), or any Lien created under any
Loan Document ceases to be a valid and perfected first priority Lien (except
as
otherwise permitted herein or therein) in any of the Collateral purported to
be
covered thereby.
(l) Any
Change of Control occurs.
(m) Any
event
occurs, whether or not insured or insurable, as a result of which
revenue-producing activities cease or are substantially curtailed at any owned
or leased facility of Borrower generating more than 20% of Borrower’s revenues
for the Fiscal Year preceding such event and such cessation or curtailment
continues for more than 20 days.
(n) The
BetaTHERM Acquisition (including payment of the purchase price and transfer
of
the Shares (as defined in the BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement) to the Credit
Parties) shall fail to be consummated in accordance with the terms of the
BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement within one (1) Business Day after the Closing
Date.
46
(o) The
YSIS
Acquisition (including payment of the purchase price and transfer of the Shares
(as defined in the YSIS Acquisition Agreement) to the Credit Parties) shall
fail
to be consummated in accordance with the terms of the YSIS Acquisition Agreement
by 5:00 p.m. New York time on the Closing Date.
8.2 Remedies.
(a) If
any
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Agent may (and
at
the written request of the Requisite Lenders shall), without notice, suspend
the
Revolving Loan facility with respect to additional Advances and/or the
incurrence of additional Letter of Credit Obligations, whereupon any additional
Advances and additional Letter of Credit Obligations shall be made or incurred
in Agent’s sole discretion (or in the sole discretion of the Requisite Lenders,
if such suspension occurred at their direction) so long as such Default or
Event
of Default is continuing. If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and
is
continuing, Agent may (and at the written request of Requisite Lenders shall),
without notice except as otherwise expressly provided herein, increase the
rate
of interest applicable to the Loans and the Letter of Credit Fees to the Default
Rate.
(b) If
any
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Agent may (and at the written
request of the Requisite Lenders shall), without notice: (i) terminate the
Revolving Loan facility with respect to further Advances or the incurrence
of
further Letter of Credit Obligations; (ii) declare all or any portion of
the Obligations (other than Rate Management Obligations), including all or
any
portion of any Loan to be forthwith due and payable, and require that the Letter
of Credit Obligations be cash collateralized as provided in Annex
B
and
require that the Rate Management Obligations be cash collateralized as provided
in Section
1.18,
all
without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of
which
are expressly waived by Borrower and each other Credit Party; or
(iii) exercise any rights and remedies provided to Agent under the Loan
Documents or at law or equity, including all remedies provided under the Code;
provided, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in
Sections
8.1(h) or (i),
the
Revolving Loan facility shall be immediately terminated and all of the
Obligations
(other
than Rate Management Obligations),
including the Revolving Loan, shall become immediately due and payable without
declaration, notice or demand by any Person.
8.3 Waivers
by Credit Parties.
Except
as otherwise provided for in this Agreement or by applicable law, each Credit
Party waives: (a) presentment, demand and protest and notice of presentment,
dishonor, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration, protest,
default, nonpayment, maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension or
renewal of any or all commercial paper, accounts, contract rights, documents,
instruments, chattel paper and guaranties at any time held by Agent on which
any
Credit Party may in any way be liable, and hereby ratifies and confirms whatever
Agent may do in this regard, (b) all rights to notice and a hearing prior to
Agent’s taking possession or control of, or to Agent’s replevy, attachment or
levy upon, the Collateral or any bond or security that might be required by
any
court prior to allowing Agent to exercise any of its remedies, and (c) the
benefit of all valuation, appraisal, marshaling and exemption laws.
47
9. ASSIGNMENT
AND PARTICIPATIONS; APPOINTMENT OF AGENT
9.1 Assignment
and Participations.
(a) Subject
to the terms of this Section
9.1,
any
Lender may make an assignment to a Qualified Assignee of, or sale of
participations in, at any time or times, the Loan Documents, Loans, Letter
of
Credit Obligations and any Commitment or any portion thereof or interest
therein, including any Lender’s rights, title, interests, remedies, powers or
duties thereunder. Any assignment by a Lender shall: (i) require the
consent of Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed
with respect to a Qualified Assignee and which consent shall not be required
with respect to an assignment by a Lender to its Affiliate or an assignment
by a
Lender to another Lender) and the execution of an assignment agreement (an
“Assignment
Agreement”)
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
9.1(a)
and
otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to, and acknowledged
by,
Agent; (ii) after giving effect to any such partial assignment, the assignee
Lender shall have Commitments in an amount at least equal to $3,000,000; and
(iii) include a payment to Agent of an assignment fee of $3,500 (which fee
shall
not be payable with respect to an assignment by a Lender to its Affiliate or
an
assignment by a Lender to another Lender). In the case of an assignment by
a
Lender under this Section
9.1,
the
assignee shall have, to the extent of such assignment, the same rights, benefits
and obligations as all other Lenders hereunder. The assigning Lender shall
be
relieved of its obligations hereunder with respect to its Commitments or
assigned portion thereof from and after the date of such assignment. Borrower
hereby acknowledges and agrees that any assignment shall give rise to a direct
obligation of Borrower to the assignee and that the assignee shall be considered
to be a “Lender”. In all instances, each Lender’s liability to make Loans
hereunder shall be several and not joint and shall be limited to such Lender’s
Pro Rata Share of the applicable Commitment. In the event Agent or any Lender
assigns or otherwise transfers all or any part of the Obligations, Agent or
any
such Lender shall so notify Borrower and Borrower shall, upon the request of
Agent or such Lender, execute new Notes in exchange for the Notes, if any,
being
assigned. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section
9.1(a),
any
Lender may at any time pledge the Obligations held by it and such Lender’s
rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to a Federal Reserve
Bank, and any lender that is an investment fund may assign the Obligations
held
by it and such Lender’s rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
to another investment fund managed by the same investment advisor; provided,
that no such pledge to a Federal Reserve Bank shall release such Lender from
such Lender’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan
Document.
(b) Any
participation by a Lender of all or any part of its Commitments shall be made
with the understanding that all amounts payable by Borrower hereunder shall
be
determined as if that Lender had not sold such participation, and that the
holder of any such participation shall not be entitled to require such Lender
to
take or omit to take any action hereunder except actions directly affecting
(i)
any reduction in the principal amount of, or interest rate or Fees payable
with
respect to, any Loan in which such holder participates, (ii) any extension
of
the scheduled amortization of the principal amount of any Loan in which such
holder participates or the final maturity date thereof, and (iii) any release
of
all or substantially all of the Collateral (other than in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement, the Collateral Documents or the other Loan Documents).
Solely for purposes of Sections
1.13, 1.15, 1.16
and
9.8,
Borrower acknowledges and agrees that a participation shall give rise to a
direct obligation of Borrower to the participant and the participant shall
be
considered to be a “Lender”. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence
neither Borrower nor any other Credit Party shall have any obligation or duty
to
any participant. Neither Agent nor any Lender (other than the Lender selling
a
participation) shall have any duty to any participant and may continue to deal
solely with the Lender selling a participation as if no such sale had
occurred.
48
(c) Except
as
expressly provided in this Section
9.1,
no
Lender shall, as between Borrower and that Lender, or Agent and that Lender,
be
relieved of any of its obligations hereunder as a result of any sale,
assignment, transfer or negotiation of, or granting of participation in, all
or
any part of the Loans, the Notes or other Obligations owed to such
Lender.
(d) Each
US
Credit Party executing this Agreement shall assist any Lender permitted to
sell
assignments or participations under this Section
9.1
as
reasonably required to enable the assigning or selling Lender to effect any
such
assignment or participation, including the execution and delivery of any and
all
agreements, notes and other documents and instruments as shall be requested
and
the preparation of informational materials for, and the participation of
management in meetings with, potential assignees or participants. Each US Credit
Party executing this Agreement shall certify the correctness, completeness
and
accuracy of all descriptions of the Credit Parties and their respective affairs
contained in any selling materials provided by it and all other information
provided by it and included in such materials, except that any Projections
delivered by Borrower shall only be certified by Borrower as having been
prepared by Borrower in compliance with the representations contained in
Section
3.4(c).
(e) A
Lender
may furnish any information concerning Credit Parties in the possession of
such
Lender from time to time to assignees and participants (including prospective
assignees and participants); provided that such Lender shall obtain from
assignees or participants confidentiality covenants substantially equivalent
to
those contained in Section
11.8.
(f) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “Granting
Lender”),
may
grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an “SPC”),
identified as such in writing by the Granting Lender to Agent and Borrower,
the
option to provide to Borrower all or any part of any Loans that such Granting
Lender would otherwise be obligated to make to Borrower pursuant to this
Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by
any
SPC to make any Loan; and (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option
or
otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender
shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof. The making
of
a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender
to the same extent, and as if such Loan were made by such Granting Lender.
No
SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this
Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender).
Any
SPC may (i) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, Borrower
and Agent and assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the
Granting Lender or to any financial institutions (consented to by Borrower
and
Agent) providing liquidity and/or credit support to or for the account of such
SPC to support the funding or maintenance of Loans and (ii) disclose on a
confidential basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any
rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee
or
credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC. This Section
9.1(g)
may not
be amended without the prior written consent of each Granting Lender, all or
any
of whose Loans are being funded by an SPC at the time of such amendment. For
the
avoidance of doubt, the Granting Lender shall for all purposes, including
without limitation, the approval of any amendment or waiver of any provision
of
any Loan Document or the obligation to pay any amount otherwise payable by
the
Granting Lender under the Loan Documents, continue to be the Lender of record
hereunder.
49
(g) Nothing
contained in this Section 9 shall require the consent of any party for GE
Capital to assign any of its rights in respect of any Swap Related Reimbursement
Obligation.
9.2 Appointment
of Agent.
GE
Capital is hereby appointed to act on behalf of all Lenders as Agent under
this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The provisions of this Section
9.2
are
solely for the benefit of Agent and Lenders and no Credit Party nor any other
Person shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the
provisions hereof. In performing its functions and duties under this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents, Agent shall act solely as an agent of Lenders
and
does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation toward
or
relationship of agency or trust with or for any Credit Party or any other
Person. Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities except for those
expressly set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The duties
of Agent shall be mechanical and administrative in nature and Agent shall not
have, or be deemed to have, by reason of this Agreement, any other Loan Document
or otherwise a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender. Except as
expressly set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Agent shall
not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for failure to disclose,
any information relating to any Credit Party or any of their respective
Subsidiaries or any Account Debtor that is communicated to or obtained by GE
Capital or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. Neither Agent nor any of
its
Affiliates nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents
or
representatives shall be liable to any Lender for any action taken or omitted
to
be taken by it hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or in connection
herewith or therewith, except for damages caused by its or their own gross
negligence or willful misconduct.
If
Agent
shall request instructions from Requisite Lenders or all affected Lenders with
respect to any act or action (including failure to act) in connection with
this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, then Agent shall be entitled to refrain
from such act or taking such action unless and until Agent shall have received
instructions from Requisite Lenders or all affected Lenders, as the case may
be,
and Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining.
Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action
hereunder or under any other Loan Document (a) if such action would, in the
opinion of Agent, be contrary to law or the terms of this Agreement or any
other
Loan Document, (b) if such action would, in the opinion of Agent, expose Agent
to Environmental Liabilities or (c) if Agent shall not first be indemnified
to
its satisfaction against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred
by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. Without
limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever
against Agent as a result of Agent acting or refraining from acting hereunder
or
under any other Loan Document in accordance with the instructions of Requisite
Lenders or all affected Lenders, as applicable.
9.3 Agent’s
Reliance, Etc.
Neither
Agent nor any of its Affiliates nor any of their respective directors, officers,
agents or employees shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken
by it or them under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents, except for damages caused by its or their own gross negligence or
willful misconduct. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Agent:
(a)
may treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof until Agent receives
written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof signed by such payee and
in
form reasonably satisfactory to Agent; (b) may consult with legal counsel,
independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not
be
liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in
accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts;
(c) makes no warranty or representation to any Lender and shall not be
responsible to any Lender for any statements, warranties or representations
made
in or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents; (d) shall
not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance
of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement or the other
Loan
Documents on the part of any Credit Party or to inspect the Collateral
(including the books and records) of any Credit Party; (e) shall not be
responsible to any Lender for the due execution, legality, validity,
enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or the
other
Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto
or
thereto; and (f) shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement
or the other Loan Documents by acting upon any notice, consent, certificate
or
other instrument or writing (which may be by telecopy, telegram, cable or telex)
believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent by the proper party or
parties.
50
9.4 GE
Capital and Affiliates.
With
respect to its Commitments hereunder, GE Capital shall have the same rights
and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any other Lender
and may exercise the same as though it were not Agent; and the term “Lender” or
“Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated, include GE Capital in its
individual capacity. GE Capital and its Affiliates may lend money to, invest
in,
and generally engage in any kind of business with, any Credit Party, any of
their Affiliates and any Person who may do business with or own securities
of
any Credit Party or any such Affiliate, all as if GE Capital were not Agent
and
without any duty to account therefor to Lenders. GE Capital and its Affiliates
may accept fees and other consideration from any Credit Party for services
in
connection with this Agreement or otherwise without having to account for the
same to Lenders. No Lender identified on the facing page or signature pages
of
this Agreement as a “syndication agent”
or
“documentation agent”
shall
have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under
this
Agreement other than those applicable to a Lender as such. Without limiting
the
foregoing, no Lender so identified as a “syndication agent” or “documentation
agent” shall have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any
Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely,
on
any of the Lenders so identified in deciding to enter into this Agreement or
in
taking or not taking action hereunder.
9.5 Lender
Credit Decision.
Each
Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon Agent
or any other Lender and based on the Financial Statements referred to in
Section
3.4(a)
and such
other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own
credit and financial analysis of the Credit Parties and its own decision to
enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will,
independently and without reliance upon Agent or any other Lender and based
on
such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time,
continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under
this Agreement. Each Lender acknowledges the potential conflict of interest
of
each other Lender as a result of Lenders holding disproportionate interests
in
the Loans, and expressly consents to, and waives any claim based upon, such
conflict of interest.
51
9.6 Indemnification.
Lenders
agree to indemnify Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by Credit Parties and
without limiting the obligations of Borrower hereunder), ratably according
to
their respective Pro Rata Shares, from and against any and all liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be imposed
on, incurred by, or asserted against Agent in any way relating to or arising
out
of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any action taken or omitted
to
be taken by Agent in connection therewith; provided,
that no
Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
resulting from Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limiting
the foregoing, each Lender agrees to reimburse Agent promptly upon demand for
its ratable share of any out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel
fees) incurred by Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery,
administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through
negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect
of
rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement and each other Loan Document,
to the extent that Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by Credit
Parties.
9.7 Successor
Agent.
Agent
may resign at any time by giving not less than 30 days’ prior written notice
thereof to Lenders and Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Requisite
Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent. If no successor
Agent
shall have been so appointed by the Requisite Lenders and shall have accepted
such appointment within 30 days after the resigning Agent’s giving notice of
resignation, then the resigning Agent may, on behalf of Lenders, appoint a
successor Agent, which shall be a Lender, if a Lender is willing to accept
such
appointment, or otherwise shall be a commercial bank or financial institution
or
a subsidiary of a commercial bank or financial institution if such commercial
bank or financial institution is organized under the laws of the United States
of America or of any State thereof and has a combined capital and surplus of
at
least $300,000,000. If no successor Agent has been appointed pursuant to the
foregoing, within 30 days after the date such notice of resignation was given
by
the resigning Agent, such resignation shall become effective and the Requisite
Lenders shall thereafter perform all the duties of Agent hereunder until such
time, if any, as the Requisite Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided
above. Any successor Agent appointed by Requisite Lenders hereunder shall be
subject to the approval of Borrower, such approval not to be unreasonably
withheld or delayed; provided
that
such approval shall not be required if a Default or an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent
hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor Agent shall succeed to and become
vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the resigning
Agent. Upon the earlier of the acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder
by a successor Agent or the effective date of the resigning Agent’s resignation,
the resigning Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, except that any indemnity rights
or
other rights in favor of such resigning Agent shall continue. After any
resigning Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Section
9
shall
inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while
it was acting as Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents.
52
9.8 Setoff
and Sharing of Payments.
In
addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law and not
by
way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of any Event of Default and subject to Section
9.9(f),
each
Lender is hereby authorized at any time or from time to time, without notice
to
any Credit Party or to any other Person, any such notice being hereby expressly
waived, to offset and to appropriate and to apply any and all balances held
by
it at any of its offices for the account of Borrower or any Guarantor
(regardless of whether such balances are then due to Borrower or any Guarantor)
and any other properties or assets at any time held or owing by that Lender
or
that holder to or for the credit or for the account of Borrower or any Guarantor
against and on account of any of the Obligations that are not paid when due.
Any
Lender exercising a right of setoff or otherwise receiving any payment on
account of the Obligations in excess of its Pro Rata Share thereof shall
purchase for cash (and the other Lenders or holders shall sell) such
participations in each such other Lender’s or holder’s Pro Rata Share of the
Obligations as would be necessary to cause such Lender to share the amount
so
offset or otherwise received with each other Lender or holder in accordance
with
their respective Pro Rata Shares, (other than offset rights exercised by any
Lender with respect to Sections
1.13, 1.15 or 1.16).
Borrower and each Guarantor agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law,
that
(a) any Lender may exercise its right to offset with respect to amounts in
excess of its Pro Rata Share of the Obligations and may sell participations
in
such amounts so offset to other Lenders and holders and (b) any Lender so
purchasing a participation in the Loans made or other Obligations held by other
Lenders or holders may exercise all rights of offset, bankers’ lien,
counterclaim or similar rights with respect to such participation as fully
as if
such Lender or holder were a direct holder of the Loans and the other
Obligations in the amount of such participation. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if all or any portion of the offset amount or payment otherwise received is
thereafter recovered from the Lender that has exercised the right of offset,
the
purchase of participations by that Lender shall be rescinded and the purchase
price restored without interest.
9.9 Advances;
Payments; Non-Funding Lenders; Information; Actions in Concert.
(a) Advances;
Payments.
(i) Agent
shall notify Revolving Lenders, promptly after receipt of a Notice of Revolving
Advance and in any event prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on the date such
Notice of Revolving Advance is received, by telecopy, telephone or other similar
form of transmission. Each Revolving Lender shall make the amount of such
Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such Revolving Credit Advance available to Agent in
same day funds by wire transfer to Agent’s account as set forth in Annex
H
not
later than 3:00 p.m. (New York time) on the requested funding date, in the
case
of an Index Rate Loan and not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on the
requested funding date in the case of a LIBOR Loan. After receipt of such wire
transfers (or, in Agent’s sole discretion, before receipt of such wire
transfers), subject to the terms hereof, Agent shall make the requested
Revolving Credit Advance to Borrower. All payments by each Revolving Lender
shall be made without setoff, counterclaim or deduction of any
kind.
(ii) On
the
first Business Day after receipt from Borrower of any payment of principal,
interest and Fees or more frequently at Agent’s election (each, a “Settlement
Date”),
Agent
shall advise each Lender by telephone, or telecopy of the amount of such
Lender’s Pro Rata Share of principal, interest and Fees paid for the benefit of
Lenders with respect to each applicable Loan. Provided that each Lender has
funded all payments and Advances required to be made by it and purchased all
participations required to be purchased by it under this Agreement and the
other
Loan Documents as of such Settlement Date, Agent shall pay to each Lender such
Lender’s Pro Rata Share of principal,
interest and Fees paid by Borrower since
the
previous Settlement Date for the benefit of such Lender on the Loans held by
it.
To the extent that any Lender (a “Non-Funding
Lender”)
has
failed to fund all such payments and Advances or failed to fund the purchase
of
all such participations, Agent shall be entitled to set off the funding
short-fall against that Non-Funding Lender’s Pro Rata Share of all payments
received from Borrower. Such payments shall be made by wire transfer to such
Lender’s account (as specified by such Lender in Annex
H
or the
applicable Assignment Agreement) not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York time) on
the
next Business Day following each Settlement Date.
53
(b) Availability
of Lender’s Pro Rata Share.
Agent
may assume that each Revolving Lender will make its Pro Rata Share of each
Revolving Credit Advance available to Agent on each funding date. If such Pro
Rata Share is not, in fact, paid to Agent by such Revolving Lender when due,
Agent will be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Revolving
Lender without setoff, counterclaim or deduction of any kind. If any Revolving
Lender fails to pay the amount of its Pro Rata Share forthwith upon Agent’s
demand, Agent shall promptly notify Borrower and Borrower shall immediately
repay such amount to Agent. Nothing in this Section
9.9(b)
or
elsewhere in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be deemed to
require Agent to advance funds on behalf of any Revolving Lender or to relieve
any Revolving Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitments hereunder
or
to prejudice any rights that Borrower may have against any Revolving Lender
as a
result of any default by such Revolving Lender hereunder. To the extent that
Agent advances funds to Borrower on behalf of any Revolving Lender and is not
reimbursed therefor on the same Business Day as such Advance is made, Agent
shall be entitled to retain for its account all interest accrued on such Advance
until reimbursed by the applicable Revolving Lender.
(c) Return
of Payments.
(i) If
Agent
pays an amount to a Lender under this Agreement in the belief or expectation
that a related payment has been or will be received by Agent from Borrower
and
such related payment is not received by Agent, then Agent will be entitled
to
recover such amount from such Lender on demand without setoff, counterclaim
or
deduction of any kind.
(ii) If
Agent
determines at any time that any amount received by Agent under this Agreement
must be returned to Borrower or paid to any other Person pursuant to any
insolvency law or otherwise, then, notwithstanding any other term or condition
of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, Agent will not be required to
distribute any portion thereof to any Lender. In addition, each Lender will
repay to Agent on demand any portion of such amount that Agent has distributed
to such Lender, together with interest at such rate, if any, as Agent is
required to pay to Borrower or such other Person, without setoff, counterclaim
or deduction of any kind.
54
(d) Non-Funding
Lenders.
The
failure of any Non-Funding Lender to make any Revolving Credit Advance or any
payment required by it hereunder on the date specified therefor shall not
relieve any other Lender (each such other Revolving Lender, an “Other
Lender”)
of its
obligations to make such Advance or purchase such participation on such date,
but neither any Other Lender nor Agent shall be responsible for the failure
of
any Non-Funding Lender to make an Advance, purchase a participation or make
any
other payment required hereunder. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein
to
the contrary, a Non-Funding Lender shall not have any voting or consent rights
under or with respect to any Loan Document or constitute a “Lender” or a
“Revolving Lender” (or be included in the calculation of “Requisite Lenders”
hereunder) for any voting or consent rights under or with respect to any Loan
Document. At Borrower’s request, Agent or a Person acceptable to Agent shall
have the right with Agent’s consent and in Agent’s sole discretion (but shall
have no obligation) to purchase from any Non-Funding Lender, and each
Non-Funding Lender agrees that it shall, at Agent’s request, sell and assign to
Agent or such Person, all of the Commitments of that Non-Funding Lender for
an
amount equal to the principal balance of all Loans held by such Non-Funding
Lender and all accrued interest and fees with respect thereto through the date
of sale, such purchase and sale to be consummated pursuant to an executed
Assignment Agreement.
(e) Dissemination
of Information.
Agent
shall use reasonable efforts to provide Lenders with any notice of Default
or
Event of Default received by Agent from, or delivered by Agent to, any Credit
Party, with notice of any Event of Default of which Agent has actually become
aware and with notice of any action taken by Agent following any Event of
Default; provided, that Agent shall not be liable to any Lender for any failure
to do so, except to the extent that such failure is attributable to Agent’s
gross negligence or willful misconduct. Lenders acknowledge that Borrower is
required to provide Financial Statements to Lenders in accordance with
Annex
E
hereto
and agree that Agent shall have no duty to provide the same to
Lenders.
(f) Actions
in Concert.
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, each Lender hereby
agrees with each other Lender that no Lender shall take any action to protect
or
enforce its rights arising out of this Agreement or the Notes (including
exercising any rights of setoff) without first obtaining the prior written
consent of Agent and Requisite Lenders, it being the intent of Lenders that
any
such action to protect or enforce rights under this Agreement and the Notes
shall be taken in concert and at the direction or with the consent of Agent
or
Requisite Lenders.
10. SUCCESSORS
AND ASSIGNS
10.1 Successors
and Assigns.
This
Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be binding on and shall inure
to
the benefit of each Credit Party signatory hereto, Agent, Lenders and their
respective successors and assigns (including, in the case of any Credit Party,
a
debtor-in-possession on behalf of such Credit Party), except as otherwise
provided herein or therein. No Credit Party may assign, transfer, hypothecate
or
otherwise convey its rights, benefits, obligations or duties hereunder or under
any of the other Loan Documents without the prior express written consent of
Agent and Lenders. Any such purported assignment, transfer, hypothecation or
other conveyance by any Credit Party without the prior express written consent
of Agent and Lenders shall be void. The terms and provisions of this Agreement
are for the purpose of defining the relative rights and obligations of each
Credit Party, Agent and Lenders with respect to the transactions contemplated
hereby and no Person shall be a third party beneficiary of any of the terms
and
provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.
55
11. MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Complete
Agreement; Modification of Agreement.
The
Loan Documents constitute the complete agreement between the parties with
respect to the subject matter thereof and may not be modified, altered or
amended except as set forth in Section
11.2.
Any
letter of interest, commitment letter, or fee letter (other than the GE Capital
Fee Letter) between any Credit Party and Agent or any Lender or any of their
respective Affiliates, predating this Agreement and relating to a financing
of
substantially similar form, purpose or effect shall be superseded by this
Agreement.
11.2 Amendments
and Waivers.
(a) Except
for actions expressly permitted to be taken by Agent, no amendment,
modification, termination or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, or any consent to any departure by any Credit Party
therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing
and signed by Agent and Borrower, and by Requisite Lenders or all affected
Lenders, as applicable. Except as set forth in clauses (b) and (c) below, all
such amendments, modifications, terminations or waivers requiring the consent
of
any Lenders shall require the written consent of Requisite Lenders.
(b) No
amendment, modification, termination or waiver shall, unless in writing and
signed by Agent and each Lender directly affected thereby: (i) increase the
principal amount of any Lender’s Commitment (which action shall be deemed only
to affect those Lenders whose Commitments are increased and may be approved
by
Agent and Requisite Lenders, including those lenders whose Commitments are
increased); (ii) reduce the principal of, rate of interest on or Fees payable
with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit Obligations of any affected Lender;
(iii) extend any scheduled payment date (other than payment dates of mandatory
prepayments under Section
1.3(b)(ii)-(iii))
or
final maturity date of the principal amount of any Loan of any affected Lender;
(iv) waive, forgive, defer, extend or postpone any payment of interest or Fees
as to any affected Lender; (v) except as otherwise permitted herein or in the
other Loan Documents, release, or permit the Credit Parties to sell or otherwise
dispose of, all or substantially all of the Collateral (which action shall
be
deemed to directly affect all Lenders); (vi) except as otherwise permitted
herein, release any Guarantor of its obligations under a Guaranty; (vii) change
the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate unpaid principal amount
of
the Loans that shall be required for Lenders or any of them to take any action
hereunder; and (viii) amend or waive this Section
11.2
or the
definitions of the terms “Requisite Lenders” insofar as such definition affect
the substance of this Section
11.2.
Furthermore, no amendment, modification, termination or waiver affecting the
rights or duties of Agent or L/C Issuer, or of GE Capital in respect of any
Swap
Related Reimbursement Obligations, under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, including any release of any Guaranty or Collateral requiring a
writing signed by all Lenders, shall be effective unless in writing and signed
by Agent or L/C Issuer or GE Capital, as the case may be, in addition to Lenders
required hereinabove to take such action. Each amendment, modification,
termination or waiver shall be effective only in the specific instance and
for
the specific purpose for which it was given. No amendment, modification,
termination or waiver shall be required for Agent to take additional Collateral
pursuant to any Loan Document. No amendment, modification, termination or waiver
of any provision of any Note shall be effective without the written concurrence
of the holder of that Note. No notice to or demand on any Credit Party in any
case shall entitle such Credit Party or any other Credit Party to any other
or
further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. Any amendment,
modification, termination, waiver or consent effected in accordance with this
Section
11.2
shall be
binding upon each holder of the Notes at the time outstanding and each future
holder of the Notes.
56
(c) If,
in
connection with any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or termination
(a
“Proposed
Change”):
(i) requiring
the consent of all affected Lenders, the consent of Requisite Lenders is
obtained, but the consent of other Lenders whose consent is required is not
obtained (any such Lender whose consent is not obtained as described in this
clause
(i)
and in
clauses
(ii), (iii) and (iv)
below
being referred to as a “Non-Consenting
Lender”),
or
(ii) requiring
the consent of Requisite Lenders, the consent of Lenders holding 51% or more
of
the aggregate Commitments is obtained, but the consent of Requisite Lenders
is
not obtained,
(d) then,
so
long as Agent is not a Non-Consenting Lender, at Borrower’s request Agent, or a
Person reasonably acceptable to Agent, shall have the right with Agent’s consent
and in Agent’s sole discretion (but shall have no obligation) to purchase from
such Non-Consenting Lenders, and such Non-Consenting Lenders agree that they
shall, upon Agent’s request, sell and assign to Agent or such Person, all of the
Commitments of such Non-Consenting Lenders for an amount equal to the principal
balance of all Loans held by the Non-Consenting Lenders and all accrued interest
and Fees with respect thereto through the date of sale, such purchase and sale
to be consummated pursuant to an executed Assignment Agreement.
Upon
payment in full in cash and performance of all of the Obligations (other than
indemnification Obligations and other than any Rate Management Obligations
that,
at such time, are allowed by the applicable Rate Management Provider to remain
outstanding and are not required to be cash collateralized pursuant to the
provisions of Section
1.18),
termination of the Commitments and a release of all claims against Agent and
Lenders, and so long as no suits, actions proceedings, or claims are pending
or
threatened against any Indemnified Person asserting any damages, losses or
liabilities that are Indemnified Liabilities, Agent shall deliver to Borrower
termination statements, mortgage releases and other documents necessary or
appropriate to evidence the termination of the Liens securing payment of the
Obligations.
11.3 Fees
and Expenses.
Borrower shall reimburse Agent (and, with respect to clauses
(c) and (d)
below,
all Lenders) for all fees, costs and expenses, including the reasonable fees,
costs and expenses of counsel, consultants or other advisors (including
environmental and management consultants and appraisers) incurred in connection
with the negotiation and preparation of the Loan Documents and incurred in
connection with:
57
(a) the
forwarding to Borrower or any other Person on behalf of Borrower by Agent of
the
proceeds of any Loan (including a wire transfer fee of $25 per wire
transfer);
(b) any
amendment, modification or waiver of, or consent with respect to, or termination
of, any of the Loan Documents or Related Transactions Documents or advice in
connection with the syndication and administration of the Loans made pursuant
hereto or its rights hereunder or thereunder;
(c) any
litigation, contest, dispute, suit, proceeding or action (whether instituted
by
Agent, any Lender, Borrower or any other Person and whether as a party, witness
or otherwise) in any way relating to the Collateral, any of the Loan Documents
or any other agreement to be executed or delivered in connection herewith or
therewith, including any litigation, contest, dispute, suit, case, proceeding
or
action, and any appeal or review thereof, in connection with a case commenced
by
or against Borrower or any other Person that may be obligated to Agent by virtue
of the Loan Documents, including any such litigation, contest, dispute, suit,
proceeding or action arising in connection with any work-out or restructuring
of
the Loans during the pendency of one or more Events of Default; provided that
in
the case of reimbursement of counsel for Lenders other than Agent, such
reimbursement shall be limited to one counsel for all such Lenders; provided,
further, that no Person shall be entitled to reimbursement under this clause
(c)
in respect of any litigation, contest, dispute, suit, proceeding or action
to
the extent any of the foregoing results from such Person’s gross negligence or
willful misconduct;
(d) any
attempt to enforce any remedies of Agent or any Lender against any or all of
the
Credit Parties or any other Person that may be obligated to Agent or any Lender
by virtue of any of the Loan Documents, including any such attempt to enforce
any such remedies in the course of any work-out or restructuring of the Loans
during the pendency of one or more Events of Default; provided, that in the
case
of reimbursement of counsel for Lenders other than Agent, such reimbursement
shall be limited to one counsel for all such Lenders;
(e) any
workout or restructuring of the Loans during the pendency of one or more Events
of Default; and
(f) efforts
to (i) monitor the Loans or any of the other Obligations, (ii) evaluate, observe
or assess any of the Credit Parties or their respective affairs, and (iii)
verify, protect, evaluate, assess, appraise, collect, sell, liquidate or
otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral;
including,
as to each of clauses
(a) through (f)
above,
all reasonable attorneys’ and other professional and service providers’ fees
arising from such services and other advice, assistance or other representation,
including those in connection with any appellate proceedings, and all expenses,
costs, charges and other fees incurred by such counsel and others in connection
with or relating to any of the events or actions described in this Section
11.3,
all of
which shall be payable, on demand, by Borrower to Agent. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, such expenses, costs, charges and fees may include:
fees, costs and expenses of accountants, environmental advisors, appraisers,
investment bankers, management and other consultants and paralegals; court
costs
and expenses; photocopying and duplication expenses; court reporter fees, costs
and expenses; long distance telephone charges; air express charges; telegram
or
telecopy charges; secretarial overtime charges; and expenses for travel, lodging
and food paid or incurred in connection with the performance of such legal
or
other advisory services.
58
11.4 No
Waiver.
Agent’s
or any Lender’s failure, at any time or times, to require strict performance by
the Credit Parties of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document
shall not waive, affect or diminish any right of Agent or such Lender thereafter
to demand strict compliance and performance herewith or therewith. Any
suspension or waiver of an Event of Default shall not suspend, waive or affect
any other Event of Default whether the same is prior or subsequent thereto
and
whether the same or of a different type. Subject to the provisions of
Section
11.2,
none of
the undertakings, agreements, warranties, covenants and representations of
any
Credit Party contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents
and
no Default or Event of Default by any Credit Party shall be deemed to have
been
suspended or waived by Agent or any Lender, unless such waiver or suspension
is
by an instrument in writing signed by an officer of or other authorized employee
of Agent and the applicable required Lenders and directed to Borrower specifying
such suspension or waiver.
11.5 Remedies.
Agent’s
and Lenders’ rights and remedies under this Agreement shall be cumulative and
nonexclusive of any other rights and remedies that Agent or any Lender may
have
under any other agreement, including the other Loan Documents, by operation
of
law or otherwise. Recourse to the Collateral shall not be required.
11.6 Severability.
Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision
shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity,
without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions
of this Agreement or such other Loan Document.
11.7 Conflict
of Terms.
Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents
by
specific reference to the applicable provisions of this Agreement, if any
provision contained in this Agreement conflicts with any provision in any of
the
other Loan Documents, the provision contained in this Agreement shall govern
and
control.
11.8 Confidentiality.
Agent
and each Lender agree to use commercially reasonable efforts (equivalent to
the
efforts Agent or such Lender applies to maintain the confidentiality of its
own
confidential information) to maintain as confidential all confidential
information provided to them by the Credit Parties and designated as
confidential for a period of 2 years following receipt thereof, except that
Agent and each Lender may disclose such information (a) to Persons employed
or
engaged by Agent or such Lender; (b) to any bona fide assignee or participant
or
potential assignee or participant that has agreed to comply with the covenant
contained in this Section
11.8
(and any
such bona fide assignee or participant or potential assignee or participant
may
disclose such information to Persons employed or engaged by them as described
in
clause
(a) above); (c)
as
required or requested by any Governmental Authority or reasonably believed
by
Agent or such Lender to be compelled by any court decree, subpoena or legal
or
administrative order or process; (d) as, on the advice of Agent’s or such
Lender’s counsel, is required by law; (e) in connection with the exercise of any
right or remedy under the Loan Documents or in connection with any Litigation
to
which Agent or such Lender is a party; (f) that ceases to be confidential
through no fault of Agent or any Lender; (g) to a Person that is an investor
or
prospective investor in a Securitization that agrees that its access to
information regarding the Credit Parties and the Loans is solely for purposes
of
evaluating an investment in such Securitization and who agrees to treat such
information as confidential; (h) to a Person that is a trustee, collateral
manager, servicer, backup servicer, noteholder or secured party in a
Securitization in connection with the administration, servicing and reporting
on
the assets serving as collateral for a Securitization; and (i) to a nationally
recognized rating agency that requires access to information regarding the
Credit Parties and the Loans in connection with ratings issues with respect
to a
Securitization.
59
11.9 GOVERNING
LAW.
EXCEPT
AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, IN ALL RESPECTS,
INCLUDING ALL MATTERS OF CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY AND PERFORMANCE, THE LOAN
DOCUMENTS AND THE OBLIGATIONS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO
CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN THAT STATE AND ANY APPLICABLE LAWS OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA. EACH CREDIT PARTY HEREBY CONSENTS AND AGREES THAT THE STATE
OR FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN NEW YORK COUNTY, CITY OF NEW YORK, NEW YORK SHALL
HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION TO HEAR AND DETERMINE ANY CLAIMS OR DISPUTES BETWEEN
THE CREDIT PARTIES, AGENT AND LENDERS PERTAINING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF
THE
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; PROVIDED,
THAT
AGENT, LENDERS AND THE CREDIT PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANY APPEALS FROM THOSE
COURTS MAY HAVE TO BE HEARD BY A COURT LOCATED OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK COUNTY AND;
PROVIDED,
FURTHER
THAT
NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO PRECLUDE AGENT FROM
BRINGING SUIT OR TAKING OTHER LEGAL ACTION IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION TO REALIZE
ON THE COLLATERAL OR ANY OTHER SECURITY FOR THE OBLIGATIONS, OR TO ENFORCE
A
JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER IN FAVOR OF AGENT. EACH CREDIT PARTY EXPRESSLY
SUBMITS AND CONSENTS IN ADVANCE TO SUCH JURISDICTION IN ANY ACTION OR SUIT
COMMENCED IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND EACH CREDIT PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION
THAT SUCH CREDIT PARTY MAY HAVE BASED UPON LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION,
IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS
AND
HEREBY CONSENTS TO THE GRANTING OF SUCH LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RELIEF AS IS DEEMED
APPROPRIATE BY SUCH COURT. EACH CREDIT PARTY HEREBY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE
OF
THE SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER PROCESS ISSUED IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR SUIT
AND
AGREES THAT SERVICE OF SUCH SUMMONS, COMPLAINTS AND OTHER PROCESS MAY BE MADE
BY
REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL ADDRESSED TO SUCH CREDIT PARTY AT THE ADDRESS
SET
FORTH IN ANNEX
I
OF THIS
AGREEMENT AND THAT SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLETED UPON THE EARLIER
OF
SUCH CREDIT PARTY’S ACTUAL RECEIPT THEREOF OR 3 DAYS AFTER DEPOSIT IN THE UNITED
STATES MAILS, PROPER POSTAGE PREPAID.
60
11.10 Notices.
(a) Addresses.
All
notices, demands, requests, directions and other communications required or
expressly authorized to be made by this Agreement shall, whether or not
specified to be in writing but unless otherwise expressly specified to be given
by any other means, be given in writing and (i) addressed to (A) the party
to be
notified and sent to the address or facsimile number indicated in Annex
I,
or (B)
otherwise to the party to be notified at its address specified on the signature
page of any applicable Assignment Agreement, (ii) posted to Intralinks(R) (to
the extent such system is available and set up by or at the direction of the
Agent prior to posting) in an appropriate location by uploading such notice,
demand, request, direction or other communication to xxx.xxxxxxxxxx.xxx, faxing
it to 000-000-0000 with an appropriate bar-coded fax coversheet or using such
other means of posting to Intralinks(R) as may be available and reasonably
acceptable to the Agent prior to such posting, (iii) posted to any other
E-System set up by or at the direction of Agent in an appropriate location
or
(iv) addressed to such other address as shall be notified in writing (A) in
the
case of Borrower and Agent Lender, to the other parties hereto and (B) in the
case of all other parties, to Borrower and Agent. Transmission by electronic
mail (including E-Fax, even if transmitted to the fax numbers set forth in
clause (i) above) shall not be sufficient or effective to transmit any such
notice under this clause (a) unless such transmission is an available means
to
post to any E-System.
(b) Effectiveness.
All
communications described in clause (a) above and all other notices, demands,
requests and other communications made in connection with this Agreement shall
be effective and be deemed to have been received (i) if delivered by hand,
upon
personal delivery, (ii) if delivered by overnight courier service, one Business
Day after delivery to such courier service, (iii) if delivered by mail, when
deposited in the mails, (iv) if delivered by facsimile (other than to post
to an
E-System pursuant to clause (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) above), upon sender’s receipt of
confirmation of proper transmission, and (v) if delivered by posting to any
E-System, on the later of the date of such posting in an appropriate location
and the date access to such posting is given to the recipient thereof in
accordance with the standard procedures applicable to such E-System. Failure
or
delay in delivering copies of any notice, demand, request, consent, approval,
declaration or other communication to any Person (other than Borrower or Agent)
designated in Annex
I
to
receive copies shall in no way adversely affect the effectiveness of such
notice, demand, request, consent, approval, declaration or other communication.
The giving of any notice required hereunder may be waived in writing by the
party entitled to receive such notice.
11.11 Section
Titles.
The
Section titles and Table of Contents contained in this Agreement are and shall
be without substantive meaning or content of any kind whatsoever and are not
a
part of the agreement between the parties hereto.
11.12 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of separate counterparts, each of which
shall collectively and separately constitute one agreement.
11.13 WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL.
BECAUSE
DISPUTES ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH COMPLEX FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS ARE MOST
QUICKLY AND ECONOMICALLY RESOLVED BY AN EXPERIENCED AND EXPERT PERSON AND THE
PARTIES WISH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS TO APPLY (RATHER THAN ARBITRATION
RULES), THE PARTIES DESIRE THAT THEIR DISPUTES BE RESOLVED BY A JUDGE APPLYING
SUCH APPLICABLE LAWS. THEREFORE, TO ACHIEVE THE BEST COMBINATION OF THE BENEFITS
OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND OF ARBITRATION, THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE ALL RIGHT
TO
TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE,
WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, AMONG AGENT, LENDERS AND ANY
CREDIT PARTY ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE
RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED AMONG THEM IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
OF
THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO.
61
11.14 Press
Releases and Related Matters.
Each US
Credit Party executing this Agreement agrees that neither it nor its Affiliates
will in the future issue any press releases or other public disclosure using
the
name of GE Capital or its affiliates or referring to this Agreement, the other
Loan Documents or the Related Transactions Documents without at least 2 Business
Days’ prior notice to GE Capital and without the prior written consent of GE
Capital unless (and only to the extent that) such Credit Party or Affiliate
is
required to do so under law and then, in any event, such Credit Party or
Affiliate will consult with GE Capital before issuing such press release or
other public disclosure (other than disclosure of the fact that GE Capital
is
the Agent under this Agreement and the filing of Loan Documents with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, in each case, to the extent required under
applicable law). Each Credit Party consents to the publication by Agent or
any
Lender of a tombstone or similar advertising material relating to the financing
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Agent or such Lender shall provide
a draft of any such tombstone or similar advertising material to each Credit
Party for review and comment prior to the publication thereof. Agent reserves
the right to provide to industry trade organizations information necessary
and
customary for inclusion in league table measurements.
11.15 Reinstatement.
This
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective
should any petition be filed by or against Borrower for liquidation or
reorganization, should Borrower become insolvent or make an assignment for
the
benefit of any creditor or creditors or should a receiver or trustee be
appointed for all or any significant part of Borrower’s assets, and shall
continue to be effective or to be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any
time
payment and performance of the Obligations, or any part thereof, is, pursuant
to
applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored
or
returned by any obligee of the Obligations, whether as a “voidable preference,”
“fraudulent conveyance,” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance
had not been made. In the event that any payment, or any part thereof, is
rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Obligations shall be reinstated
and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced,
restored or returned.
11.16 Advice
of Counsel.
Each of
the parties represents to each other party hereto that it has discussed this
Agreement and, specifically, the provisions of Sections
11.9 and 11.13,
with
its counsel.
11.17 No
Strict Construction.
The
parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of
this
Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation
arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties
hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring
any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this
Agreement.
62
11.18 Judgment
Currency.
(a) If
for
the purposes of obtaining or enforcing judgment in any court in any jurisdiction
it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or under the Notes or under
any
other Loan Document in any currency (the “Original
Currency”)
into
another currency (the “Other
Currency”)
the
parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so,
that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal
banking procedures Agent could purchase the Original Currency with the Other
Currency at 11:00 A.M., New York city time, on the second Business Day preceding
that on which final judgment is given.
(b) The
obligation of Credit Party in respect of any sum due in the Original Currency
from it to any Lender or Agent hereunder or under the Notes held by such Lender
shall, notwithstanding any judgment in any Other Currency, be discharged only
to
the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Lender or Agent
(as the case may be) of any sum adjudged to be so due in such Other Currency
such Lender or Agent (as the case may be) may in accordance with normal banking
procedures purchase the Original Currency with such Other Currency; if the
amount of the Original Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally
due
to such Lender or Agent (as the case may be) in the Original Currency, such
Credit Party agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such
judgment, to indemnify such Lender or Agent (as the case may be) against such
loss, and if the amount of the Original Currency so purchased exceeds the sum
originally due to any Lender or Agent (as the case may be) in the Original
Currency, such Lender or Agent (as the case may be) agrees to remit to such
Credit Party such excess.
11.19 Subordination.
(a) Each
US
Credit Party executing this Agreement covenants and agrees that the payment
of
all indebtedness, principal, interest (including interest which accrues after
the commencement of any case or proceeding in bankruptcy, or for the
reorganization of any Credit Party), fees, charges, expenses, attorneys’ fees
and any other sum, obligation or liability owing by any other Credit Party
to
such US Credit Party, including any intercompany trade payables or royalty
or
licensing fees (collectively, the “Intercompany
Obligations”),
is
subordinated, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Section
11.19,
to the
prior payment in full of all Obligations (herein, the “Senior
Obligations”)
and
that the subordination is for the benefit of Agent and Lenders, and Agent may
enforce such provisions directly.
(b) Each
US
Credit Party executing this Agreement hereby (i) authorizes Agent to demand
specific performance of the terms of this Section
11.19,
whether
or not any other Credit Party shall have complied with any of the provisions
hereof applicable to it, at any time when such US Credit Party shall have failed
to comply with any provisions of this Section
11.19
which
are applicable to it and (ii) irrevocably waives any defense based on the
adequacy of a remedy at law, which might be asserted as a bar to such remedy
of
specific performance.
63
(c) Upon
any
distribution of assets of any US Credit Party in any dissolution, winding up,
liquidation or reorganization (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership
proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or
otherwise):
(i) Agent
and
Lenders shall first be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of the Senior
Obligations before any US Credit Party is entitled to receive any payment on
account of the Intercompany Obligations.
(ii) Any
payment or distribution of assets of any US Credit Party of any kind or
character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which any other Credit
Party would be entitled except for the provisions of this Section
11.19(c),
shall
be paid by the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment
or distribution directly to Agent, to the extent necessary to make payment
in
full of all Senior Obligations remaining unpaid after giving effect to any
concurrent payment or distribution or provisions therefor to Agent and
Lenders.
(iii) In
the
event that notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section
11.19(c),
any
payment or distribution of assets of any US Credit Party of any kind or
character, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by any
other Credit Party on account of the Intercompany Obligations before all Senior
Obligations are paid in full, such payment or distribution shall be received
and
held in trust for and shall be paid over to Agent for application to the payment
of the Senior Obligations until all of the Senior Obligations shall have been
paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution
or
provision therefor to Agent and Lenders.
(d) No
right
of Agent and Lenders or any other present or future holders of any Senior
Obligations to enforce the subordination provisions herein shall at any time
in
any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part
of
any Credit Party or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such
holder, or by any noncompliance by any Credit Party with the terms hereof,
regardless of any knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or be
otherwise charged with.
11.20 Patriot
Act Notice.
Each
Lender and the Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby
notifies the Credit Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot
Act, such Lender and the Agent may be required to obtain, verify and record
information that identifies the Credit Parties, which information includes
the
name and address of the Credit Parties and other information that will allow
such Lender and the Agent, as the case may be, to identify the Credit Parties
in
accordance with the Patriot Act.
64
12. AFFIRMATION
OF OBLIGATIONS.
Upon the
effectiveness of this Agreement pursuant to Section
2.1
hereof,
from and after the Closing Date: (a) the terms and conditions of the Existing
Credit Agreement shall be amended as set forth herein and, as so amended, shall
be restated in their entirety, but only with respect to the rights, duties
and
obligations among Credit Parties, the Lenders and the Agent accruing from and
after the Closing Date; (b) this Agreement shall not in any way release or
impair the rights, duties, Obligations or Liens created pursuant to the Existing
Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document (as defined therein) or affect
the
relative priorities thereof, in each case to the extent in force and effect
thereunder as of the Closing Date and except as modified hereby or by documents,
instruments and agreements executed and delivered in connection herewith, and
all of such rights, duties, Obligations and Liens are assumed, ratified and
affirmed by each of the Credit Parties; (c) all indemnification obligations
of
the Credit Parties under the Existing Credit Agreement and any other Loan
Documents (as defined therein) shall survive the execution and delivery of
this
Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect for the benefit of the
Lenders, the Agent, and any other Person indemnified under the Existing Credit
Agreement or any other Loan Document (as defined therein) at any time prior
to
the Closing Date; (d) the Obligations incurred under the Existing Credit
Agreement shall, to the extent outstanding on the Closing Date, continue
outstanding under this Agreement and shall not be deemed to be paid, released,
discharged or otherwise satisfied by the execution of this Agreement, and this
Agreement shall not constitute a refinancing, substitution or novation of such
Obligations or any of the other rights, duties and obligations of the parties
hereunder, and the terms “Obligations”, “Guaranteed Obligations” and “Secured
Obligations” as such terms are used in the Loan Documents shall include the
Obligations as increased, amended and restated under this Agreement; (e) the
execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Agreement shall not operate as
a
waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Lenders or the Agent (as defined
therein) under the Existing Credit Agreement, nor constitute a waiver of any
covenant, agreement or obligation under the Existing Credit Agreement, except
to
the extent that any such covenant, agreement or obligation is no longer set
forth herein or is modified hereby; (f) any and all references to the Existing
Credit Agreement in any Collateral Document or other Loan Document shall,
without further action of the parties, be deemed a reference to the Existing
Credit Agreement, as amended and restated by this Agreement, and as this
Agreement shall be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time, and any and all references to the Collateral Documents or
Loan Documents in any such Collateral Documents or any other Loan Documents
shall be deemed a reference to the Collateral Documents or Loan Documents under
the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended and restated by this Agreement, and
as
this Agreement shall be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time; and (g) the Liens granted pursuant to the Collateral
Documents to which each of the Credit Parties is a party shall continue without
any diminution thereof and shall remain in full force and effect on and after
the Closing Date.
[SIGNATURE
PAGES TO FOLLOW]
65
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed as of the date first
written above.
BORROWER
MEASUREMENT
SPECIALTIES, INC.
By:
____________________________
Name:
Title:
66
GENERAL
ELECTRIC CAPITAL
CORPORATION,
as
Agent
and as Lender
By:
_____________________________
Duly
Authorized Signatory
67
WACHOVIA
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Syndication Agent and as Lender
as Syndication Agent and as Lender
By:
_____________________________
Duly
Authorized Signatory
CoLTS
2005-1 LTD., as
Lender
By:
Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Servicer
By:
_____________________________
Duly
Authorized Signatory]
68
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Documentation Agent and as Lender
as Documentation Agent and as Lender
By:
_____________________________
Duly
Authorized Signatory
69
The
following Persons are signatories to this Agreement in their capacity as Credit
Parties and not as Borrower.
IC
SENSORS INC.
By:
_______________________________
Name:
_____________________________
Title:
ELEKON
INDUSTRIES USA, INC.
By: _______________________________
Name:
_____________________________
Title:
ENTRAN
DEVICES LLC
By:
Measurement Specialties, Inc.
As
sole
Member and sole Manager
By: _______________________________
Name:
_____________________________
Title:
MEASUREMENT
SPECIALTIES FOREIGN HOLDINGS CORPORATION
By: _______________________________
Name:
_____________________________
Title:
70
MREHTATEB,
LLC
By:
Measurement Specialties Foreign Holdings Corporation
As
sole
Member
By: _______________________________
Name:
_____________________________
Title:
YSIS
INCORPORATED
By: _______________________________
Name:
_____________________________
Title:
71
ANNEX
A (Recitals)
to
CREDIT
AGREEMENT
DEFINITIONS
Capitalized
terms used in the Loan Documents shall have (unless otherwise provided elsewhere
in the Loan Documents) the following respective meanings and all references
to
Sections, Exhibits, Schedules or Annexes in the following definitions shall
refer to Sections, Exhibits, Schedules or Annexes of or to the
Agreement:
“Account
Debtor”
means
any Person who may become obligated to any Credit Party under, with respect
to,
or on account of, an Account, Chattel Paper or General Intangibles (including
a
payment tangible).
“Accounting
Changes”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Annex G.
“Accounts”
means
all “accounts,” as such term is defined in the Code, now owned or hereafter
acquired by any Credit Party, including (a) all accounts receivable, other
receivables, book debts and other forms of obligations (other than forms of
obligations evidenced by Chattel Paper or Instruments), (including any such
obligations that may be characterized as an account or contract right under
the
Code), (b) all of each Credit Party’s rights in, to and under all purchase
orders or receipts for goods or services, (c) all of each Credit Party’s rights
to any goods represented by any of the foregoing (including unpaid sellers’
rights of rescission, replevin, reclamation and stoppage in transit and rights
to returned, reclaimed or repossessed goods), (d) all rights to payment due
to
any Credit Party for property sold, leased, licensed, assigned or otherwise
disposed of, for a policy of insurance issued or to be issued, for a secondary
obligation incurred or to be incurred, for energy provided or to be provided,
for the use or hire of a vessel under a charter or other contract, arising
out
of the use of a credit card or charge card, or for services rendered or to
be
rendered by such Credit Party or in connection with any other transaction
(whether or not yet earned by performance on the part of such Credit Party),
(e)
all healthcare insurance receivables, and (f) all collateral security of any
kind, now or hereafter in existence, given by any Account Debtor or other Person
with respect to any of the foregoing.
“Acquisitions”
means
the BetaTHERM Acquisition and the YSIS Acquisition.
“Activation
Event” and “Activation Notice”
have
the meanings ascribed thereto in Annex
C
“Advance”
means
any Revolving Credit Advance.
“Affiliate”
means,
with respect to any Person, (a) each Person that, directly or indirectly, owns
or controls, whether beneficially, or as a trustee, guardian or other fiduciary,
5% or more of the Stock having ordinary voting power in the election of
directors of such Person, (b) each Person that controls, is controlled by or
is
under common control with such Person, (c) each of such Person’s officers,
directors, joint venturers and partners and (d) in the case of Borrower, the
immediate family members, spouses and lineal descendants of individuals who
are
Affiliates of Borrower. For the purposes of this definition, “control”
of
a
Person shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct
or cause the direction of its management or policies, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; provided,
however,
that
the term “Affiliate”
shall
specifically exclude Agent and each Lender.
A-1
“Agent”
means
GE Capital in its capacity as Agent for Lenders or its successor appointed
pursuant to Section
9.7.
“Agreement”
means
the Credit Agreement by and among Borrower, the other Credit Parties party
thereto, GE Capital, as Agent and Lender and the other Lenders from time to
time
party thereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise
modified from time to time.
“Appendices”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in the recitals to the Agreement.
“Applicable
L/C Margin”
means
the per annum fee, from time to time in effect, payable with respect to
outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations as determined by reference to
Section
1.5(a).
“Applicable
Margins”
means
collectively the Applicable L/C Margin, the Applicable Revolver Index Margin,
the Applicable Term Loan Index Margin, the Applicable Revolver LIBOR Margin
and
the Applicable Term Loan LIBOR Margin.
“Applicable
Revolver Index Margin”
means
the per annum interest rate margin from time to time in effect and payable
in
addition to the Index Rate applicable to the Revolving Loan, as determined
by
reference to Section
1.5(a).
“Applicable
Revolver LIBOR Margin”
means
the per annum interest rate from time to time in effect and payable in addition
to the LIBOR Rate applicable to the Revolving Loan, as determined by reference
to Section
1.5(a).
“Applicable
Term Loan Index Margin”
means
the per annum interest rate from time to time in effect and payable in addition
to the Index Rate applicable to the Term Loan, as determined by reference to
Section
1.5(a).
“Applicable
Term Loan LIBOR Margin”
means
the per annum interest rate from time to time in effect and payable in addition
to the LIBOR Rate applicable to the Term Loan, as determined by reference to
Section
1.5(a).
“Assignment
Agreement”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
9.1(a).
“Bankruptcy
Code”
means
the provisions of Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C.
Sec.Sec. 101 et seq.
“BetaTHERM
Group”
means
BetaTHERM Group Ltd., a company organized under the laws of
Ireland.
A-2
“BetaTHERM
Acquisition”
means
the acquisition of all of all of the Stock of BetaTHERM Group pursuant to the
BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement.
“BetaTHERM
Acquisition Agreement”
means
the Agreement for the purchase of the entire issued share capital of BetaTHERM
Group Ltd. dated April 3, 2006 among the BetaTHERM Sellers and Borrower, as
buyer.
“BetaTHERM
Acquisition Documents”
means
the BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement and all other agreements or instruments
executed in connection with the BetaTHERM Acquisition.
“BetaTHERM
Reorganization”
means
the transactions or series of transaction in form and substance satisfactory
to
Agent pursuant to which (i) Intermediate Holdings shall purchase the Stock
of
BetaTHERM Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation, from XxXxx by issuing an
intercompany note (the “Intermediate
Holdings Note”)
to
XxXxx, (ii) XxXxx will distribute the Intermediate Holdings Note to BetaTHERM
Trading Ltd., in satisfaction of any intercompany Indebtedness payable to
BetaTHERM Trading Ltd., BetaTHERM Trading Ltd. will distribute the Intermediate
Holdings Note to BetaTHERM Holding Ltd., in satisfaction of any intercompany
Indebtedness payable to BetaTHERM Holding Ltd., BetaTHERM Holding Ltd. will
distribute the Intermediate Holdings Note to BetaTHERM Group, in satisfaction
of
any intercompany Indebtedness payable to BetaTHERM Group, and BetaTHERM Trading
Ltd. will distribute the Intermediate Holdings Note to Intermediate Holdings,
whereupon Intermediate Holdings will cancel the Intermediate Holdings Note,
(iii) Beta-Therm Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation, shall merge with
and
into Mrehtateb, LLC, a Massachussets limited liability company (“Mrehtateb”),
with
Mrehtateb as the surviving entity, (iv) Intermediate Holdings shall transfer
all
of the Stock of BetaTHERM Group to Kenabell Holding and Mrehtateb shall transfer
all of the Stock of BetaTHERM to Kenabell Holding, (v) Kenabell Holding shall
transfer all of the Stock of BetaTHERM Group and BetaTHERM to Acalon Holdings
Ltd., (vi) Intermediate Holdings shall distribute all of the Stock of Mrehtateb
to Borrower and Borrower shall immediately pledge the Stock of BetaTHERM to
Agent, for the benefit of itself and Lenders, as Collateral.
“BetaTHERM
Sellers”
means
those Persons listed as Vendors in Column 1 of the Table in the First
Schedule
of the
BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement.
“Blocked
Accounts”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Annex
C.
“Blocked
Account Agreement”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Annex
C.
“Borrower”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to the Agreement.
“Borrower
Pledge Agreement”
means
the Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, executed
by Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries in favor of Agent, on behalf of itself
and Lenders, pledging all Stock of its Subsidiaries, if any, and all
Intercompany Notes owing to or held by it.
“Borrowing
Availability”
means
as of any date of determination the Maximum Amount, less
the sum
of the aggregate Revolving Loan.
A-3
“Business
Day”
means
any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks are required
or
permitted to be closed in the State New York and in reference to LIBOR Loans
shall mean any such day that is also a LIBOR Business Day.
“Capital
Expenditures”
means,
with respect to any Person, all expenditures (by the expenditure of cash or
the
incurrence of Indebtedness) by such Person during any measuring period for
any
fixed assets or improvements or for replacements, substitutions or additions
thereto, that have a useful life of more than one year and that are required
to
be capitalized under GAAP.
“Capital
Lease”
means,
with respect to any Person, any lease of any property (whether real, personal
or
mixed) by such Person as lessee that, in accordance with GAAP, would be required
to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on a balance sheet of
such
Person.
“Capital
Lease Obligation”
means,
with respect to any Capital Lease of any Person, the amount of the obligation
of
the lessee thereunder that, in accordance with GAAP, would appear on a balance
sheet of such lessee in respect of such Capital Lease.
“Cash
Collateral Account”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it Annex
B.
“Cash
Equivalents”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Annex
B.
“Cash
Management Systems”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
1.8.
“Change
of Control”
means
any of the following: (a) any person or group of persons (within the meaning
of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) shall have acquired beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of 30% or more of the
issued and outstanding shares of capital Stock of Borrower having the right
to
vote for the election of directors of Borrower under ordinary circumstances;
(b)
during any period of twelve consecutive calendar months, individuals who at
the
beginning of such period constituted the board of directors of Borrower
(together with any new directors whose election by the board of directors of
Borrower or whose nomination for election by the Stockholders of Borrower was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office
who either were directors at the beginning of such period or whose election
or
nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason other
than death or disability to constitute a majority of the directors then in
office; (c) Borrower ceases to own and control all of the economic and
voting rights associated with all of the outstanding capital Stock of any of
its
Subsidiaries (except as otherwise permitted by Section
6.1);
or (d)
at any time prior to the 18-month anniversary of the Closing Date, Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
shall no longer be Borrower’s Chief Executive Officer having substantially the
same duties and responsibilities as on the Closing Date, other than by reason
of
death, disability or termination by Borrower for cause.
“Charges”
means
all federal, state, county, city, municipal, local, foreign or other
governmental taxes (including taxes owed to the PBGC at the time due and
payable), levies, assessments, charges, liens, claims or encumbrances upon
or
relating to (a) the Collateral, (b) the Obligations, (c) the employees, payroll,
income or gross receipts of any Credit Party, (d) any Credit Party’s
ownership or use of any properties or other assets, or (e) any other aspect
of
any Credit Party’s business.
A-4
“Chattel
Paper”
means
any “chattel paper,” as such term is defined in the Code, including electronic
chattel paper, now owned or hereafter acquired by any Credit Party, wherever
located.
“Class
Action Litigation”
means
In re: Measurement Specialties, Inc. Securities Litigation, 02 Civ. No. 1071
(D.N.J.).
“Closing
Date”
means
April 3, 2006.
“Closing
Date Earnouts”
means
(i) the earnout amounts payable by Borrower under Section 2.2(c) of the
Agreement of Purchase and Sale dated as of June 24, 2004 between Borrower and
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx relating to the sale of the stock of Elekon;
(ii) the deferred purchase price and other amounts payable under by Borrower
under Section 2.2(b) and (c) of the Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of July
16, 2004 among Borrower, the principal shareholders of Entran Devices and Entran
SA relating to the sale of the stock of Entran Devices and Entran SA; and (iii)
the deferred Purchase price payable by Borrower under Section 2.2(b) of the
Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of July 16, 2004 between Borrower and Encoder
Devices, LLC relating to the sale of the assets of Encoder Devices, LLC.
“Closing
Checklist”
means
the schedule, including all appendices, exhibits or schedules thereto, listing
certain documents and information to be delivered in connection with the
Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated
thereunder, substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex
D.
“Code”
means
the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may, from time to time, be enacted
and
in effect in the State of New York; provided,
that to
the extent that the Code is used to define any term herein or in any Loan
Document and such term is defined differently in different Articles or Divisions
of the Code, the definition of such term contained in Article or Division 9
shall govern; provided further,
that in
the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the
attachment, perfection or priority of, or remedies with respect to, Agent’s or
any Lender’s Lien on any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code
as enacted and in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York,
the
term “Code”
shall
mean the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in such other
jurisdiction solely for purposes of the provisions thereof relating to such
attachment, perfection, priority or remedies and for purposes of definitions
related to such provisions.
“Collateral”
means
the property covered by the Security Agreement, and the other Collateral
Documents and any other property, real or personal, tangible or intangible,
now
existing or hereafter acquired, that may at any time be or become subject to
a
security interest or Lien in favor of Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders,
to
secure the Obligations.
“Collateral
Documents”
means
the Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreements, the Guaranties, the Intellectual
Property Security Agreement and all similar agreements entered into in favor
of
the Agent or any person acting on behalf of the Agent guaranteeing payment
of,
or granting a Lien upon property as security for payment of, the
Obligations.
A-5
“Collection
Account”
means
that certain account of Agent, account number 000-000-00 in the name of Agent
at
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas in New York, New York ABA No. 021 001
033,
or such other account as may be specified in writing by Agent as the “Collection
Account.”
“Commitment
Termination Date”
means
the earliest of (a) Xxxxx 0, 0000, (x) the date of termination of Lenders’
obligations to make Advances and to incur Letter of Credit Obligations or permit
existing Loans to remain outstanding pursuant to Section
8.2(b),
and (c)
the date of indefeasible prepayment in full by Borrower of the Loans and the
cancellation and return (or stand-by guarantee) of all Letters of Credit or
the
cash collateralization of all Letter of Credit Obligations pursuant to
Annex
B,
and the
permanent reduction of the Commitments to zero dollars ($0).
“Commitments”
means
(a) as to any Lender, the aggregate of such Lender’s Revolving Loan Commitment
and Term Loan Commitment as set forth on Annex
J
to the
Agreement or in the most recent Assignment Agreement executed by such Lender
and
(b) as to all Lenders, the aggregate of all Lenders’ Revolving Loan Commitments
(and Term Loan Commitments, which aggregate commitment shall be Seventy Five
Million ($75,000,000) on the Closing Date, as to each of clauses
(a) and (b),
as such
Commitments may be reduced, amortized or adjusted from time to time in
accordance with the Agreement.
“Compliance
Certificate”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Annex
E.
“Concentration
Account”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Annex
C.
“Contracts”
means
all “contracts,” as such term is defined in the Code, now owned or hereafter
acquired by any Credit Party, in any event, including all contracts,
undertakings, or agreements (other than rights evidenced by Chattel Paper,
Documents or Instruments) in or under which any Credit Party may now or
hereafter have any right, title or interest, including any agreement relating
to
the terms of payment or the terms of performance of any Account.
“Control
Letter”
means
a
letter agreement between Agent and (i) the issuer of uncertificated securities
with respect to uncertificated securities in the name of any Credit Party,
(ii)
a securities intermediary with respect to securities, whether certificated
or
uncertificated, securities entitlements and other financial assets held in
a
securities account in the name of any Credit Party, (iii) a futures commission
merchant or clearing house, as applicable, with respect to commodity accounts
and commodity contracts held by any Credit Party, whereby, among other things,
the issuer, securities intermediary or futures commission merchant disclaims
any
security interest in the applicable financial assets, acknowledges the Lien
of
Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, on such financial assets, and agrees
to
follow the instructions or entitlement orders of Agent without further consent
by the affected Credit Party.
“Copyright
License”
means
any and all rights now owned or hereafter acquired by any Credit Party under
any
written agreement granting any right to use any Copyright or Copyright
registration.
A-6
“Copyrights”
means
all of the following now owned or hereafter adopted or acquired by any Credit
Party: (a) all copyrights and General Intangibles of like nature (whether
registered or unregistered), all registrations and recordings thereof, and
all
applications in connection therewith, including all registrations, recordings
and applications in the United States Copyright Office or in any similar office
or agency of the United States, any state or territory thereof, or any other
country or any political subdivision thereof, and (b) all reissues, extensions
or renewals thereof.
“Credit
Parties”
means
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries.
“Default”
means
any event that, with the passage of time or notice or both, would, unless cured
or waived, become an Event of Default.
“Default
Rate”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
1.5(d).
“Deposit
Accounts”
means
all “deposit accounts” as such term is defined in the Code, now or hereafter
held in the name of any Credit Party.
“Disbursement
Accounts”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Annex
C.
“Disclosure
Schedules”
means
the Schedules prepared by Borrower and denominated as Disclosure
Schedules (1.4) through (6.7)
in the
Index to the Agreement.
“Documents”
means
any “documents,” as such term is defined in the Code, now owned or hereafter
acquired by any Credit Party, wherever located.
“Dollars”
or
“$”
means
lawful currency of the United States of America.
“Dollar
Equivalent Amount”
means
with respect to any currency (other than Dollars) as of any date of
determination, the equivalent amount of such currency expressed in Dollars
as
determined by Agent on such date on the basis of the spot rate for the purchase
of such currency with Dollars as quoted to the Agent’s foreign
exchange office
(or the
foreign exchange office of a bank designated by the Agent) on the date two
Business Days prior to such date of determination.
“Domestic
Subsidiaries”
means
all Subsidiaries incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States
of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.
“Earnouts”
means
the Closing Date Earn-Outs, and any other “earnouts”, deferred purchase price or
similar obligations incurred in connection with any acquisition. For all
purposes of this Agreement, on any date, the amount of the Closing Date
Earn-Outs, and any other Earnout Payments shall be the amount reasonably
expected at the time of determination to be paid or payable in the future,
as
reasonably determined by Agent based upon Borrower’s most recent projections of
financial performance delivered to Agent.
A-7
“EBITDA”
means,
with respect to any Person for any fiscal period, without duplication, an amount
equal to (a) consolidated net income of such Person for such period, determined
in accordance with GAAP, minus
(b) the
sum of (i) income tax credits, (ii) interest income, (iii) gain from
extraordinary items for such period, (iv) any aggregate net gain (but not any
aggregate net loss) during such period arising from the sale, exchange or other
disposition of capital assets by such Person (including any fixed assets,
whether tangible or intangible, all inventory sold in conjunction with the
disposition of fixed assets and all securities), and (v) any other non-cash
gains that have been added in determining consolidated net income, in each
case
to the extent included in the calculation of consolidated net income of such
Person for such period in accordance with GAAP, but without duplication,
plus
(c) the
sum of (i) any provision for income taxes, (ii) Interest Expense, (iii) loss
from extraordinary items for such period, (iv) the amount of non-cash charges
(including depreciation and amortization and non-cash Stock compensation) for
such period, (v) amortized debt discount for such period, and (vi) the amount
of
any deduction to consolidated net income as the result of any grant to any
members of the management of such Person of any Stock, in each case to the
extent included in the calculation of consolidated net income of such Person
for
such period in accordance with GAAP, but without duplication. For purposes
of
this definition, in determining consolidated net income of a Person there shall
be included the income (or deficit) of any other Person (including any Target
acquired pursuant to Permitted Acquisition) accrued prior to the date it became
a Subsidiary of, or was merged or consolidated into, or acquired by purchase
of
assets by, such Person or any of such Person’s Subsidiaries, as determined to
the reasonable satisfaction of Agent; provided
that (x)
the portion of EBITDA
attributable to the Acquisitions shall be as set forth on Annex
F
for
periods prior to the closing date of the applicable acquisition,
and (y)
such EBITDA amounts with respect to Targets acquired after the Closing Date
pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition shall be determined in accordance with
Section
6.1(viii)(D)
to the
satisfaction of Agent. For purposes of this definition, the following items
shall be excluded in determining consolidated net income of a Person: (1) the
income (or deficit) of any other Person (other than a Subsidiary) in which
such
Person has an ownership interest, except to the extent any such income has
actually been received by such Person in the form of cash dividends or
distributions; (2) the undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary of such Person
to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar
distributions by such Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by the terms
of
any contractual obligation or requirement of law applicable to such Subsidiary;
(3) any restoration to income of any contingency reserve, except to the extent
that provision for such reserve was made out of income accrued during such
period; (4) any write-up of any asset; (5) any net gain from the collection
of
the proceeds of life insurance policies; (6) any net gain arising from the
acquisition of any securities, or the extinguishment, under GAAP, of any
Indebtedness, of such Person, (7) in the case of a successor to such Person
by
consolidation or merger or as a transferee of its assets, any earnings of such
successor prior to such consolidation, merger or transfer of assets, and (8)
any
deferred credit representing the excess of equity in any Subsidiary of such
Person at the date of acquisition of such Subsidiary over the cost to such
Person of the investment in such Subsidiary.
“E-Fax”
means
any system used to receive or transmit faxes electronically.
“Elekon”
means
Elekon Industries USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
“Elekon
Seller Note”
means,
collectively, (i) the Non Negotiable Promissory Note dated as of June 24, 2004
made by Borrower in favor of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx in the original
principal amount of $2,400,000, (ii) the Non Negotiable Promissory Note dated
as
of June 24, 2004 made by Borrower in favor of Xxxxx Xxxxxxx in the original
principal amount of $400,000, and (iii) the Non Negotiable Promissory Note
dated
as of June 24, 2004 made by Borrower in favor of Xxx Xxxxx in the original
principal amount of $200,000.
A-8
“Entran
Devices”
means
Entran Devices, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Environmental
Laws”
means
all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, statutes, ordinances,
codes, rules, standards and regulations, now or hereafter in effect, and any
applicable judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any
applicable judicial or administrative order, consent decree, order or judgment,
imposing liability or standards of conduct for or relating to the regulation
and
protection of human health, safety, the environment and natural resources
(including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, wetlands, land surface
or
subsurface strata, wildlife, aquatic species and vegetation). Environmental
Laws
include the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 9601 et
seq.)
(“CERCLA”);
the
Hazardous Materials Transportation Authorization Act of 1994 (49 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.
5101 et
seq.);
the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 136
et
seq.);
the
Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 6901 et
seq.);
the
Toxic Substance Control Act (15 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 2601 et
seq.);
the
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 7401 et
seq.);
the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 1251 et
seq.);
the
Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 651 et
seq.);
and
the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 300(f) et
seq.),
and
any and all regulations promulgated thereunder, and all analogous state, local
and foreign counterparts or equivalents and any transfer of ownership
notification or approval statutes.
“Environmental
Liabilities”
means,
with respect to any Person, all liabilities, obligations, responsibilities,
response, remedial and removal costs, investigation and feasibility study costs,
capital costs, operation and maintenance costs, losses, damages, punitive
damages, property damages, natural resource damages, consequential damages,
treble damages, costs and expenses (including all reasonable fees, disbursements
and expenses of counsel, experts and consultants), fines, penalties, sanctions
and interest incurred as a result of or related to any claim, suit, action,
investigation, proceeding or demand by any Person, whether based in contract,
tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute
or common law, including any arising under or related to any Environmental
Laws,
Environmental Permits, or in connection with any Release or threatened Release
or presence of a Hazardous Material whether on, at, in, under, from or about
or
in the vicinity of any real or personal property.
“Environmental
Permits”
means
all permits, licenses, authorizations, certificates, approvals or registrations
required by any Governmental Authority under any Environmental
Laws.
“Equipment”
means
all “equipment,” as such term is defined in the Code, now owned or hereafter
acquired by any Credit Party, wherever located and, in any event, including
all
such Credit Party’s machinery and equipment, including processing equipment,
conveyors, machine tools, data processing and computer equipment, including
embedded software and peripheral equipment and all engineering, processing
and
manufacturing equipment, office machinery, furniture, materials handling
equipment, tools, attachments, accessories, automotive equipment, trailers,
trucks, forklifts, molds, dies, stamps, motor vehicles, rolling stock and other
equipment of every kind and nature, trade fixtures and fixtures not forming
a
part of real property, together with all additions and accessions thereto,
replacements therefor, all parts therefor, all substitutes for any of the
foregoing, fuel therefor, and all manuals, drawings, instructions, warranties
and rights with respect thereto, and all products and proceeds thereof and
condemnation awards and insurance proceeds with respect thereto.
A-9
“ERISA”
means
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to
time, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
“ERISA
Affiliate”
means,
with respect to any Credit Party, any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) that, together with such Credit Party, are treated as a single
employer within the meaning of Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the
IRC.
“ERISA
Event”
means,
with respect to any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate, (a) any event described
in Section 4043(c) of ERISA with respect to a Title IV Plan; (b) the withdrawal
of any Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate from a Title IV Plan subject to Section
4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer, as
defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (c) the complete or partial withdrawal
of any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate from any Multiemployer Plan; (d)
the
filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Title IV Plan or the treatment
of a
plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA; (e) the institution
of proceedings to terminate a Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan by the PBGC;
(f) the failure by any Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate to make when due required
contributions to a Multiemployer Plan or Title IV Plan unless such failure
is
cured within 30 days; (g) any other event or condition that might reasonably
be
expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination
of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Title IV Plan or
Multiemployer Plan or for the imposition of liability under Section 4069 or
4212(c) of ERISA; (h) the termination of a Multiemployer Plan under Section
4041A of ERISA or the reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer Plan
under
Section 4241 or 4245 of ERISA; or (i) the revocation or threatened
revocation of a Qualified Plan’s qualification or tax exempt status; or (j) the
termination of a Plan described in Section 4064 of ERISA.
“ESOP”
means
a
Plan that is intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 4975(e)(7) of
the
IRC.
“E-System”
means
any electronic system, including Intralinks(R) and any other Internet or
extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted
by Agent, any of its Affiliates, or any of such Person's respective officers,
directors, employees, attorneys, agents and representatives or any other Person,
providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.
“Event
of Default”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
8.1.
“Existing
Credit Agreement”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in the recitals hereto.
“Fair
Labor Standards Act”
means
the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. Sec.201 et seq.
A-10
“Federal
Funds Rate”
means,
for any day, a floating rate equal to the weighted average of the rates on
overnight federal funds transactions among members of the Federal Reserve
System, as determined by Agent in its sole discretion, which determination
shall
be final, binding and conclusive (absent manifest error).
“Federal
Reserve Board”
means
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
“Fees”
means
any and all fees payable to Agent or any Lender pursuant to the Agreement or
any
of the other Loan Documents.
“Financial
Covenants”
means
the financial covenants set forth in Annex G.
“Financial
Statements”
means
the consolidated and consolidating income statements, statements of cash flows
and balance sheets of Borrower delivered in accordance with Section
3.4
and
Annex
E.
“Fiscal
Month”
means
any of the monthly accounting periods of Borrower.
“Fiscal
Quarter”
means
any of the quarterly accounting periods of Borrower, ending on March 31, June
30, September 30 and December 31 of each year.
“Fiscal
Year”
means
any of the annual accounting periods of Borrower ending on March 31 of each
year.
“Fixed
Charges”
means,
with respect to any Person for any fiscal period, (a) the aggregate of all
Interest Expense paid or accrued during such period, plus
(b)
scheduled payments of principal with respect to Indebtedness during such period,
plus
(c)
taxes paid in cash during such period.
“Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio”
means,
with respect to any Person for any fiscal period, the ratio of EBITDA, less
Capital Expenditures, to Fixed Charges. In computing Fixed Charges for any
fiscal period, interest and principal payments that are due within one week
after the end of that fiscal period, without duplication, shall be deemed to
have been paid on the last day of that fiscal period.
“Fixtures”
means
all “fixtures” as such term is defined in the Code, now owned or hereafter
acquired by any Credit Party.
“Foreign
Subsidiaries”
means
all Subsidiaries that are not Domestic Subsidiaries.
“GAAP”
means
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America,
consistently applied, as such term is further defined in Annex
G
to the
Agreement.
“GE
Capital”
means
General Electric Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
A-11
“GE
Capital Fee Letter”
means
that certain letter, dated as of the Closing Date, between GE Capital and
Borrower with respect to certain Fees to be paid from time to time by Borrower
to GE Capital and other matters.
“General
Intangibles”
means
“general intangibles,” as such term is defined in the Code, now owned or
hereafter acquired by any Credit Party, including all right, title and interest
that such Credit Party may now or hereafter have in or under any Contract,
all
payment intangibles, customer lists, Licenses, Copyrights, Trademarks, Patents,
and all applications therefor and reissues, extensions or renewals thereof,
rights in Intellectual Property, interests in partnerships, joint ventures
and
other business associations, licenses, permits, copyrights, trade secrets,
proprietary or confidential information, inventions (whether or not patented
or
patentable), technical information, procedures, designs, knowledge, know-how,
software, data bases, data, skill, expertise, experience, processes, models,
drawings, materials and records, goodwill (including the goodwill associated
with any Trademark or Trademark License), all rights and claims in or under
insurance policies (including insurance for fire, damage, loss and casualty,
whether covering personal property, real property, tangible rights or intangible
rights, all liability, life, key man and business interruption insurance, and
all unearned premiums), uncertificated securities, choses in action, deposit,
checking and other bank accounts, rights to receive tax refunds and other
payments, rights to receive dividends, distributions, cash, Instruments and
other property in respect of or in exchange for pledged Stock and Investment
Property, rights of indemnification, all books and records, correspondence,
credit files, invoices and other papers, including without limitation all tapes,
cards, computer runs and other papers and documents in the possession or under
the control of such Credit Party or any computer bureau or service company
from
time to time acting for such Credit Party.
“Goods”
means
any “goods” as defined in the Code, now owned or hereafter acquired by any
Credit Party, wherever located, including embedded software to the extent
included in “goods” as defined in the Code, manufactured homes, standing timber
that is cut and removed for sale and unborn young of animals.
“Governmental
Authority”
means
any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof,
and
any agency, department or other entity exercising executive, legislative,
judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to
government.
“Guaranteed
Indebtedness”
means,
as to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing, providing comfort
or otherwise supporting any Indebtedness, lease, dividend, or other obligation
(“primary
obligation”)
of any
other Person (the “primary
obligor”)
in any
manner, including any obligation or arrangement of such Person to
(a) purchase or repurchase any such primary obligation, (b) advance or
supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation
or
(ii) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor
or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency or any balance sheet
condition of the primary obligor, (c) purchase property, securities or
services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary
obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary
obligation, (d) protect the beneficiary of such arrangement from loss (other
than product warranties given in the ordinary course of business) or
(e) indemnify the owner of such primary obligation against loss in respect
thereof. The amount of any Guaranteed Indebtedness at any time shall be deemed
to be an amount equal to the lesser at such time of (x) the stated or
determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such
Guaranteed Indebtedness is incurred and (y) the maximum amount for which such
Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such
Guaranteed Indebtedness, or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum
reasonably anticipated liability (assuming full performance) in respect
thereof.
A-12
“Guaranties”
means,
collectively, any guaranty executed by any Guarantor in favor of Agent and
Lenders in respect of the Obligations.
“Guarantors”
means
each US Credit Party, other than Borrower, and each other Person, if any, that
executes a guaranty or other similar agreement in favor of Agent, for itself
and
the ratable benefit of Lenders, in connection with the transactions contemplated
by the Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
“Hazardous
Material”
means
any substance, material or waste that is regulated by, or forms the basis of
liability now or hereafter under, any Environmental Laws, including any material
or substance that is (a) defined as a “solid waste,” “hazardous waste,”
“hazardous material,” “hazardous substance,” “extremely hazardous waste,”
“restricted hazardous waste,” “pollutant,” “contaminant,” “hazardous
constituent,” “special waste,” “toxic substance” or other similar term or phrase
under any Environmental Laws, or (b) petroleum or any fraction or by-product
thereof, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s), or any radioactive
substance.
“IC
Sensors”
means
IC Sensors, Inc., a California corporation.
“Indebtedness”
means,
with respect to any Person, without duplication (a) all indebtedness of such
Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property payment
for which is deferred 6 months or more, but excluding obligations to trade
creditors incurred in the ordinary course of business that are unsecured and
not
overdue by more than 6 months unless being contested in good faith, (b) all
reimbursement and other obligations with respect to letters of credit, bankers’
acceptances and surety bonds, whether or not matured, (c) all obligations
evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (d) all
indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title
retention agreement with respect to property acquired by such Person (even
though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement
in
the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property),
(e)
all Earnouts payable by such Person, (f) all Capital Lease Obligations and
the
present value (discounted at the Index Rate as in effect o the Closing Date)
of
future rental payments under all synthetic leases, (g) all obligations of such
Person under commodity purchase or option agreements or other commodity price
hedging arrangements, in each case whether contingent or matured, (h) all
obligations of such Person under any foreign exchange contract, currency swap
agreement, interest rate swap, cap or collar agreement or other similar
agreement or arrangement designed to alter the risks of that Person arising
from
fluctuations in currency values or interest rates, in each case whether
contingent or matured, (i) all Indebtedness referred to above secured by (or
for
which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or
otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or in property or other assets
(including accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, even though
such
Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness,
and (j) the Obligations.
A-13
“Indemnified
Liabilities”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
1.13.
“Indemnified
Person”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section 1.13.
“Index
Rate”
means,
for any day, a floating rate equal to the higher of (i) the rate publicly quoted
from time to time by The Wall Street Journal
as the
“base rate on corporate loans posted by at least 75% of the nation’s 30 largest
banks” (or, if The Wall Street
Journal
ceases
quoting a base rate of the type described, the highest per annum rate of
interest published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve statistical
release H.15 (519) entitled “Selected Interest Rates” as the Bank prime
loan rate or its equivalent), and (ii) the Federal Funds Rate plus 50 basis
points per annum. Each change in any interest rate provided for in the Agreement
based upon the Index Rate shall take effect at the time of such change in the
Index Rate.
“Index
Rate Loan”
means
a
Loan or portion thereof bearing interest by reference to the Index
Rate.
“Instruments”
means
all “instruments,” as such term is defined in the Code, now owned or hereafter
acquired by any Credit Party, wherever located, and, in any event, including
all
certificated securities, all certificates of deposit, and all notes and other,
without limitation, evidences of indebtedness, other than instruments that
constitute, or are a part of a group of writings that constitute, Chattel
Paper.
“Intellectual
Property”
means
any and all Licenses, Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, and the goodwill
associated with such Trademarks.
“Intellectual
Property Security Agreement”
means
the Amended and Restated Intellectual Property Security Agreement made in favor
of Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, by each applicable US Credit
Party.
“Intermediate
Holdings”
means
Measurement Specialties Foreign Holdings Corporation, a Delaware
corporation.
“Intercompany
Notes”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
6.3.
“Interest
Expense”
means,
with respect to any Person for any fiscal period, interest expense (whether
cash
or non-cash) of such Person determined in accordance with GAAP for the relevant
period ended on such date, including interest expense with respect to any
Indebtedness of such Person and interest expense for the relevant period that
has been capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person.
“Interest
Payment Date”
means
(a) as to any Index Rate Loan, the first Business Day of each month to occur
while such Loan is outstanding, and (b) as to any LIBOR Loan, the last day
of
the applicable LIBOR Period; provided
that, in
addition to the foregoing, each of (x) the date upon which all of the
Commitments have been terminated and the Loans have been paid in full and (y)
the Commitment Termination Date shall be deemed to be an “Interest
Payment Date”
with
respect to any interest that has then accrued under the Agreement.
A-14
“Interest
Rate Management Obligations”
means
all Rate Management Obligations arising out of interest rate protection or
hedging agreements or transactions (including, but not limited to, interest
rate
swaps, caps, collars, floors and similar transactions) designed to protect
or
manage exposure to the fluctuations in the interest rates applicable to any
of
the Loans.
“Inventory”
means
any “inventory,” as such term is defined in the Code, now owned or hereafter
acquired by any Credit Party, wherever located, and in any event including
inventory, merchandise, goods and other personal property that are held by
or on
behalf of any Credit Party for sale or lease or are furnished or are to be
furnished under a contract of service, or that constitute raw materials, work
in
process, finished goods, returned goods, supplies or materials of any kind,
nature or description used or consumed or to be used or consumed in such Credit
Party’s business or in the processing, production, packaging, promotion,
delivery or shipping of the same, including other supplies and embedded
software.
“Investment
Property”
means
all “investment property” as such term is defined in the Code now owned or
hereafter acquired by any Credit Party, wherever located, including (i) all
securities, whether certificated or uncertificated, including stocks, bonds,
interests in limited liability companies, partnership interests, treasuries,
certificates of deposit, and mutual fund shares; (ii) all securities
entitlements of any Credit Party, including the rights of such Credit Party
to
any securities account and the financial assets held by a securities
intermediary in such securities account and any free credit balance or other
money owing by any securities intermediary with respect to that account; (iii)
all securities accounts of any Credit Party; (iv) all commodity contracts of
any
Credit Party; and (v) all commodity accounts held by any Credit
Party.
“IRC”
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all regulations promulgated
thereunder.
“IRS”
means
the Internal Revenue Service.
“Kenabell
Holding”
means
Kenabell Holding Limited, a British Virgin Islands company.
“L/C
Issuer”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Annex
B.
“L/C
Sublimit”
has
the
meaning ascribed to in it Annex
B.
“Lenders”
means
GE Capital, the other Lenders named on the signature pages of the Agreement,
and, if any such Lender shall decide to assign all or any portion of the
Obligations (other than Rate Management Obligations), such term shall include
any assignee of such Lender.
“Letter
of Credit Fee”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Annex
B.
“Letter
of Credit Obligations”
means
all outstanding obligations incurred by Agent and Lenders at the request of
Borrower, whether direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, due or not due,
in connection with the issuance of Letters of Credit by Agent or another L/C
Issuer or the purchase of a participation as set forth in Annex
B
with
respect to any Letter of Credit. The amount of such Letter of Credit Obligations
shall equal the maximum amount that may be payable by Agent or Lenders thereupon
or pursuant thereto.
A-15
“Letter-of-Credit
Rights”
means
“letter-of-credit rights” as such term is defined in the Code, now owned or
hereafter acquired by any Credit Party, including rights to payment or
performance under a letter of credit, whether or not such Credit Party, as
beneficiary, has demanded or is entitled to demand payment or
performance.
“Letters
of Credit”
means
documentary or standby letters of credit issued for the account of Borrower
by
any L/C Issuer, and bankers’ acceptances issued by Borrower, for which Agent and
Lenders have incurred Letter of Credit Obligations. The term does not include
a
Swap Related L/C.
“LIBOR
Business Day”
means
a
Business Day on which banks in the City of London are generally open for
interbank or foreign exchange transactions.
“LIBOR
Loan”
means
a
Loan or any portion thereof bearing interest by reference to the LIBOR
Rate.
“LIBOR
Period”
means,
with respect to any LIBOR Loan, each period commencing on a LIBOR Business
Day
selected by Borrower pursuant to the Agreement and ending one, two or three
months thereafter, as selected by Borrower’s irrevocable notice to Agent as set
forth in Section
1.5(e);
provided,
that
the foregoing provision relating to LIBOR Periods is subject to the
following:
(a) if
any
LIBOR Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a LIBOR Business Day,
such
LIBOR Period shall be extended to the next succeeding LIBOR Business Day unless
the result of such extension would be to carry such LIBOR Period into another
calendar month in which event such LIBOR Period shall end on the immediately
preceding LIBOR Business Day;
(b) any
LIBOR
Period that would otherwise extend beyond the Commitment Termination Date shall
end 2 LIBOR Business Days prior to such date;
(c) any
LIBOR
Period that begins on the last LIBOR 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 LIBOR Period) shall end on the last LIBOR Business Day of a
calendar month;
(d) Borrower
shall select LIBOR Periods so as not to require a payment or prepayment of
any
LIBOR Loan during a LIBOR Period for such Loan; and
(e) Borrower
shall select LIBOR Periods so that there shall be no more than 5 separate LIBOR
Loans in existence at any one time.
“LIBOR
Rate”
means
for each LIBOR Period, a rate of interest determined by Agent equal
to:
A-16
(a) the
offered rate for deposits in United States Dollars for the applicable LIBOR
Period that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time),
on the second full LIBOR Business Day next preceding the first day of such
LIBOR
Period (unless such date is not a Business Day, in which event the next
succeeding Business Day will be used); divided by
(b) a
number
equal to 1.0 minus
the
aggregate (but without duplication) of the rates (expressed as a decimal
fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on the day that is 2 LIBOR Business
Days prior to the beginning of such LIBOR Period (including basic, supplemental,
marginal and emergency reserves under any regulations of the Federal Reserve
Board or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto,
as now and from time to time in effect) for Eurocurrency funding (currently
referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Federal Reserve
Board that are required to be maintained by a member bank of the Federal Reserve
System.
If
such
interest rates shall cease to be available from Telerate News Service, the
LIBOR
Rate shall be determined from such financial reporting service or other
information as shall be mutually acceptable to Agent and Borrower.
“License”
means
any Copyright License, Patent License, Trademark License or other license of
rights or interests now held or hereafter acquired by any Credit
Party.
“Lien”
means
any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit
arrangement, lien, charge, claim, security interest, easement or encumbrance,
or
preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement
of
any kind or nature whatsoever (including any lease or title retention agreement,
any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of
the
foregoing, and the filing of, or agreement to give, any financing statement
perfecting a security interest under the Code or comparable law of any
jurisdiction).
“Litigation”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
3.13.
“Loan
Account”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
1.12.
“Loan
Documents”
means
the Agreement, the Notes, the Collateral Documents, the Master Standby
Agreement, the Master Documentary Agreement, and all other agreements,
instruments, documents and certificates identified in the Closing Checklist
executed and delivered to, or in favor of, Agent or any Lenders and including
all other pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, contracts,
notices, and all other written matter whether heretofore, now or hereafter
executed by or on behalf of any Credit Party, or any employee of any Credit
Party, and delivered to Agent or any Lender in connection with the Agreement
or
the transactions contemplated thereby. Any reference in the Agreement or any
other Loan Document to a Loan Document shall include all appendices, exhibits
or
schedules thereto, and all amendments, restatements, supplements or other
modifications thereto, and shall refer to the Agreement or such Loan Document
as
the same may be in effect at any and all times such reference becomes
operative.
“Loans”
means
the Revolving Loan and the Term Loan.
A-17
“Lock
Boxes”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Annex
C.
“Margin
Stock”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
3.10.
“Master
Documentary Agreement”
means
the Master Agreement for Documentary Letters of Credit dated as of December
17,
2004 between Borrower, as Applicant, and GE Capital, as Issuer.
“Master
Standby Agreement”
means
the Master Agreement for Standby Letters of Credit dated as of December 17,
2004
between Borrower, as Applicant, and GE Capital, as Issuer.
“Material
Adverse Effect”
means
a
material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations, prospects
or
financial or other condition of Borrower, the US Credit Parties considered
as a
whole or the Credit Parties considered as a whole, (b) Borrower’s ability to pay
any of the Loans or any of the other Obligations in accordance with the terms
of
the Agreement, (c) the Collateral or Agent’s Liens, on behalf of itself and
Lenders, on the Collateral or the priority of such Liens, or (d) Agent’s or any
Lender’s rights and remedies under the Agreement and the other Loan
Documents.
“Maximum
Amount”
means,
as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the Revolving Loan
Commitment of all Lenders as of that date.
“Mrehtateb”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in the definition of “BetaTHERM
Reorganization”.
“Multiemployer
Plan”
means
a
“multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, and to which any
Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate is making, is obligated to make or has made
or
been obligated to make, contributions on behalf of participants who are or
were
employed by any of them.
“Non-Funding
Lender”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
9.9(a)(ii).
“Notes”
means,
collectively, the Revolving Notes and the Term Notes.
“Notice
of Conversion/Continuation”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
1.5(e).
“Notice
of Revolving Credit Advance”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
1.1(a).
“Obligations”
means
(a) all loans, advances, debts, liabilities and obligations, for the performance
of covenants, tasks or duties or for payment of monetary amounts (whether or
not
such performance is then required or contingent, or such amounts are liquidated
or determinable) owing by any Credit Party to Agent or any Lender, and all
covenants and duties regarding such amounts, of any kind or nature, present
or
future, whether or not evidenced by any note, agreement, letter of credit
agreement or other instrument, arising under the Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents, and (b) all Rate Management Obligations. This term includes
all
principal, interest (including all interest that accrues after the commencement
of any case or proceeding by or against any Credit Party in bankruptcy, whether
or not allowed in such case or proceeding), Fees, Swap Related Reimbursement
Obligations, hedging obligations under swaps, caps and collar arrangements
provided by any Lender, expenses, attorneys' fees and any other sum chargeable
to any Credit Party under the Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents.
A-18
“Other
Rate Management Obligations”
means
all Rate Management Obligations that are not Interest Rate Management
Obligations.
“Patent
License”
means
rights under any written agreement now owned or hereafter acquired by any Credit
Party granting any right with respect to any invention on which a Patent is
in
existence.
“Patents”
means
all of the following in which any Credit Party now holds or hereafter acquires
any interest: (a) all letters patent of the United States or any other country,
all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications for letters
patent of the United States or of any other country, including registrations,
recordings and applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office
or
in any similar office or agency of the United States, any State or any other
country, and (b) all reissues, continuations, continuations-in-part or
extensions thereof.
“Permitted
Acquisition”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
6.1.
“PBGC”
means
the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
“Pension
Plan”
means
a
Plan described in Section 3(2) of ERISA.
“Permitted
Encumbrances”
means
the following encumbrances: (a) Liens for taxes or assessments or other
governmental Charges not yet due and payable or which are being contested in
accordance with Section
5.2(b);
(b)
pledges or deposits of money securing statutory obligations under workmen’s
compensation, unemployment insurance, social security or public liability laws
or similar legislation (excluding Liens under ERISA); (c) pledges or deposits
of
money securing bids, tenders, contracts (other than contracts for the payment
of
money) or leases to which any Credit Party is a party as lessee made in the
ordinary course of business; (d) inchoate and unperfected workers’, mechanics’
or similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business, so long as such
Liens attach only to Equipment, Fixtures and/or Real Estate; (e) carriers’,
warehousemen’s, suppliers’ or other similar possessory liens arising in the
ordinary course of business and securing liabilities in an outstanding aggregate
amount not in excess of $50,000 at any time, so long as such Liens attach only
to Inventory; (f) deposits securing, or in lieu of, surety, appeal or customs
bonds in proceedings to which any Credit Party is a party; (g) any attachment
or
judgment lien not constituting an Event of Default under Section
8.1(j);
(h)
zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, or other restrictions on the use
of
any Real Estate or other minor irregularities in title (including leasehold
title) thereto, so long as the same do not materially impair the use, value,
or
marketability of such Real Estate; (i) presently existing or hereafter created
Liens in favor of Agent, on behalf of Lenders; and (j) Liens expressly permitted
under clauses
(b) and (c)
of
Section
6.7
of the
Agreement.
A-19
“Permitted
Investments”
means
the following (i) marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally
guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency thereof maturing within
one year from the date of acquisition thereof, (ii) commercial paper
maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof and currently
having the highest rating obtainable from either Standard & Poor’s Ratings
Group (“S&P”) or Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), (iii)
certificates of deposit maturing no more than one year from the date of creation
thereof issued by commercial banks incorporated under the laws of the United
States of America, each having combined capital, surplus and undivided profits
of not less than $300,000,000 and having a senior unsecured rating of “A” or
better by a nationally recognized rating agency (an “A
Rated Bank”),
(iv)
time deposits maturing no more than 30 days from the date of creation thereof
with A Rated Banks and (v) mutual funds that invest solely in one or more of
the
investments described in clauses (i) through (iv) above.
“Person”
means
any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, trust,
unincorporated organization, association, corporation, limited liability
company, institution, public benefit corporation, other entity or government
(whether federal, state, county, city, municipal, local, foreign, or otherwise,
including any instrumentality, division, agency, body or department
thereof).
“Plan”
means,
at any time, an “employee benefit plan,” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA,
that any Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate maintains, contributes to or has an
obligation to contribute to on behalf of participants who are or were employed
by any Credit Party.
“Pledge
Agreements”
means
the pledge agreement or agreements dated as of December 17, 2004 executed by
the
US Credit Parties in favor of Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, pledging
all Stock of the Domestic Subsidiaries, and 66% of the Stock of the Foreign
Subsidiaries (including such pledge or other agreements under the laws of the
jurisdiction of organization of such Foreign Subsidiary as Agent may require
to
grant a valid and enforceable perfected security interests prior to the rights
of all third Persons and subject to no other Liens, except Permitted
Encumbrances), if any, and all Intercompany Notes owing to or held by it, and
any pledge agreements entered into after the Closing Date by any Credit Party
(as required by the Agreement or any other Loan Document).
“Proceeds”
means
“proceeds,” as such term is defined in the Code, including (a) any and all
proceeds of any insurance, indemnity, warranty or guaranty payable to any Credit
Party from time to time with respect to any of the Collateral, (b) any and
all
payments (in any form whatsoever) made or due and payable to any Credit Party
from time to time in connection with any requisition, confiscation,
condemnation, seizure or forfeiture of all or any part of the Collateral by
any
Governmental Authority (or any Person acting under color of governmental
authority), (c) any claim of any Credit Party against third parties (i) for
past, present or future infringement of any Patent or Patent License, or (ii)
for past, present or future infringement or dilution of any Copyright, Copyright
License, Trademark or Trademark License, or for injury to the goodwill
associated with any Trademark or Trademark License, (d) any recoveries by any
Credit Party against third parties with respect to any litigation or dispute
concerning any of the Collateral including claims arising out of the loss or
nonconformity of, interference with the use of, defects in, or infringement
of
rights in, or damage to, Collateral, (e) all amounts collected on, or
distributed on account of, other Collateral, including dividends, interest,
distributions and Instruments with respect to Investment Property and pledged
Stock, and (f) any and all other amounts, rights to payment or other
property acquired upon the sale, lease, license, exchange or other disposition
of Collateral and all rights arising out of Collateral.
A-20
“Pro
Forma”
means
the unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of Borrower and
its
Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2006 after giving pro forma
effect
to the Related Transactions.
“Projections”
means
Borrower’s forecasted consolidated and consolidating: (a) balance sheets; (b)
profit and loss statements; (c) cash flow statements; and (d) capitalization
statements, all prepared on a Subsidiary by Subsidiary or division-by-division
basis, if applicable, and otherwise consistent with the historical Financial
Statements of Borrower, together with appropriate supporting details and a
statement of underlying assumptions.
“Pro
Rata Share”
means
with respect to all matters relating to any Lender (a) with respect to the
Revolving Loan, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the Revolving Loan
Commitment of that Lender by (ii) the aggregate Revolving Loan Commitments
of
all Lenders, (b) with respect to the Term Loan, the percentage obtained by
dividing (i) the Term Loan Commitment of that Lender by (ii) the aggregate
Term
Loan Commitments of all Lenders, as any such percentages may be adjusted by
assignments permitted pursuant to Section
9.1,
(c)
with respect to all Loans, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the aggregate
Commitments of that Lender by (ii) the aggregate Commitments of all Lenders,
and
(d) with respect to all Loans on and after the Commitment Termination Date,
the
percentage obtained by dividing (i) the aggregate outstanding principal balance
of the Loans held by that Lender, by (ii) the outstanding principal balance
of
the Loans held by all Lenders.
“Qualified
Plan”
means
a
Pension Plan that is intended to be tax-qualified under Section 401(a) of the
IRC.
“Qualified
Assignee”
means
(a) any Lender, any Affiliate of any Lender and, with respect to any Lender
that
is an investment fund that invests in commercial loans, any other investment
fund that invests in commercial loans and that is managed or advised by the
same
investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor,
and (b) any commercial bank, savings and loan association or savings bank or
any
other entity which is an “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D under
the Securities Act) which extends credit or buys loans as one of its businesses,
including insurance companies, mutual funds, lease financing companies and
commercial finance companies, in each case, which has a rating of BBB or higher
from S&P and a rating of Baa2 or higher from Moody’s at the date that it
becomes a Lender and which, through its applicable lending office, is capable
of
lending to Borrower without the imposition of any withholding or similar taxes;
provided that no Person or Affiliate of such Person (other than a Person that
is
already a Lender) holding Subordinated Debt or Stock issued by any Credit Party
shall be a Qualified Assignee.
“Rate
Management Obligations”
means
all obligations of any Credit Party to any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender
under any commodity purchase or option agreements or other commodity price
hedging arrangements or under any foreign exchange contract, currency swap
agreement, interest rate swap, cap or collar agreement or other similar
agreement or arrangement designed to alter the risks of such Credit Party
arising from fluctuations in currency values or interest rates, in each case,
which (a) are permitted under the Agreement and disclosed to Agent, and (b)
do
not have a term or maturity which is later than the Commitment Termination
Date.
A-21
“Rate
Management Provider”
means
any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender to which any Credit Party has any
outstanding Rate Management Obligations.
“Ratable
Share”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
1.1(b).
“Real
Estate”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
3.6.
“Related
Transactions”
means
the initial borrowing under the Revolving Loan and the Term Loan on the Closing
Date, the Acquisitions, the payment of all fees, costs and expenses associated
with all of the foregoing and the execution and delivery of all of the Related
Transactions Documents.
“Related
Transactions Documents”
means
the Loan Documents, the BetaTHERM Acquisition Documents, the YSIS Acquisition
Documents and all other agreements or instruments executed in connection with
the Related Transactions.
“Release”
means
any release, threatened release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring,
emitting, emptying, escape, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal,
dumping, leaching or migration of Hazardous Material in the indoor or outdoor
environment, including the movement of Hazardous Material through or in the
air,
soil, surface water, ground water or property.
“Requisite
Lenders”
means
Lenders having (a) 66 2/3% or more of the Commitments of all Lenders, or (b)
if
the Commitments have been terminated, 66 2/3% or more of the aggregate
outstanding amount of the Loans; provided
that so
long as there are only two Lenders (a Lender and any Affiliates thereof which
are also Lenders shall be treated a single Lender for purposes of this proviso),
Requisite Lenders must include both such Lenders.
“Restricted
Payment”
means,
with respect to any Credit Party (a) the declaration or payment of any
dividend or the incurrence of any liability to make any other payment or
distribution of cash or other property or assets in respect of Stock; (b) any
payment on account of the purchase, redemption, defeasance, sinking fund or
other retirement of such Credit Party’s Stock or any other payment or
distribution made in respect thereof, either directly or indirectly; (c) any
payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, fees or
other charges on or with respect to, and any redemption, purchase, retirement,
defeasance, sinking fund or similar payment and any claim for rescission with
respect to, any Subordinated Debt; (d) any payment made to redeem, purchase,
repurchase or retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants,
options or other rights to acquire Stock of such Credit Party now or hereafter
outstanding; (e) any payment of a claim for the rescission of the purchase
or
sale of, or for material damages arising from the purchase or sale of, any
shares of such Credit Party’s Stock or of a claim for reimbursement,
indemnification or contribution arising out of or related to any such claim
for
damages or rescission; and (f) any payment, loan, contribution, or other
transfer of funds or other property (including any management fees or other
fees
of a similar nature) to any Stockholder of such Credit Party, except in the
ordinary course of and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of such Credit
Party’s business and upon fair and reasonable terms that are no less favorable
to such Credit Party than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s length
transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of such Credit Party and which are
approved by the disinterested directors of Borrower.
A-22
“Retiree
Welfare Plan”
means,
at any time, a Welfare Plan that provides for continuing coverage or benefits
for any participant or any beneficiary of a participant after such participant’s
termination of employment, other than continuation coverage provided pursuant
to
Section 4980B of the IRC and at the sole expense of the participant or the
beneficiary of the participant.
“Revolving
Credit Advance”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
1.1(a)(i).
“Revolving
Lenders”
means,
as of any date of determination, Lenders having a Revolving Loan
Commitment.
“Revolving
Loan”
means,
at any time, the sum of (i) the aggregate amount of Revolving Credit Advances
outstanding to Borrower plus
(ii) the
aggregate Letter of Credit Obligations incurred on behalf of Borrower. Unless
the context otherwise requires, references to the outstanding principal balance
of the Revolving Loan shall include the outstanding balance of Letter of Credit
Obligations.
“Revolving
Loan Commitment”
means
(a) as to any Revolving Lender, the aggregate commitment of such Revolving
Lender to make Revolving Credit Advances or incur Letter of Credit Obligations
as set forth on Annex
J
to the
Agreement or in the most recent Assignment Agreement executed by such Revolving
Lender and (b) as to all Revolving Lenders, the aggregate commitment of all
Revolving Lenders to make Revolving Credit Advances or incur Letter of Credit
Obligations, which aggregate commitment shall be Fifty-Five Million Dollars
($55,000,000) on the Closing Date, as such amount may be adjusted, if at all,
from time to time in accordance with the Agreement.
“Revolving
Note”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section 1.1(a)(ii).
“Securitization”
means
a
public or private offering by a Lender or any of its direct or indirect
Affiliates or their respective successors and assigns, of securities which
represent an interest in, or which are collateralized, in whole or in part,
by
the Loans.
“Security
Agreement”
means
the Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof,
entered into by and among Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, and each
Credit Party that is a signatory thereto.
“SEC
Investigation”
means
the formal investigation of Borrower commenced in June, 2002 by the Division
of
Enforcement of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to Borrower’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,
2001.
“Senior
Indebtedness”
means
any Indebtedness other than Subordinated Debt, Subordinated Earnouts, the Elekon
Seller Note and the Closing Date Earnouts.
A-23
“Senior
Leverage Ratio”
means,
as of any date of determination ,with respect to Borrower, on a consolidated
basis, the ratio of (a) Senior Indebtedness as of such date of determination,
to
(b) EBITDA for the twelve months ending on such date of
determination.
“Software”
means
all “software” as such term is defined in the Code, now owned or hereafter
acquired by any Credit Party, other than software embedded in any category
of
Goods, including all computer programs and all supporting information provided
in connection with a transaction related to any program.
“Solvent”
means,
with respect to any Person on a particular date, that on such date (a) the
fair
value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of
liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person; (b) the present
fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount
that
will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts
as
they become absolute and matured; (c) such Person does not intend to, and does
not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s
ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature; and (d) such Person is
not
engaged in a business or transaction, and is not about to engage in a business
or transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute an
unreasonably small capital. The amount of contingent liabilities (such as
litigation, guaranties and pension plan liabilities) at any time shall be
computed as the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances
existing at the time, represents the amount that can be reasonably be expected
to become an actual or matured liability and any rights of contribution or
subrogation that would arise if such liabilities were actually
paid.
“Stock”
means
all shares, options, warrants, general or limited partnership interests,
membership interests or other equivalents (regardless of how designated) of
or
in a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or equivalent entity
whether voting or nonvoting, including common stock, 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 Securities and Exchange Commission
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).
“Stockholder”
means,
with respect to any Person, each holder of Stock of such Person.
“Subordinated
Debt”
means
any unsecured Indebtedness of any Credit Party subordinated to the Obligations
in a manner and form satisfactory to Agent and Lenders in their sole discretion,
as to right and time of payment and as to any other rights and remedies
thereunder.
“Subordinated
Earnouts”
means
any unsecured Indebtedness consisting of Earnouts which are subordinated to
the
Obligations in a manner and form satisfactory to Agent and Lenders in their
sole
discretion, as to right and time of payment and as to any other rights and
remedies thereunder.
“Subsidiary”
means,
with respect to any Person, (a) any corporation of which an aggregate of more
than 50% of the outstanding Stock having ordinary voting power to elect a
majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether,
at the time, Stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall
have
or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is
at
the time, directly or indirectly, owned legally or beneficially by such Person
or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or with respect to which any such
Person has the right to vote or designate the vote of 50% or more of such Stock
whether by proxy, agreement, operation of law or otherwise, and (b) any
partnership or limited liability company in which such Person and/or one or
more
Subsidiaries of such Person shall have an interest (whether in the form of
voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than 50%
or
of which any such Person is a general partner or may exercise the powers of
a
general partner. Unless the context otherwise requires, each reference to a
Subsidiary shall be a reference to a Subsidiary of Borrower.
A-24
“Supporting
Obligations”
means
all “supporting obligations” as such term is defined in the Code, including
letters of credit and guaranties issued in support of Accounts, Chattel Paper,
Documents, General Intangibles, Instruments, or Investment
Property.
“Swap
Related L/C”
means
a
letter of credit or other credit enhancement provided by GE Capital to the
extent supporting the payment obligations by Borrower under an interest rate
protection or hedging agreement or transaction (including, but not limited
to,
interest rate swaps, caps, collars, floors and similar transactions) designed
to
protect or manage exposure to the fluctuations in the interest rates applicable
to any of the Loans, and which agreement or transaction Borrower entered into
as
the result of a specific referral pursuant to which GE Capital, GE Corporate
Financial Services, Inc. or any other Affiliate of GE Capital had arranged
for
Borrower to enter into such agreement or transaction. The term includes a Swap
Related L/C as it may be increased from time to time fully to support Borrower's
payment obligations under any and all such interest rate protection or hedging
agreements or transactions.
“Swap
Related Reimbursement Obligation”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section 1.2A.
“Target”
has
the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
6.1.
“Taxes”
means
taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, Charges or withholdings, and all liabilities
with respect thereto, excluding taxes imposed on or measured by the net income
of Agent or a Lender by the jurisdictions under the laws of which Agent and
Lenders are organized or conduct business or any political subdivision
thereof.
“Termination
Date”
means
the date on which (a) the Loans have been indefeasibly repaid in full,
(b) all other Obligations under the Agreement and the other Loan Documents
have been completely discharged, (c) all Letter of Credit Obligations have
been cash collateralized, cancelled or backed by standby letters of credit
in
accordance with Annex
B,
and
(d) Borrower shall not have any further right to borrow any monies under
the Agreement.
“Term
Lenders”
means
those Lenders having Term Loan Commitments.
“Term
Loan”
has
the
meaning assigned to it in Section
1.1(b)(i).
“Term
Loan Commitment”
means
(a) as to any Lender with a Term Loan Commitment, the commitment of such Lender
to make its Pro Rata Share of the Term Loan as set forth on Annex J
to the
Agreement or in the most recent Assignment Agreement executed by such Lender,
and (b) as to all Lenders with a Term Loan Commitment, the aggregate commitment
of all Lenders to make the Term Loan, which aggregate commitment shall be Twenty
Million Dollars ($20,000,000) on the Closing Date. After advancing the Term
Loan, each reference to a Lender’s Term Loan Commitment shall refer to that
Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding Term Loan.
A-25
“Term
Note”
has
the
meaning assigned to it in Section
1.1(b)(i).
“Title
IV Plan”
means
a
Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan), that is covered by Title IV
of
ERISA, and that any Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate maintains, contributes
to or
has an obligation to contribute to on behalf of participants who are or were
employed by any of them.
“Total
Leverage Ratio”
means,
as of any date of determination ,with respect to Borrower, on a consolidated
basis, the ratio of (a) Indebtedness as of such date of determination, to (b)
EBITDA for the twelve months ending on such date of determination..
“Trademark
License”
means
rights under any written agreement now owned or hereafter acquired by any Credit
Party granting any right to use any Trademark.
“Trademarks”
means
all of the following now owned or hereafter adopted or acquired by any Credit
Party: (a) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, business names, trade
styles, service marks, logos, other source or business identifiers, prints
and
labels on which any of the foregoing have appeared or appear, designs and
general intangibles of like nature (whether registered or unregistered), all
registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection
therewith, including registrations, recordings and applications in the United
States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the
United States, any state or territory thereof, or any other country or any
political subdivision thereof; (b) all reissues, extensions or renewals thereof;
and (c) all goodwill associated with or symbolized by any of the
foregoing.
“Unfunded
Pension Liability”
means,
at any time, the aggregate amount, if any, of the sum of (a) the amount by
which
the present value of all accrued benefits under each Title IV Plan exceeds
the
fair market value of all assets of such Title IV Plan allocable to such benefits
in accordance with Title IV of ERISA, all determined as of the most recent
valuation date for each such Title IV Plan using the actuarial assumptions
for
funding purposes in effect under such Title IV Plan, and (b) for a period of
5
years following a transaction which might reasonably be expected to be covered
by Section 4069 of ERISA, the liabilities (whether or not accrued) that could
be
avoided by any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate as a result of such
transaction.
“US
Credit Party”
means
Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries.
“Welfare
Plan”
means
a
Plan described in Section 3(i) of ERISA.
“YSIS”
means
YSIS Incorporated, a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of
Ohio.
A-26
“YSIS
Acquisition”
means
the acquisition of all of all of the Stock of YSIS pursuant to the YSI
Acquisition Agreement.
“YSIS
Acquisition Agreement”
means
the Agreement of Purchase and Sale dated April 3, 2006 among the YSI Seller
and
Borrower, as buyer.
“YSIS
Acquisition Documents”
means
the YSI Acquisition Agreement and all other agreements or instruments executed
in connection with the YSI Acquisition.
“YSIS
Seller”
means
YSI Incorporated, an Ohio corporation.
Rules
of
construction with respect to accounting terms used in the Agreement or the
other
Loan Documents shall be as set forth in Annex
G.
All
other undefined terms contained in any of the Loan Documents shall, unless
the
context indicates otherwise, have the meanings provided for by the Code to
the
extent the same are used or defined therein; in the event that any term is
defined differently in different Articles or Divisions of the Code, the
definition contained in Article or Division 9 shall control. Unless otherwise
specified, references in the Agreement or any of the Appendices to a Section,
subsection or clause refer to such Section, subsection or clause as contained
in
the Agreement. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of
similar import refer to the Agreement as a whole, including all Annexes,
Exhibits and Schedules, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated,
modified or supplemented, and not to any particular section, subsection or
clause contained in the Agreement or any such Annex, Exhibit or
Schedule.
Wherever
from the context it appears appropriate, each term stated in either the singular
or plural shall include the singular and the plural, and pronouns stated in
the
masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall include the masculine, feminine
and
neuter genders. The words “including”, “includes” and “include” shall be deemed
to be followed by the words “without limitation”; the word “or” is not
exclusive; references to Persons include their respective successors and assigns
(to the extent and only to the extent permitted by the Loan Documents) or,
in
the case of governmental Persons, Persons succeeding to the relevant functions
of such Persons; and all references to statutes and related regulations shall
include any amendments of the same and any successor statutes and regulations.
Whenever any provision in any Loan Document refers to the knowledge (or an
analogous phrase) of any Credit Party, such words are intended to signify that
such Credit Party has actual knowledge or awareness of a particular fact or
circumstance or that such Credit Party, if it had exercised reasonable
diligence, would have known or been aware of such fact or circumstance. For
purposes of determining an amount in Dollars outstanding in another currency,
the Dollar Equivalent Amount of such currency on the date of any such
determination shall be used.
A-27
ANNEX
B (Section
1.2)
to
CREDIT
AGREEMENT
LETTERS
OF CREDIT
(a) Issuance.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, Agent and Revolving Lenders agree
to incur, from time to time prior to the Commitment Termination Date, upon
the
request of Borrower and for Borrower’s account, Letter of Credit Obligations by
causing Letters of Credit to be issued by GE Capital or a Subsidiary thereof
or
a bank or other legally authorized Person selected by or acceptable to Agent
in
its sole discretion (each, an “L/C
Issuer”)
for
Borrower’s account and guaranteed by Agent; provided, that if the L/C Issuer is
a Revolving Lender, then such Letters of Credit shall not be guaranteed by
Agent
but rather each Revolving Lender shall, subject to the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth, purchase (or be deemed to have purchased) risk
participations in all such Letters of Credit issued with the written consent
of
Agent, as more fully described in paragraph (b)(ii) below. The aggregate amount
of all such Letter of Credit Obligations shall not at any time exceed the least
of (i) TWO MILLION DOLLARS ($2,000,000) (the “L/C
Sublimit”),
and
(ii) the Maximum Amount less the aggregate outstanding principal balance of
the Revolving Credit Advances. No such Letter of Credit shall have an expiry
date that is more than one year following the date of issuance thereof, unless
otherwise determined by Agent in its sole discretion, and neither Agent nor
Revolving Lenders shall be under any obligation to incur Letter of Credit
Obligations in respect of, or purchase risk participations in, any Letter of
Credit having an expiry date that is later than the Commitment Termination
Date.
(b) Advances
Automatic; Participations.
In the
event that Agent or any Revolving Lender shall make any payment on or pursuant
to any Letter of Credit Obligation, such payment shall then be deemed
automatically to constitute a Revolving Credit Advance under Section
1.1(a)
of the
Agreement regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred
and
is continuing and notwithstanding Borrower’s failure to satisfy the conditions
precedent set forth in Section
2,
and
each Revolving Lender shall be obligated to pay its Pro Rata Share thereof
in
accordance with the Agreement. The failure of any Revolving Lender to make
available to Agent for Agent’s own account its Pro Rata Share of any such
Revolving Credit Advance or payment by Agent under or in respect of a Letter
of
Credit shall not relieve any other Revolving Lender of its obligation hereunder
to make available to Agent its Pro Rata Share thereof, but no Revolving Lender
shall be responsible for the failure of any other Revolving Lender to make
available such other Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any such
payment.
(ii) If
it
shall be illegal or unlawful for Borrower to incur Revolving Credit Advances
as
contemplated by paragraph (b)(i) above because of an Event of Default described
in Sections
8.1(h) or (i)
or
otherwise or if it shall be illegal or unlawful for any Revolving Lender to
be
deemed to have assumed a ratable share of the reimbursement obligations owed
to
an L/C Issuer, or if the L/C Issuer is a Revolving Lender, then (i) immediately
and without further action whatsoever, each Revolving Lender shall be deemed
to
have irrevocably and unconditionally purchased from Agent (or such L/C Issuer,
as the case may be) an undivided interest and participation equal to such
Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share (based on the Revolving Loan Commitments) of
the Letter of Credit Obligations in respect of all Letters of Credit then
outstanding and (ii) thereafter, immediately upon issuance of any Letter of
Credit, each Revolving Lender shall be deemed to have irrevocably and
unconditionally purchased from Agent (or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be)
an
undivided interest and participation in such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share
(based on the Revolving Loan Commitments) of the Letter of Credit Obligations
with respect to such Letter of Credit on the date of such issuance. Each
Revolving Lender shall fund its participation in all payments or disbursements
made under the Letters of Credit in the same manner as provided in the Agreement
with respect to Revolving Credit Advances.
B-1
(c) Cash
Collateral.
If Borrower is required to provide cash collateral for any Letter of
Credit Obligations pursuant to the Agreement prior to the Commitment Termination
Date, Borrower will pay to Agent for the ratable benefit of itself and Revolving
Lenders cash or cash equivalents acceptable to Agent (“Cash
Equivalents”)
in an
amount equal to 105% of the maximum amount then available to be drawn under
each
applicable Letter of Credit outstanding. Such funds or Cash Equivalents shall
be
held by Agent in a cash collateral account (the “Cash
Collateral Account”)
maintained at a bank or financial institution acceptable to Agent. The Cash
Collateral Account shall be in the name of Borrower and shall be pledged to,
and
subject to the control of, Agent, for the benefit of Agent and Lenders, in
a
manner satisfactory to Agent. Borrower hereby pledges and grants to Agent,
on
behalf of itself and Lenders, a security interest in all such funds and Cash
Equivalents held in the Cash Collateral Account from time to time and all
proceeds thereof, as security for the payment of all amounts due in respect
of
the Letter of Credit Obligations and other Obligations, whether or not then
due.
The Agreement, including this Annex
B,
shall
constitute a security agreement under applicable law.
(ii) If
any
Letter of Credit Obligations, whether or not then due and payable, shall for
any
reason be outstanding on the Commitment Termination Date, Borrower shall either
(A) provide cash collateral therefor in the manner described above, or (B)
cause
all such Letters of Credit and guaranties thereof, if any, to be canceled and
returned, or (C) deliver a stand-by letter (or letters) of credit in guarantee
of such Letter of Credit Obligations, which stand-by letter (or letters) of
credit shall be of like tenor and duration (plus 30 additional days) as, and
in
an amount equal to 105% of the aggregate maximum amount then available to be
drawn under, the Letters of Credit to which such outstanding Letter of Credit
Obligations relate and shall be issued by a Person, and shall be subject to
such
terms and conditions, as are be satisfactory to Agent in its sole
discretion.
(iii) From
time
to time after funds are deposited in the Cash Collateral Account by Borrower,
whether before or after the Commitment Termination Date, Agent may apply such
funds or Cash Equivalents then held in the Cash Collateral Account to the
payment of any amounts, and in such order as Agent may elect, as shall be or
shall become due and payable by Borrower to Agent and Lenders with respect
to
such Letter of Credit Obligations of Borrower and, upon the satisfaction in
full
of all Letter of Credit Obligations of Borrower, to any other Obligations then
due and payable.
(iv) Neither
Borrower nor any Person claiming on behalf of or through Borrower shall have
any
right to withdraw any of the funds or Cash Equivalents held in the Cash
Collateral Account, except that upon the termination of all Letter of Credit
Obligations and the payment of all amounts payable by Borrower to Agent and
Lenders in respect thereof, any funds remaining in the Cash Collateral Account
shall be applied to other Obligations then due and owing and upon payment in
full of such Obligations, any remaining amount shall be paid to Borrower or
as
otherwise required by law. Interest earned on deposits in the Cash Collateral
Account shall be for the account of Agent.
B-2
(d) Fees
and Expenses.
Borrower agrees to pay to Agent for the benefit of Revolving Lenders, as
compensation to such Lenders for Letter of Credit Obligations incurred
hereunder, (i) all costs and expenses incurred by Agent or any Lender on account
of such Letter of Credit Obligations, and (ii) for each month during which
any
Letter of Credit Obligation shall remain outstanding, a fee (the “Letter
of Credit Fee”)
in an
amount equal to the Applicable L/C Margin from time to time in effect multiplied
by the maximum amount available from time to time to be drawn under the
applicable Letter of Credit. Such fee shall be paid to Agent for the benefit
of
the Revolving Lenders in arrears, on the first day of each month and on the
Commitment Termination Date. In addition, Borrower shall pay to any L/C Issuer,
on demand, such fees (including all per annum fees), charges and expenses of
such L/C Issuer in respect of the issuance, negotiation, acceptance, amendment,
transfer and payment of such Letter of Credit or otherwise payable pursuant
to
the application and related documentation under which such Letter of Credit
is
issued.
(e) Request
for Incurrence of Letter of Credit Obligations.
Borrower shall give Agent at least 2 Business Days’ prior written notice
requesting the incurrence of any Letter of Credit Obligation. The notice shall
be accompanied by the form of the Letter of Credit and a completed application
for such Letter of Credit (both of which shall be acceptable to the L/C Issuer).
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Letter of Credit
applications by Borrower and approvals by Agent and the L/C Issuer may be made
and transmitted pursuant to electronic codes and security measures mutually
agreed upon and established by and among Borrower, Agent and the L/C
Issuer.
(f) Obligation
Absolute.
The
obligation of Borrower to reimburse Agent and Revolving Lenders for payments
made with respect to any Letter of Credit Obligation shall be absolute,
unconditional and irrevocable, without necessity of presentment, demand, protest
or other formalities, and the obligations of each Revolving Lender to make
payments to Agent with respect to Letters of Credit shall be unconditional
and
irrevocable. Such obligations of Borrower and Revolving Lenders shall be paid
strictly in accordance with the terms hereof under all circumstances including
the following:
(i) any
lack
of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or the Agreement or the
other Loan Documents or any other agreement;
(ii) the
existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right that Borrower or any
of
its Affiliates or any Lender may at any time have against a beneficiary or
any
transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons or entities for whom any
such
transferee may be acting), Agent, any Lender, or any other Person, whether
in
connection with the Agreement, the Letter of Credit, the transactions
contemplated herein or therein or any unrelated transaction (including any
underlying transaction between Borrower or any of its Affiliates and the
beneficiary for which the Letter of Credit was procured);
B-3
(iii) any
draft, demand, certificate or any other document presented under any Letter
of
Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect
or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;
(iv) payment
by Agent (except as otherwise expressly provided in paragraph (g)(ii)(C) below)
or any L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof against
presentation of a demand, draft or certificate or other document that does
not
comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or such guaranty;
(v) any
other
circumstance or event whatsoever, that is similar to any of the foregoing;
or
(vi) the
fact
that a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing.
(g) Indemnification;
Nature of Lenders’ Duties.
In addition to amounts payable as elsewhere provided in the Agreement,
Borrower hereby agrees to pay and to protect, indemnify, and save harmless
Agent
and each Lender from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities,
damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’
fees and allocated costs of internal counsel) that Agent or any Lender may
incur
or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (A) the issuance
of
any Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof, or (B) the failure of Agent or
any Lender seeking indemnification or of any L/C Issuer to honor a demand for
payment under any Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof as a result of any act
or
omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or
de
facto government or Governmental Authority, in each case other than to the
extent solely as a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
Agent
or such Lender (as finally determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction).
(ii) As
between Agent and any Lender and Borrower, Borrower assumes all risks of the
acts and omissions of, or misuse of any Letter of Credit by beneficiaries of
any
Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, to
the
fullest extent permitted by law neither Agent nor any Lender shall be
responsible for: (A) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness
or
legal effect of any document issued by any party in connection with the
application for and issuance of any Letter of Credit, even if it should in
fact
prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent
or forged; (B) the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or
assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any Letter of Credit or the rights
or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, that may prove
to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (C) failure of the beneficiary
of any Letter of Credit to comply fully with conditions required in order to
demand payment under such Letter of Credit; provided,
that in
the case of any payment by Agent under any Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof,
Agent shall be liable to the extent such payment was made solely as a result
of
its gross negligence or willful misconduct (as finally determined by a court
of
competent jurisdiction) in determining that the demand for payment under such
Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof complies on its face with any applicable
requirements for a demand for payment under such Letter of Credit or guaranty
thereof; (D) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or
delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise, whether
or not they may be in cipher; (E) errors in interpretation of technical terms;
(F) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required
in order to make a payment under any Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof or
of
the proceeds thereof; (G) the credit of the proceeds of any drawing under any
Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof; and (H) any consequences arising from
causes beyond the control of Agent or any Lender. None of the above shall
affect, impair, or prevent the vesting of any of Agent’s or any Lender’s rights
or powers hereunder or under the Agreement.
B-4
(iii) Nothing
contained herein shall be deemed to limit or to expand any waivers, covenants
or
indemnities made by Borrower in favor of any L/C Issuer in any letter of credit
application, reimbursement agreement or similar document, instrument or
agreement between Borrower and such L/C Issuer, including a Master Documentary
Agreement and a Master Standby Agreement entered into with Agent.
B-5
ANNEX
C (Section
1.8)
to
CREDIT
AGREEMENT
CASH
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Borrower
shall, and shall cause its Domestic Subsidiaries to, establish and maintain
the
Cash Management Systems described below:
(a) On
or
before the Closing Date and until the Termination Date, Borrower shall (i)
establish lock boxes (“Lock
Boxes”)
or, at
Agent’s discretion, blocked accounts (“Blocked
Accounts”)
at one
or more of the banks set forth in Disclosure
Schedule (3.19),
and
shall request in writing and otherwise take such reasonable steps to ensure
that
all Account Debtors forward payment directly to such Lock Boxes, and (ii)
deposit and cause its Domestic Subsidiaries to 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 cash, checks, drafts or other similar items of payment
relating to or constituting payments made in respect of any and all Collateral
(whether or not otherwise delivered to a Lock Box) into one or more Blocked
Accounts in Borrower’s name or any such Domestic Subsidiary’s name and at a bank
identified in Disclosure
Schedule (3.19)
(each, a
“Relationship
Bank”).
On or
before the Closing Date, Borrower shall have established a concentration account
in its name (the “Concentration
Account”)
at the
bank that shall be designated as the Concentration Account bank for Borrower
in
Disclosure
Schedule (3.19)
(the
“Concentration
Account Bank”)
which
bank shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent.
(b) Borrower
may maintain, in its name, an account (each a “Disbursement
Account”
and
collectively, the “Disbursement
Accounts”)
at a
bank acceptable to Agent into which Agent shall, from time to time, deposit
proceeds of Revolving Credit Advances made to Borrower pursuant to Section
1.1
for use
by Borrower in accordance with the provisions of Section
1.4.
C-1
(c) On
or
before the Closing Date (or such later date as Agent shall consent to in
writing), the Concentration Account Bank, each bank where a Disbursement Account
is maintained and all other Relationship Banks, shall have entered into
tri-party blocked account agreements with Agent, for the benefit of itself
and
Lenders, and Borrower and Domestic Subsidiaries thereof, as applicable, in
form
and substance reasonably acceptable to Agent (each a “Blocked
Account Agreement”),
which
shall become operative on or prior to the Closing Date. Each such Blocked
Account Agreement shall provide, among other things, that (i) all items of
payment deposited in such account and proceeds thereof deposited in the
Concentration Account are held by such bank as agent or bailee-in-possession
for
Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, (ii) the bank executing such agreement
has no rights of setoff or recoupment or any other claim against such account,
as the case may be, other than for payment of its service fees and other charges
directly related to the administration of such account and for returned checks
or other items of payment, and (iii) from and after the Closing Date (A) with
respect to banks at which a Blocked Account is maintained, such bank agrees,
from and after the receipt of a notice (an “Activation
Notice”)
from
Agent (which Activation Notice may be given by Agent at any time at which a
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (an “Activation
Event”)),
to
forward immediately all amounts in each Blocked Account to the Concentration
Account Bank and to commence the process of daily sweeps from such Blocked
Account into the Concentration Account and (B) with respect to the Concentration
Account Bank, such bank agrees from and after the
receipt of an Activation Notice from Agent upon the occurrence of an Activation
Event,
to
immediately forward all amounts received in the Concentration Account to the
Collection Account through daily sweeps from such Concentration Account into
the
Collection Account. From and after the date Agent has delivered an Activation
Notice to any bank with respect to any Blocked Account(s), Borrower shall not,
and shall not cause or permit any Domestic Subsidiary thereof to, accumulate
or
maintain cash in Disbursement Accounts or payroll accounts as of any date of
determination in excess of checks outstanding against such accounts as of that
date and amounts necessary to meet minimum balance requirements; provided that
from and after the Closing Date, Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or
permit any Domestic Subsidiary thereof to, accumulate or maintain cash in (i)
the controlled disbursement accounts (account numbers 00000000, 00000000,and
80228792 listed on Disclosure
Schedule (3.19)
with
Bank of America) as of any date of determination in excess of checks clearing
against such accounts as of that date or (ii) the master operating account
(account number 94229225705 listed on Disclosure
Schedule (3.19)
with
Bank of America) as of any date of determination in excess of (x)
so
long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, $4,000,000
and (y) so long as any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such
amount as may be determined by Agent in its discretion. Prior to receipt of
an
Activation Notice from Agent upon the occurrence of an Activation Event, funds
in such master operating account in excess of such maximum amount shall be
held
in a money market or other account (the “Investment Account”) at a bank or other
financial institution acceptable to Agent subject to a Blocked Account Agreement
or a Control Letter; provided that Borrower shall within five (5) Business
Days
after the Closing Date, establish the Investment Account and cause the
Investment Account to subject to a Blocked Account Agreement or a Control
Letter.
(d) So
long
as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower
may
amend Disclosure
Schedule (3.19)
to add
or replace a Relationship Bank, Lock Box or Blocked Account or to replace any
Concentration Account or any Disbursement Account; provided,
that
(i) Agent shall have consented in writing in advance to the opening of such
account or Lock Box with the relevant bank and (ii) prior to the time of the
opening of such account or Lock Box, Borrower or its Domestic Subsidiaries,
as
applicable, and such bank shall have executed and delivered to Agent a Blocked
Account Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent.
Borrower shall close any of its accounts (and establish replacement accounts
in
accordance with the foregoing sentence) promptly and in any event within 30
days
following notice from Agent that the creditworthiness of any bank holding an
account is no longer acceptable in Agent’s reasonable judgment, or as promptly
as practicable and in any event within 60 days following notice from Agent
that
the operating performance, funds transfer or availability procedures or
performance with respect to accounts or Lock Boxes of the bank holding such
accounts or Agent’s liability under any Blocked Account Agreement with such bank
is no longer acceptable in Agent’s reasonable judgment.
(e) The
Lock
Boxes, Blocked Accounts, Disbursement Accounts and the Concentration Account
shall be cash collateral accounts, with all cash, checks and other similar
items
of payment in such accounts securing payment of the Loans and all other
Obligations, and in which Borrower and each Domestic Subsidiary thereof shall
have granted a Lien to Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, pursuant to
the
Security Agreement.
C-2
(f) All
amounts deposited in the Collection Account shall be deemed received by Agent
in
accordance with Section
1.10
and
shall be applied (and allocated) by Agent in accordance with Section
1.11.
In no
event shall any amount be so applied unless and until such amount shall have
been credited in immediately available funds to the Collection
Account.
(g) Borrower
shall and shall cause its Affiliates, officers, employees, agents, directors
or
other Persons acting for or in concert with Borrower (each a “Related
Person”)
to (i)
hold in trust for Agent, for the benefit of itself and Lenders, all checks,
cash
and other items of payment received by Borrower or any such Related Person,
and
(ii) within 1 Business Day after receipt by Borrower or any such Related Person
of any checks, cash or other items of payment, deposit the same into a Blocked
Account. Borrower and each Related Person thereof acknowledges and agrees that
all cash, checks or other items of payment constituting proceeds of Collateral
are part of the Collateral. All proceeds of the sale or other disposition of
any
Collateral, shall be deposited directly into Blocked Accounts.
(h) Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Annex
C,
so long
as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower
shall
not be required to obtain Blocked Account Agreements, or to deposit and cause
the applicable Credit Parties to deposit or cause to be deposited all cash,
checks, drafts or other similar items of payment relating to or constituting
payments made in respect of any and all Collateral into Blocked Accounts, with
respect to the following accounts: (i) Borrower’s account 6143200514411 listed
on Disclosure
Schedule (3.19)
with
Scotiabank, provided
that no
more than $25,000 shall be held in such account for more than one Business
Day;
(ii) Borrower’s account 203000908688 listed on Disclosure
Schedule (3.19)
with
Wachovia Bank, provided
that no
more than $10,000 shall be held in such account for more than one Business
Day;
(iii) the accounts of YSIS Incorporated listed on Disclosure
Schedule (3.19)
with US
Bank, provided
that no
more than $50,000 in the aggregate shall be held in such accounts for more
than
one Business Day and all of such accounts shall be closed no later than May
3,
2006; and (iv) the accounts of Mrehtateb listed on Disclosure
Schedule (3.19)
with
BankNorth, N.A., provided
that no
more than $50,000 shall be held in such accounts for more than one Business
Day,
and all of such accounts shall be closed no later than May 3, 2006.
(a)
C-3
ANNEX
D (Section 2.1(a))
to
CREDIT
AGREEMENT
CLOSING
CHECKLIST
In
addition to, and not in limitation of, the conditions described in Section
2.1
of the
Agreement, pursuant to Section
2.1(a),
the
following items must be received by Agent in form and substance satisfactory
to
Agent on or prior to the Closing Date (each capitalized term used but not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Annex
A
to the
Agreement):
A. Appendices.
All
Appendices to the Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to
Agent.
B. Revolving
Notes and Term Notes.
Duly
executed originals of the Revolving Notes and Term Notes for each applicable
Lender, dated the Closing Date.
C. Guaranties.
Amended
and Restated Guaranty executed by and each US Credit Party in favor of Agent,
for the benefit of Lenders.
D. Security
Agreement.
Duly
executed originals of the Amended and Restated Security Agreement executed
by
and each US Credit Party, and all instruments, documents and agreements executed
pursuant thereto.
E. Pledge
Agreement.
Duly
executed originals of the Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement executed by
Borrower and each of its Domestic Subsidiaries accompanied by (as applicable)
(i) (to the extent not previously delivered in connection with the Existing
Credit Agreement) share certificates representing all of the outstanding Stock
being pledged pursuant to such Pledge Agreement and stock powers for such share
certificates executed in blank, (ii) the original Intercompany Notes and other
instruments evidencing Indebtedness being pledged pursuant to such Pledge
Agreement, duly endorsed in blank, (iii) such documents duly executed by each
US
Credit Party (including financing statements under the Code and other applicable
documents under the laws of any jurisdiction with respect to the perfection
of
Liens, including under the laws of the jurisdictions of organization of Kenabell
Holding and (c) as Agent may request in order to perfect its security interests
in such Stock and other Collateral.
F. Security
Interests and Code Filings.
(a)
Evidence satisfactory to Agent that Agent (for the benefit of itself and
Lenders) has a valid and perfected first priority security interest in the
Collateral, including (i) such documents duly executed by each Credit Party
(including financing statements under the Code and other applicable documents
under the laws of any jurisdiction with respect to the perfection of Liens)
as
Agent may request in order to perfect its security interests in the Collateral
and (ii) copies of Code search reports listing all effective financing
statements that name any US Credit Party as debtor, together with copies of
such
financing statements, none of which shall cover the Collateral.
D-1
(b) Evidence
satisfactory to Agent, including copies, of all UCC-1 and other financing
statements filed in favor of any US Credit Party with respect to each location,
if any, at which Inventory may be consigned.
(c) Control
Letters from (i) all issuers of uncertificated securities and financial assets
held by any US Credit Party (including without limitation account 222378738
with
Bank of America relating to money market fund investments), (ii) all securities
intermediaries with respect to all securities accounts and securities
entitlements of any
US
Credit Party,
and
(iii) all futures commission agents and clearing houses with respect to all
commodities contracts and commodities accounts held by any US Credit
Party.
G. Intellectual
Property Security Agreement.
Duly
executed originals of the Amended and Restated Intellectual Property Security
Agreement and signed by each US Credit Party, all in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent, together with all instruments, documents and agreements
executed pursuant thereto, including such documents duly executed by each US
Credit Party (including financing statements under the Code and other applicable
documents under the laws of any jurisdiction with respect to the perfection
of
Liens, including foreign patent, trademark and copyright filings) as Agent
may
request in order to perfect its security interests in the Intellectual
Property.
H. Intentionally
Omitted.
I. Initial
Notice of Revolving Credit Advance.
Duly
executed originals of a Notice of Revolving Credit Advance, dated the Closing
Date, with respect to the initial Revolving Credit Advance to be requested
by
Borrower on the Closing Date.
J. Letter
of Direction.
Duly
executed originals of a letter of direction from Borrower addressed to Agent,
on
behalf of itself and Lenders, with respect to the disbursement on the Closing
Date of the proceeds of the Term Loan and the initial Revolving Credit
Advance.
K. Cash
Management System; Blocked Account Agreements.
Evidence satisfactory to Agent that, as of the Closing Date, Cash Management
Systems complying with Annex
C
to the
Agreement have been established and are currently being maintained in the manner
set forth in such Annex
C,
together with copies of duly executed tri-party blocked account and lock box
agreements, reasonably satisfactory to Agent, with the banks as required by
Annex
C.
L. Waivers.
Agent,
on behalf of Lenders, shall have received landlord waivers and consents, bailee
letters and mortgagee agreements in form and substance satisfactory to Agent,
in
each case as required pursuant to Section
5.9.
M. Insurance.
Satisfactory evidence that the insurance policies required by Section
5.4
are in
full force and effect, together with the endorsements, certifications and
reports required by Section
5.4.
Satisfactory evidence that the key man life insurance policy and related
assignment required by Section
5.10
are in
full force and effect.
N. Charter
and Good Standing.
For
each US Credit Party, such Person’s (a) charter and all amendments thereto, (b)
good standing certificates (including verification of tax status) in its state
of incorporation and (c) good standing certificates (including verification
of
tax status) and certificates of qualification to conduct business in each
jurisdiction where its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its
business requires such qualification, each dated a recent date prior to the
Closing Date and certified by the applicable Secretary of State or other
authorized Governmental Authority.
D-2
O. Bylaws
and Resolutions.
For
each US Credit Party, (a) such Person’s bylaws, together with all amendments
thereto and (b) resolutions of such Person’s Board of Directors, approving and
authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to
which such Person is a party and the transactions to be consummated in
connection therewith, each certified as of the Closing Date by such Person’s
corporate secretary or an assistant secretary as being in full force and effect
without any modification or amendment.
P. Incumbency
Certificates.
For
each US Credit Party, signature and incumbency certificates of the officers
of
each such Person executing any of the Loan Documents, certified as of the
Closing Date by such Person’s corporate secretary or an assistant secretary as
being true, accurate, correct and complete.
Q. Opinions
of Counsel.
Duly
executed originals of opinions of (a) XxXxxxxx & English, LLP, counsel for
the Credit Parties, (b) Xxxxx Neidenthal & Xxxxx, Ohio counsel for the
Credit Parties, and (c) Xxxxxx Xxxxxx LLP, Massachusetts counsel for the Credit
Parties, together with any other local or foreign counsel opinions reasonably
requested by Agent, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent
and its counsel, dated the Closing Date, and each accompanied by a letter
addressed to such counsel from the Credit Parties, authorizing and directing
such counsel to address its opinion to Agent, on behalf of Lenders, and to
include in such opinion an express statement to the effect that Agent and
Lenders are authorized to rely on such opinion.
R. Accountants’
Letters.
A
letter from Borrower to its independent auditors authorizing its independent
certified public accountants to communicate with Agent and Lenders in accordance
with Section
4.2.
S. Appointment
of Agent for Service.
An
appointment of XxXxxxxx & English, LLP as each US Credit Party’s agent for
service of process.
T. Solvency
Certificate.
Agent
shall have received duly executed originals of a solvency certificate of
Borrower executed on behalf of Borrower by its Chief Executive Officer, dated
the Closing Date, satisfactory in form and substance to Agent.
T. Fee
Letter.
Duly
executed originals of the GE Capital Fee Letter.
U. Officer’s
Certificate.
Agent
shall have received duly executed originals of a certificate of the Chief
Executive Officer of Borrower, dated the Closing Date, stating that, since
March
31, 2005 (a) no event or condition has occurred or is existing which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) there has been
no
material adverse change in the industry in which Borrower operates; (c) no
Litigation has been commenced which, if successful, would have a Material
Adverse Effect or could challenge any of the transactions contemplated by the
Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (d) there have been no Restricted
Payments made by any Credit Party; and (e) there has been no material increase
in liabilities, liquidated or contingent, and no material decrease in assets
of
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
D-3
V. Subordination
and Intercreditor Agreements.
Agent
and Lenders shall have received any and all subordination and/or intercreditor
agreements, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, in
its
sole discretion, as Agent shall have deemed necessary or appropriate with
respect to any Indebtedness of any Credit Party.
W. Environmental
Reports.
Agent
shall have received Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Reports, consistent
with American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard E 1527-94, and
applicable state requirements, on such Real Estate as Agent may require, dated
no more than 6 months prior to the Closing Date, prepared by environmental
engineers reasonably satisfactory to Agent, all in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Agent, in its sole discretion; and Agent shall have further
received such environmental review and audit reports, including Phase II
reports, with respect to the Real Estate of any Credit Party as Agent shall
have
requested, and Agent shall be satisfied, in its sole discretion, with the
contents of all such environmental reports. Agent shall have received letters
executed by the environmental firms preparing such environmental reports, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, authorizing Agent and
Lenders to rely on such reports.
X. Audited
Financials; Financial Condition.
Agent
shall have received the Financial Statements, Projections and other materials
set forth in Section
3.4,
certified by Borrower’s Chief Executive Officer, in each case in form and
substance satisfactory to Agent, and Agent shall be satisfied, in its sole
discretion, with all of the foregoing. Agent shall have further received a
certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Borrower, based on such Pro Forma
and Projections, to the effect that the Projections are based upon estimates
and
assumptions stated therein, all of which Borrower believes to be reasonable
and
fair in light of current conditions and current facts known to Borrower and,
as
of the Closing Date, reflect Borrower’s good faith and reasonable estimates of
its future financial performance and of the other information projected therein
for the period set forth therein.
Y. Assignment
of Representations, Warranties, Covenants, Indemnities and
Rights.
(i)
Agent shall have received a duly executed copy of an Assignment of
Representations, Warranties, Covenants, Indemnities and Rights in respect of
Borrower’s rights under the BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement, which assignment
shall be expressly permitted under the BetaTHERM Acquisition Agreement or shall
have been consented to by the BetaTHERM Sellers in writing and (ii) Agent shall
have received a duly executed copy of an Assignment of Representations,
Warranties, Covenants, Indemnities and Rights in respect of Borrower’s rights
under the YSIS Acquisition Agreement, which assignment shall be expressly
permitted under the YSIS Acquisition Agreement or shall have been consented
to
by the YSIS Seller in writing.
Z. YSIS
Acquisition Opinions.
Duly
executed original opinion letters, dated the Closing Date, delivered in
connection with the YSIS Acquisition and the YSIS Acquisition Agreement that
provide Agent and Lenders may rely on such opinions.
D-4
AA. YSIS
Termination and Release.
Copies
of a duly executed termination and release, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Agent, by and between (i) The Huntington National Bank
(“HNB”)
and
YSIS evidencing termination of the Continuing Unlimited Guaranty dated as of
August 11, 2005 and any other obligations of YSIS to HNB, (ii) U.S. Bank
National Association (“USBank”)
and
YSIS evidencing termination of the Guaranty Agreement dated as of December
15,
1999 and any other obligations of YSIS to USBank, and (iii) US Bank and YSIS
evidencing termination of the Guaranty Agreement dated as of July 18, 2003
and
any other obligations of YSIS to USBank, in each case, together with UCC 3
or
other appropriate termination statements, in form and substance satisfactory
to
Agent, manually signed by the HNB or USBank, as applicable, releasing all Liens
upon any of the personal property of YSIS.
BB. Payoff
Letter; Terminations.
Copies
of a duly executed payoff letter, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to Agent, by and between all parties to the Ulster Bank Ireland Limited and
Ulster Bank Limited loan documents evidencing repayment in full of all
Indebtedness of BetaTHERM
Group and its Subsidiaries incurred
under the Facilities Agreement dated as of February 15, 2001 among Ulster Bank
Ireland Limited and Ulster Bank Limited, BetaTHERM Group and its Subsidiaries
signatory thereto, as amended, together with UCC 3 or other appropriate
termination statements, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, manually
signed by Ulster Bank Ireland Limited and Ulster Bank Limited releasing all
Liens of Ulster Bank Ireland Limited and Ulster Bank Limited upon any of the
personal property of BetaTHERM Group and its Subsidiaries.
CC. Other
Documents.
Such
other certificates, documents and agreements respecting any US Credit Party
as
Agent may, in its sole discretion, request.
D-5
ANNEX
E (Section 4.1(a))
to
CREDIT
AGREEMENT
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND PROJECTIONS -- REPORTING
Borrower
shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Agent or to Agent and Lenders, as
indicated, the following:
(i) Monthly
Financials.
To
Agent and Lenders, within 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Month, financial
information regarding Borrower and its Subsidiaries, certified by the Chief
Financial Officer of Borrower, consisting of (i) consolidated
and consolidating unaudited balance sheets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries
as
of the close of such Fiscal Month and the related statements of income and
cash
flows for that portion of the Fiscal Year ending as of the close of such Fiscal
Month; (ii)
consolidated and consolidating unaudited statements of income and cash flows
of
Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Month, setting forth in
comparative form the figures for the corresponding period in the prior year
and
the figures contained in the Projections for such Fiscal Year, all prepared
in
accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end adjustments); and (iii) a
summary of the outstanding balance of all Intercompany Notes as of the last
day
of that Fiscal Month. Such financial information shall be accompanied by (A)
a
statement
in reasonable detail (each, a “Compliance
Certificate”)
showing the calculations used in determining compliance with each of
the
Financial Covenants that is tested on a monthly basis, and (B) the
certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Borrower that (i) such financial
information presents fairly in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end
adjustments) the financial position and results of operations of Borrower and
its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated and consolidating basis, in each case as
at
the end of such Fiscal Month and for that portion of the Fiscal Year then ended
and (ii) any other information presented is true, correct and complete in all
material respects and that there was no Default or Event of Default in existence
as of such time or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be
continuing, describing the nature thereof and all efforts undertaken to cure
such Default or Event of Default.
(j) Quarterly
Financials.
To
Agent and Lenders, within 45 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter,
consolidated and consolidating financial information regarding Borrower and
its
Subsidiaries, certified by the Chief Financial Officer of Borrower, including
(i) consolidated and consolidating unaudited balance sheets of Borrower and
its
Subsidiaries as of the close of such Fiscal Quarter and the related statements
of income and cash flow for that portion of the Fiscal Year ending as of the
close of such Fiscal Quarter; and (ii) consolidated
and consolidating unaudited statements of income and cash flows of Borrower
and
its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Quarter, in each case setting forth in
comparative form the figures for the corresponding period in the prior year
and
the figures contained in the Projections for such Fiscal Year, all prepared
in
accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end adjustments).
Such
financial information shall be accompanied by (A) a Compliance Certificate
showing the calculations used in determining compliance with each of the
Financial Covenants that is tested on a quarterly basis and (B) the
certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Borrower that (i) such financial
information presents fairly in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end
adjustments) the financial position, results of operations and statements of
cash flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on both a consolidated and
consolidating basis, as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and for that portion
of the Fiscal Year then ended, (ii) any other information presented is true,
correct and complete in all material respects and that there was no Default
or
Event of Default in existence as of such time or, if a Default or Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, describing the nature thereof and all
efforts undertaken to cure such Default or Event of Default. In addition,
Borrower shall deliver to Agent and Lenders, within 45 days after the end of
each Fiscal Quarter, a management discussion and analysis that includes a
comparison to budget for that Fiscal Quarter and a comparison of performance
for
that Fiscal Quarter to the corresponding period in the prior year.
E-1
(k) Operating
Plan.
To
Agent and Lenders, as soon as available, but not later than 60 days after to
the
end of each Fiscal Year, an annual operating plan for Borrower, approved by
the
Board of Directors of Borrower, for the following Fiscal Year, which (i)
includes a statement of all of the material assumptions on which such plan
is
based, (ii) includes monthly balance sheets and a monthly budget for the
following year and (iii) integrates sales, gross profits, operating
expenses, operating profit, cash flow projections and Borrowing Availability
projections, all prepared on the same basis and in similar detail as that on
which operating results are reported (and in the case of cash flow projections,
representing management’s good faith estimates of future financial performance
based on historical performance), and including plans for personnel, Capital
Expenditures and facilities.
(l) Annual
Audited Financials.
To
Agent and Lenders, within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, audited
Financial Statements for Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated and
(unaudited) consolidating basis, consisting of balance sheets and statements
of
income and retained earnings and cash flows, setting forth in comparative form
in each case the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, which Financial
Statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP and certified without
qualification, by an independent
certified public accounting
firm of national standing or otherwise acceptable to Agent. Such Financial
Statements shall be accompanied by (i) a statement prepared in reasonable detail
showing the calculations used in determining compliance with each of the
Financial Covenants, (ii) the annual letters to such accountants in connection
with their audit examination detailing contingent liabilities and material
litigation matters, and (iii) the certification of the Chief Executive Officer
or Chief Financial Officer of Borrower that all such Financial Statements
present fairly in accordance with GAAP the financial position, results of
operations and statements of cash flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries on
a
consolidated and consolidating basis, as at the end of such Fiscal Year and
for
the period then ended, and that there was no Default or Event of Default in
existence as of such time or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred
and
is continuing, describing the nature thereof and all efforts undertaken to
cure
such Default or Event of Default. The audited Financial Statements for the
Fiscal Year ended March
31,
2006 shall
be
accompanied by a statement from the applicable independent certified public
accountants that Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis shall
have had, at the end of the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2006, EBITDA (excluding
EBITDA attributable to the consumer products business) for the twelve (12)
month
period then ended of not less than $21,000,000.
E-2
(m) Management
Letters.
To
Agent and Lenders, within 5 Business Days after receipt thereof by any Credit
Party, copies of all management letters, exception reports or similar letters
or
reports received by such Credit Party from its independent certified public
accountants.
(n) Intellectual
Property.
To
Agent, at the time of delivery of each of the quarterly Financial Statements
delivered pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Annex
E,
a list
of any applications for the registration of any Patent, Trademark or Copyright
filed by any Credit Party with the United States Patent and Trademark Office,
the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency in the prior
Fiscal Quarter.
(o) Default
Notices.
To
Agent and Lenders, as soon as practicable, and in any event within 5 Business
Days after an executive officer of Borrower has actual knowledge of the
existence of any Default, Event of Default or other event that has had a
Material Adverse Effect, telephonic or telecopied notice specifying the nature
of such Default or Event of Default or other event, including the anticipated
effect thereof, which notice, if given telephonically, shall be promptly
confirmed in writing on the next Business Day.
(p) SEC
Filings and Press Releases.
To
Agent and Lenders, promptly upon their becoming available, copies of: (i) all
Financial Statements, reports, notices and proxy statements made publicly
available by Borrower to its security holders; (ii) all regular and periodic
reports and all registration statements and prospectuses, if any, filed by
Borrower with any securities exchange or with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or any governmental or private regulatory authority; and (iii) all
press releases and other statements made available by any Credit Party to the
public concerning material changes or developments in the business of any such
Person.
(q) Subordinated
Debt and Equity Notices.
To
Agent, as soon as practicable, copies of all material written notices given
or
received by any Credit Party with respect to any Subordinated Debt or Stock
of
such Person, and, within 2 Business Days after any Credit Party obtains
knowledge of any matured or unmatured event of default with respect to any
Subordinated Debt, notice of such event of default.
(r) Supplemental
Schedules.
To
Agent, supplemental disclosures, if any, required by Section
5.6.
(s) Litigation.
To
Agent in writing, promptly upon learning thereof, notice of any Litigation
commenced or threatened against any Credit Party that (i) seeks damages in
excess of $100,000, (ii) seeks injunctive relief, (iii) is asserted or
instituted against any Plan, its fiduciaries or its assets or against any Credit
Party or ERISA Affiliate in connection with any Plan, (iv) alleges criminal
misconduct by any Credit Party, (v) alleges the violation of any law regarding,
or seeks remedies in connection with, any Environmental Liabilities; or (vi)
involves any product recall.
(t) Insurance
Notices.
To
Agent, disclosure of losses or casualties required by Section
5.4.
(u) Lease
Default Notices.
To
Agent, within 2 Business Days after receipt thereof, copies of (i) any and
all
default notices received under or with respect to any leased location or public
warehouse where Collateral is located, and (ii) such other notices or documents
as Agent may reasonably request.
E-3
(v) Collateral
Locations.
To
Agent, a summary of Collateral by location and type, accompanied by such
supporting documentation, as Agent shall, from time to time, reasonably
request.
(w) Other
Documents.
To
Agent and Lenders, such other financial and other information respecting any
Credit Party’s business or financial condition or the Collateral or Obligations
as Agent or any Lender shall, from time to time, reasonably
request.
E-4
ANNEX
F (EBITDA)
to
CREDIT
AGREEMENT
HISTORICAL
EBITDA AND FIXED CHARGES FOR ACQUIRED COMPANIES
PART
A
EBITDA
Contribution From Acquisitions (ProForma)
|
|||
FISCAL
MONTH ENDING
|
BetaTHERM
|
YSIS
|
TOTAL
|
April
30, 2005
|
$439,000
|
$285,000
|
$724,000
|
May
31, 2005
|
$273,000
|
$248,000
|
$521,000
|
June
30, 2005
|
$506,000
|
$336,000
|
$842,000
|
July
31, 2005
|
$357,000
|
$115,000
|
$472,000
|
August
31, 2005
|
$355,000
|
$210,000
|
$565,000
|
September
30, 2005
|
$507,000
|
$95,000
|
$602,000
|
October
31, 2005
|
$240,000
|
$32,000
|
$272,000
|
November
30, 2005
|
$478,000
|
$189,000
|
$667,000
|
December
31, 2005
|
$475,000
|
$159,000
|
$634,000
|
January
31, 2006
|
$614,000
|
$89,000
|
$703,000
|
February
28, 2006
|
$570,000
|
$207,000
|
$777,000
|
Estimated
March
31, 2006
|
$434,000
|
$250,000
|
$684,000
|
F-1
PART
B
Fixed
Charge Contribution From Acquisitions
(ProForma)
|
|||
FISCAL
MONTH ENDING
|
BetaTHERM
|
YSIS
|
TOTAL
|
April
30, 2005
|
$387,000
|
$15,000
|
$402,000
|
May
31, 2005
|
$250,000
|
$15,000
|
$265,000
|
June
30, 2005
|
$19,000
|
$17,000
|
$36,000
|
July
31, 2005
|
$408,000
|
$15,000
|
$423,000
|
August
31, 2005
|
$16,000
|
$17,000
|
$33,000
|
September
30, 2005
|
$370,000
|
$15,000
|
$385,000
|
October
31, 2005
|
$434,000
|
$18,000
|
$452,000
|
November
30, 2005
|
$18,000
|
$18,000
|
$36,000
|
December
31, 2005
|
$206,000
|
$18,000
|
$224,000
|
January
31, 2006
|
$406,000
|
$18,000
|
$424,000
|
February
28, 2006
|
$19,000
|
$18,000
|
$37,000
|
Estimated
March
31, 2006
|
$172,000
|
$18,000
|
$190,000
|
F-2
ANNEX
G (Section 6.10)
to
CREDIT
AGREEMENT
FINANCIAL
COVENANTS
Borrower
shall not breach or fail to comply with any of the following financial
covenants, each of which shall be calculated in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied:
(a) Maximum
Capital Expenditures.
Borrower
and it Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis shall not make Capital Expenditures
during any Fiscal Year which exceed 30% (or 35% with respect to the Fiscal
Year
ending March 31, 2007) of the EBITDA of Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis for such Fiscal Year; provided
that for
the two (2) Fiscal Years ended March 31, 2008, Borrower may exclude up to
$10,000,000, in the aggregate for such two Fiscal Year period, in Capital
Expenditures related to
the
construction of a new manufacturing facility in ShenZhen, China.
(b) Minimum
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
(i) Borrower
and its Subsidiaries shall have on a consolidated basis at the end of each
Fiscal Month, a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the 12-month period then ended
of not less than 1.20 to 1.00; and
(ii) Borrower
and its Subsidiaries shall have on a consolidated basis at the end of each
Fiscal Month until and including February 28, 2007, a Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio for the 12-month period then ended of not less than 1.05 to 1.00;
provided
that
solely for purposes of this clause
(ii),
(x)
EBITDA shall be calculated without giving effect to Part
A
of
Annex
F,
(y)
Fixed Charges shall be calculated without giving effect to the portion of Fixed
Charges attributable to the Acquisitions as set forth on Part
B
of
Annex
F
for
periods prior to the closing date of the applicable acquisition, and (z) the
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio calculation shall be made without giving effect
to
Capital Expenditures related to the construction of a new manufacturing facility
in ShenZhen, China.
(c) Minimum
EBITDA.
Borrower
and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis shall have, at the end of each
Fiscal Month, EBITDA for the 12-month period then ended of not less than
$25,000,000.
(d) Maximum
Total Leverage Ratio.
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis shall have, at the end
of
each Fiscal Month, a Total Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such Fiscal
Quarter of not more than 3.50 to 1.00.
(e) Maximum
Senior Leverage Ratio.
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis shall have, at the end
of
each Fiscal Month, a Senior Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such Fiscal
Quarter of not more than 3.00 to 1.00.
G-1
(f) Minimum
Earnout Availability.
After
December 17, 2006, if at time the Total Leverage Ratio as of the end of any
Fiscal Quarter is greater than 2.0 to 1.00 (commencing with the Fiscal Quarter
ending December 31, 2006) and any Earnouts are outstanding, Borrower and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis shall have, at the end of such Fiscal
Quarter, Earnout Availability of not less than the sum of (i) the projected
amount of all remaining payments in respect of Earnouts of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter (as reasonably determined
by
Agent), and (ii) $4,000,000.
For
purpose of this paragraph (f) the following terms shall be defined as
follows:
“Earnout
Availability”
shall
mean, as of any date, the sum of: (i) cash and Cash Equivalents on the
consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date,
(ii) Borrowing Availability as of such date, and (iii) Projected Excess Cash
as
of such date.
“Projected
Excess Cash”
shall
mean, as of the end of any Fiscal Quarter, an amount equal to:
(i)
|
EBITDA
of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the 12-month period then ended,
divided by 4 and then multiplied by the number of quarters remaining
after
such Fiscal Quarter and until and including the Fiscal Quarter in
which
all then outstanding Earnouts of Borrower and its Subsidiaries will
have
been paid in full in accordance with the terms thereof occurs, multiplied
by
|
(ii)
|
the
applicable Adjustment Factor for such Fiscal Quarter,
less
|
(iii)
|
the
sum of the Fixed Charges (excluding the Earnouts) and Capital Expenditures
projected to be incurred or paid by Borrower and its Subsidiaries
after
such Fiscal Quarter and until and including the date on which all
then
outstanding Earnouts of Borrower and its Subsidiaries will have been
paid
in full in accordance with the terms thereof
.
|
“Adjustment
Factor”
shall
mean, (i) for the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2006, 80%, and (ii) for
each Fiscal Quarter thereafter, the Adjustment Factor for the immediately
preceding Fiscal Quarter plus 3%; provided that in no event shall the Adjustment
Factor exceed 100%.
G-2
Unless
otherwise specifically provided herein, any accounting term used in the
Agreement shall have the meaning customarily given such term in accordance
with
GAAP, and all financial computations hereunder shall be computed in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied. That certain items or computations are
explicitly modified by the phrase “in accordance with GAAP” shall in no way be
construed to limit the foregoing. If any “Accounting Changes” (as defined below)
occur and such changes result in a change in the calculation of the financial
covenants, standards or terms used in the Agreement or any other Loan Document,
then Borrower, Agent and Lenders agree to enter into negotiations in order
to
amend such provisions of the Agreement so as to equitably reflect such
Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating
Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ financial condition shall be the same after
such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made;
provided,
however, that the agreement of Requisite Lenders to any required amendments
of
such provisions shall be sufficient to bind all Lenders. “Accounting
Changes”
means
(i) changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule,
regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards
Board
of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or successor thereto
or any agency with similar functions), (ii) changes in accounting principles
concurred in by Borrower’s certified public accountants; (iii) purchase
accounting adjustments under A.P.B. 16 or 17 and EITF 88-16, and the application
of the accounting principles set forth in FASB 109, including the establishment
of reserves pursuant thereto and any subsequent reversal (in whole or in part)
of such reserves; and (iv) the reversal of any reserves established as a
result of purchase accounting adjustments. All such adjustments resulting from
expenditures made subsequent to the Closing Date (including capitalization
of
costs and expenses or payment of pre-Closing Date liabilities) shall be treated
as expenses in the period the expenditures are made and deducted as part of
the
calculation of EBITDA in such period. If Agent, Borrower and Requisite Lenders
agree upon the required amendments, then after appropriate amendments have
been
executed and the underlying Accounting Change with respect thereto has been
implemented, any reference to GAAP contained in the Agreement or in any other
Loan Document shall, only to the extent of such Accounting Change, refer to
GAAP, consistently applied after giving effect to the implementation of such
Accounting Change. If Agent, Borrower and Requisite Lenders cannot agree upon
the required amendments within 30 days following the date of implementation
of
any Accounting Change, then all Financial Statements delivered and all
calculations of financial covenants and other standards and terms in accordance
with the Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be prepared, delivered
and
made without regard to the underlying Accounting Change. For purposes of
Section
8.1,
a
breach of a Financial Covenant contained in this Annex G
shall be
deemed to have occurred as of any date of determination by Agent or as of the
last day of any specified measurement period, regardless of when the Financial
Statements reflecting such breach are delivered to Agent.
G-3
ANNEX
H (Section 9.9(a))
to
CREDIT
AGREEMENT
LENDERS’
WIRE TRANSFER INFORMATION
Name:
|
General
Electric Capital Corporation
|
|
Bank:
|
Deutsche
Bank Trust Company Americas
|
|
New
York, New York
|
||
ABA
#:
|
000000000
|
|
Account
#:
|
00-000-000
|
|
Account
Name:
|
GECC/CAF
Depository
|
|
Reference:
|
Measurement
Specialties, Inc.
|
|
Name:
|
Wachovia
Bank, National Association
|
|
Bank:
|
First
Union
|
|
Charlotte,
North Carolina
|
||
ABA
#:
|
000-000-000
|
|
Account
#:
|
04659360006116
|
|
Attn:
|
Credit
Derivatives
|
|
Reference:
|
Measurement
Specialties, Inc.
|
|
Name:
|
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A.
|
|
Bank:
|
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A.
|
|
ABA
#:
|
000000000
|
|
Credit
To:
|
Commercial
Loan Department
|
|
Account
#:
|
323522211
|
|
F/F/C:
|
Measurement
Specialties, Inc. - Loan #
0002-0000000000
|
H-1
ANNEX
I (Section 11.10)
to
CREDIT
AGREEMENT
NOTICE
ADDRESSES
(A)
|
If
to Agent or GE Capital, at
|
General
Electric Capital Corporation
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Measurement Specialties, Inc., Account Manager
Telecopier
No.: 000-000-0000
Telephone
No.: 000-000-0000
and,
with
respect to any Default or Event of Default, to:
Paul,
Hastings, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP
0000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Telecopier
No.: 000-000-0000
Telephone
No.: 000-000-0000
and
General
Electric Capital Corporation
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Corporate Counsel - GE Commercial & Industrial Finance, Inc.
Telecopier
No.: 000-000-0000
Telephone
No.: 000-000-0000
(B)
|
If
to any Credit Party, at
|
c/o
Measurement Specialties, Inc.
0000
Xxxxx Xxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Chief Executive Officer
Telecopier
No.: (000) 000-0000
Telephone
No.: (000) 000-0000
I-1
With
a
copy to:
XxXxxxxx
& English, LLP
Xxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
000
Xxxxxxxx xxxxxx
P.O.
Box
652
Newark,
New Jersey 0710100652
Attention:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Telecopier
No.: 000-000-0000
Telephone
No.: 000-000-0000
I-2
ANNEX
J (from Annex A - Commitments definition)
to
CREDIT
AGREEMENT
Lender
|
Revolving
Loan Commitment
|
Term
Loan Commitment
|
|||||
General
Electric Capital Corporation
|
$
|
25,666,666.67
|
$
|
9,333,333.33
|
|||
Wachovia
Bank, National Association
|
$
|
7,666,666.67
|
$
|
0
|
|||
CoLTS
2005-1 LTD.
|
$
|
3,333,333.33
|
$
|
4,000,000.00
|
|||
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A.
|
$
|
18,333,333.33
|
$
|
6,666,666.67
|
|||
Total
|
$
|
55,000,000.00
|
$
|
20,000,000.00
|
J-1
SCHEDULE
1.1
AGENT’S
REPRESENTATIVES
General
Electric Capital Corporation
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Measurement Specialties, Inc., Account Manager
Telecopier
No.: 000-000-0000
Telephone
No.: 000-000-0000
Measurement
Specialties, Inc., Portfolio Analyst
GE
Commercial Finance
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000-0000
Telephone
- 000-000-0000
Telecopier
- 000-000-0000
S-1.1
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
2
|
|||||||
1.1
|
Credit
Facilities
|
2
|
|||||
1.2
|
Letters
of Credit
|
4
|
|||||
1.3
|
Prepayments
|
5
|
|||||
1.4
|
Use
of Proceeds
|
7
|
|||||
1.5
|
Interest
and Applicable Margins
|
7
|
|||||
1.6
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
10
|
||||
1.7
|
[Intentionally
Omitted]
|
|
10
|
||||
1.8
|
Cash
Management Systems
|
10
|
|||||
1.9
|
Fees
|
10
|
|||||
1.10
|
Receipt
of Payments
|
10
|
|||||
1.11
|
Application
and Allocation of Payments
|
11
|
|||||
1.12
|
Loan
Account and Accounting
|
11
|
|||||
1.13
|
Indemnity
|
12
|
|||||
1.14
|
Access
|
13
|
|||||
1.15
|
Taxes
|
14
|
|||||
1.16
|
Capital
Adequacy; Increased Costs; Illegality
|
15
|
|||||
1.17
|
Single
Loan
|
16
|
|||||
1.18
|
Rate
Management Agreements
|
16
|
|||||
2.
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
|
16
|
||||||
2.1
|
Conditions
to the Initial Loans
|
16
|
|||||
2.2
|
Further
Conditions to Each Loan
|
18
|
|||||
3.
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
|
18
|
||||||
3.1
|
Corporate
Existence; Compliance with Law
|
19
|
|||||
3.2
|
Executive
Offices, Collateral Locations, FEIN
|
19
|
|||||
3.3
|
Corporate
Power, Authorization, Enforceable Obligations
|
19
|
|||||
3.4
|
Financial
Statements and Projections
|
20
|
|||||
3.5
|
Material
Adverse Effect
|
21
|
|||||
3.6
|
Ownership
of Property; Liens
|
21
|
|||||
3.7
|
Labor
Matters
|
21
|
-i-
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
3.8
|
Ventures,
Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock and
Indebtedness
|
22
|
|||||
3.9
|
Government
Regulation
|
22
|
|||||
3.10
|
Margin
Regulations
|
22
|
|||||
3.11
|
Taxes
|
23
|
|||||
3.12
|
ERISA
|
23
|
|||||
3.13
|
No
Litigation
|
24
|
|||||
3.14
|
Brokers
|
24
|
|||||
3.15
|
Intellectual
Property
|
24
|
|||||
3.16
|
Full
Disclosure
|
25
|
|||||
3.17
|
Environmental
Matters
|
25
|
|||||
3.18
|
Insurance
|
26
|
|||||
3.19
|
Deposit
and Disbursement Accounts
|
26
|
|||||
3.20
|
Government
Contracts
|
26
|
|||||
3.21
|
Customer
and Trade Relations
|
26
|
|||||
3.22
|
Agreements
and Other Documents
|
26
|
|||||
3.23
|
Solvency
|
26
|
|||||
3.24
|
Acquisition
Agreements
|
26
|
|||||
3.25
|
Foreign
Assets Control Regulations
|
28
|
|||||
3.26
|
Anti-Terrorism
Law
|
28
|
|||||
4.
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION
|
29
|
||||||
4.2
|
Communication
with Accountants
|
29
|
|||||
5.
AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS
|
29
|
||||||
5.1
|
Maintenance
of Existence and Conduct of Business
|
29
|
|||||
5.2
|
Payment
of Charges
|
29
|
|||||
5.3
|
Books
and Records
|
30
|
|||||
5.4
|
Insurance;
Damage to or Destruction of Collateral
|
30
|
|||||
5.5
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
33
|
|||||
5.6
|
Supplemental
Disclosure
|
33
|
|||||
5.7
|
Intellectual
Property
|
34
|
|||||
5.8
|
Environmental
Matters
|
34
|
-ii-
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
5.9
|
Landlords’
Agreements, Mortgagee Agreements, Bailee Letters and Real Estate
Purchases
|
34
|
|||||
5.10
|
Key
Man Life Insurance
|
35
|
|||||
5.11
|
ERISA
|
35
|
|||||
5.12
|
Foreign
Subsidiaries
|
36
|
|||||
5.13
|
Further
Assurances
|
36
|
|||||
5.14
|
Patriot
Act Compliance
|
36
|
|||||
5.15
|
BetaTHERM
Reorganization
|
36
|
|||||
6.
NEGATIVE
COVENANTS
|
36
|
||||||
6.1
|
Mergers,
Subsidiaries, Etc
|
37
|
|||||
6.2
|
Investments;
Loans and Advances
|
40
|
|||||
6.3
|
Indebtedness
|
40
|
|||||
6.4
|
Affiliate
Transactions
|
41
|
|||||
6.5
|
Capital
Structure and Business
|
41
|
|||||
6.6
|
Guaranteed
Indebtedness
|
42
|
|||||
6.7
|
Liens
|
42
|
|||||
6.8
|
Sale
of Stock and Assets
|
42
|
|||||
6.9
|
ERISA
|
43
|
|||||
6.10
|
Financial
Covenants
|
43
|
|||||
6.11
|
Hazardous
Materials
|
43
|
|||||
6.12
|
Sale-Leasebacks
|
43
|
|||||
6.13
|
Cancellation
of Indebtedness
|
43
|
|||||
6.14
|
Restricted
Payments
|
43
|
|||||
6.15
|
Change
of Corporate Name or Location; Change of Fiscal Year
|
43
|
|||||
6.16
|
No
Impairment of Intercompany Transfers
|
44
|
|||||
6.17
|
No
Speculative Transactions
|
44
|
|||||
6.18
|
Changes
Relating to the Acquisition Agreements
|
44
|
|||||
6.19
|
Intermediate
Holdings
|
44
|
|||||
7.
TERM
|
44
|
||||||
7.1
|
Termination
|
44
|
-iii-
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
7.2
|
Survival
of Obligations Upon Termination of Financing Arrangements
|
44
|
|||||
8.
EVENTS
OF DEFAULT; RIGHTS AND REMEDIES
|
45
|
||||||
8.1
|
Events
of Default
|
45
|
|||||
8.2
|
Remedies
|
47
|
|||||
8.3
|
Waivers
by Credit Parties
|
47
|
|||||
9.
ASSIGNMENT
AND PARTICIPATIONS; APPOINTMENT OF AGENT
|
48
|
||||||
9.1
|
Assignment
and Participations
|
48
|
|||||
9.2
|
Appointment
of Agent
|
50
|
|||||
9.3
|
Agent’s
Reliance, Etc
|
50
|
|||||
9.4
|
GE
Capital and Affiliates
|
51
|
|||||
9.5
|
Lender
Credit Decision
|
51
|
|||||
9.6
|
Indemnification
|
52
|
|||||
9.7
|
Successor
Agent
|
52
|
|||||
9.8
|
Setoff
and Sharing of Payments
|
53
|
|||||
9.9
|
Advances;
Payments; Non-Funding Lenders; Information; Actions in
Concert
|
53
|
|||||
10.
SUCCESSORS
AND ASSIGNS
|
55
|
||||||
10.1
|
Successors
and Assigns
|
55
|
|||||
11.
MISCELLANEOUS
|
56
|
||||||
11.1
|
Complete
Agreement; Modification of Agreement
|
56
|
|||||
11.2
|
Amendments
and Waivers
|
56
|
|||||
11.3
|
Fees
and Expenses
|
57
|
|||||
11.4
|
No
Waiver
|
59
|
|||||
11.5
|
Remedies
|
59
|
|||||
11.6
|
Severability
|
59
|
|||||
11.7
|
Conflict
of Terms
|
59
|
|||||
11.8
|
Confidentiality
|
59
|
|||||
11.9
|
GOVERNING
LAW
|
60
|
|||||
11.10
|
Notices
|
61
|
|||||
11.11
|
Section
Titles
|
61
|
-iv-
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
11.12
|
Counterparts
|
61
|
|||||
11.13
|
WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL
|
61
|
|||||
11.14
|
Press
Releases and Related Matters
|
62
|
|||||
11.15
|
Reinstatement
|
62
|
|||||
11.16
|
Advice
of Counsel
|
62
|
|||||
11.17
|
No
Strict Construction
|
62
|
|||||
11.18
|
Judgment
Currency
|
63
|
|||||
11.19
|
Subordination
|
63
|
|||||
11.20
|
Patriot
Act Notice
|
64
|
|||||
12.
AFFIRMATION
OF OBLIGATIONS
|
65
|
-v-
INDEX
OF APPENDICES
Annex
A (Recitals)
|
-
|
Definitions
|
Annex
B (Section
1.2)
|
-
|
Letters
of Credit
|
Annex
C (Section
1.8)
|
-
|
Cash
Management System
|
Annex
D (Section
2.1(a))
|
-
|
Closing
Checklist
|
Annex
E (Section
4.1(a))
|
-
|
Financial
Statements and Projections - Reporting
|
Annex
F (EBITDA and Annex G)
|
-
|
Acquired
Subsidiary EBITDA and Fixed Charges
|
Annex
G (Section
6.10)
|
-
|
Financial
Covenants
|
Annex
H (Section
9.9(a))
|
-
|
Lenders’
Wire Transfer Information
|
Annex
I (Section
11.10)
|
-
|
Notice
Addresses
|
Annex
J (from Annex A-Commitments definition)
|
-
|
Commitments
as of Closing Date
|
Exhibit
1.1(a)(i)
|
-
|
Form
of Notice of Revolving Credit Advance
|
Exhibit
1.1(a)(ii)
|
-
|
Form
of Revolving Note
|
Exhibit
1.1(b)
|
-
|
Form
of Term Note
|
Exhibit
1.5(e)
|
-
|
Form
of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
|
Exhibit
9.1(a)
|
-
|
Form
of Assignment Agreement
|
Schedule
1.1
|
-
|
Agent’s
Representatives
|
Disclosure
Schedule 1.4
|
-
|
Sources
and Uses; Funds Flow Memorandum
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.1
|
-
|
Type
of Entity; State of Organization
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.2
|
-
|
Executive
Offices, Collateral Locations, FEIN
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.4(a)
|
-
|
Financial
Statements
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.4(b)
|
-
|
Pro
Forma
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.4(c)
|
-
|
Projections
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.6
|
-
|
Real
Estate and Leases
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.7
|
-
|
Labor
Matters
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.8
|
-
|
Ventures,
Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.11
|
-
|
Tax
Matters
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.12
|
-
|
ERISA
Plans
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.13
|
-
|
Litigation
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.15
|
-
|
Intellectual
Property
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.17
|
-
|
Hazardous
Materials
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.18
|
-
|
Insurance
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.19
|
-
|
Deposit
and Disbursement Accounts
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.20
|
-
|
Government
Contracts
|
Disclosure
Schedule 3.22
|
-
|
Material
Agreements
|
Disclosure
Schedule 5.1
|
-
|
Trade
Names
|
Disclosure
Schedule 6.3
|
-
|
Indebtedness
|
Disclosure
Schedule 6.4(a)
|
-
|
Transactions
with Affiliates
|
Disclosure
Schedule 6.6
|
-
|
Guaranties
of Foreign Subsidiaries
|
Disclosure
Schedule 6.7
|
-
|
Existing
Liens
|
-vi-
EXECUTION
VERSION
AMENDED
AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated
as
of April 3, 2006
among
MEASUREMENT
SPECIALTIES, INC.,
as
Borrower,
THE
OTHER
CREDIT PARTIES SIGNATORY HERETO
FROM
TIME
TO TIME
as
Credit
Parties,
THE
LENDERS SIGNATORY HERETO
FROM
TIME
TO TIME,
as
Lenders,
and
GENERAL
ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION,
as
Administrative Agent and Lender
WACHOVIA
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as
Syndication Agent,
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as
Documentation Agent and as Lender,
GECC
CAPITAL MARKETS GROUP, INC.,
as
Lead
Arranger