ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
THIS
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is
entered into as of October 1, 2009 by and between Weyerhaeuser NR Company, a
Washington corporation (“WNR”), and
Weyerhaeuser Company, a Washington corporation (“Weyerhaeuser”).
RECITALS
A. WNR
is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser.
B. Weyerhaeuser
wishes to assign and transfer to WNR certain of Weyerhaeuser’s assets and WNR
wishes to acquire and accept such assets from Weyerhaeuser.
C. As
a condition to and in consideration for the contribution by Weyerhaeuser of such
assets to WNR, WNR has agreed, as between Weyerhaeuser and WNR, to assume and
satisfy the payment obligations for certain indebtedness of
Weyerhaeuser.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in
consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Weyerhaeuser and WNR
hereby agree as follows:
1.
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Assignment
and Assumption
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(a) Weyerhaeuser
hereby assigns and transfers to WNR all right, title and interest in, to and
under the assets listed on Schedule I attached
to this Agreement (the “Transferred
Assets”).
(b) As
between Weyerhaeuser and WNR, WNR hereby unconditionally and expressly assumes
the due and punctual performance of all payment obligations (the “Indebtedness Payment
Obligations”) of Weyerhaeuser under and in respect of the indebtedness of
Weyerhaeuser described on Schedule II attached to this
Agreement, including, without limitation, the payment of all principal,
interest, and any premium or prepayment charge in respect of such indebtedness,
costs of enforcement of the rights of the holders of such indebtedness and other
charges, fees and costs arising out of or related to such indebtedness
(collectively, the “Indebtedness”), all
to the same extent and with the same effect as if WNR had originally executed
all agreements, instruments, notes and other documents evidencing, arising out
of or related to such Indebtedness (collectively, and as amended from time to
time, the “Loan
Documents”) and had been named as an additional original obligor therein
in respect of the Indebtedness.
(c) WNR
shall satisfy the Indebtedness Payment Obligations by making payments
(i) directly to the holders of the Indebtedness (or any trustee acting on
behalf of such holders) or (ii) directly to Weyerhaeuser, as instructed by
Weyerhaeuser from time to time, as reimbursement in the event Weyerhaeuser has
been required to make any payments to the holders (or any trustee acting on
behalf of such holders).
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(d) WNR
acknowledges and agrees that no occurrence or circumstance occurring after the
date of this Agreement shall cause a reduction in WNR’s obligations to
Weyerhaeuser under this Agreement, other than the subsequent payment by WNR in
cash of the Indebtedness.
2.
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Assumption
Absolute
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WNR’s
obligations under this Agreement shall in all respects be continuing, absolute,
unconditional and irrevocable, and shall remain in full force and effect until
all of the Indebtedness has been paid in full. WNR agrees that the
Indebtedness will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of each of the
Loan Documents, regardless of any law, regulation or order now or hereafter in
effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of
Weyerhaeuser with respect thereto. The liability of WNR under this
Agreement shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable irrespective
of:
(a) any
change in the time, manner, or place of payment of, or in any other term of, the
Indebtedness or any of the Loan Documents or any other extension, compromise or
renewal of the Indebtedness;
(b) any
reduction, limitation, impairment or termination of the Indebtedness for any
reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or
compromise, and shall not be subject to (and WNR hereby waives any right to or
claim of) any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, or termination
whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality, irregularity, compromise,
unenforceability of, or any other event or occurrence affecting, the
Indebtedness;
(c) any
amendment to, rescission, waiver or other modification of, or any consent to
departure from, any of the terms of any of the Loan Documents;
(d) any
addition, exchange, release, surrender or non-perfection of any collateral, or
any amendment to or waiver or release or addition of, or consent to departure
from, any guaranty, securing any of the Indebtedness; or
(e) any
other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a
legal or equitable discharge of, Weyerhaeuser or WNR.
3.
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Continued
Liability
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Notwithstanding
the assumption by WNR of the Indebtedness of Weyerhaeuser pursuant to Section
1(b), as between Weyerhaeuser and the holders of the Indebtedness, Weyerhaeuser
shall continue to be the primary obligor with respect to the Indebtedness and
Weyerhaeuser shall not be released from its obligations under the Indebtedness
as a result of this Agreement. In no event shall this Agreement be
construed to constitute an assignment or transfer of any of the rights or
obligations of Weyerhaeuser under the Loan Documents.
4.
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Representations
and Warranties
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(a) WNR
represents, warrants and affirms as follows:
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(i) WNR
is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the state
of Washington with all requisite power and authority to own and operate its
properties, to conduct its business as proposed to be conducted and to enter
into and perform its obligations under this Agreement.
(ii) This
Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of WNR enforceable
against it in accordance with its terms.
(b) Weyerhaeuser
represents, warrants and affirms that it has full right, title and interest in
and to the Transferred Assets and is assigning and transferring such assets to
WNR free and clear of all liens, mortgages, security interests and other
encumbrances.
5.
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Covenants
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(a) If
any covenant or agreement of Weyerhaeuser set forth in any Loan Document
requires any amendment or supplement to this Agreement, then Weyerhaeuser and
WNR agree to enter into such amendment or supplement to this Agreement, such
amendment or supplement to be in such form as Weyerhaeuser shall reasonably
request.
(b) Weyerhaeuser
will execute and deliver to WNR, its successors and assigns, all such further
and separate assignments, agreements and other instruments as WNR or its
successors or assigns may at any time reasonably request for further assurance
to it or them of the title to the Transferred Assets and the right, title and
interest of Weyerhaeuser to the Transferred Assets.
(c) WNR
will execute and deliver to Weyerhaeuser, its successors and assigns, all such
further and separate assumptions, agreements, transfers and other instruments as
Weyerhaeuser or its successors or assigns may at any time reasonably request for
further assurance to it or them of the assumption of all obligations and
liabilities related to or arising out of the Indebtedness.
6.
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Binding
Effect, Etc.
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This
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of
Weyerhaeuser and WNR and their respective successors and assigns; provided,
however, that WNR may not assign any of its obligations or rights under this
Agreement. Any attempted assignment in violation of this provision
shall be void. Weyerhaeuser is the intended beneficiary of the
obligations of WNR under this Agreement and shall be entitled to commence and
pursue any action or proceeding against WNR with respect to WNR’s obligations
under this Agreement. Without limitation to the foregoing, this
Agreement is intended solely for the benefit of Weyerhaeuser and WNR (and their
respective successors and assigns) and, without limitation to the foregoing, no
other person (including, without limitation, any holder of any Indebtedness or
any trustee acting on behalf of any such holder) shall be a third-party
beneficiary of this Agreement or be entitled to commence or pursue any action or
proceeding to enforce any provision hereof.
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7.
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Amendments
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This
Agreement may not be amended, supplemented, modified or terminated without the
prior written consent of Weyerhaeuser and WNR.
8.
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Counterparts
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This
Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement in any
number of separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be
deemed an original, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed
to constitute but one and the same instrument.
9.
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Severability
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The
illegality or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not in
any way affect or impair the legality or enforceability of the remaining
provisions of this Agreement.
10.
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Headings
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Section
and subsection headings in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of
reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other
purpose or be given any substantive effect.
11.
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No Waiver;
Remedies
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No
failure on the part of Weyerhaeuser to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any
right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies herein
provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by
law.
12.
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Governing
Law; Jurisdiction
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(a) THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES.
(b) ANY
LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDINGS WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY LOAN DOCUMENT
MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE
STATE, OF WASHINGTON, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH OF
WNR AND WEYERHAEUSER CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE
NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS. EACH OF WNR AND
WEYERHAEUSER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE
LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NONCONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW
OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH
JURISDICTION IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY LOAN
DOCUMENT. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF EITHER PARTY
HERETO TO COMMENCE PROCEEDINGS OR BRING ANY ACTION OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST
THE OTHER PARTY IN ANY COURT OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
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13.
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Waiver
of Jury Trial
|
EACH OF
WNR AND WEYERHAEUSER WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE
OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR OTHER LITIGATION
OF ANY TYPE BROUGHT BY IT AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY, WHETHER WITH RESPECT TO
CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, OR OTHERWISE. EACH OF WNR AND
WEYERHAEUSER AGREES THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE TRIED BY A
COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, EACH
PARTY FURTHER AGREES THAT ITS RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IS WAIVED BY OPERATION OF
THIS SECTION AS TO ANY ACTION, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING WHICH SEEKS, IN
WHOLE OR IN PART, TO CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF THIS AGREEMENT
OR ANY PROVISION HEREOF. THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT
AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS
AGREEMENT.
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remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and
delivered on the date first above written.
WEYERHAEUSER
COMPANY
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WEYERHAEUSER
NR COMPANY
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By:
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By:
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Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
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Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
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Vice
President and Treasurer
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Vice
President and Treasurer
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Schedule
I
Transferred
Assets
Cash in
the amount of $500,000,000.
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Schedule
II
Indebtedness
Title/Type
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Issuer
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Original
Issue Date
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Maturity
Date
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Principal
Amount
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7.375%
Notes due 2019
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Weyerhaeuser
Company
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October 1, 2009
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October 1, 2019
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$ | 500,000,000 |
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