CREDIT AGREEMENT among FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC., BROYHILL FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC., HDM FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC., LANE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. and THOMASVILLE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC., as Borrowers, VARIOUS LENDERS, THE BANK OF...
$400,000,000
Β
Β
among
Β
FURNITURE
BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
Β
BROYHILL
FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.,
Β
HDM
FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.,
Β
LANE
FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
Β
and
Β
THOMASVILLE
FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.,
Β
as
Borrowers,
Β
VARIOUS
LENDERS,
Β
THE
BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD.,
Β
PNC
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
Β
WACHOVIA
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Β
and
Β
XXXXX
FARGO BANK, NA,
Β
as
Co-Syndication Agents,
Β
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A.,
Β
as
Administrative Agent
Β
__________________________
Β
and
Β
X.X.
XXXXXX SECURITIES INC.,
Β
as
Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger
Β
___________________________
Β
Dated
as of April 21, 2006
___________________________
Β
Β
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Β
Β |
Page
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||
Β | Β | ||
SECTION
1. D efinitions and Accounting Terms
|
1
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||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
1.01
|
Β |
Defined
Terms
|
1
|
Β | Β | Β | Β |
SECTION
2. Amount and Terms of Credit.
|
19
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||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
2.01
|
Β |
The
Commitments
|
19
|
2.02
|
Β |
Minimum
Amount of Each Borrowing
|
21
|
2.03
|
Β |
Notice
of Borrowing
|
21
|
2.04
|
Β |
Disbursement
of Funds
|
22
|
2.05
|
Β |
Notes
|
23
|
2.06
|
Β |
Conversions
|
24
|
2.07
|
Β |
Pro
Rata Borrowings
|
25
|
2.08
|
Β |
Interest
|
25
|
2.09
|
Β |
Interest
Periods
|
26
|
2.10
|
Β |
Increased
Costs, Illegality, etc.
|
27
|
2.11
|
Β |
Compensation
|
29
|
2.12
|
Β |
Change
of Lending Office
|
29
|
2.13
|
Β |
Replacement
of Lenders
|
29
|
Β | Β | Β | Β |
SECTION
3. Letters of Credit.
|
30
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||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
3.01
|
Β |
Letters
of Credit
|
30
|
3.02
|
Β |
Minimum
Stated Amount
|
32
|
3.03
|
Β |
Letter
of Credit Requests
|
32
|
3.04
|
Β |
Letter
of Credit Participations
|
33
|
3.05
|
Β |
Agreement
to Repay Letter of Credit Drawings and Acceptance Payments
|
35
|
3.06
|
Β |
Increased
Costs
|
36
|
Β | Β | Β | Β |
SECTION
4. Fees; Reductions and Increases of Commitment
|
36
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||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
4.01
|
Β |
Fees
|
36
|
4.02
|
Β |
Voluntary
Termination of Unutilized Commitments
|
38
|
4.03
|
Β |
Mandatory
Reduction of Commitments
|
38
|
4.04
|
Β |
Increase
in Commitments
|
38
|
Β
i
Β | Β | Β |
PageΒ
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Β | Β | Β | Β |
SECTION
5. Prepayments; Payments; Taxes
|
39
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||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
5.01
|
Β |
Voluntary
Prepayments
|
39
|
5.02
|
Β |
Mandatory
Repayments and Cash Collateralizations
|
40
|
5.03
|
Β |
Method
and Place of Payment
|
41
|
5.04
|
Β |
Net
Payments
|
41
|
Β | Β | Β | Β |
SECTION
6. Conditions Precedent to the Effective Date
|
43
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||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
6.01
|
Β |
Execution
of Agreement; Notes
|
43
|
6.02
|
Β |
Officer's
Certificate
|
43
|
6.03
|
Β |
Opinions
of Counsel
|
43
|
6.04
|
Β |
Corporate
Documents; Proceedings; etc
|
43
|
6.05
|
Β |
Existing
Credit Agreement
|
44
|
6.06
|
Β |
Guaranty
|
44
|
6.07
|
Β |
Adverse
Change; Governmental Approvals; etc
|
44
|
6.08
|
Β |
Litigation
|
44
|
6.09
|
Β |
Financial
Statements
|
45
|
6.10
|
Β |
Fees,
etc.
|
45
|
6.11
|
Β |
Solvency
Certificate
|
45
|
Β | Β | Β | Β |
SECTION
7. Conditions Precedent to All Credit Events
|
45
|
||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
7.01
|
Β |
Effective
Date
|
45
|
7.02
|
Β |
No
Default; Representations and Warranties
|
45
|
7.03
|
Β |
Notice
of Borrowing; Letter of Credit Request
|
45
|
Β
ii
Β |
PageΒ
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||
SECTION
8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements
|
46
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||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
8.01
|
Β |
Corporate
Status
|
46
|
8.02
|
Β |
Corporate
Power and Authority
|
46
|
8.03
|
Β |
No
Violation
|
47
|
8.04
|
Β |
Governmental
Approvals
|
47
|
8.05
|
Β |
Financial
Statements; Financial Condition; Undisclosed Liabilities;
|
Β |
Β | Β |
Projections;
etc.
|
47
|
8.06
|
Β |
Litigation
|
47
|
8.07
|
Β |
True
and Complete Disclosure
|
48
|
8.08
|
Β |
Use
of Proceeds; Margin Regulations
|
48
|
8.09
|
Β |
Tax
Returns and Payments
|
48
|
8.10
|
Β |
Compliance
with ERISA
|
48
|
8.11
|
Β |
Properties
|
49
|
8.12
|
Β |
Subsidiaries
|
49
|
8.13
|
Β |
Compliance
with Statutes, etc.
|
50
|
8.14
|
Β |
Investment
Company Act
|
50
|
8.15
|
Β |
Environmental
Matters
|
50
|
8.16
|
Β |
Labor
Relations
|
50
|
8.17
|
Β |
Patents,
Licenses, Franchises and Formulas
|
50
|
8.18
|
Β |
Indebtedness
|
50
|
8.19
|
Β |
Tax
Sharing Agreement
|
51
|
Β | Β | ||
SECTION
9. Affirmative Covenants
|
51
|
||
Β | Β | ||
9.01
|
Β |
Information
Covenants
|
51
|
9.02
|
Β |
Books,
Records and Inspections
|
52
|
9.03
|
Β |
Maintenance
of Insurance
|
52
|
9.04
|
Β |
Corporate
Franchises
|
53
|
9.05
|
Β |
Compliance
with Statutes, etc.
|
53
|
9.06
|
Β |
ERISA
|
53
|
9.07
|
Β |
End
of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters
|
54
|
9.08
|
Β |
Payment
of Taxes
|
54
|
9.09
|
Β |
Additional
Subsidiary Guarantors
|
54
|
Β
iii
Β |
PageΒ
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||
SECTION
10. Negative Covenants
|
54
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||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
10.01
|
Β |
Liens
|
55
|
10.02
|
Β |
Fundamental
Changes
|
57
|
10.03
|
Β |
Indebtedness
|
58
|
10.04
|
Β |
Transactions
with Affiliates
|
59
|
10.05
|
Β |
Maximum
Leverage Ratio
|
60
|
10.06
|
Β |
Minimum
Coverage Ratio
|
60
|
10.07
|
Β |
Ownership
of Assets by the Borrowers and the Subsidiary Guarantors
|
60
|
10.08
|
Β |
Limitation
on Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws
and
|
Β |
Β | Β |
Certain
Other Agreements, etc.
|
60
|
10.09
|
Β |
Business
|
60
|
10.10
|
Β |
Limitation
on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries
|
60
|
10.11
|
Β |
Limitation
on Issuance of Capital Stock
|
61
|
10.12
|
Β |
Restricted
Payments
|
61
|
Β | Β | Β | Β |
SECTION
11. Events of Default
|
61
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||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
11.01
|
Β |
Payments
|
61
|
11.02
|
Β |
Representations,
etc.
|
62
|
11.03
|
Β |
Covenants
|
62
|
11.04
|
Β |
Default
Under Other Agreements
|
62
|
11.05
|
Β |
Bankruptcy,
etc.
|
62
|
11.06
|
Β |
ERISA
|
63
|
11.07
|
Β |
Guaranty
|
63
|
11.08
|
Β |
Judgments
|
63
|
11.09
|
Β |
Change
of Control
|
63
|
11.10
|
Β |
Tax
Sharing Agreement
|
63
|
Β | Β | Β | Β |
SECTION
12. The Agents
|
64
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||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
12.01
|
Β |
Appointment
|
64
|
12.02
|
Β |
Nature
of Duties
|
64
|
12.03
|
Β |
Lack
of Reliance on the Agents
|
65
|
12.04
|
Β |
Certain
Rights of the Agents
|
65
|
12.05
|
Β |
Reliance
|
65
|
12.06
|
Β |
Indemnification
|
65
|
12.07
|
Β |
The
Agent in its Individual Capacity
|
66
|
12.08
|
Β |
Holders
|
66
|
12.09
|
Β |
Resignation
by the Agents
|
66
|
12.10
|
Β |
Co-Syndication
Agents and the Lead Arranger
|
67
|
Β | Β | Β | Β |
Β
iv
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PageΒ
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SECTION
13. Miscellaneous
|
67
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||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
13.01
|
Β |
Payment
of Expenses, etc
|
67
|
13.02
|
Β |
Right
of Setoff
|
68
|
13.03
|
Β |
Notices
|
68
|
13.04
|
Β |
Benefit
of Agreement
|
69
|
13.05
|
Β |
No
Waiver; Remedies Cumulative
|
72
|
13.06
|
Β |
Payments
Pro Rata
|
72
|
13.07
|
Β |
Calculations;
Computations
|
72
|
13.08
|
Β |
GOVERNING
LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; VENUE;
|
Β |
Β | Β |
WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL
|
73
|
13.09
|
Β |
Counterparts
|
74
|
13.10
|
Β |
Effectiveness
|
74
|
13.11
|
Β |
Headings
Descriptive
|
74
|
13.12
|
Β |
Amendment
or Waiver; etc
|
74
|
13.13
|
Β |
Survival
|
76
|
13.14
|
Β |
Domicile
of Loans
|
76
|
13.15
|
Β |
Limitation
on Additional Amounts, etc
|
76
|
13.16
|
Β |
Confidentiality
|
76
|
13.17
|
Β |
Register
|
78
|
13.18
|
Β |
Judgment
Currency
|
79
|
13.19
|
Β |
USA
PATRIOT Act
|
79
|
Β | Β | Β | Β |
SECTION
14. Nature of Borrowers' Obligations
|
79
|
||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
14.01
|
Β |
Nature
of Obligations
|
79
|
14.02
|
Β |
Independent
Obligation
|
80
|
14.03
|
Β |
Authorization
|
80
|
14.04
|
Β |
Reliance
|
80
|
14.05
|
Β |
Contribution;
Subrogation
|
81
|
14.06
|
Β |
Waiver
|
81
|
Β | Β | Β | Β |
SCHEDULE
I
|
Commitments
|
86Β | |
SCHEDULE
II
|
Lender
Addresses
|
87Β |
Β Β
Β Β Β Β
Β
Β
v
CREDIT
AGREEMENT,
dated
as of April 21, 2006, among FURNITURE
BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
a
Delaware corporation ("Furniture
Brands"),
BROYHILL
FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.,
a North
Carolina corporation ("Broyhill"),
HDM
FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.,
a
Delaware corporation ("HDM"),
LANE
FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.,
a
Mississippi corporation ("Lane"),
THOMASVILLE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.,
a
Delaware corporation ("Thomasville",
and,
together with Furniture Brands, HDM, Broyhill and Lane, each a "Borrower,"
and,
collectively, the "Borrowers"),
the
Lenders party hereto from time to time, THE
BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD., PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, WACHOVIA
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and
XXXXX FARGO BANK, NA, as
Co-Syndication Agents (in such capacity, each a "Co-Syndication
Agent"
and,
collectively, the "Co-Syndication
Agents"),
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as
Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the "Administrative
Agent"),
and
X.X.
XXXXXX SECURITIES INC.,
as Sole
Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager (in such capacities, the "Lead
Arranger")
(all
capitalized terms used herein and defined in Section 1 are used herein as
therein defined).
Β
W
I T N E S S E T H:
Β
WHEREAS,
subject
to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Lenders are willing to
make
available to the Borrowers the credit facility provided herein;
Β
NOW,
THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:
Β
SECTION
1.Β Definitions
and Accounting Terms.Β
Β
Β Β Β Β Β 1.01Β Defined
Terms.
As used
in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings
(such
meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of
the
terms defined):
Β
"Acceptance"
shall mean a draft under a Letter of Credit drawn on and accepted by the
relevant Issuing Lender unconditionally ordering payment in Dollars or any
Alternate Currency of a sum certain to the order of the beneficiary with
respect
to such Letter of Credit at a specified future time.
Β
"Acceptance
Facing Fee" shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.01(c).
Β
"Acceptance
Fee" shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.01(b).
Β
"Administrative
Agent" shall mean JPMCB, in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the
Lenders
hereunder, and shall include any successor to the Administrative Agent appointed
pursuant to Section 12.09.
Β
"Administrative
Questionnaire" shall mean an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied
by
the Administrative Agent.
Β
"Affiliate"
shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with,
such Person (including for purposes of Section 10.04), any Person that directly
or indirectly owns
Β
Β
1
Β
more
than
5% of any class of the capital stock of such Person and any officer, director
or
partner of such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person
if
such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause
the
direction of the management and policies of such other Person, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
"Agents"
shall mean and include the Administrative Agent and each
Co-Syndication Agent, and for purposes of Sections 12, 13.01, 13.12 and 13.16
only, the Lead Arranger.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β "Agreement"
shall mean this Credit Agreement, as modified, supplemented, amended, restated,
extended, renewed or replaced from time to time.
Β
"Alternate
Currency" shall mean each of Euros, Japanese Yen, Canadian Dollars and British
Pounds Sterling and such other currencies which are readily convertible into
Dollars and are acceptable to the Issuing Lender.
Β
"Applicable
Base Rate Margin", "Applicable Commitment Fee" and "Applicable Eurodollar
Margin" shall mean (i) with respect to the Commitment Fee, the respective
percentage per annum set forth below under the column "Applicable Commitment
Fee" and opposite the respective Pricing Level (i.e., Xxxxx 0, Xxxxx 0, Xxxxx
0,
Xxxxx 4 or Level 5, as the case may be) that is currently then in effect
based
on the Debt Rating, and (ii) with respect to Loans, the respective percentage
per annum set forth below under the column for the respective Type of Loans
and
opposite the respective Pricing Level (i.e., Xxxxx 0, Xxxxx 0, Xxxxx 0, Xxxxx
4
or Level 5, as the case may be) that is currently then in effect based on
the
Debt Rating:
Β
Applicable
|
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β |
Applicable
|
Β | Β |
Applicable
|
Β |
Pricing
|
Β | Β |
Debt
|
Β | Β |
Base
Rate
|
Β | Β |
Eurodollar
|
Β | Β |
Commitment
|
Β |
Level
|
Β | Β |
Rating
|
Β | Β |
Margin
|
Β | Β |
Margin
|
Β | Β |
Fee
|
Β |
1
|
Β | Β |
A-
or A3 or higher
|
Β | Β |
0.000
|
%
|
Β |
0.350
|
%
|
Β |
0.070
|
%
|
2
|
Β | Β |
BBB+
or Baa1
|
Β | Β |
0.000
|
%
|
Β |
0.450
|
%
|
Β |
0.090
|
%
|
3
|
Β | Β |
BBB
or Baa2
|
Β | Β |
0.000
|
%
|
Β |
0.550
|
%
|
Β |
0.100
|
%
|
4
|
Β | Β |
BBB-
or Baa3
|
Β | Β |
0.000
|
%
|
Β |
0.750
|
%
|
Β |
0.150
|
%
|
5
|
Β | Β |
BB+
or Ba1 or
|
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β |
Β
|
Β | Β |
below
or unratedΒ
|
Β | Β |
0.000
|
%
|
Β |
1.000
|
%
|
Β |
0.200
|
%
|
Β
provided
that (A) in the event of a split Debt Rating where the ratings differential
is
greater than one level, the Applicable Base Rate Margin, the Applicable
Eurodollar Margin and Applicable Commitment Fee shall be based on the Pricing
Level one level higher (with Level 1 being the highest Pricing Level and
Level 5
being the lowest Pricing Level) than that of the lower Debt Rating and (B)
except in the case provided in the second succeeding sentence, the Applicable
Base Rate Margin, the Applicable Commitment Fee and the Applicable Eurodollar
Margin shall be at Pricing Level 5 at all times when (i) either Rating Agency
(or both) shall not have in effect a Debt Rating or (ii) any Default or Event
of
Default is in existence. Any change in the Applicable Base Rate Margin or
the
Applicable Commitment Fee or the Applicable Eurodollar Margin due to a change
in
the Debt Rating shall be effective on the effective date of such change in
the
applicable Debt Rating. If the rating system of either Rating Agency shall
change, or if
Β
Β
2
Β
either
Rating Agency shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate debt
obligations, the Borrowers and the Lenders shall negotiate in good faith
to
enter into an amendment to this Agreement to reflect such changed rating
system
or the unavailability of ratings from the respective Rating Agency and, pending
the effectiveness of any such amendment, the Applicable Base Rate Margin,
Applicable Commitment Fee and the Applicable Eurodollar Margin shall be
determined by reference to the rating most recently in effect prior to such
change or cessation.
Β
"Approved
Fund" shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.04.
Β
"Assignment
and Assumption Agreement" shall mean the Assignment and Assumption Agreement
substantially in the form of Exhibit J (appropriately completed).
Β
"Authorized
Representative" shall mean, with respect to (i) delivering Notices of Borrowing,
Notices of Conversion, Letter of Credit Requests and similar notices, any
person
or persons that has or have been authorized by the respective boards of the
Borrowers to deliver such notices pursuant to this Agreement and that has
or
have appropriate signature cards on file with the Administrative Agent, the
Swingline Lender and each Issuing Lender; (ii) delivering financial information
and officer's certificates pursuant to this Agreement, any financial officer
of
Furniture Brands and (iii) any other matter in connection with this Agreement
or
any other Credit Document, any officer (or a person or persons so designated
by
any two officers) of Furniture Brands.
Β
"Bankruptcy
Code" shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.05.
Β
"Base
Rate" at any time shall mean the higher of (i) 1/2 of 1% in excess of the
overnight Federal Funds Rate and (ii) the Prime Lending Rate.
Β
"Base
Rate Loan" shall mean (i) each Swingline Loan and (ii) each Revolving Loan
designated or deemed designated as such by the Borrowers at the time of the
incurrence thereof or conversion thereto.
Β
"Borrowers"
shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.
Β
"Borrowing"
shall mean the incurrence of (i) Swingline Loans by the Borrowers from the
Swingline Lender on a given date or (ii) one Type of Revolving Loan by the
Borrowers from all of the Lenders on a pro rata basis on a given date (or
resulting from conversions on a given date), having in the case of Eurodollar
Loans the same Interest Period; provided that Base Rate Loans incurred pursuant
to Section 2.10(b) shall be considered part of any related Borrowing of
Eurodollar Loans.
Β
"Broyhill"
shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.
Β
"Business
Day" shall mean (i) for all purposes other than as covered by clause (ii)
below,
any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day which shall be in New York City
or
Chicago, Illinois a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions
are
authorized or required by law or other government action to close and (ii)
with
respect to all notices and determinations
Β
Β
3
Β
in
connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, Eurodollar Loans,
any day which is a Business Day described in clause (i) above and which is
also
a day for trading by and between banks in the New York interbank Eurodollar
market.
Β
"Capitalized
Lease Obligations" of any Person shall mean all rental obligations which,
under
generally accepted accounting principles, are or will be required to be
capitalized on the books of such Person, in each case taken at the amount
thereof accounted for as indebtedness in accordance with such
principles.
Β
"Cash
Equivalents" shall mean, as to any Person, (i) securities issued or directly
and
fully guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or
instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United
States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than
one
year from the date of acquisition, (ii) time deposits and certificates of
deposit of any commercial bank having, or which is the principal banking
subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of the United
States, any State thereof, the District of Columbia or any foreign jurisdiction
having capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of
$200,000,000, with maturities of not more than one year from the date of
acquisition by such Person, (iii) repurchase obligations with a term of not
more
than 90 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (i)
above entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in
clause
(ii) above, (iv) commercial paper issued by any Person incorporated in the
United States rated at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof by S&P or at
least P-1 or the equivalent thereof by Xxxxx'x and in each case maturing
not
more than 270 days after the date of acquisition by such Person, (v) investments
in money market funds substantially all of whose assets are comprised of
securities of the types described in clauses (i) through (iv) above and (vi)
demand deposit accounts maintained in the ordinary course of business not
in
excess of $100,000 in the aggregate.
Β
"CERCLA"
shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act of 1980, as the same may be amended from time to time, 42 U.S.C.Β§ 9601 et
seq.
Β
"Change
of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following: (i) Furniture
Brands shall at any time cease to own 100% of the capital stock of any of
Broyhill, Lane, HDM Furniture Industries, Inc. or Thomasville, (ii) HDM
Furniture Industries, Inc. shall cease to own 100% of the capital stock of
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx, (iii) the first date upon which a majority of the Persons
on the
board of directors of Furniture Brands are not Continuing Directors or (iv)
any
Person, entity or "group" (as such term is defined in Section 13(d)(3) of
the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) is or becomes the beneficial
owner
of an amount of outstanding Voting Stock of Furniture Brands in excess of
25% of
the total amount of fully diluted shares of outstanding Voting Stock of
Furniture Brands.
Β
"Class",
when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan,
or
the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans or Swingline
Loans.
Β
"Code"
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time,
and
the regulations promulgated and the rulings issued thereunder. Section
references to
Β
Β
4
Β
Β the
Code are to the Code, as in effect at the date of this Agreement, and to
any
subsequent provision of the Code, amendatory thereof, supplemental thereto
or
substituted therefor.
Β
"Commitment"
shall mean, for each Lender, the amount set forth opposite such Lender's
name in
Schedule I hereto directly below the column entitled "Commitment," as same
may
be (x) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to Sections 4.02,
4.03,
4.04 and/or 11 or (y) adjusted from time to time as a result of assignments
to
or from such Lender pursuant to Section 2.13 or 13.04(b)
Β
"Commitment
Fee" shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.01(a).
Β
"Consolidated
Current Liabilities" shall mean, at any time, the amounts that would be
classified as consolidated current liabilities of Furniture Brands and its
Subsidiaries at such time in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in a consolidated balance sheet, but excluding the current portion
of
any Indebtedness under this Agreement and any other Indebtedness which would
otherwise be included therein.
Β
"Consolidated
Debt" shall mean, at any time, the remainder of (i) the sum of (x) all
Indebtedness of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries at such time determined
on
a consolidated basis with respect to borrowed money or other obligations
of such
Persons which at such time would appear on the balance sheet of such Persons
as
indebtedness (including unreimbursed drawings under Letters of Credit and
unreimbursed payments under Acceptances, but excluding Consolidated Current
Liabilities and deferred tax and pension liabilities) and (y) without
duplication, the aggregate amount of all of Furniture Brands and its
Subsidiaries' Contingent Obligations less (ii) the amount of unrestricted
cash
in excess of $5,000,000 shown on the consolidated balance sheet of Furniture
Brands and its Subsidiaries at such time.
Β
"Consolidated
EBIT" shall mean, for any period, the Consolidated Net Income determined
on a
consolidated basis, before Consolidated Interest Expense (to the extent deducted
in arriving at Consolidated Net Income) and provisions for taxes and non-cash
impairment charges associated with closed facilities or sales of assets other
than inventory sold in the ordinary course of business, in each case that
were
included in arriving at Consolidated Net Income.
Β
"Consolidated
EBITDA" shall mean, for any period, Consolidated EBIT, adjusted by (i) adding
thereto the amount of all amortization of intangibles and depreciation, in
each
case that were deducted in arriving at Consolidated EBIT for such period
and
(ii) giving effect on a Pro Forma Basis to any Significant Acquisition or
Significant Divestiture during such period.
Β
"Consolidated
EBITDAR" shall mean, for any period, Consolidated EBITDA, adjusted by (i)
adding
thereto the amount of Consolidated Net Rental Expense for such period and
(ii)
giving effect on a Pro Forma Basis to any Significant Acquisition or Significant
Divestiture during such period.
Β
"Consolidated
Interest Expense" shall mean, for any period, the sum of the total consolidated
interest expense of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries for such period
(calculated without regard to any limitations on the payment thereof) plus,
without duplication, that portion
Β
Β
5
Β
of
Capitalized Lease Obligations of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries
representing the interest factor for such period.
Β
"Consolidated
Net Income" shall mean, for any period, the net after tax income of Furniture
Brands and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis, without giving
effect to any extraordinary gains or losses; provided that (without duplication
of exclusions) (i) the net income (to the extent positive) of any Person
that is
not a Subsidiary of Furniture Brands or that is accounted for by the equity
method of accounting shall be included only to the extent of the amount of
dividends or distributions paid in cash to Furniture Brands or a Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary thereof, (ii) to the extent Consolidated Net Income reflects amounts
attributable to minority interests in Subsidiaries that are not Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries of Furniture Brands, Consolidated Net Income shall be reduced
by
the amounts attributable to such minority interests, (iii) the net income
of any
Subsidiary shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment
of
dividends and distributions by that Subsidiary of net income is not at the
date
of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that
has not
been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its
charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule
or
governmental regulation applicable to that Subsidiary or its stockholders,
(iv)
the net income of any Person acquired in a pooling of interests transaction
for
any period prior to the date of such acquisition shall be excluded and (v)
the
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be
excluded.
Β
"Consolidated
Net Rental Expense" shall mean, for any period, the aggregate amount of rental
expense of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries under operating leases less
the
aggregate amount of sub-lease income of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries,
in each case to the extent deducted or added, as applicable, in arriving
at
Consolidated EBIT for such period.
Β
"Contingent
Obligation" shall mean, as to any Person, any obligation of such Person
guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness,
leases, dividends or other obligations ("primary obligations") of any other
Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly or indirectly,
including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or
not
contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property
constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply
funds (x) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (y)
to
maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise
to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iii) to 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 or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless
the holder of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided,
however, that the term Contingent Obligation shall not include endorsements
of
instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business.
The
amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal
to the
stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which
such
Contingent Obligation is made (or, if less, the maximum amount of such primary
obligation for which such Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the
instrument evidencing such Contingent Obligation) or, if not stated or
determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof
(assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) as determined by
such
Person in good faith.
Β
Β
6
Β
"Continuing
Directors" shall mean the directors of Furniture Brands on the Effective
Date
and each other director if such director's nomination for election to the
board
of directors of Furniture Brands is recommended by a majority of the then
Continuing Directors.
Β
"Co-Syndication
Agent" shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.
Β
"Coverage
Ratio" shall mean, as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the Borrowers,
the
ratio of (i) Consolidated EBITDAR to (ii) the sum of (x) Consolidated Interest
Expense and (y) Consolidated Net Rental Expense, in each case calculated
for the
period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior
to
such date.
Β
"Credit
Documents" shall mean this Agreement and, after the execution and delivery
thereof pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Revolving Note, the
Swingline Note and the Guaranty and, after the execution and delivery thereof,
each additional guaranty executed pursuant to Section 9.09.
Β
"Credit
Event" shall mean the making of any Loan or the issuance of any Letter of
Credit.
Β
"Credit
Party" shall mean each Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor.
Β
"Currency
Hedging Agreements" shall mean any foreign exchange contracts, currency swap
agreements or other similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect
against the fluctuations in currency values.
Β
"Debt
Rating" shall mean and include, on any date, each of the ratings of Furniture
Brands' (or the Borrowers' joint and several) senior unsecured long-term
Indebtedness, as most recently publicly announced by Xxxxx'x and
S&P.
Β
"Default"
shall mean any event, act or condition which with notice or lapse of time,
or
both, would constitute an Event of Default.
Β
"Defaulting
Lender" shall mean any Lender with respect to which a Lender Default is in
effect.
Β
"Dollar
Equivalent" shall mean, with respect to any currency other than Dollars,
the
amount of Dollars into which such currency could be converted at the Exchange
Rate.
Β
"Dollars"
and the sign "$" shall each mean freely transferable lawful money of the
United
States.
Β
"Domestic
Subsidiary" shall mean each Subsidiary of Furniture Brands that is incorporated
under the laws of the United States or any State thereof.
Β
"Drawing"
shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.05(b).
Β
"Effective
Date" shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.10.
Β
Β
7
Β
"Eligible
Transferee" shall mean and include a commercial bank, mutual fund, financial
institution or other "accredited investor" (as defined in Regulation D of
the
Securities Act) but in any event excluding Furniture Brands and its
Subsidiaries.
Β
"Environmental
Claims" means any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial actions,
suits,
demands, demand letters, directives, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance
or
violation, investigations or proceedings relating in any way to any
Environmental Law or any permit issued, or any approval given, under any
such
Environmental Law (hereafter, "Claims"), including, without limitation, (a)
any
and all Claims by governmental or regulatory authorities for enforcement,
cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other actions or damages pursuant
to any
applicable Environmental Law, and (b) any and all Claims by any third party
seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation
or
injunctive relief in connection with alleged injury or threat of injury to
health, safety or the environment due to the presence of Hazardous
Materials.
Β
"Environmental
Law" means any applicable Federal, state, foreign or local statute, law,
rule,
regulation, ordinance, code, binding and enforceable guideline, binding and
enforceable written policy and rule of common law now or hereafter in effect
and
in each case as amended, and any judicial or administrative interpretation
thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent decree or
judgment, to the extent binding on the Borrowers or any of their respective
Subsidiaries, relating to the environment, employee health and safety or
Hazardous Materials, including, without limitation, CERCLA; RCRA; the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. Β§ 1251 et seq.; the Toxic Substances
Control Act, 15 U.S.C. Β§ 2601 et seq.; the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Β§ 7401 et
seq.; the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. Β§ 3803 et seq.; the Oil Pollution
Act of 1990, 33 U.S.C. Β§ 2701 et seq.; the Emergency Planning and the Community
Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. Β§ 11001 et seq.; the Hazardous Material
Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. Β§ 1801 et seq.; the Occupational Safety and Health
Act, 29 U.S.C. Β§ 651 et seq. (to the extent it regulates occupational exposure
to Hazardous Materials); and any state and local or foreign counterparts
or
equivalents, in each case as amended from time to time.
Β
"Equity
Interests" means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership
interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust
or
other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or
other
rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity
interest.
Β
"ERISA"
shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
from
time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.
Section references to ERISA are to ERISA, as in effect at the date of this
Agreement and any subsequent provisions of ERISA, amendatory thereof,
supplemental thereto or substituted therefor.
Β
"ERISA
Affiliate" shall mean each person (as defined in Section 3(9) of ERISA) which
together with the Borrowers or any Subsidiary of the Borrowers would be deemed
to be a "single employer" (i) within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c),
(m) or
(o) of the Code or (ii) as a result of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary of
the
Borrowers being or having been a general partner of such person.
Β
Β
8
Β
"Eurodollar
Loan" shall mean each Loan designated as such by the Borrowers at the time
of
the incurrence thereof or conversion thereto.
Β
"Eurodollar
Rate" shall mean for any Interest Determination Date with respect to an Interest
Period for a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum obtained by dividing (i)(a)
the
per annum rate for deposits in Dollars for a period corresponding to the
duration of the relevant Interest Period which appears on Page 3750 of the
Dow
Xxxxx Market Service (or on any successor or substitute page of such Service,
or
any successor to or substitute for such Service, providing rate quotations
comparable to those currently provided on such page of such Service, as
determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of
providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the
London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) on such
Interest Determination Date or (b) in the event that such rate is not available
at such time for any reason, then the rate at which dollar deposits of
$5,000,000 and for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered
by
the principal London office of the Administrative Agent in immediately available
funds in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 A.M. (New York
time)
on such Interest Determination Date by (ii) a percentage equal to 100% minus
the
then stated maximum rate of all reserve requirements (including, without
limitation, any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserves
required by applicable law) applicable to any member bank of the Federal
Reserve
System in respect of Eurocurrency funding or liabilities as defined in
Regulation D (or any successor category of liabilities under Regulation D).
Β
"Event
of
Default" shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.
Β
"Exchange
Rate" shall mean, when converting any amount denominated in a currency other
than Dollars into Dollars, the rate determined in good faith by JPMCB at
the
opening of business (or close of business in the case of determinations of
reimbursement obligations with respect to Letters of Credit or Acceptances)
in
New York, on the date as to which any determination thereof is to be made,
as
the spot rate at which such currency is offered for sale to JPMCB against
delivery of Dollars by JPMCB. If for any reason the Exchange Rate for any
currency cannot be calculated as provided above, JPMCB shall calculate the
Exchange Rate on such basis as it deems fair and equitable. In determining
the
Stated Amount of any Letter of Credit (A) for purposes of Sections 2.01(a),
2.01(b), 3.01(c) and 5.02(a), the Exchange Rate shall be calculated (x) on
the
Effective Date, (y) on the first Business Day of each calendar month thereafter
and (z) on such other day as JPMCB may, in its sole discretion, consider
appropriate and (B) for purposes of Section 4.01, the Exchange Rate shall
be
calculated on the Effective Date and the first Business Day of each calendar
month thereafter. The Exchange Rate for all reimbursement obligations with
respect to Letters of Credit and Acceptances (including, without limitation,
pursuant to Sections 3.04 and 3.05) shall be determined by using the Exchange
Rate as in effect on the date the respective Unpaid Drawing was paid by such
Issuing Lender. Each Issuing Lender agrees to be bound by the Exchange Rate
determined in good faith by JPMCB.
Β
"Existing
Credit Agreement" shall mean the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 18,
2003, among Furniture Brands, Broyhill, Drexel Heritage Furniture Industries,
Inc., Henredon Furniture Industries, Inc., Lane, Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx and Thomasville,
the Lenders party thereto from time to time, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi
UFJ,
Ltd., and The Bank of New
Β
Β
9
Β
York,
as
Co-Documentation Agents, Suntrust Bank and Wachovia Bank, National Association,
as Co-Syndication Agents, Deutsche Bank AG, as Administrative Agent and Deutsche
Bank Securities, Inc., as Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager.
Β
"Existing
Indebtedness" shall have the meaning provided in Section 8.19.
Β
"Existing
Letters of Credit" shall mean the letters of credit issued by JPMCB for the
account of Furniture Brands and/or its Subsidiaries and set forth on Schedule
III hereto.
Β
"Expiration
Date" shall mean (x) with respect to each Letter of Credit, the final stated
expiration date thereof or such earlier date on which such Letter of Credit
was
canceled and returned to the Issuing Lender and (y) with respect to each
Acceptance, the date on which such Acceptance matures as provided by the
terms
of the draft under the Letter of Credit related thereto.
Β
"Facing
Fee" shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.01(c).
Β
"Federal
Funds Rate" shall mean for any period, a fluctuating interest rate equal
for
each day during such period to the weighted average of the rates on overnight
Federal Funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged
by Federal Funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not
a
Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve
Bank
of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a
Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions
received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal Funds brokers of
recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.
Β
"Fees"
shall mean all amounts payable pursuant to or referred to in Section
4.01.
Β
"Fiscal
Year" shall mean each fiscal year of Furniture Brands ending on December
31 of
each calendar year.
Β
"Foreign
Pension Plan" means any plan, fund (including, without limitation, any
superannuation fund) or other similar program established or maintained outside
the United States by any Borrower or any one or more of their respective
Subsidiaries primarily for the benefit of employees of such Borrower or such
Subsidiary residing outside the United States, which plan, fund or other
similar
program provides, or results in, retirement income, a deferral of income
in
contemplation of retirement or payments to be made upon termination of
employment, and which plan is not subject to ERISA or the Code.
Β
"Foreign
Sales Corporation" shall mean a Wholly-Owned Foreign Subsidiary of Furniture
Brands and/or its Subsidiaries created for the purpose of effecting sales
of
goods and/or services in foreign countries.
Β
"Foreign
Subsidiary" shall mean, as to any Person, each Subsidiary of such Person
which
is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
Β
"Furniture
Brands" shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.
Β
Β
10
Β
"Furniture
Brands Common Stock" shall mean the common stock of Furniture
Brands.
Β
"Guarantor"
shall mean Furniture Brands and each Subsidiary Guarantor.
Β
"Guaranty"
shall have the meaning provided in Section 6.06.
Β
"Hazardous
Materials" means (a) any petroleum or petroleum products, radioactive materials,
asbestos in any form that is or could become friable, urea formaldehyde foam
insulation, transformers or other equipment that contain dielectric fluid
containing any level of polychlorinated biphenyls, and radon gas; (b) any
chemicals, materials or substances defined as or included in the definition
of
"hazardous substances," "hazardous waste," "hazardous materials," "extremely
hazardous substances," "restricted hazardous waste," "toxic substances,"
"toxic
pollutants," "contaminants," or "pollutants," or words of similar import,
under
any applicable Environmental Law; and (c) any other chemical, material or
substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any
governmental authority under Environmental Laws.
Β
"HDM"
shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.
Β
"Indebtedness"
shall mean, as to any Person, without duplication, (i) all indebtedness
(including principal, interest, fees and charges) of such Person for borrowed
money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services, (ii) the
maximum amount available to be drawn under all letters of credit issued for
the
account of such Person and all unpaid drawings in respect of such letters
of
credit, (iii) all Indebtedness of the types described in clause (i), (ii),
(iv),
(v), (vi) or (vii) of this definition secured by any Lien on any property
owned
by such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed by such
Person
(to the extent of the value of the respective property), (iv) the aggregate
amount required to be capitalized under leases under which such Person is
the
lessee, (v) all obligations of such person to pay a specified purchase price
for
goods or services, whether or not delivered or accepted, i.e., take-or-pay
and
similar obligations, (vi) all Contingent Obligations of such Person and (vii)
all obligations under any Interest Rate Protection Agreement, Currency Hedging
Agreement or under any similar type of agreement.
Β
"Indemnitee"
shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.01.
Β
"Interest
Determination Date" shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the
second
Business Day prior to the commencement of any Interest Period relating to
such
Eurodollar Loan.
Β
"Interest
Period" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.09.
Β
"Interest
Rate Protection Agreement" shall mean any interest rate swap agreement, interest
rate cap agreement, interest collar agreement, interest rate hedging agreement,
interest rate floor agreement or other similar agreement or
arrangement.
Β
"Issuing
Lender" shall mean JPMCB (which for purposes of this definition also shall
include any banking affiliate of JPMCB which has agreed to issue Letters
of
Credit under
Β
Β
11
Β
Β this
Agreement) and any other Lender which at the request of the Borrowers and
with
the consent of the Administrative Agent (which shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed) agrees, in such Lender's sole discretion, to become
an
Issuing Lender for the purpose of issuing Letters of Credit pursuant to Section
3. On the Effective Date the sole Issuing Lender is JPMCB.
Β
"JPMCB"
shall mean JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its individual capacity.
Β
"Judgment
Currency" shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.18(a).
Β
"Judgment
Currency Conversion Date" shall have the meaning provided in Section
13.18(a).
Β
"Lane"
shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.
Β
"L/C
Supportable Obligations" shall mean obligations of Furniture Brands or its
Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business with respect to
insurance obligations and workers' compensation, surety bonds and other similar
statutory obligations, and all other obligations otherwise permitted to exist
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, customarily supported by Letters
of
Credit and satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
Β
"Lead
Arranger" shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.
Β
"Leaseholds"
of any Person means all the right, title and interest of such Person as lessee
or licensee in, to and under leases or licenses of land, improvements and/or
fixtures.
Β
"Lender"
shall mean each financial institution listed on Schedule I, as well as any
Person which becomes a "Lender" hereunder pursuant to Section 2.13, 4.04
or
13.04(b).
Β
"Lender
Default" shall mean (i) the refusal (which has not been retracted) of a Lender,
in violation of this Agreement, to make available its portion of any Borrowing
(including any Mandatory Borrowing) or to fund its portion of any unreimbursed
payment under Section 3.04(c) or (ii) a Lender having notified in writing
the
Borrowers and/or the Administrative Agent that it does not intend to comply
with
its obligations under Section 2.01 or Section 3 in the case of either clause
(i)
or (ii), as a result of any takeover of such bank by any regulatory authority
or
agency.
Β
"Letter
of Credit" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.01(a).
Β
"Letter
of Credit Facing Fee" shall have the meaning provided in Section
4.01(c).
Β
"Letter
of Credit Fee" shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.01(b).
Β
"Letter
of Credit Outstandings" shall mean, at any time, the sum of (i) the aggregate
Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit which have not terminated
and
Acceptances which have not matured or been prepaid and (ii) the amount of
all
Unpaid Drawings.
Β
Β
12
Β
"Letter
of Credit Request" shall have the meaning provided in Section
3.03(a).
Β
"Leverage
Ratio" shall mean on any date the ratio of (i) Consolidated Debt on such
date to
(ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters
most
recently ended on or prior to such date.
Β
"Lien"
shall mean any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement,
encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), preference, priority or other security
agreement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation,
any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing or similar
statement or notice filed under the UCC or any other similar recording or
notice
statute, and any lease having substantially the same effect as any of the
foregoing).
Β
"Loan"
shall mean each Revolving Loan and each Swingline Loan.
Β
"Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx"
shall mean Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Furniture Industries, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
Β
"Mandatory
Borrowing" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.01(c).
Β
"Margin
Stock" shall have the meaning provided in Regulation U.
Β
"Material
Adverse Effect" shall mean a material adverse effect on the business,
operations, property, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise)
or
prospects of the Borrowers taken as a whole or the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Β
"Maturity
Date" shall mean April 21, 2011.
Β
"Maximum
Swingline Amount" shall mean $20,000,000.
Β
"Minimum
Borrowing Amount" shall mean (i) for Revolving Loans $5,000,000 and, if greater,
in an integral multiple of $1,000,000; and (ii) for Swingline Loans, $500,000
and, if greater, in an integral multiple of $100,000.
Β
"Moody's"
shall mean Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc.
Β
"Multiemployer
Plan" shall mean a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA,
which is maintained or contributed to by (or to which there is an obligation
to
contribute of) the Borrowers or a Subsidiary of the Borrowers or an ERISA
Affiliate and each such plan for the five year period immediately following
the
latest date on which the Borrowers, any Subsidiaries of the Borrowers or
any
ERISA Affiliates maintained, contributed to or had an obligation to contribute
to such plan.
Β
"Non-Defaulting
Lender" shall mean and include each Lender other than a Defaulting
Lender.
Β
"Note"
shall mean each Revolving Note and the Swingline Note.
Β
Β
13
Β
"Notice
of Borrowing" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.03.
Β
"Notice
of Conversion" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.06.
Β
"Notice
Office" shall mean the office of the Administrative Agent located at JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., 00 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, Attention:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, or such other office as the Administrative Agent may hereafter
designate in writing as such to the other parties hereto.
Β
"Obligations"
shall mean all amounts owing by the Borrowers and the Subsidiary Guarantors
to
the Lead Arranger any Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender pursuant to
the
terms of this Agreement or any other Credit Document.
Β
"Participant"
shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.04(a).
Β
"Pay-In-Kind
Preferred Stock" means any Preferred Stock where all dividends with respect
thereto may, at the option of the issuer thereof, be paid through the issuance
of additional shares of preferred stock of the same series.
Β
"Payment
Office" shall mean the office of the Administrative Agent located at JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., 00 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 or such
other
office as the Administrative Agent may hereafter designate in writing as
such to
the other parties hereto.
Β
"PBGC"
shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant
to
Section 4002 of ERISA, or any successor thereto.
Β
"Percentage"
of any Lender at any time shall mean a fraction (expressed as a percentage)
the
numerator of which is the Commitment of such Lender at such time and the
denominator of which is the Total Commitment at such time, provided that
if the
Percentage of any Lender is to be determined after the Total Commitment has
been
terminated, then the Percentages of the Lenders shall be determined immediately
prior (and without giving effect) to such termination.
Β
"Permitted
Indebtedness" shall mean any unsecured Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred
by the Borrowers (which may, but shall not be required to be, guaranteed
on an
unsecured basis by one or more Guarantors), so long as (i) based on calculations
made by the Borrowers on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the incurrence
of such Indebtedness, no Default or Event of Default will exist under, or
would
have existed during the respective Reference Period under, the financial
covenants contained in Sections 10.05 and 10.06 of this Agreement, (ii)
Furniture Brands shall furnish to the Administrative Agent for distribution
to
each of the Lenders an officer's certificate from the chief financial officer
or
treasurer of Furniture Brands certifying to the best of such officer's knowledge
as to compliance with the requirements of the preceding clause (i) and
containing the pro forma calculations required by the preceding clause (i),
(iii) the maturity of such Indebtedness at the time of the incurrence thereof
shall be at least one year beyond the Maturity Date and (iv) such Indebtedness
(and any guarantees thereof) shall rank pari passu or junior to the Obligations
hereunder and under the Subsidiary Guaranty, as the case may be.
Β
Β
14
Β
"Permitted
Liens" shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.01.
Β
"Person"
shall mean any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation,
association, trust or other enterprise or any government or political
subdivision or any agency, department or instrumentality thereof.
Β
"Plan"
shall mean any single-employer plan, as defined in Section 4001 of ERISA,
which
is maintained or contributed to by (or to which there is an obligation to
contribute of), the Borrowers or a Subsidiary of the Borrowers or an ERISA
Affiliate and each such plan for the five year period immediately following
the
latest date on which the Borrowers, a Subsidiary of the Borrowers or an ERISA
Affiliate maintained, contributed or had an obligation to contribute to such
plan.
Β
"Preferred
Stock", as applied to the capital stock of any Person, means capital stock
of
such Person (other than common stock of such Person) of any class or classes
(however designed) that ranks prior, as to the payment of dividends or as
to the
distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of such Person, to shares of capital stock of any
other class of such Person, and shall include any Qualified Preferred
Stock.
Β
"Prime
Lending Rate" shall mean the rate of interest per annum publicly announced
from
time to time by JPMCB as its prime rate in effect at its principal office
in New
York City. Each change in the Prime Lending Rate shall be effective from
and
including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.
The
Prime Lending Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent
the
lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer. JPMCB may make commercial
loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the Prime Lending
Rate.
Β
"Pro
Forma Basis" shall mean, as to any Person, for any of the following events
which
occur subsequent to the commencement of a period for which the financial
effect
of such event is being calculated, and giving effect to the event for which
such
calculation is being made, such calculation as will give pro forma effect
to
such event as if same had occurred at the beginning of such period of
calculation, and
Β
(i)Β for
purposes of the foregoing calculation, the transaction giving rise to the
need
to calculate the pro forma effect to any of the following events shall be
assumed to have occurred on the first day of the four fiscal quarter period
last
ended before the occurrence of the respective event for which such pro forma
effect is being determined (the "Reference Period"), and
Β
(ii)Β in
making
any determination with respect to the incurrence or assumption of any
Indebtedness during the Reference Period or subsequent to the Reference Period
and on or prior to the date of the transaction referenced in clause (i) above
(the "Transaction Date"), all Indebtedness (including the Indebtedness incurred
or assumed and for which the financial effect is being calculated) incurred
or
permanently repaid during the Reference Period or subsequent to such Reference
Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date shall be deemed to have been
incurred or repaid at the beginning of such Reference Period, and
Β
Β
15
Β
(iii)Β in
making
any determination of Consolidated EBITDA on a Pro Forma Basis, pro forma
effect
shall be given to any Significant Acquisition or Significant Divestiture
which
occurred during the Reference Period or subsequent to such Reference Period
and
on or prior to the Transaction Date, with such Consolidated EBITDA to be
determined as if such Significant Acquisition or Significant Divestiture
occurred on the first day of the Reference Period, taking into account cost
savings and expenses which would otherwise be accounted for as an adjustment
pursuant to Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, as if
such
cost savings or expenses were realized on the first day of the Reference
Period.
Β
"Qualified
Preferred Stock" means any Pay-In-Kind Preferred Stock of Furniture Brands,
or
any other Preferred Stock of Furniture Brands, the express terms of which
shall
provide that dividends thereon shall not be required to be paid in cash at
any
time that such cash payment would be prohibited by the terms of this Agreement
or result in a Default or Event of Default hereunder, and in either case
which,
by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible
or
for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event (including
an
event which would constitute a Change of Control), cannot mature (excluding
any
maturity as the result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) and
is
not mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise,
and is not redeemable, or required to be repurchased, at the sole option
of the
holder thereof (including, without limitation, upon the occurrence of an
event
which would constitute a Change of Control), in whole or in part, on or prior
to
the first anniversary of the Maturity Date.
Β
"Quarterly
Payment Date" shall mean the last Business Day of each March, June, September
and December commencing after the Effective Date.
Β
"RCRA"
shall mean the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as the same may be
amended from time to time, 42 U.S.C. Β§ 6901 et seq.
Β
"Real
Property" of any Person shall mean all the right, title and interest of such
Person in and to land, improvements and fixtures, including
Leaseholds.
Β
"Reference
Period" shall have the meaning provided in the definition of "Pro Forma Basis"
appearing in this Section 1.01.
Β
"Register"
shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.17.
Β
"Regulation
D" shall mean Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion
thereof establishing reserve requirements.
Β
"Regulation
T" shall mean Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion
thereof.
Β
"Regulation
U" shall mean Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion
thereof.
Β
"Regulation
X" shall mean Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion
thereof.
Β
Β
16
Β
"Related
Parties" shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, such Person's
Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and
advisors of such Person and such Person's Affiliates.
Β
"Replaced
Lender" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.13.
Β
"Replacement
Lender" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.13.
Β
"Reportable
Event" shall mean an event described in Section 4043(c) of ERISA with respect
to
a Plan other than those events as to which the 30-day notice period is waived
under subsection .13, .14, .16, .18, .19 or .20 of PBGC Regulation Section
2615.
Β
"Required
Lenders" shall mean Non-Defaulting Lenders, the sum of whose outstanding
Commitments (or after the termination thereof, outstanding Revolving Loans
and
Percentage of Swingline Loans and Letter of Credit Outstandings) represent
greater than 50% of the Total Commitment less the Revolving Loan Commitments
of
all Defaulting Lenders (or after the termination thereof, the sum of the
then
total outstanding Revolving Loans of Non-Defaulting Lenders and the aggregate
Percentages of all Non-Defaulting Lenders of the total outstanding Swingline
Loans and Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time).
Β
"Restricted
Payment" means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities
or other property) with respect to any Equity Interest in Furniture Brands
or
any Subsidiary thereof, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other
property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the
purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination
of
any such Equity Interests or any option, warrant or other right to acquire
any
such Equity Interests.
Β
"Revolving
Loan" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.01(a).
Β
"Revolving
Note" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.05(a).
Β
"S&P"
shall mean Standard & Poor's Rating Services.
Β
"Section
5.04(b)(ii) Certificate" shall have the meaning provided in Section
5.04(b)(ii).
Β
"Securities
Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Β
"Significant
Acquisition" shall mean any acquisition by Furniture Brands or any of its
Subsidiaries of another Person (not already a Borrower or a Subsidiary thereof),
or the assets constituting a business, division or product line of any such
Person, the fair market value (determined in good faith by Furniture Brands)
of
which exceeds $25,000,000 for any such transaction (or series of related
transactions).
Β
"Significant
Divestiture" shall mean any sale or other disposition of assets by Furniture
Brands or any of its Subsidiaries to any other Person (not already a Borrower
or
a Subsidiary thereof), the fair market value (determined in good faith by
Furniture Brands) of which exceeds $25,000,000 for any such transaction (or
series of related transactions).
Β
Β
17
Β
"Stated
Amount" of (x) each Letter of Credit shall, at any time, mean the maximum
amount
available to be drawn thereunder (in each case determined without regard
to
whether any conditions to drawing could then be met), provided that the "Stated
Amount" of each Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternate Currency shall
be,
on any date of calculation, the Dollar Equivalent of the maximum amount
available to be drawn in such Alternate Currency thereunder (determined without
regard to whether any conditions to drawing could then be met), and (y) each
Acceptance shall mean the amount of each such Acceptance; provided that the
"Stated Amount" of any Acceptance denominated in an Alternate Currency shall
be,
on any date of calculation, the Dollar Equivalent thereof.
Β
"Subsidiary"
shall mean, as to any Person, (i) any corporation more than 50% of whose
stock
of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power
to
elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether
or not at the time stock of any 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 owned by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person
and
(ii) any partnership, association, joint venture or other entity in which
such
Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person has more than a 50%
equity
interest at the time.
Β
"Subsidiary
Guarantor" shall mean each direct or indirect Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary
of Furniture Brands which either (i) has $10,000 or more of assets on the
Effective Date or (ii) becomes a party to the Guaranty after the Effective
Date
pursuant to Section 9.09.
Β
"Supermajority
Lenders" shall mean those Non-Defaulting Lenders which would constitute the
Required Lenders under, and as defined in, this Agreement if the percentage
"50%" contained therein were changed to "66-2/3%".
Β
"Swingline
Expiry Date" shall mean the date which is two Business Days prior to the
Maturity Date.
Β
"Swingline
Lender" shall mean JPMCB.
Β
"Swingline
Loan" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.01(b).
Β
"Swingline
Note" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.05(a).
Β
"Tax
Sharing Agreement" shall mean that certain tax sharing agreement entered
into
among the Borrowers and certain other Persons, and previously delivered to
the
Administrative Agent.
Β
"Taxes"
shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.04(a).
Β
"Thomasville"
shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.
Β
"Total
Commitment" shall mean, at any time, the sum of the Commitments of each of
the
Lenders.
Β
Β
18
Β
"Total
Unutilized Commitment" shall mean, at any time, an amount equal to the remainder
of (i) the then Total Commitment, less (ii) the sum of the aggregate principal
amount of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans outstanding plus the then
aggregate amount of Letter of Credit Outstandings.
Β
"Type"
shall mean the type of Loan determined with regard to the interest option
applicable thereto, i.e., whether a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar
Loan.
Β
"UCC"
shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in
the
relevant jurisdiction.
Β
"Unfunded
Current Liability" of any Plan means the amount, if any, by which the actuarial
present value of the accumulated benefits under the Plan as of the close
of its
most recent plan year each exceeds the fair market value of the assets allocable
thereto, each determined in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 87, based upon the actuarial assumptions used by the Plan's
actuary in the most recent annual valuation of the Plan.
Β
"United
States" and "U.S." shall each mean the United States of America.
Β
"Unpaid
Drawing" shall have the meaning provided for in Section 3.05(a).
Β
"Unutilized
Commitment" with respect to any Lender, at any time, shall mean such Lender's
Commitment at such time less the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal
amount of Revolving Loans made by such Lender and (ii) such Lender's Percentage
of the Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time.
Β
"Voting
Stock" shall mean, as to any Person, any class or classes of capital stock
of
such Person pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting
power
under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the Board of
Directors of such Person.
Β
"Wholly-Owned
Domestic Subsidiary" shall mean each Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Furniture
Brands
which is also a Domestic Subsidiary.
Β
"Wholly-Owned
Foreign Subsidiary" of any Person shall mean each Wholly-Owned Subsidiary
of
such Person which is also a Foreign Subsidiary.
Β
"Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary" shall mean, as to any Person, (i) any corporation 100% of whose
capital stock (other than director's qualifying shares) is at the time owned
by
such Person and/or one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person and
(ii)
any partnership, association, joint venture or other entity in which such
Person
and/or one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person has a 100% equity
interest at such time.
Β
SECTION
2.
Amount
and Terms of Credit.Β
Β
2.01Β Commitments.Β
Β
Β
19
Β
(a)Β Subject
to and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally
agrees, at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date
and
prior to the Maturity Date, to make a revolving loan or revolving loans (each,
a
"Revolving Loan" and, collectively, the "Revolving Loans") to the Borrowers,
which Revolving Loans (i) shall be the joint and several obligations of each
of
the Borrowers, (ii) shall be denominated in Dollars, (iii) shall, at the
option
of the Borrowers be incurred and maintained as, and/or converted into, Base
Rate
Loans or Eurodollar Loans, provided that except as otherwise specifically
provided in Section 2.10(b), all Revolving Loans comprising the same Borrowing
shall at all times be of the same Type, (iv) may be repaid and reborrowed
in
accordance with the provisions hereof, (v) shall not exceed for any Lender
at
any time outstanding that aggregate principal amount which, when added to
the
product of (x) such Lender's Percentage and (y) the sum of (I) the aggregate
amount of all Letter of Credit Outstandings (exclusive of Unpaid Drawings
which
are repaid with the proceeds of, and simultaneously with the incurrence of,
the
respective incurrence of Revolving Loans) at such time and (II) the aggregate
principal amount of all Swingline Loans (exclusive of Swingline Loans which
are
repaid with the proceeds of, and simultaneously with the incurrence of, the
respective incurrence of Revolving Loans) then outstanding, equals the
Commitment of such Lender at such time and (vi) shall not exceed for all
Lenders
at any time outstanding that aggregate principal amount which, when added
to (x)
the aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Outstandings (exclusive of Unpaid
Drawings which are repaid with the proceeds of, and simultaneously with the
incurrence of, the respective incurrence of Revolving Loans) at such time
and
(y) the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans (exclusive of
Swingline Loans which are repaid with the proceeds of, and simultaneously
with
the incurrence of, the respective incurrence of Revolving Loans) then
outstanding, equals the Total Commitment at such time.
Β
(b)Β Subject
to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Swingline Lender
agrees to make at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective
Date
and prior to the Swingline Expiry Date, a revolving loan or revolving loans
(each, a "Swingline Loan" and, collectively, the "Swingline Loans") to the
Borrowers, which Swingline Loans (i) shall be made and maintained as Base
Rate
Loans denominated in Dollars, (ii) may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance
with the provisions hereof, (iii) shall not exceed in aggregate principal
amount
at any time outstanding, when combined with the aggregate principal amount
of
all Revolving Loans then outstanding and the Letter of Credit Outstandings
at
such time, an amount equal to the Total Commitment at such time, (iv) shall
not
exceed at any time outstanding the Maximum Swingline Amount and (v) shall
be the
joint and several obligations of each of the Borrowers. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained in this Section 2.01(b), (i) the Swingline Lender
shall not be obligated to make any Swingline Loans at a time when a Lender
Default exists unless the Swingline Lender has entered into arrangements
satisfactory to it and the Borrowers to eliminate the Swingline Lender's
risk
with respect to the Defaulting Lender's or Lenders' participation in such
Swingline Loans, including by cash collateralizing such Defaulting Lender's
or
Lenders' Percentage of the outstanding Swingline Loans and (ii) the Swingline
Lender shall not make any Swingline Loan after it has received written notice
from the Borrowers or the Required Lenders stating that a Default or an Event
of
Default exists and is continuing until such time as the Swingline Lender
shall
have received written notice (A) of rescission of all such notices from the
party or parties originally delivering such notice or notices or (B) of the
waiver of such Default or Event of Default by the Required Lenders.
Β
Β
20
Β
(c)Β On
any
Business Day, the Swingline Lender may, in its sole discretion, give notice
to
the Lenders that its outstanding Swingline Loans shall be funded with a
Borrowing of Revolving Loans (provided that such notice shall be deemed to
have
been automatically given upon the occurrence of a Default or an Event of
Default
under Section 11.05 or upon the exercise of any of the remedies provided
in the
last paragraph of Section 11), in which case a Borrowing of Revolving Loans
constituting Base Rate Loans (each such Borrowing, a "Mandatory Borrowing")
shall be made on the immediately succeeding Business Day by the Lenders (without
giving effect to any reductions thereto pursuant to the last paragraph of
Section 11) pro rata based on each Lender's Percentage (determined before
giving
effect to any termination of the Commitments pursuant to the last paragraph
of
Section 11) and the proceeds thereof shall be applied directly to the Swingline
Lender to repay the Swingline Lender for such outstanding Swingline Loans.
Each
Lender hereby irrevocably agrees to make Revolving Loans upon one Business
Day's
notice pursuant to each Mandatory Borrowing in the amount and in the manner
specified in the preceding sentence and on the date specified in writing
by the
Swingline Lender notwithstanding (i) that the amount of the Mandatory Borrowing
may not comply with the Minimum Borrowing Amount otherwise required hereunder,
(ii) whether any conditions specified in Section 7 are then satisfied, (iii)
whether a Default or an Event of Default then exists, (iv) the date of such
Mandatory Borrowing and (v) the amount of the Total Commitment at such time.
In
the event that any Mandatory Borrowing cannot for any reason be made on the
date
otherwise required above (including, without limitation, as a result of the
commencement of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to any
of
the Borrowers), then each Lender hereby agrees that it shall forthwith purchase
(as of the date the Mandatory Borrowing would otherwise have occurred, but
adjusted for any payments received from the Borrowers on or after such date
and
prior to such purchase) from the Swingline Lender such participations in
the
outstanding Swingline Loans as shall be necessary to cause the Lenders to
share
in such Swingline Loans ratably based upon their respective Percentages
(determined before giving effect to any termination of the Commitments pursuant
to the last paragraph of Section 11), provided that (x) all interest payable
on
the Swingline Loans shall be for the account of the Swingline Lender until
the
date as of which the respective participation is required to be purchased
and,
to the extent attributable to the purchased participation, shall be payable
to
the participant from and after such date and (y) at the time any purchase
of
participations pursuant to this sentence is actually made, the purchasing
Lender
shall be required to pay the Swingline Lender interest on the principal amount
of participation purchased for each day from and including the day upon which
the Mandatory Borrowing would otherwise have occurred to but excluding the
date
of payment for such participation, at the overnight Federal Funds Rate for
the
first three days and at the rate otherwise applicable to Revolving Loans
maintained as Base Rate Loans hereunder for each day thereafter.
Β
2.02Β Minimum
Amount of Each Borrowing.
The
aggregate principal amount of each Borrowing of Loans shall be not less than
the
Minimum Borrowing Amount applicable thereto and, if greater, shall be in
the
applicable integral multiple set forth in the definition of Minimum Borrowing
Amount, provided that Mandatory Borrowings shall be made in the amounts required
by Section 2.01(c). More than one Borrowing may occur on the same date, but
at
no time shall there be outstanding more than twelve Borrowings of Eurodollar
Loans.Β
Β
Β
2.03Β Notice
of Borrowing.Β
Β
Β
21
Β
(a)Β Whenever
the Borrowers desire to incur Revolving Loans hereunder (excluding Borrowings
of
Swingline Loans and Revolving Loans incurred pursuant to Mandatory Borrowings),
an Authorized Representative of the Borrowers shall give the Administrative
Agent at the Notice Office at least one Business Day's prior written notice
(or
telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Base Rate Loan and
at
least three Business Days' prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly
confirmed in writing) of each Eurodollar Loan to be made hereunder, provided
that any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on a certain day
only if
given before 11:00 A.M. (New York time) (or before 12:00 Noon (New York time)
in
the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans) on such day. Each such written
notice or written confirmation of telephonic notice (each a "Notice of
Borrowing"), except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 2.10, shall
be
irrevocable and shall be given by the Borrowers in the form of Exhibit A,
appropriately completed to specify the aggregate principal amount of the
Revolving Loans to be made pursuant to such Borrowing, the date of such
Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day) and whether the Revolving Loans
being
made pursuant to such Borrowing are to be initially maintained as Base Rate
Loans or Eurodollar Loans and, if Eurodollar Loans, the initial Interest
Period
to be applicable thereto. The Administrative Agent shall promptly give each
Lender notice of such proposed Borrowing, of such Lender's proportionate
share
thereof and of the other matters required by the immediately preceding sentence
to be specified in the Notice of Borrowing.
Β
(b)
Β
(i)Β Whenever
the Borrowers desire to make a Borrowing of Swingline Loans hereunder, an
Authorized Representative of the Borrowers shall give the Swingline Lender
not
later than 12:00 Noon (New York time) on the date that a Swingline Loan is
to be
made, written notice or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing of
each
Swingline Loan to be made hereunder. Each such notice shall be irrevocable
and
specify in each case (A) the date of Borrowing (which shall be a Business
Day)
and (B) the aggregate principal amount of the Swingline Loans to be made
pursuant to such Borrowing.
Β
(ii)Β Mandatory
Borrowings shall be made upon the notice specified in Section 2.01(c), with
the
Borrowers irrevocably agreeing, by their incurrence of any Swingline Loan,
to
the making of the Mandatory Borrowings as set forth in Section 2.01(c).
Β
(c)Β Without
in any way limiting the obligation of the Borrowers to confirm in writing
any
telephonic notice of any Borrowing, conversion or prepayment of Loans, the
Administrative Agent or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, may act
without liability upon the basis of telephonic notice of such Borrowing,
conversion or prepayment, believed by the Administrative Agent or the Swingline
Lender, as the case may be, in good faith to be from an Authorized
Representative of any Borrower prior to receipt of written confirmation.
In each
such case, each Borrower hereby waives the right to dispute the Administrative
Agent's record of the terms of such telephonic notice of such Borrowing,
conversion or prepayment.
Β
2.04Β Disbursement
of Funds.
Except
as otherwise specifically provided in the immediately succeeding sentence,
no
later than 12:00 Noon (New York time) on the date
Β
22
Β
specified
in each Notice of Borrowing (or (x) in the case of Swingline Loans, not later
than 2:00 P.M. (New York time) on the date specified pursuant to Section
2.03(b)(i) or (y) in the case of Mandatory Borrowings, not later than 12:00
Noon
(New York time) on the date specified in Section 2.01(c)), each Lender will
make
available its pro rata portion of each Borrowing to be made on such date
(or in
the case of Swingline Loans, the Swingline Lender shall make available the
full
amount thereof). All such amounts shall be made available in Dollars and
in
immediately available funds at the Payment Office, and the Administrative
Agent
will make available to the Borrowers at the Payment Office the aggregate
of the
amounts so made available by the Lenders (prior to 1:00 P.M. (New York time))
on
such day, to the extent of funds actually received by the Administrative
Agent
prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) on such day. Unless the Administrative
Agent
shall have been notified by any Lender prior to the date of Borrowing that
such
Lender does not intend to make available to the Administrative Agent such
Lender's portion of any Borrowing to be made on such date, the Administrative
Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to the
Administrative Agent on such date of Borrowing and the Administrative Agent
may,
in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrowers a
corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available
to the Administrative Agent by such Lender, the Administrative Agent shall
be
entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender.
If
such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon the
Administrative Agent's demand therefor, the Administrative Agent shall promptly
notify the Borrowers to immediately pay such corresponding amount to the
Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to
recover
on demand from such Lender or the Borrowers, as the case may be, interest
on
such corresponding amount in respect of each day from the date such
corresponding amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to the
Borrowers until the date such corresponding amount is recovered by the
Administrative Agent, at a rate per annum equal to (i) if recovered from
such
Lender, the overnight Federal Funds Rate for the first three days and at
the
interest rate otherwise applicable to such Loans for each day thereafter
and
(ii) if recovered from the Borrowers, the rate of interest applicable to
the
respective Borrowing, as determined pursuant to Section 2.08. Nothing in
this
Section 2.04 shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to
make
Loans hereunder or to prejudice any rights which the Borrowers may have against
any Lender as a result of any failure by such Lender to make Loans
hereunder.Β
Β
2.05Β Notes.
Β
(a)Β The
Borrowers' obligation to pay the principal of, and interest on, the Loans
made
by each Lender shall be evidenced in the Register maintained by the
Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 13.17 and shall, if requested by
such
Lender, also be evidenced (i) if Revolving Loans, by a promissory note duly
executed and delivered by the Borrowers substantially in the form of Exhibit
B-1, with blanks appropriately completed in conformity herewith (each a
"Revolving Note" and, collectively, the "Revolving Notes") and (ii) if Swingline
Loans, by a promissory note duly executed and delivered by the Borrowers
substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2, with blanks appropriately completed
in
conformity herewith (the "Swingline Note").
Β
(b)Β The
Revolving Note issued to each Lender requesting same shall (i) be executed
by
the Borrowers, (ii) be payable to such Lender or its registered assigns and
be
dated the Effective Date (or if issued thereafter, the date of issuance),
(iii)
be in a stated principal
Β
Β
23
Β
amount
equal to the Commitment of such Lender (or, if issued after the termination
thereof, be in a stated principal amount equal to the outstanding Revolving
Loans of such Lender at such time) and be payable in the principal amount
of the
Revolving Loans evidenced thereby, (iv) mature on the Maturity Date, (v)
bear
interest as provided in the appropriate clause of Section 2.08 in respect
of the
Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar Loans, as the case may be, evidenced thereby,
(vi) be subject to voluntary prepayment as provided in Section 5.01 and
mandatory repayment as provided in Section 5.02 and (vii) be entitled to
the
benefits of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.
Β
(c)Β The
Swingline Note issued to the Swingline Lender shall (i) be executed by the
Borrowers, (ii) be payable to the Swingline Lender or its registered assigns
and
be dated the Effective Date, (iii) be in a stated principal amount equal
to the
Maximum Swingline Amount and be payable in the principal amount of the
outstanding Swingline Loans evidenced thereby from time to time, (iv) mature
on
the Swingline Expiry Date, (v) bear interest as provided in the appropriate
clause of Section 2.08 in respect of the Base Rate Loans evidenced thereby,
(vi)
be subject to voluntary prepayment as provided in Section 5.01 and mandatory
repayment as provided in Section 5.02 and (vii) be entitled to the benefits
of
this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.
Β
(d)Β Each
Lender will note on its internal records the amount of each Loan made by
it and
each payment in respect thereof and will prior to any transfer of any of
its
Notes endorse on the reverse side thereof the outstanding principal amount
of
Loans evidenced thereby. Failure to make any such notation or any error in
any
such notation or endorsement shall not affect the Borrowers' obligations
in
respect of such Loans.
Β
(e)Β Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained above or elsewhere in this Agreement,
Notes
shall only be delivered to Lenders which at any time (or from time to time)
specifically request the delivery of such Notes. No failure of any Lender
to
request or obtain a Note evidencing its Loans to the Borrowers shall affect
or
in any manner impair the joint and several obligations of the Borrowers to
pay
the Loans (and all related Obligations) which would otherwise be evidenced
thereby in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement, and shall
not in
any way affect the guaranties therefor provided pursuant to the various Credit
Documents. Any Lender which does not have a Note evidencing its outstanding
Loans shall in no event be required to make the notations otherwise described
in
preceding clause (d) of this Section 2.05. At any time when any Lender requests
the delivery of a Note to evidence any of its Loans, the Borrowers shall
promptly execute and deliver to the respective Lender the requested Note
or
Notes in the appropriate amount or amounts to evidence such Loans.
Β
2.06Β Conversions.
The
Borrowers shall have the option to convert, on any Business Day, all or a
portion equal to at least the Minimum Borrowing Amount of the outstanding
principal amount of Revolving Loans made pursuant to one or more Borrowings
of
one or more Types of Revolving Loans into a Borrowing of another Type of
Revolving Loan, provided that (i) except as otherwise provided in Section
2.10(b), Eurodollar Loans may be converted into Base Rate Loans only on the
last
day of an Interest Period applicable thereto and no partial conversion of
Eurodollar Loans shall reduce the outstanding principal amount of such
Eurodollar Loans made pursuant to a single Borrowing to less than the Minimum
Borrowing
Β
Β
24
Β
Amount
applicable thereto, (ii) unless the Required Lenders otherwise agree in writing,
Base Rate Loans may only be converted into Eurodollar Loans if no Default
or
Event of Default is in existence on the date of the conversion, (iii) no
conversion pursuant to this Section 2.06 shall result in a greater number
of
Borrowings of Eurodollar Loans than is permitted under Section 2.02 and (iv)
Swingline Loans may not be converted pursuant to this Section 2.06. Each
such
conversion shall be affected by the Borrowers by giving the Administrative
Agent
at the Notice Office prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) at least three Business
Days' prior notice (each a "Notice of Conversion") specifying the Revolving
Loans to be so converted, the Borrowing or Borrowings pursuant to which such
Revolving Loans were made and, if to be converted into Eurodollar Loans,
the
Interest Period to be initially applicable thereto. The Administrative Agent
shall give each Lender prompt notice of any such proposed
conversion.Β
Β
2.07Β Pro
Rata Borrowings.
All
Borrowings of Revolving Loans under this Agreement shall be incurred from
the
Lenders pro rata on the basis of their Commitments. It is understood that
no
Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender of its
obligation to make Revolving Loans hereunder and that each Lender shall be
obligated to make the Revolving Loans provided to be made by it hereunder,
regardless of the failure of any other Lender to make its Revolving Loans
hereunder.Β
Β
2.08Β Interest.Β
Β
(a)Β The
Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay interest in respect of the unpaid
principal amount of each Base Rate Loan from the date the proceeds thereof
are
made available to the Borrowers until the earlier of (i) the maturity (whether
by acceleration or otherwise) of such Base Rate Loan and (ii) the conversion
of
such Base Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Loan pursuant to Section 2.06, at a rate
per
annum which shall be equal to the sum of the Applicable Base Rate Margin
plus
the Base Rate in effect from time to time.
Β
(b)Β The
Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay interest in respect of the unpaid
principal amount of each Eurodollar Loan from the date the proceeds thereof
are
made available to the Borrowers until the earlier of (i) the maturity (whether
by acceleration or otherwise) of such Eurodollar Loan and (ii) the conversion
of
such Eurodollar Loan to a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 2.06, 2.09 or
2.10,
as applicable, at a rate per annum which shall, during each Interest Period
applicable thereto, be equal to the sum of the Applicable Eurodollar Margin
plus
the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period.
Β
(c)Β Overdue
principal and, to the extent permitted by law, overdue interest in respect
of
each Loan shall, in each case, bear interest at a rate per annum equal to
the
greater of (x) the rate which is 2% in excess of the rate then borne by such
Loans and (y) the rate which is 2% in excess of the rate otherwise applicable
to
Base Rate Loans from time to time, and all other overdue amounts payable
hereunder and under any other Credit Document shall bear interest at a rate
per
annum equal to the rate which is 2% in excess of the rate applicable to Base
Rate Loans from time to time. Interest which accrues under this Section 2.08(c)
shall be payable on a joint and several basis by the Borrowers on demand.
Β
(d)Β Accrued
(and theretofore unpaid) interest shall be payable (i) in respect of each
Base
Rate Loan (x) quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly Payment Date, (y) in
the
case of a
Β
Β
25
Β
Β repayment
in full of all outstanding Base Rate Loans, on the date of such repayment
or
prepayment, and (z) at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) and,
after such maturity, on demand, and (ii) in respect of each Eurodollar Loan
(x)
on the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto and, in the case
of
an Interest Period in excess of three months, on each date occurring at three
month intervals after the first day of such Interest Period and (y) on any
repayment or prepayment (on the amount repaid or prepaid), at maturity (whether
by acceleration or otherwise) and, after such maturity, on demand.
Β
(e)Β Upon
each
Interest Determination Date, the Administrative Agent shall determine the
Eurodollar Rate for the respective Interest Period or Interest Periods and
shall
promptly notify the Borrowers and the Lenders thereof. Each such determination
shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding on all
parties
hereto.
Β
2.09Β Interest
Periods.
At the
time the Borrowers give any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion in
respect of the making of, or conversion into, any Eurodollar Loan (in the
case
of the initial Interest Period applicable thereto) or on the third Business
Day
prior to the expiration of an Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar
Loan
(in the case of any subsequent Interest Period), the Borrowers shall have
the
right to elect, by having an Authorized Representative of the Borrowers give
the
Administrative Agent notice thereof, the interest period (each an "Interest
Period") applicable to such Eurodollar Loan, which Interest Period shall,
at the
option of the Borrowers, be a one, two, three or six-month period, provided
that:Β
Β
(i)Β all
Eurodollar Loans comprising a Borrowing shall at all times have the same
Interest Period;
Β
(ii)Β the
initial Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan shall commence on the date
of
Borrowing of such Eurodollar Loan (including the date of any conversion thereto
from a Revolving Loan of a different Type) and each Interest Period occurring
thereafter in respect of such Eurodollar Loan shall commence on the day on
which
the next preceding Interest Period applicable thereto expires;
Β
(iii)Β if
any
Interest Period relating to a Eurodollar Loan begins on a day for which there
is
no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such
Interest Period, such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day
of such
calendar month;
Β
(iv)Β if
any
Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day which is not a Business Day,
such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day; provided,
however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Loan would otherwise
expire on a day which is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after
which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period
shall
expire on the next preceding Business Day;
Β
(v)Β unless
the Required Lenders otherwise agree in writing, no Interest Period may be
selected at any time when a Default or an Event of Default is then in existence;
and
Β
Β
26
Β
(vi)Β no
Interest Period in respect of any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans shall be
selected which extends beyond the Maturity Date.
Β
If
upon
the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to a Borrowing of Eurodollar
Loans, the Borrowers have failed to elect, or are not permitted to elect,
a new
Interest Period to be applicable to such Eurodollar Loans as provided above,
the
Borrowers shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Eurodollar Loans
into
Base Rate Loans effective as of the expiration date of such current Interest
Period.
Β
2.10Β Increased
Costs, Illegality, etc.Β
Β
(a)Β In
the
event that any Lender shall have determined (which determination shall, absent
manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto
but,
with respect to clause (i) below, may be made only by the Administrative
Agent):
Β
(i)Β on
any
Interest Determination Date that, by reason of any changes arising after
the
Effective Date affecting the interbank Eurodollar market, adequate and fair
means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable interest rate on the basis
provided for in the definition of Eurodollar Rate; or
Β
(ii)Β at
any
time, that such Lender shall incur increased costs or reductions in the amounts
received or receivable hereunder with respect to any Eurodollar Loan because
of
(x) any change since the Effective Date in any applicable law or governmental
rule, regulation, order, guideline or request (whether or not having the
force
of law) or in the interpretation or administration thereof and including
the
introduction of any new law or governmental rule, regulation, order, guideline
or request, such as, for example, but not limited to: (A) a change in the
basis
of taxation of payment to any Lender of the principal of or interest on such
Eurodollar Loan or any other amounts payable hereunder (except for changes
in
the rate of tax on, or determined by reference to, the net income or net
profits
of such Lender, or any franchise tax based on the net income or net profits
of
such Lender, in either case pursuant to the laws of the United States of
America, the jurisdiction in which it is organized or in which its principal
office or applicable lending office is located or any subdivision thereof
or
therein), but without duplication of any amounts payable in respect of Taxes
pursuant to Section 5.04(a), or (B) a change in official reserve requirements,
but, in all events, excluding reserves required under Regulation D to the
extent
included in the computation of the Eurodollar Rate and/or (y) other
circumstances since the Effective Date affecting such Lender or the interbank
Eurodollar market or the position of such Lender in such market (except as
a
result of a deterioration in the creditworthiness of such Lender subsequent
to
the date hereof); or
Β
(iii)at
any time, that the making or continuance of any Eurodollar Loan has been
made
(x) unlawful by any law or governmental rule, regulation or order, (y)
impossible by compliance by any Lender in good faith with any governmental
request (whether or not having force of law) or (z) impracticable as a result
of
a contingency occurring after the Effective Date which materially and adversely
affects the interbank Eurodollar market;
Β
Β
27
Β
then,
and
in any such event, such Lender (or the Administrative Agent, in the case
of
clause (i) above) shall promptly give notice (by telephone confirmed in writing)
to the Borrowers and, except in the case of clause (i) above, to the
Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice the Administrative
Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the other Lenders). Thereafter (x)
in
the case of clause (i) above, Eurodollar Loans shall no longer be available
until such time as the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrowers and the
Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice by the Administrative
Agent no longer exist, and any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion
given
by the Borrowers with respect to Eurodollar Loans which have not yet been
incurred (including by way of conversion) shall be deemed rescinded by the
Borrowers, (y) in the case of clause (ii) above, the Borrowers jointly and
severally agree to, subject to the provisions of Section 13.15 (to the extent
applicable), pay to such Lender, upon written demand therefor, such additional
amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a different method of
calculating, interest or otherwise as such Lender in its sole discretion
shall
determine) as shall be required to compensate such Lender for such increased
costs or reductions in amounts received or receivable hereunder (a written
notice as to the additional amounts owed to such Lender, showing the basis
for
the calculation thereof, submitted to the Borrowers by such Lender in good
faith
shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding on all
the
parties hereto) and (z) in the case of clause (iii) above, the Borrowers
shall
take one of the actions specified in Section 2.10(b) as promptly as possible
and, in any event, within the time period required by law. Each of the
Administrative Agent and each Lender agrees that if it gives notice to the
Borrowers of any of the events described in clause (i) or (iii) above, it
shall
promptly notify the Borrowers and, in the case of any such Lender, the
Administrative Agent, if such event ceases to exist. If any such event described
in clause (iii) above ceases to exist as to a Lender, the obligations of
such
Lender to make Eurodollar Loans and to convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar
Loans on the terms and conditions contained herein shall be reinstated.
Β
(b)Β At
any
time that any Eurodollar Loan is affected by the circumstances described
in
Section 2.10(a)(ii) or (iii), the Borrowers may (and in the case of a Eurodollar
Loan affected by the circumstances described in Section 2.10(a)(iii) shall)
either (x) if the affected Eurodollar Loan is then being made initially or
pursuant to a conversion, cancel the respective Borrowing by giving the
Administrative Agent telephonic notice (confirmed in writing) on the same
date
that the Borrowers were notified by the affected Lender or the Administrative
Agent pursuant to Section 2.10(a)(ii) or (iii) or (y) if the affected Eurodollar
Loan is then outstanding, upon at least three Business Days' written notice
to
the Administrative Agent, require the affected Lender to convert such Eurodollar
Loan into a Base Rate Loan, provided that, if more than one Lender is affected
at any time, then all affected Lenders must be treated the same pursuant
to this
Section 2.10(b).
Β
(c)Β If
at any
time after the Effective Date any Lender determines that the introduction
of or
any change in any applicable law or governmental rule, regulation, order,
guideline, directive or request (whether or not having the force of law)
concerning capital adequacy, or any change in interpretation or administration
thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency,
will
have the effect of increasing the amount of capital required or expected
to be
maintained by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender based
on
the existence of such Lender's Commitment hereunder or its obligations
hereunder, then the Borrowers jointly and severally agree, subject to the
provisions of Section
Β
Β
28
Β
13.15
(to
the extent applicable), to pay to such Lender, upon its written demand therefor,
such additional amounts as shall be required to compensate such Lender or
such
other corporation for the increased cost to such Lender or such other
corporation or the reduction in the rate of return to such Lender or such
other
corporation as a result of such increase of capital. In determining such
additional amounts, each Lender will act reasonably and in good faith and
will
use averaging and attribution methods which are reasonable, provided that
such
Lender's reasonable good faith determination of compensation owing under
this
Section 2.10(c) shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and
binding on all the parties hereto. Each Lender, upon determining that any
additional amounts will be payable pursuant to this Section 2.10(c), will
give
written notice thereof to the Borrowers, which notice shall show the basis
for
calculation of such additional amounts.
Β
2.11Β Compensation.
The
Borrowers jointly and severally agree, subject to the provisions of Section
13.15 (to the extent applicable), to compensate each Lender, upon its written
request (which request shall set forth the basis for requesting such
compensation), for all reasonable losses, expenses and liabilities (including,
without limitation, any loss, expense or liability incurred by reason of
the
liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds required by such Lender
to fund its Eurodollar Loans but excluding any loss of anticipated profit)
which
such Lender may sustain: (i) if for any reason (other than a default by such
Lender or the Administrative Agent) a Borrowing of, or conversion from or
into,
Eurodollar Loans does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Notice
of
Borrowing or Notice of Conversion (whether or not withdrawn by the Borrowers
or
deemed withdrawn pursuant to Section 2.10(a)); (ii) if any repayment (including
any repayment made pursuant to Section 5.02 or as a result of an acceleration
of
the Loans pursuant to Section 11) or conversion of any of its Eurodollar
Loans
occurs on a date which is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect
thereto; (iii) if any prepayment of any of its Eurodollar Loans is not made
on
any date specified in a notice of prepayment given by the Borrowers; or (iv)
as
a consequence of (x) any other default by the Borrowers to repay its Loans
when
required by the terms of this Agreement or any Note held by such Lender or
(y)
any election made pursuant to Section 2.10(b).
Β
2.12Β Change
of Lending Office.
Each
Lender agrees that upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation
of Section 2.10(a)(ii) or (iii), Section 2.10(c), Section 3.06 or Section
5.04
with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrowers, use
reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender)
to
designate another lending office for any Loans or Letters of Credit affected
by
such event, provided that such designation is made on such terms that such
Lender and its lending office suffer no economic, legal or regulatory
disadvantage, with the object of avoiding the consequence of the event giving
rise to the operation of such Section. Nothing in this Section 2.12 shall
affect
or postpone any of the obligations of the Borrowers or the rights of any
Lender
provided in Sections 2.10, 3.06 and 5.04.Β
Β
2.13Β Replacement
of Lenders.
(x) If
any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender or otherwise defaults in its obligations
to make Loans or fund Unpaid Drawings, (y) upon the occurrence of any event
giving rise to the operation of Section 2.10(a)(ii) or (iii), Section 2.10(c),
Section 3.06 or Section 5.04 with respect to any Lender which results in
such
Lender charging to the Borrowers increased costs in excess of those being
generally charged by the other Lenders or (z) as provided in Section 13.12(b)
in
the case of certain refusals by a Lender to
Β
Β
29
Β
consent
to certain proposed changes, waivers, discharges or terminations with respect
to
this Agreement which have been approved by the Required Lenders, the Borrowers
shall have the right, if no Default or Event of Default will exist immediately
after giving effect to the respective replacement, to replace such Lender
(the
"Replaced Lender") with one or more other Eligible Transferee or Transferees,
none of whom shall constitute a Defaulting Lender at the time of such
replacement (collectively, the "Replacement Lender"), reasonably acceptable
to
the Administrative Agent, provided that (i) at the time of any replacement
pursuant to this Section 2.13, the Replacement Lender shall enter into one
or
more Assignment and Assumption Agreements pursuant to Section 13.04(b) (and
with
all fees payable pursuant to said Section 13.04(b) to be paid by the Replacement
Lender) pursuant to which the Replacement Lender shall acquire all of the
Commitments and outstanding Revolving Loans of, and participations in Letters
of
Credit by, the Replaced Lender and, in connection therewith, shall pay to
(x)
the Replaced Lender in respect thereof an amount equal to the sum of (A)
an
amount equal to the principal of, and all accrued interest on, all outstanding
Revolving Loans of the Replaced Lender, (B) an amount equal to all Unpaid
Drawings that have been funded by (and not reimbursed to) such Replaced Lender,
together with all then unpaid interest with respect thereto at such time
and (C)
an amount equal to all accrued, but theretofore unpaid, Fees owing to the
Replaced Lender pursuant to Section 4.01, (y) each Issuing Lender an amount
equal to such Replaced Lender's Percentage of any Unpaid Drawing (which at
such
time remains an Unpaid Drawing) to the extent such amount was not theretofore
funded by such Replaced Lender to such Issuing Lender and (z) the Swingline
Lender an amount equal to such Replaced Lender's Percentage of any Mandatory
Borrowing to the extent such amount was not theretofore funded by such Replaced
Lender to the Swingline Lender, and (ii) all obligations of the Borrowers
owing
to the Replaced Lender (other than those specifically described in clause
(i)
above in respect of which the assignment purchase price has been, or is
concurrently being, paid) shall be paid in full to such Replaced Lender
concurrently with such replacement. Upon the execution of the respective
Assignment and Assumption Agreements, the payment of amounts referred to
in
clauses (i) and (ii) above and, if so requested by the Replacement Lender,
delivery to the Replacement Lender of the appropriate Revolving Notes executed
by the Borrowers, the Replacement Lender shall become a Lender hereunder
and the
Replaced Lender shall cease to constitute a Lender hereunder, except with
respect to indemnification provisions under this Agreement (including, without
limitation, Sections 2.10, 2.11, 3.06, 5.04, 13.01 and 13.06), which shall
survive as to such Replaced Lender.Β
Β
SECTION
3.Β Letters
of Credit.Β
Β
3.01Β Letters
of Credit.
Β
(a)Β Subject
to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Borrowers may
request
that any Issuing Lender issue, at any time and from time to time on and after
the Effective Date and prior to the Maturity Date, for the joint and several
account of the Borrowers and for the benefit of (x) any holder (or any trustee,
agent or other similar representative for any such holders) of L/C Supportable
Obligations of the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries, an
irrevocable standby letter of credit, in a form customarily used by such
Issuing
Lender or in such other form as has been approved by such Issuing Lender
and (y)
sellers of goods to the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries,
an
irrevocable trade letter of credit, in a form customarily used by such Issuing
Lender or in such other form as has
Β
30
Β
been
approved by such Issuing Lender (each such letter of credit, a "Letter of
Credit" and, collectively, the "Letters of Credit"). All Letters of Credit
shall
be denominated in Dollars or an Alternate Currency and shall be issued on
a
sight basis only; provided, however, trade Letters of Credit may also be
issued
on an acceptance basis providing for drafts thereunder to be drawn on the
relevant Issuing Lender for any period of no less than 30 days and no more
than
six months sight, by which a bankers' acceptance will be created. It is hereby
acknowledged and agreed that each of the Existing Letters of Credit shall,
from
and after the Effective Date, constitute a "Letter of Credit" for purposes
of
this Agreement, which shall be deemed to have been issued hereunder on the
Effective Date.
Β
(b)Β Each
Issuing Lender may agree, in its sole discretion, and JPMCB hereby agrees
that
in the event a requested Letter of Credit is not issued by one of the other
Issuing Lenders, it will (subject to the terms and conditions contained herein),
at any time and from time to time on or after the Effective Date and prior
to
the Maturity Date, following its receipt of the respective Letter of Credit
Request, issue for the account of the Borrowers one or more Letters of Credit
as
is permitted to exist pursuant to this Agreement without giving rise to a
Default or Event of Default hereunder, provided that the respective Issuing
Lender shall be under no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit of the
types
described above if at the time of such issuance:
Β
(i)Β any
order, judgment or decree of any governmental authority or arbitrator shall
purport by its terms to enjoin or restrain such Issuing Lender from issuing
such
Letter of Credit or any requirement of law applicable to such Issuing Lender
or
any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any
governmental authority with jurisdiction over such Issuing Lender shall
prohibit, or request that such Issuing Lender refrain from, the issuance
of
letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall
impose upon such Issuing Lender with respect to such Letter of Credit any
restriction or reserve or capital requirement (for which such Issuing Lender
is
not otherwise compensated) not in effect on the date hereof, or any unreimbursed
loss, cost or expense which was not applicable, in effect or known to such
Issuing Lender as of the date hereof and which such Issuing Lender in good
xxxxx
xxxxx material to it; or
Β
(ii)Β such
Issuing Lender shall have received notice from any Lender prior to the issuance
of such Letter of Credit of the type described in the second sentence of
Section
3.03(b).
Β
(c)Β Notwithstanding
the foregoing, (i) no Letter of Credit shall be issued the Stated Amount
of
which, when added to the Letter of Credit Outstandings (exclusive of Unpaid
Drawings which are repaid on the date of, and prior to the issuance of, the
respective Letter of Credit) at such time would exceed either (x) $100,000,000
or (y) when added to the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans
then
outstanding and Swingline Loans then outstanding, an amount equal to the
Total
Commitment at such time, (ii) no Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternate
Currency shall be issued the Stated Amount of which, when added to the Letter
of
Credit Outstandings (exclusive of Unpaid Drawings which are repaid on the
date
of, and prior to the issuance of, the respective Letter of Credit) at such
time
in respect of all other outstanding Letters of Credit denominated in an
Alternate Currency, would exceed $25,000,000 unless the Administrative Agent
and
the respective Issuing Lender consents in writing prior to the issuance
Β
Β
31
Β
thereof,
(iii) no Acceptance shall be created the Stated Amount of which, when added
to
the Stated Amounts of all Acceptances outstanding at such time, would exceed
$15,000,000 and (iv) each Letter of Credit shall by its terms terminate on
or
before (A) in the case of standby Letters of Credit, the earlier of (x) the
date
which occurs 24 months after the date of the issuance thereof (although any
such
Letter of Credit may be extendible for successive periods of up to 24 months,
but not beyond the fifth Business Day prior to the Maturity Date, on terms
acceptable to the Issuing Lender thereof) and (y) the fifth Business Day
prior
to the Maturity Date and (B) in the case of trade Letters of Credit, the
earlier
of (x) the date which occurs 12 months after the date of the issuance thereof
and (y) the date which is thirty Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.
Additionally, no Issuing Lender will issue or amend any Letter of Credit
whereby
the Expiration Date thereof, or of any Acceptance to be created thereunder,
by
such Issuing Lender will occur after the Maturity Date.
Β
3.02Β Minimum
Stated Amount.
The
Stated Amount of each Letter of Credit shall not be less than $10,000 or
such
lesser amount as is acceptable to the respective Issuing Lender.Β
Β
3.03Β Letter
of Credit Requests.
Β
(a)Β Whenever
the Borrowers desire that a Letter of Credit be issued by an Issuing Lender,
they shall have (x) executed and delivered to the respective Issuing Lender
(with copies having been sent to the Administrative Agent) at least five
Business Days prior to the issuance thereof (or such shorter period as may
be
acceptable to the respective Issuing Lender), a Letter of Credit Request
in the
form of Exhibit C-1 attached hereto (each a "Letter of Credit Request") and
(y)
in the case of requests for the issuance of trade Letters of Credit (and,
to the
extent requested by the respective Issuing Lender, standby Letters of Credit),
completed and executed a letter of credit application in the form customarily
used by such Issuing Lender for trade or standby letters of credit, as
applicable, or in such other form as the Administrative Agent and the Issuing
Lender shall request. Letter of Credit Requests shall be given in writing
(including, to the extent consented to by the respective Issuing Lender,
by
electronic transmission), or in the case of requests of trade Letters of
Credit,
by telephone, if promptly confirmed in writing, provided that (I) if the
express
provisions of any letter of credit application conflict with the express
provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control
to
the extent of such conflict and (II) no event (other than the failure to
reimburse any Drawing as provided for in Section 3.05) which constitutes
a
default under any application shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder
solely by reason of any default provisions contained in such application.
Β
(b)Β The
making of each Letter of Credit Request shall be deemed to be a representation
and warranty by the Borrowers that such Letter of Credit may be issued in
accordance with, and will not violate the requirements of, Section 3.01(c).
Unless the respective Issuing Lender has received notice from any Lender
before
it issues a Letter of Credit that one or more of the conditions specified
in
Section 5 or 6 are not then satisfied, or that the issuance of such Letter
of
Credit would violate Section 3.01(c), then such Issuing Lender may issue
the
requested Letter of Credit for the joint and several account of the Borrowers
in
accordance with such Issuing Lender's usual and customary practices. Upon
its
issuance of, or modification or amendment to, any Letter of Credit, such
Issuing
Lender shall promptly notify the Borrowers,
Β
Β
32
Β
the
Administrative Agent and each Lender of such issuance, modification or
amendment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement,
in the event that a Lender Default exists, no Issuing Lender shall be required
to issue any Letter of Credit unless such Issuing Lender has entered into
arrangements satisfactory to it and the Borrowers to eliminate such Issuing
Lender's risk with respect to the participation in Letters of Credit by the
Defaulting Lender or Lenders, including by cash collateralizing such Defaulting
Lender's or Lenders' Percentage or Percentages of the Letter of Credit
Outstandings.
Β
3.04Β Letter
of Credit Participations.
Β
(a)Β Immediately
upon the issuance by any Issuing Lender of any Letter of Credit, such Issuing
Lender shall be deemed to have sold and transferred to each Lender, other
than
such Issuing Lender (each such Lender, in its capacity under this Section
3.04,
a "Participant"), and each such Participant shall be deemed irrevocably and
unconditionally to have purchased and received from such Issuing Lender,
without
recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation, to the extent
of
such Participant's Percentage, in such Letter of Credit, each drawing made
thereunder and Acceptances created thereunder and the obligations of the
Borrowers under this Agreement with respect thereto, and any security therefor
or guaranty pertaining thereto. Upon any change in the Commitments or
Percentages of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.13 or 13.04, it is hereby
agreed that, with respect to all outstanding Letters of Credit, Acceptances
created thereunder and Unpaid Drawings with respect thereto, there shall
be an
automatic adjustment to the participations pursuant to this Section 3.04
to
reflect the new Percentages of the assignor and assignee Lender or of all
Lenders, as the case may be.
Β
(b)Β In
determining whether to pay or create an Acceptance under any Letter of Credit,
such Issuing Lender shall have no obligation relative to the other Lenders
other
than to confirm that any documents required to be delivered under such Letter
of
Credit appear to have been delivered and that they appear to substantially
comply on their face with the requirements of such Letter of Credit. Any
action
taken or omitted to be taken by any Issuing Lender under or in connection
with
any Letter of Credit if taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence
or
willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in
a
final and non-appealable proceeding, shall not create for such Issuing Lender
any resulting liability to the Borrowers or any Lender.
Β
(c)Β In
the
event that any Issuing Lender makes any payment under any Letter of Credit
issued by it or any Acceptance created thereunder and the Borrowers shall
not
have reimbursed such amount in full to such Issuing Lender pursuant to Section
3.05(a), such Issuing Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent,
which shall promptly notify each Participant of such failure, and each
Participant shall promptly and unconditionally pay to such Issuing Lender
the
amount of such Participant's Percentage of such unreimbursed payment in Dollars
and in same day funds. If the Administrative Agent so notifies, prior to
11:00
A.M. (New York time) on any Business Day, any Participant required to fund
a
payment under a Letter of Credit or an Acceptance created thereunder, such
Participant shall make available to such Issuing Lender in Dollars such
Participant's Percentage of the amount of such payment (using the Dollar
Equivalent thereof in the case of any such payment in respect of a Letter
of
Credit denominated in an Alternate Currency, determined on the date of such
payment) on such
Β
Β
33
Β
Business
Day in same day funds. If and to the extent such Participant shall not have
so
made its Percentage of the amount of such payment available to such Issuing
Lender, such Participant agrees to pay to such Issuing Lender, forthwith
on
demand, such amount, together with interest thereon, for each day from such
date
until the date such amount is paid to such Issuing Lender at the overnight
Federal Funds Rate for the first three days and at the interest rate applicable
to Revolving Loans maintained as Base Rate Loans for each day thereafter.
The
failure of any Participant to make available to such Issuing Lender its
Percentage of any payment under any Letter of Credit or Acceptance shall
not
relieve any other Participant of its obligation hereunder to make available
to
such Issuing Lender its Percentage of any payment with respect to any Letter
of
Credit or Acceptance created thereunder on the date required, as specified
above, but no Participant shall be responsible for the failure of any other
Participant to make available to such Issuing Lender such other Participant's
Percentage of any such payment.
Β
(d)Β Whenever
any Issuing Lender receives a payment of a reimbursement obligation as to
which
it has received any payments from the Participants pursuant to clause (c)
above,
such Issuing Lender shall pay to each Participant which has paid its Percentage
thereof, in Dollars and in same day funds, an amount equal to such Participant's
share (based upon the proportionate aggregate amount originally funded by
such
Participant to the aggregate amount funded by all Participants) of the principal
amount of such reimbursement obligation and interest thereon accruing after
the
purchase of the respective participations.
Β
(e)Β Upon
the
request of any Participant, the relevant Issuing Lender shall deliver to
such
Participant copies of any Letter of Credit issued by it and such other
documentation as may be reasonably requested by such Participant.
Β
(f)Β The
obligations of the Participants to make payments to each Issuing Lender with
respect to Letters of Credit and Acceptances issued thereunder shall be
irrevocable and not subject to any qualification or exception whatsoever
(the
respective Issuing Lender's only obligation being to confirm that any documents
required to be delivered under such Letter of Credit appeared to have been
delivered and that they appear to substantially comply on their face with
the
requirements of such Letter of Credit) and shall be made in accordance with
the
terms and conditions of this Agreement under all circumstances, including,
without limitation, any of the following circumstances:
Β
(i)Β any
lack
of validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Credit
Documents;
Β
(ii)Β the
existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right which the Borrowers
or
any of their Subsidiaries may have at any time against a beneficiary named
in a
Letter of Credit, any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Person for
whom
any such transferee may be acting), any holder of an Acceptance, the
Administrative Agent, any Participant, or any other Person, whether in
connection with this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any Acceptance, the
transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transactions (including
any
underlying transaction between any Borrower and the beneficiary named in
any
such Letter of Credit);
Β
Β
34
Β
(iii)Β any
draft, 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;
Β
(iv)Β the
surrender or impairment of any security for the performance or observance
of any
of the terms of any of the Credit Documents; or
Β
(v)Β the
occurrence of any Default or Event of Default.
Β
3.05Β Agreement
to Repay Letter of Credit Drawings and Acceptance
Payments.
Β
(a)Β The
Borrowers hereby jointly and severally agree to reimburse the respective
Issuing
Lender, by making payment in Dollars (or in an amount equal to the Dollar
Equivalent of any payments or disbursements in respect of Letters of Credit
denominated in an Alternate Currency determined on the date of such payment
or
disbursement) to the Administrative Agent at the Payment Office in immediately
available funds for the account of such Issuing Lender for any payment or
disbursement made by such Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit or
Acceptance created thereunder (each such amount (using the Dollar Equivalent
of
any payment or disbursement with respect to Letters of Credit or Acceptances
denominated in an Alternate Currency determined on the date of such payment
or
disbursement) so paid until reimbursed, an "Unpaid Drawing"), immediately
after,
and in any event on the date of such payment or disbursement, with interest
on
the amount so paid or disbursed by such Issuing Lender, to the extent not
reimbursed prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) on the date of such payment
or
disbursement, from and including the date paid or disbursed to but excluding
the
date such Issuing Lender was reimbursed by the Borrowers therefor at a rate
per
annum which shall be the Base Rate in effect from time to time plus the
Applicable Base Rate Margin, provided, however, to the extent such amounts
are
not reimbursed prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) on the second Business
Day
following such payment or disbursement, interest shall thereafter accrue
on the
amounts so paid or disbursed by such Issuing Lender (and until reimbursed
by the
Borrowers) at a rate per annum which shall be the Base Rate in effect from
time
to time plus the Applicable Base Rate Margin plus 2%, in each such case,
with
interest to be payable by the Borrowers on demand. The respective Issuing
Lender
shall give the Borrowers prompt notice of each Drawing under any Letter of
Credit or payment under any Acceptance created thereunder, provided that
the
failure to give any such notice shall in no way affect, impair or diminish
the
Borrowers' obligations hereunder.
Β
(b)Β The
obligations of the Borrowers under this Section 3.05 to reimburse the respective
Issuing Lender with respect to drawings on Letters of Credit and payments
under
any Acceptance created thereunder (each, a "Drawing") (including interest
thereon) shall be joint and several and shall be absolute and unconditional
under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim
or
defense to payment which any Borrower may have or have had against any Lender
(including in its capacity as issuer of the Letter of Credit or as Participant),
or any nonapplication or misapplication by the beneficiary of the proceeds
of
such Drawing, the respective Issuing Lender's only obligation to the Borrowers
being to confirm that any documents required to be delivered under such Letter
of Credit appear to have been delivered and that they appear to substantially
comply on their face with the requirements of such Letter of
Β
Β
35
Β
Credit.
Any action taken or omitted to be taken by any Issuing Lender under or in
connection with any Letter of Credit or any Acceptance created thereunder
if
taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct,
shall
not create for such Issuing Lender any resulting liability to the Borrowers.
Β
3.06Β Increased
Costs.
If at
any time after the date of this Agreement, the introduction of or any change
in
any applicable law, rule, regulation, order, guideline or request or in the
interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority charged
with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Issuing
Lender or any Participant with any request or directive by any such authority
(whether or not having the force of law), or any change in generally acceptable
accounting principles, shall either (i) impose, modify or make applicable
any
reserve, deposit, capital adequacy or similar requirement against Letters
of
Credit issued, or Acceptances created, by any Issuing Lender or participated
in
by any Participant, or (ii) impose on any Issuing Lender or any Participant
any
other conditions relating, directly or indirectly, to this Agreement, any
Letter
of Credit or any Acceptance created thereunder; and the result of any of
the
foregoing is to increase the cost to any Issuing Lender or any Participant
of
issuing, maintaining or participating in any Letter of Credit or any Acceptance
created thereunder, or reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable
by
any Issuing Lender or any Participant hereunder or reduce the rate of return
on
its capital with respect to Letters of Credit or Acceptances created thereunder
(except for changes in the rate of tax on, or determined by reference to,
the
net income or net profits of such Issuing Lender or such Participant, or
any
franchise tax based on the net income or net profits of such Lender or
Participant, in either case pursuant to the laws of the United States of
America, the jurisdiction in which it is organized or in which its principal
office or applicable lending office is located or any subdivision thereof
or
therein), but without duplication of any amounts payable in respect of Taxes
pursuant to Section 5.04(a), then, upon demand to the Borrowers by such Issuing
Lender or any Participant (a copy of which demand shall be sent by such Issuing
Lender or such Participant to the Administrative Agent) and subject to the
provisions of Section 13.15 (to the extent applicable), the Borrowers jointly
and severally agree to pay to such Issuing Lender or such Participant such
additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such increased
cost or reduction in the amount receivable or reduction on the rate of return
on
its capital. Any Issuing Lender or any Participant, upon determining that
any
additional amounts will be payable pursuant to this Section 3.06, will give
prompt written notice thereof to the Borrowers, which notice shall include
a
certificate submitted to the Borrowers by such Issuing Lender or such
Participant (a copy of which certificate shall be sent by such Issuing Lender
or
such Participant to the Administrative Agent), setting forth in reasonable
detail the basis for the calculation of such additional amount or amounts
necessary to compensate such Issuing Lender or such Participant. The certificate
required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 3.06 shall, if delivered
in
good faith and absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding
on the
Borrowers.Β
Β
SECTION
4. Fees;
Reductions and Increases of Commitment.
Β
4.01Β Fees.
Β
(a)Β The
Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent
for
distribution to each Non-Defaulting Lender a commitment fee (the "Commitment
Fee") for the period from the Effective Date to but excluding the Maturity
Date
(or such earlier
Β
Β
36
Β
date
as
the Total Commitment shall have been terminated), computed at a rate per
annum
equal to the Applicable Commitment Fee on the Unutilized Commitment of such
Non-Defaulting Lender as in effect from time to time. Accrued Commitment
Fee
shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly Payment Date
and
on the Maturity Date or such earlier date upon which the Total Commitment
is
terminated.
Β
(b)Β The
Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent
for pro
rata distribution to each Non-Defaulting Lender a fee in respect of (x) each
Letter of Credit issued hereunder (the "Letter of Credit Fee"), for the period
from and including the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in
the
case of the Existing Letters of Credit, from the Effective Date) to and
including the Expiration Date of such Letter of Credit, computed at a rate
per
annum equal to the Applicable Eurodollar Margin as in effect from time to
time
on the Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit as in effect from time to time
and
(y) each Acceptance (the "Acceptance Fee") for the period from and including
the
date of creation of such Acceptance (or, in the case of the Existing
Acceptances, from the Effective Date) to and including the Expiration Date
of
such Acceptance, computed at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Eurodollar
Margin as in effect from time to time on the daily Stated Amount of such
Acceptance. Accrued Letter of Credit Fees and Acceptance Fees shall be due
and
payable quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly Payment Date and upon the
first
day on or after the termination of the Total Commitment upon which no Letters
of
Credit or Acceptances remain outstanding.
Β
(c)Β The
Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay to the respective Issuing Lender,
for its own account, a facing fee in respect of (x) each standby Letter of
Credit issued for its account hereunder (the "Letter of Credit Facing Fee")
for
the period from and including the date of issuance of such standby Letter
of
Credit to and including the Expiration Date of such standby Letter of Credit,
computed at a rate equal to 1/8 of 1% per annum of the daily Stated Amount
of
such standby Letter of Credit and (y) each Acceptance created by it (the
"Acceptance Facing Fee," and together with the Letter of Credit Facing Fees,
the
"Facing Fees") for the period from and including the date of creation of
such
Acceptance to and including the Expiration Date of such Acceptance, computed
at
a rate equal to 1/8 of 1% per annum of the daily Stated Amount of such
Acceptance. Accrued Facing Fees shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears
on
each Quarterly Payment Date and on the date upon which the Total Commitment
has
been terminated and all standby Letters of Credit and Acceptances have been
terminated in accordance with their terms.
Β
(d)Β The
Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay, upon each drawing under, issuance
or creation of, or amendment to any Letter of Credit or Acceptance, such
amount
as shall at the time of such event be the administrative charges and
out-of-pocket expenses (including examination fees in respect of trade Letters
of Credit and Acceptances) which the respective Issuing Lender is generally
imposing in connection with such occurrence with respect to letters of credit
or
acceptances, as the case may be.
Β
(e)Β The
Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay to the Agents, for their own
account, such other fees as have been agreed to in writing by the Borrowers
and
the Agents.
Β
Β
37
Β
4.02Β Voluntary
Termination of Unutilized Commitments.
Β
(a)Β Upon
at
least two Business Days' prior notice from an Authorized Representative of
the
Borrowers to the Administrative Agent at the Notice Office (which notice
the
Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Lenders), the
Borrowers shall have the right, at any time or from time to time, without
premium or penalty, to terminate the Total Unutilized Commitment, in whole
or in
part, in integral multiples of $1,000,000, provided that (i) each such reduction
shall apply proportionately to permanently reduce the Commitment of each
Lender,
and (ii) the reduction to the Total Unutilized Commitment shall in no case
be in
an amount which would cause the Commitment of any Lender to be reduced (as
required by preceding clause (i)) by an amount which exceeds the remainder
of
(x) the Unutilized Commitment of such Lender as in effect immediately before
giving effect to such reduction minus (y) such Lender's Percentage of the
aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans then outstanding.
Β
(b)Β In
the
event of certain refusals by a Lender as provided in Section 13.12(b) to
consent
to certain proposed changes, waivers, discharges or terminations with respect
to
this Agreement which have been approved by the Required Lenders, the Borrowers
may, subject to their compliance with the requirements of said Section 13.12(b),
upon five Business Days' written notice to the Administrative Agent at the
Notice Office (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit
to
each of the Lenders) terminate the Commitment of such Lender so long as all
Loans, together with accrued and unpaid interest, Fees and all other amounts,
owing to such Lender are repaid concurrently with the effectiveness of such
termination (at which time Schedule I shall be deemed modified to reflect
such
changed amounts), and at such time, such Lender shall no longer constitute
a
"Lender" for purposes of this Agreement, except with respect to indemnifications
under this Agreement (including, without limitation, Sections 2.10, 2.11,
3.06,
5.04, 13.01 and 13.06), which shall survive as to such repaid Lender.
Β
4.03Β Mandatory
Reduction of Commitments.
The
Total
Commitment (and the Commitment of each Lender) shall terminate in its entirety
on the earlier of (i) the date on which a Change of Control occurs and (ii)
the
Maturity Date.Β
Β
4.04Β Increase
in Commitments.
Furniture Brands may, from time to time, at its option, seek to increase
the
Total Commitment by up to an aggregate amount of $200,000,000 (resulting
in a
maximum Total Commitment of $600,000,000) upon at least three (3) Business
Days'
prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, which notice shall specify
the
amount of any such increase and shall be delivered at a time when no Default
or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. After delivery of such notice,
the Administrative Agent or Furniture Brands, in consultation with the
Administrative Agent, may offer the increase (which may be declined by any
Lender in its sole discretion) in the Total Commitment on either a ratable
basis
to the Lenders or on a non pro-rata basis to one or more Lenders and/or to
other
Lenders or entities reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, the
Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and Furniture Brands. No increase in
the
Total Commitment shall become effective until the existing or new Lenders
extending such incremental Commitment amount and the Borrowers shall have
delivered to the Administrative Agent a document in form reasonably satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent pursuant to which any such existing Lender states
the amount of its Commitment increase, any such new Lender states its Commitment
amount and agrees to assume
Β
Β
38
Β
and
accept the obligations and rights of a Lender hereunder and the Borrowers
accept
such incremental Commitments. The Lenders (new or existing) shall accept
an
assignment from the existing Lenders, and the existing Lenders shall make
an
assignment to the new or existing Lender accepting a new or increased
Commitment, of a direct or participation interest in each then outstanding
Loan
and Letter of Credit such that, after giving effect thereto, all credit exposure
hereunder is held ratably by the Lenders in proportion to their respective
Commitment. Assignments pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be made
in
exchange for the principal amount assigned plus accrued and unpaid interest
and
commitment and Letter of Credit fees. The Borrowers shall make any payments
under Section 2.11 resulting from such assignments. Any such increase of
the
Total Commitment shall be subject to receipt by the Administrative Agent
from
the Borrowers of such supplemental opinions, resolutions, certificates and
other
documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.Β
Β
SECTION
5.Β Prepayments;
Payments; Taxes.
Β
5.01Β Voluntary
Prepayments.
Β
(a)Β The
Borrowers shall have the right to prepay the Loans, without premium or penalty,
in whole or in part at any time and from time to time on the following terms
and
conditions: (i) an Authorized Representative of the Borrowers shall give
the
Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) at the Notice Office
(x) at least one Business Day's prior written notice (or telephonic notice
promptly confirmed in writing) of the Borrowers' intent to prepay Base Rate
Loans (or same day notice in the case of Swingline Loans provided such notice
is
given prior to 11:00 A.M. (New York time)) and (y) at least three Business
Days'
prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing)
of
their intent to prepay Eurodollar Loans, whether Revolving Loans or Swingline
Loans shall be prepaid, the amount of such prepayment and the Types of Loans
to
be prepaid and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the specific Borrowing or
Borrowings pursuant to which made, which notice the Administrative Agent
shall
promptly transmit to each of the Lenders; (ii) each prepayment shall be in
an
aggregate principal amount of at least $1,000,000 (or $500,000 in the case
of
Swingline Loans), provided that if any partial prepayment of Eurodollar Loans
made pursuant to any Borrowing shall reduce the outstanding Eurodollar Loans
made pursuant to such Borrowing to an amount less than the Minimum Borrowing
Amount applicable thereto, then such Borrowing may not be continued as a
Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans and any election of an Interest Period with
respect thereto given by the Borrowers shall have no force or effect; and
(iii)
each prepayment in respect of any Revolving Loans made pursuant to a Borrowing
shall be applied pro rata among such Revolving Loans, provided that at the
Borrowers' election in connection with any prepayment of Revolving Loans
pursuant to this Section 5.01(a), such prepayment shall not, so long as no
Default or Event of Default then exists, be applied to the prepayment of
Revolving Loans of a Defaulting Lender.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β In
the event of certain
refusals by a Lender as provided in Section 13.12(b) to consent to certain
proposed changes, waivers, discharges or terminations with respect to this
Agreement which have been approved by the Required Lenders, the Borrowers
may,
upon five Business Days' written notice by an Authorized Representative of
the
Borrowers to the Administrative Agent at the Notice Office (which notice
the
Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Lenders) repay
all
Revolving Loans, together with accrued and
Β
39
Β
unpaid
interest, Fees, and other amounts owing to such Lender in accordance with,
and
subject to the requirements of, said Section 13.12(b) so long as (A) the
Commitment of such Lender is terminated concurrently with such repayment
(at
which time Schedule I shall be deemed modified to reflect the changed
Commitments) and (B) the consents required by Section 13.12(b) in connection
with the repayment pursuant to this clause (b) have been obtained.
Β
5.02Β Mandatory
Repayments and Cash Collateralizations.
Β
(a)Β On
any
day on which the sum of (I) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of
all
Revolving Loans (after giving effect to all other repayments thereof on such
date), (II) the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans (after
giving
effect to all other repayments thereof on such date) and (III) the aggregate
amount of all Letter of Credit Outstandings (after giving effect to all other
repayments thereof on such date) exceeds Total Commitment as then in effect,
the
Borrowers jointly and severally agree to prepay on such day the principal
of
Swingline Loans and, after the Swingline Loans have been repaid in full,
Revolving Loans in an amount equal to such excess. If, after giving effect
to
the prepayment of all outstanding Swingline Loans and Revolving Loans, the
aggregate amount of the Letter of Credit Outstandings exceeds the Total
Commitment as then in effect, the Borrowers jointly and severally agree to
pay
to the Administrative Agent at the Payment Office on such date an amount
of cash
and/or Cash Equivalents equal to the amount of such excess (up to a maximum
amount equal to the Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time), such cash
and/or Cash Equivalents to be held as security for all obligations of the
Borrowers to Lenders hereunder in a cash collateral account to be established
by
the Administrative Agent on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent.
Β
(b)Β With
respect to each repayment of Revolving Loans required by Section 5.02(a),
the
Borrowers may designate the Types of Revolving Loans which are to be repaid
and,
in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the specific Borrowing or Borrowings pursuant
to which made, provided that: (i) repayments of Eurodollar Loans pursuant
to
Section 5.02(a) may only be made on the last day of an Interest Period
applicable thereto unless all Eurodollar Loans with Interest Periods ending
on
such date of required repayment and all Base Rate Loans have been paid in
full;
(ii) if any repayment of Eurodollar Loans made pursuant to a single Borrowing
shall reduce the outstanding Eurodollar Loans made pursuant to such Borrowing
to
an amount less than the Minimum Borrowing Amount applicable thereto, then
such
Borrowing shall be converted at the end of the then current Interest Period
into
a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans; and (iii) each repayment of Revolving Loans
required by Section 5.02(a) shall be applied pro rata among such Revolving
Loans. In the absence of a designation by the Borrowers as described in the
preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent shall, subject to the above,
make
such designation in its sole discretion with a view, but no obligation, to
minimize breakage costs owing under Section 2.11.
Β
(c)Β In
addition to any other mandatory repayments required pursuant to this Section
5.02, (i) all then outstanding Revolving Loans shall be repaid in full on
the
Maturity Date and (ii) all then outstanding Swingline Loans shall be repaid
in
full on the Swingline Expiry Date.
Β
40
Β
(d)Β In
addition to any other mandatory repayments required pursuant to this Section
5.02, all Loans shall be required to be repaid in full on the date on which
a
Change of Control occurs.
Β
5.03Β Method
and Place of Payment.
Except
as otherwise specifically provided herein, all payments under this Agreement
or
any Note shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the
Lender
or Lenders entitled thereto not later than 12:00 Noon (New York time) on
the
date when due and shall be made in Dollars in immediately available funds
at the
Payment Office. Any payments received by the Administrative Agent after such
time shall be deemed to have been received on the next Business Day. Whenever
any payment to be made hereunder or under any Note shall be stated to be
due on
a day which is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be extended
to the
next succeeding Business Day and, with respect to payments of principal,
interest shall be payable at the applicable rate during such
extension.Β
Β
5.04Β Net
Payments.
Β
(a)Β All
payments made by the Borrowers hereunder or under any Note will be made without
setoff, counterclaim or other defense. Except as provided in Section 5.04(b),
all such payments will be made free and clear of, and without deduction or
withholding for, any present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees,
assessments or other charges of whatever nature now or hereafter imposed
by any
jurisdiction or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof
or
therein with respect to such payments (but excluding, except as provided
in the
second succeeding sentence, any tax imposed on or measured by the net income
or
net profits of a Lender pursuant to the laws of the jurisdiction in which
it is
organized or the jurisdiction in which the principal office or applicable
lending office of such Lender is located or any subdivision thereof or therein)
and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with respect thereto (all
such non-excluded taxes, levies, imports, duties, fees, assessments or other
charges being referred to collectively as "Taxes"). If any Taxes are so levied
or imposed, the Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay the full amount
of
such Taxes, and such additional amounts as may be necessary so that every
payment of all amounts due under this Agreement or under any Note, after
withholding or deduction for or on account of any Taxes, will not be less
than
the amount provided for herein or in such Note. If any amounts are payable
in
respect of Taxes pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Borrowers agree
to
reimburse each Lender, upon the written request of such Lender, for taxes
imposed on or measured by the net income or net profits of such Lender pursuant
to the laws of the jurisdiction in which such Lender is organized or in which
the principal office or applicable lending office of such Lender is located
or
under the laws of any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such
jurisdiction in which such Lender is organized or in which the principal
office
or applicable lending office of such Lender is located and for any withholding
or similar taxes as such Lender shall determine are payable by, or withheld
from, such Lender in respect of such amounts so paid to or on behalf of such
Lender pursuant to the preceding sentence and in respect of any amounts paid
to
or on behalf of such Lender pursuant to this sentence. The Borrowers will
furnish to the Administrative Agent within 45 days after the date the payment
of
any Taxes is due pursuant to applicable law certified copies of tax receipts
evidencing such payment by the Borrowers. The Borrowers jointly and severally
agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Lender, and reimburse such Lender
upon
its written request, for the amount of any Taxes so levied or imposed and
paid
by such Lender.
Β
41
Β
(b)Β Each
Lender that is not a United States person (as such term is defined in Section
7701(a)(30) of the Code) agrees to deliver to the Borrowers and the
Administrative Agent on or prior to the Effective Date, or in the case of
a
Lender that is an assignee or transferee of an interest under this Agreement
pursuant to Section 2.13 or 13.04 (unless the respective Lender was already
a
Lender hereunder immediately prior to such assignment or transfer), on the
date
of such assignment or transfer to such Lender, (i) two accurate and complete
original signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or Form W-8BEN
(with respect to a complete exemption under an income tax treaty) (or successor
forms) certifying to such Lender's entitlement to a complete exemption from
United States withholding tax with respect to payments to be made under this
Agreement and under any Note, or (ii) if the Lender is not a "bank" within
the
meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code and cannot deliver either Internal
Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or Form W-8BEN (with respect to a complete exemption
under an income tax treaty) pursuant to clause (i) above, (x) a certificate
substantially in the form of Exhibit D (any such certificate, a "Section
5.04(b)(ii) Certificate") and (y) two accurate and complete original signed
copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (with respect to the portfolio
interest exemption) (or successor form) certifying to such Lender's entitlement
to a complete exemption from United States withholding tax with respect to
payments of interest to be made under this Agreement and under any Note.
In
addition, each Lender agrees that from time to time after the Effective Date,
when a lapse in time or change in circumstances renders the previous
certification obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, it will deliver
to
the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent two new accurate and complete
original signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI, Form W-8BEN
(with respect to the benefits of any income tax treaty), or Form W-8BEN (with
respect to the portfolio interest exemption) and a Section 5.04(b)(ii)
Certificate, as the case may be, and such other forms as may be required
in
order to confirm or establish the entitlement of such Lender to a continued
exemption from or reduction in United States withholding tax with respect
to
payments under this Agreement and any Note, or it shall immediately notify
the
Borrowers and the Administrative Agent of its inability to deliver any such
Form
or Certificate, in which case such Lender shall not be required to deliver
any
such Form or Certificate pursuant to this Section 5.04(b). Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in Section 5.04(a), but subject to Section
13.04(b) and the immediately succeeding sentence, (x) the Borrowers shall
be
entitled, to the extent they are required to do so by law, to deduct or withhold
income or similar taxes imposed by the United States (or any political
subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) from interest, fees or
other
amounts payable hereunder for the account of any Lender which is not a United
States person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code)
for
U.S. Federal income tax purposes to the extent that such Lender has not provided
to the Borrowers U.S. Internal Revenue Service Forms that establish a complete
exemption from such deduction or withholding and (y) the Borrowers shall
not be
obligated pursuant to Section 5.04(a) hereof to gross-up payments to be made
to
a Lender in respect of income or similar taxes imposed by the United States
if
(I) such Lender has not provided to the Borrowers the Internal Revenue Service
Forms required to be provided to the Borrowers pursuant to this Section 5.04(b)
or (II) in the case of a payment, other than interest, to a Lender described
in
clause (ii) above, to the extent that such forms do not establish a complete
exemption from withholding of such taxes. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in the preceding sentence or elsewhere in this Section
5.04
and except as set forth in Section 13.04(b), the Borrowers agree to pay
additional amounts and to indemnify each Lender in the manner set forth in
Section 5.04(a) (without regard to the identity of the
Β
42
Β
jurisdiction
requiring the deduction or withholding) in respect of any amounts deducted
or
withheld by it as described in the immediately preceding sentence as a result
of
any changes that are effective after the Effective Date in any applicable
law,
treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order, or in the
interpretation thereof, relating to the deducting or withholding of income
or
similar Taxes.
Β
(c)Β The
provisions of this Section 5.04 are subject to the provisions of Section
13.15
(to the extent applicable).
Β
SECTION
6.Β Conditions
Precedent to the Effective Date.
The
occurrence of the Effective Date pursuant to Section 13.10 is subject to
the
satisfaction of the following conditions:Β
Β
6.01Β Execution
of Agreement; Notes.
On or
prior to the Effective Date (i) this Agreement and the Guaranty shall have
been
executed and delivered as provided in Section 13.10 and (ii) there shall
have
been delivered to the Administrative Agent for the account of each of the
Lenders that has requested same the appropriate Revolving Note executed by
the
Borrowers and to the Swingline Lender, to the extent the Swingline Lender
has
requested same, the Swingline Note executed by the Borrowers, in each case,
in
the amount, maturity and as otherwise provided herein.Β
Β
6.02Β Officer's
Certificate.
On the
Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate,
dated the Effective Date, and signed on behalf of the Borrowers by an Authorized
Representative, stating that all conditions in Sections 6.05, 6.07, 6.08
and
7.02 have been satisfied on such date.Β
Β
6.03Β Opinions
of Counsel.
On the
Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received from the General
Counsel to the Credit Parties, an opinion addressed to the Agents and each
of
the Lenders and dated the Effective Date covering the matters set forth in
Exhibit E and such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated
herein as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
Β
6.04Β Corporate
Documents; Proceedings; etc.
Β
(a)Β On
the
Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate,
dated the Effective Date, signed by an Authorized Representative of each
Credit
Party, and attested to by another Authorized Representative of such Credit
Party, in the form of Exhibit F with appropriate insertions, together with
copies of the certificate of incorporation and by-laws (or equivalent
organizational documents) of such Credit Party, and the resolutions of such
Credit Party referred to in such certificate, and the foregoing shall be
in form
and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
Β
(b)Β All
corporate, partnership, limited liability company and legal proceedings and
all
instruments and agreements in connection with the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall be reasonably satisfactory
in form and substance to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative
Agent
shall have received all information and copies of all documents and papers,
including records of corporate, partnership and limited liability company
proceedings, governmental approvals, good standing certificates
Β
43
Β
and
bring-down telegrams, if any, which the Administrative Agent reasonably may
have
requested in connection therewith, such documents and papers where appropriate
to be certified by proper corporate or governmental authorities.
Β
6.05Β Existing
Credit Agreement.
Substantially contemporaneously with the Effective Date, the total commitments
in respect of the Existing Credit Agreement shall have been terminated, and
all
loans and notes (together with interest thereon) and fees with respect thereto
shall have been repaid in full, all letters of credit (or acceptances created
thereunder) issued and continuing thereunder shall have been terminated and
all
other amounts (including premiums) owing pursuant to the Existing Credit
Agreement shall have been repaid in full and all documents in respect of
the
Existing Credit Agreement and all guarantees with respect thereto shall have
been terminated (except as to indemnification and similar provisions, which
may
survive to the extent provided therein) and be of no further force and effect;
provided, however, that letters of credit issued thereunder and giving rise
to
Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereby may remain outstanding under the
Existing Credit Agreement (and the Borrowers agree to cause such letters
of
credit to be terminated as soon as practicable). The Administrative Agent
shall
have received evidence that the matters set forth in this Section 6.05 have
been
satisfied on such date.Β
Β
6.06Β Guaranty.
On or
prior to the Effective Date, Furniture Brands and each Subsidiary Guarantor
shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered the Guaranty in the form
of
Exhibit G hereto (as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time,
the
"Guaranty") and the Guaranty shall be in full force and effect.Β
Β
6.07Β Adverse
Change; Governmental Approvals; etc.Β
Β
(a)Β On
the
Effective Date, nothing shall have occurred (and neither the Agents nor the
Lenders shall have become aware of any facts, conditions or other information
not previously known) which any Agent or the Required Lenders reasonably
determine could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on the
rights or remedies of any Agent or the Lenders, or on the ability of the
Credit
Parties to perform their respective obligations to the Agents and the Lenders
or
which the Agents reasonably determine has had, or could reasonably be expected
to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
Β
(b)Β On
or
prior to the Effective Date, all necessary governmental (domestic and foreign)
and material third-party approvals in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Credit Documents shall have been obtained and remain
in
effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any
action
being taken by any competent authority which restrains, prevents or imposes
materially adverse conditions upon the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Credit Documents. Additionally, there shall not exist
any
judgment, order, injunction or other restraint issued or filed or a hearing
seeking injunctive relief or other restraint pending or notified prohibiting
or
imposing materially adverse conditions upon the making of any Loan, issuance
of
any Letter of Credit or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by the
Credit Documents.
Β
6.08Β Litigation.
On the
Effective Date, no litigation by any entity (private or governmental) shall
be
pending or threatened with respect to this Agreement, any other
Credit
Β
44
Β
Document
or any other documentation executed in connection herewith and therewith
or the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, or which any Agent or the Required
Lenders shall reasonably determine has had, or could reasonably be expected
to
have, a Material Adverse Effect.Β
Β
6.09Β Financial
Statements.
On or
prior to the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received
true
and correct copies of the historical financial statements referred to in
Section
8.05(a), which historical financial statements shall be in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agents and the Required Lenders.Β
Β
6.10Β Fees,
etc.
On the
Effective Date, all costs, fees and expenses (including, without limitation,
legal fees and expenses) payable to the Agents and the Lenders shall have
been
paid to the extent then due.Β
Β
6.11Β Solvency
Certificate.
On or
prior to the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received
from
the chief financial officer of Furniture Brands a solvency certificate in
the
form of Exhibit H.Β
Β
SECTION
7.Β Conditions
Precedent to All Credit Events.
The
obligation of each Lender to make Loans (including Loans made on the Effective
Date but excluding Mandatory Borrowings made thereafter, which shall be made
as
provided in Section 2.01(c)), and the obligation of an Issuing Lender to
issue
any Letter of Credit, is subject, at the time of each such Credit Event (except
as hereinafter indicated), to the satisfaction of the following
conditions:Β
Β
7.01Β Effective
Date.
The
Effective Date shall have occurred.Β
Β
7.02Β No
Default; Representations and Warranties.
At the
time of each such Credit Event and also after giving effect thereto (i) there
shall exist no Default or Event of Default and (ii) all representations and
warranties contained herein and in each of the other Credit Documents shall
be
true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though
such
representations and warranties had been made on the date of the making of
such
Credit Event (it being understood and agreed that any representation or warranty
which by its terms is made as of a specified date shall be required to be
true
and correct in all material respects only as of such specified date); provided,
however, that with respect to Credit Events occurring after the Effective
Date,
the representations and warranties set forth in Section 8.05(b) and Section
8.06(iii) shall be deemed excluded from Section 7.02(ii) above unless at
the
time of such Credit Event the Debt Rating from Xxxxx'x is less than Baa3
or the
Debt Rating from S&P is less than BBB- or, with respect to either Xxxxx'x or
S&P, there is no Debt Rating.
Β
7.03Β Notice
of Borrowing; Letter of Credit Request.
Β
(a)Β Prior
to
the making of each Revolving Loan (excluding Swingline Loans), the
Administrative Agent shall have received the notice required by Section 2.03(a).
Prior to the making of each Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender shall have
received the notice required by Section 2.03(b)(i).
Β
45
Β
(b)Β Prior
to
the issuance of each Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent and the
respective Issuing Lender shall have received a Letter of Credit Request
meeting
the requirements of Section 3.03.
Β
(c)Β The
acceptance of the benefit of each Credit Event shall constitute a representation
and warranty by the Borrowers to the Agents and each of the Lenders that
all the
conditions specified in Section 6 (with respect to Credit Events on the
Effective Date) and in this Section 7 (with respect to Credit Events to occur
on
or after the Effective Date) and applicable to such Credit Event exist as
of
that time (except to the extent that any of the conditions specified in Section
6 are required to be satisfactory to or determined by any Lender, the Required
Lenders and/or any Agent). All of the Notes, certificates, legal opinions
and
other documents and papers referred to in Section 6 and in this Section 7,
unless otherwise specified, shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent
at
the Notice Office for the account of each of the Lenders and, except for
the
Notes, in sufficient counterparts or copies for each of the Lenders and shall
be
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders.
Β
SECTION
8.Β Representations,
Warranties and Agreements.
In order
to induce the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans,
and
issue (or participate in) the Letters of Credit as provided herein, each
of the
Borrowers makes the following representations, warranties and agreements,
in
each case after giving effect to the occurrence of the Effective Date, all
of
which shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
Notes
and the making of the Loans and issuance of the Letters of Credit, with the
occurrence of each Credit Event on or after the Effective Date being deemed
to
constitute a representation and warranty that the matters specified in this
Section 8 are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the
Effective Date and on the date of each such Credit Event (it being understood
and agreed that any representation or warranty which by its terms is made
as of
a specified date shall be required to be true and correct in all material
respects only as of such specified date).Β
Β
8.01Β Corporate
Status.
Each of
Furniture Brands and each of its Subsidiaries (i) is a duly organized and
validly existing corporation, limited liability company or partnership, as
the
case may be, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
organization, (ii) has the corporate, limited liability company or partnership
power and authority, as the case may be, to own its property and assets and
to
transact the business in which it is engaged and presently proposes to engage
and (iii) is duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good
standing in each jurisdiction where the conduct of its business requires
such
qualifications, except for failures to be so qualified which, individually
or in
the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
Β
8.02Β Corporate
Power and Authority.
Each
Credit Party has the corporate, limited liability company or partnership
power
and authority, as the case may be, to execute, deliver and perform the terms
and
provisions of each of the Credit Documents to which it is party and has taken
all necessary corporate, limited liability company or partnership action,
as the
case may be, to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of
each
of such Credit Documents. Each Credit Party has duly executed and delivered
each
of the Credit Documents to which it is party, and each of such Credit Documents
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party
enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to
Β
46
Β
the
extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws generally affecting
creditors' rights and by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement
is sought in equity or at law).Β
Β
8.03Β No
Violation.
Neither
the execution, delivery or performance by any Credit Party of the Credit
Documents to which it is a party, nor compliance by it with the terms and
provisions thereof, (i) will contravene any provision of any applicable law,
statute, rule or regulation or any applicable order, writ, injunction or
decree
of any court or governmental instrumentality, (ii) will conflict with or
result
in any breach of any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of,
or
constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or
the
obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any of the material properties
or
assets of Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms
of
any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, credit agreement or loan agreement,
or
any other material agreement, contract or instrument, to which Furniture
Brands
or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its property
or
assets is bound or to which it may be subject or (iii) will violate any
provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws (or equivalent
organizational documents) of Furniture Brands or any of its
Subsidiaries.Β
Β
8.04Β Governmental
Approvals.
No
order, consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing,
recording or registration with or exemption by, any governmental or public
body
or authority, or any subdivision thereof, is required to authorize, or is
required in connection with, (i) the execution, delivery and performance
of any
Credit Document or (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability
of any such Credit Document.Β
Β
8.05Β Financial
Statements; Financial Condition; Undisclosed Liabilities; Projections;
etc.Β
Β
(a)Β The
consolidated financial statements of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries
for
the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2005 furnished to the Lenders prior to
the
Effective Date present fairly the financial condition of Furniture Brands
and
its Subsidiaries and the results of the operations of Furniture Brands and
its
Subsidiaries at the dates and for the period covered thereby, as the case
may
be. All of the foregoing financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles and practices consistently
applied.
Β
(b)Β Since
December 31, 2005 nothing has occurred that has had, or could reasonably
be
expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
Β
(c)Β Except
as
fully disclosed in the financial statements referred to in Section 8.05(a),
there were as of the Effective Date no liabilities or obligations with respect
to Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries of any nature whatsoever (whether
absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether or not due) which,
either
individually or in aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
Β
8.06Β Litigation.
There
are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the best knowledge of
the
Borrowers, threatened (i) with respect to any Credit Document, (ii)
that
Β
47
Β
could
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the rights or
remedies of the Agents or the Lenders or on the ability of any Credit Party
to
perform its obligations to Agents or the Lenders hereunder and under the
other
Credit Documents to which it is a party or (iii) that could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.Β
Β
8.07Β True
and Complete Disclosure.
All
factual information (taken as a whole) furnished by or on behalf of Furniture
Brands or any of its Subsidiaries in writing to any Agent or any Lender
(including, without limitation, all factual information contained in the
Credit
Documents) for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement, the other
Credit Documents or any transaction contemplated herein or therein is, and
all
other such factual information (taken as a whole) hereafter furnished by
or on
behalf of Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries in writing to any Agent
or
any Lender will be, true and accurate in all material respects on the date
as of
which such information is dated or certified and not incomplete by omitting
to
state any fact necessary to make such information (taken as a whole) not
misleading in any material respect at such time in light of the circumstances
under which such information was provided.Β
Β
8.08Β Use
of Proceeds; Margin Regulations.
Β
(a)Β All
proceeds of the Loans shall be used (i) to repay all outstanding Indebtedness
under the Existing Credit Agreement, (ii) to pay fees and expenses incurred
in
connection with this Agreement and (iii) for the Borrowers' and their
Subsidiaries' ongoing working capital needs and general corporate purposes,
including acquisitions of third Persons (or assets of such Persons).
Β
(b)Β Neither
the making of any Loan nor the use of the proceeds thereof nor the occurrence
of
any other Credit Event will violate or be inconsistent with the provisions
of
Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
At
the time of each Credit Event and after giving effect thereto (including
after
giving effect to the application of proceeds therefrom), no more than 25%
of the
value of the assets of the Borrowers, or of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries
taken as a whole, will constitute Margin Stock.
Β
8.09Β Tax
Returns and Payments.
Each of
Furniture Brands and each of its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused
to be
timely filed, on the due dates thereof or within applicable grace periods
(inclusive of any permitted extensions), with the appropriate taxing authority,
all Federal, state and other material returns, statements, forms and reports
for
taxes (the "Returns") required to be filed by or with respect to the income,
properties or operations of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries. Each of
Furniture Brands and each of its Subsidiaries has paid all material taxes
payable by them other than taxes which are not delinquent, and other than
those
contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established
in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Except as disclosed
in
the financial statements referred to in Section 8.05(a) and except as disclosed
on Schedule IV, there is, as of the Effective Date, no material action, suit,
proceeding, investigation, audit, or claim now pending or, to the best knowledge
of the Borrowers, threatened by any authority regarding any taxes relating
to
Furniture Brands or its Subsidiaries.Β
Β
8.10Β Compliance
with ERISA.
Β
48
Β
(a)Β Each
Plan
is in substantial compliance with ERISA and the Code; no Reportable Event
has
occurred with respect to a Plan; to the best knowledge of the Borrowers,
no
Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or in reorganization; no Plan has an Unfunded
Current Liability; no Plan has an accumulated or waived funding deficiency,
or
has applied for an extension of any amortization period within the meaning
of
Section 412 of the Code; none of the Borrowers or any of their respective
Subsidiaries nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to or on
account
of a Plan and/or a Multiemployer Plan pursuant to Section 515, 4062, 4063,
4064,
4069, 4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA; no proceedings have been instituted to
terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; no condition exists
which
presents a risk to the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries
or any
ERISA Affiliate of incurring a liability to or on account of a Plan and/or
a
Multiemployer Plan pursuant to the foregoing provisions of ERISA and the
Code;
using actuarial assumptions and computation methods consistent with Part
1 of
subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA, the aggregate liabilities of the Borrowers,
their Subsidiaries and their ERISA Affiliates to all Multiemployer Plans
in the
event of a complete withdrawal therefrom, as of the close of the most recent
fiscal year of each such Multiemployer Plan ended prior to the date of the
most
recent Credit Event could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
Β
(b)Β Each
Foreign Pension Plan has been maintained in substantial compliance with its
terms and with the requirements of any and all applicable laws, statutes,
rules,
regulations and orders and has been maintained, where required, in good standing
with applicable regulatory authorities. None of the Borrowers nor any of
their
respective Subsidiaries has incurred any obligation in connection with the
termination of or withdrawal from any Foreign Pension Plan. The present value
of
the accrued benefit liabilities (whether or not vested) under each Foreign
Pension Plan, determined as of the end of each Borrower's most recently ended
fiscal year on the basis of actuarial assumptions, each of which is reasonable,
did not exceed the current value of the assets of such Foreign Pension Plan
allocable to such benefit liabilities.
Β
(c)Β Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Section 8.10, the representations made in
this
Section 8.10 shall only be untrue if the aggregate effect of all failures
and
noncompliances of the types described above could reasonably be expected
to have
a Material Adverse Effect.
Β
8.11Β Properties.
Each of
Furniture Brands and each of its Subsidiaries has good and valid title to
all
material properties owned by them, including all property reflected in the
balance sheets referred to in Sections 8.05(a) (except as sold or otherwise
disposed of since the date of such balance sheet in the ordinary course of
business or otherwise as permitted hereunder), free and clear of all Liens
other
than Permitted Liens.Β
Β
8.12Β Subsidiaries.
As of
the Effective Date, Furniture Brands has no Subsidiaries other than those
Subsidiaries listed on Schedule V. Schedule V correctly sets forth, as of
the
Effective Date, the percentage ownership (direct and indirect) of Furniture
Brands in each class of corporate stock or other equity of each of its
Subsidiaries and also identifies the direct owner thereof.Β
Β
49
8.13Β Compliance
with Statutes, etc.
Each of
Furniture Brands and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all
applicable statutes, regulations and orders of, and all applicable restrictions
imposed by, all governmental bodies, domestic or foreign, in respect of the
conduct of their business and the ownership of their property, except such
noncompliances as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.Β
Β
8.14Β Investment
Company Act.
None of
Furniture Brands nor any of its Subsidiaries is an "investment company" or
a
company "controlled" by an "investment company," within the meaning of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.Β
Β
8.15Β Environmental
Matters.
Except
to the extent that any matter described below in this Section 8.15, either
individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect, Furniture Brands and each of its Subsidiaries is
in
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws and the requirements of
any
permits issued under such Environmental Laws, and there are no pending or,
to
the knowledge of the Borrowers, threatened Environmental Claims against
Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries or any Real Property presently
or
formerly owned, leased or operated by Furniture Brands or any of its
Subsidiaries.Β
Β
8.16Β Labor
Relations.
None of
Furniture Brands nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged in any unfair labor
practice that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
There is (i) no unfair labor practice complaint pending against Furniture
Brands
or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers,
threatened against any of them, before the National Labor Relations Board,
and
no material grievance or material arbitration proceeding arising out of or
under
any collective bargaining agreement is so pending against Furniture Brands
or
any of its Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers, threatened
against any of them, (ii) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage
pending
against Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge
of
the Borrowers, threatened against Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries
and (iii) to the best knowledge of the Borrowers, no union representation
proceeding pending with respect to the employees of Furniture Brands or any
of
its Subsidiaries, except (with respect to any matter specified in clause
(i),
(ii) or (iii) above, either individually or in the aggregate) such as could
not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Β
8.17Β Patents,
Licenses, Franchises and Formulas.
Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries own all material patents, trademarks,
permits, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, franchises and
formulas, or rights with respect to the foregoing, and have obtained assignments
of all leases and other rights of whatever nature, reasonably necessary for
the
present conduct of their business, without any known conflict with the rights
of
others which, or the failure to obtain which, as the case may be, could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Β
8.18Β Indebtedness.
Schedule
VI sets forth a true and complete list of all Indebtedness of Furniture Brands
and its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date (excluding the Loans, the Letters
of Credit, the Acceptances and Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount
not
to exceed $500,000, the "Existing Indebtedness"), in each case showing the
aggregate
Β
50
Β
principal
amount thereof and the name of the respective borrower and any Credit Party
or
any of its Subsidiaries which directly or indirectly guarantees such
Indebtedness.Β
Β
8.19Β Tax
Sharing Agreement.
Neither
Furniture Brands nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations
arising pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement which, either individually
or in
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.Β
Β
SECTION
9.Β Affirmative
Covenants.
Each of
the Borrowers hereby covenants and agrees that on and after the Effective
Date
and until the Total Commitment and all Letters of Credit and Acceptances
have
terminated and the Loans, Notes and Unpaid Drawings (in each case together
with
interest thereon), Fees and all other Obligations incurred hereunder and
thereunder, are paid in full:Β
Β
9.01Β Information
Covenants.
The
Borrowers will furnish to the Administrative Agent, either in hard copy or
through electronic means satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and the
Administrative Agent will promptly forward to each Lender:Β
Β
(a)Β Quarterly
Financial Statements.
As soon
as available and in any event within 40 days after the close of each of the
first three quarterly accounting periods in each Fiscal Year, (i) the
consolidated balance sheets of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries, in
each
case, as at the end of such quarterly period and the related consolidated
statements of income and cash flow for such quarterly period and for the
elapsed
portion of the Fiscal Year ended with the last day of such quarterly period
and
(ii) management's discussion and analysis of the important operational and
financial developments during such quarterly period.
Β
(b)Β Annual
Financial Statements.
Within
75 days after the close of each Fiscal Year, (i) the consolidated and
consolidating balance sheets of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries, in
each
case, as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated and
consolidating statements of income and consolidated statements of shareholders'
equity and cash flow for such Fiscal Year setting forth comparative figures
for
the preceding Fiscal Year and certified by KPMG LLP or such other independent
certified public accountants of recognized national standing reasonably
acceptable to the Administrative Agent, together with (A) a report of such
accounting firm stating that in the course of its regular audit of the financial
statements of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries, which audit was conducted
in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, such accounting
firm
obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default which has occurred
and
is continuing or, if in the opinion of such accounting firm such a Default
or
Event of Default with respect to the covenants set forth in Sections 10.01
through 10.11, inclusive, has occurred and is continuing, a statement as
to the
nature thereof and (B) an attestation report of such accounting firm as to
Furniture Brands internal controls pursuant to Section 404 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act of 2002 and (ii) management's discussion and analysis of the important
operational and financial developments during such Fiscal Year.
Β
(c)Β Officer's
Certificates.
At the
time of the delivery of the financial statements provided for in Section
9.01(a)
and (b), a certificate of an Authorized Representative of Furniture Brands
to
the effect that, to the best of such Authorized Representative's knowledge,
Β
51
Β
no
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or, if any Default
or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, specifying the nature and
extent thereof, which certificate shall set forth the calculations required
to
establish whether the Borrowers were in compliance with the provisions of
Sections 10.01, 10.03, 10.05, 10.06 and 10.07 at the end of such quarterly
accounting period or Fiscal Year, as the case may be.
Β
(d)Β Notice
of Default or Litigation.
Promptly, and in any event within three Business Days after an executive
officer
of any Borrower obtains knowledge thereof, notice of (i) the occurrence of
any
event which constitutes a Default or Event of Default, (ii) any litigation
or
governmental investigation or proceeding pending against Furniture Brands
or any
of its Subsidiaries which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on the ability of any Credit
Party
to perform its obligations hereunder or under any other Credit Document or
(iii)
any other development that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have,
a
Material Adverse Effect.
Β
(e)Β Other
Reports and Filings.
Promptly, copies of all financial information, proxy materials and other
information and reports, if any, which Furniture Brands or any of its
Subsidiaries shall file with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
successor thereto (the "SEC") or deliver to holders of its Indebtedness (or
any
trustee, agent or other representative therefor) pursuant to the terms of
the
documentation governing such Indebtedness.
Β
(f)Β Debt
Rating.
Promptly upon, and in any event within three Business Days after, an Authorized
Representative of any Borrower obtains knowledge of any change by Xxxxx'x
or
S&P in the Debt Rating, notice of such change.
Β
(g)Β Other
Information.
From
time to time, such other information or documents (financial or otherwise)
with
respect to Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries as any Agent or Lender
may reasonably request in writing.
Β
9.02Β Books,
Records and Inspections.
The
Borrowers will, and will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to,
keep
proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries
in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and all requirements
of
law shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business
and activities. The Borrowers will, and will cause each of their respective
Subsidiaries to, permit officers and designated representatives of any Agent
or
any Lender to visit and inspect, after reasonable notice during regular business
hours and under guidance of officers of the Borrowers or such Subsidiary,
any of
the properties of the Borrowers or such Subsidiary, and to examine the books
of
account of the Borrowers or such Subsidiary and discuss the affairs, finances
and accounts of the Borrowers or such Subsidiary with, and be advised as
to the
same by, its and their officers and independent accountants, all at such
reasonable times and intervals and to such reasonable extent as such Agent
or
such Lender may request.Β
Β
9.03Β Maintenance
of Insurance.
The
Borrowers will, and will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to,
maintain insurance on all its property in at least such amounts and against
at
least such risks and with such deductibles or self-insured retentions as
is
consistent and in accordance with industry practice.Β
Β
Β
52
9.04Β Corporate
Franchises.
The
Borrowers will, and will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to,
do or
cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force
and
effect its existence and its material rights, franchises, licenses and patents;
provided, however, that nothing in this Section 9.04 shall prevent (i) sales
of
assets, mergers or other transactions by or among Furniture Brands or any
of its
Subsidiaries in accordance with Section 10.02 or (ii) (x) the withdrawal
by
Furniture Brands or any of the Subsidiaries of its qualification as a foreign
corporation or the failure to qualify as a foreign corporation in any
jurisdiction or (y) the amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation or
By-Laws
of Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries, in the case of either (x)
or (y)
above, which would not in any way materially and adversely affect the Lenders,
and where such withdrawal or failure or amendment, as the case may be, could
not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.Β
Β
9.05Β Compliance
with Statutes, etc.
The
Borrowers will, and will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to,
comply
with all applicable statutes, regulations and orders (including, without
limitation, any Environmental Laws) of, and all applicable restrictions imposed
by, all governmental bodies, domestic or foreign, in respect of the conduct
of
its business and the ownership of its property, except such noncompliances
as
could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect.Β
Β
9.06Β ERISA.
As soon
as possible and, in any event, within 20 days after the Borrowers or any
of
their respective Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason
to know
of the occurrence of any of the following, the Borrowers will deliver to
the
Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly forward
to
each Lender, a certificate of an Authorized Representative of the Borrowers
setting forth details as to such occurrence and the action, if any, that
the
Borrowers, such Subsidiary or such ERISA Affiliate is required or proposes
to
take, together with any notices required or proposed to be given to or filed
with or by the Borrowers, such Subsidiary, the ERISA Affiliate, the PBGC,
or a
Plan participant or the Plan administrator with respect thereto: that a
Reportable Event has occurred; that an accumulated funding deficiency has
been
incurred or an application is likely to be or has been made to the Secretary
of
the Treasury for a waiver or modification of the minimum funding standard
(including any required installment payments) or an extension of any
amortization period under Section 412 of the Code with respect to a Plan
and/or
a Multiemployer Plan; that a Plan and/or Multiemployer Plan has been or is
reasonably expected to be terminated, reorganized, partitioned or declared
insolvent under Title IV of ERISA; that a Plan and/or a Multiemployer Plan
has
an Unfunded Current Liability giving rise to a lien under ERISA or the Code;
that proceedings are likely to be or have been instituted or notice has been
given to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer a Plan and/or a
Multiemployer Plan; that a proceeding has been instituted pursuant to Section
515 of ERISA to collect a delinquent contribution to a Multiemployer Plan
if
material in amount; that the Borrowers, any of their respective Subsidiaries
or
any ERISA Affiliate will or is reasonably expected to incur any material
liability (including any indirect, contingent or secondary liability) to
or on
account of the termination of or withdrawal from a Plan and/or Multiemployer
Plan under Section 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or
with
respect to a Plan and/or Multiemployer Plan under Section 401(a)(29) of the
Code; or that the Borrowers or any Subsidiary is reasonably expected to incur
any liability pursuant to any employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in
Section 3(1) of ERISA) that provides benefits to retired employees or other
former employees (other than as required by Section 601 of ERISA) or any
employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) which
liability,
Β
53
Β
individually
or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. Upon request, the Borrowers will deliver to each of the Lenders a
complete copy of the annual report (Form 5500) of each Plan required to be
filed
with the Internal Revenue Service.Β
Β
In
addition to any certificates or notices delivered to the Lenders pursuant
to the
first sentence hereof, copies of such annual reports and any material notices
received by the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries or any
ERISA
Affiliate with respect to any Plan and/or Multiemployer Plan and/or Foreign
Pension Plan shall be delivered to the Lenders no later than 20 days after
the
date such report has been requested or such notice has been received by the
Borrowers, the Subsidiary or the ERISA Affiliate, as applicable.
Β
9.07Β End
of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters.
Furniture Brands will cause (i) each of its Fiscal Years to end on December
31
of each year, and each of its fiscal quarters to end on each March 31, June
30,
September 30 and December 31 and (ii) each of its Subsidiaries' (x) fiscal
years
to end on the Saturday closest to December 31 and (y) fiscal quarters to
end on
the Saturday closest to the last day of each March, June, September and
December; provided, that any of the foregoing may be changed if the Borrowers
shall have first given the Agents at least 45 days' prior written notice
thereof
and the Borrowers, to the extent requested by the Agents, shall have entered
into an appropriate amendment to this Agreement, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to ensure that the
financial covenants contained in Sections 10.05 and 10.06 are measured on
substantially the same basis as such covenants are measured on the Effective
Date.
Β
9.08Β Payment
of Taxes.
Each of
the Borrowers will pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and discharged,
and
will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to pay and discharge, all
material taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon
it
or upon its income or profits, or upon any material properties belonging
to it,
in each case on a timely basis, and all lawful claims which, if unpaid, might
become a lien or charge upon any properties of Furniture Brands or any of
its
Subsidiaries; provided that none of Furniture Brands nor any of its Subsidiaries
shall be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim
which
is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings if it has maintained
adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.Β
Β
9.09Β Additional
Subsidiary Guarantors.
Unless
the Required Lenders otherwise agree, each Borrower agrees to cause each
of its
Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiaries (other than such Subsidiaries having less
than $10,000 of assets) that are acquired or created after the Effective
Date
(or, in the case of such Subsidiaries which exist but have less than $10,000
of
assets on the Effective Date, first acquires in excess of $10,000 of assets
after the Effective Date) to promptly (and in any event within 10 Business
Days
of such acquisition or creation) execute and deliver a counterpart of the
Joinder Agreement in the form of Exhibit I hereto (the "Joinder Agreement")
and
taking the actions specified therein.Β
Β
SECTION
10.Β Negative
Covenants.
The
Borrowers covenant and agree that on and after the Effective Date and until
the
Total Commitment and all Letters of Credit and Acceptances have terminated
and
the Loans, Notes and Unpaid Drawings (in each case together
Β
54
Β
with
interest thereon), Fees and all other Obligations incurred hereunder and
thereunder, are paid in full:Β
Β
10.01Β Liens.
The
Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries
to,
create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to
any
property or assets (real or personal, tangible or intangible) of Furniture
Brands or any of its Subsidiaries, whether now owned or hereafter acquired,
or
sell any such property or assets subject to an understanding or agreement,
contingent or otherwise, to repurchase such property or assets (including
sales
of accounts receivable with recourse to Furniture Brands or any of its
Subsidiaries), or assign any right to receive income or permit the filing
of any
financing statement under the UCC or any other similar notice of Lien under
any
similar recording or notice statute; provided that the provisions of this
Section 10.01 shall not prevent the creation, incurrence, filing, assumption
or
existence of the following (Liens described below are herein referred to
as
"Permitted Liens"):Β
Β
(i)Β incipient
Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due
and
payable or Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies
being
contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings for which adequate
reserves have been established in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States (or the equivalent thereof in any country
in
which a Foreign Sales Corporation or a Foreign Subsidiary is doing business,
as
applicable);
Β
(ii)Β Liens
in
respect of property or assets of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries
imposed by law, which were incurred in the ordinary course of business and
do
not secure Indebtedness for borrowed money, such as carriers', warehousemen's,
materialmen's and mechanics' liens and other similar Liens arising in the
ordinary course of business, and (x) which do not in the aggregate materially
detract from the value of the Borrowers' or such Subsidiary's property or
assets
or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of the business of
the
Borrowers or such Subsidiary or (y) which are being contested in good faith
by
appropriate proceedings, which proceedings have the effect of preventing
the
forfeiture or sale of the property or assets subject to any such Lien;
Β
(iii)Β Liens
in
existence on the Effective Date which are listed, and the property subject
thereto described, in Schedule VII, plus renewals and extensions of such
Liens
to the extent set forth on Schedule VII, provided that (x) the aggregate
principal amount of the Indebtedness, if any, secured by such Liens does
not
increase from that amount outstanding on the Effective Date or, if less,
at the
time of any such renewal or extension and (y) any such renewal or extension
does
not encumber any additional assets or properties of Furniture Brands or any
of
its Subsidiaries;
Β
(iv)Β (a)
licenses, leases or subleases granted to other Persons in the ordinary course
of
business not materially interfering with the conduct of the business of
Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) Liens arising
from
precautionary UCC financing statements regarding operating leases and (c)
statutory and common law landlords' liens under leases to which any of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries is a party;
Β
55
(v)Β Liens
upon assets subject to Capitalized Lease Obligations of the Borrowers and
their
Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by Section 10.03(vi), provided that
(x)
such Liens only serve to secure the payment of Indebtedness arising under
such
Capitalized Lease Obligation and (y) the Lien encumbering the asset giving
rise
to the Capitalized Lease Obligation does not encumber any other asset of
the
Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries;
Β
(vi)Β Liens
placed upon assets used in the ordinary course of business of the Borrowers
or
any of their Subsidiaries at the time of acquisition or new construction
thereof
by the Borrowers or any such Subsidiary or within 180 days thereafter to
secure
Indebtedness incurred to pay all or a portion of the purchase price and/or
construction costs thereof, plus renewals or extensions of such Liens, provided
that (x) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Indebtedness secured
by Liens permitted by this clause (vi) shall not at any time exceed the amount
of Indebtedness permitted to be outstanding pursuant to Section 10.03(vi)
and
(y) in all events, the Lien encumbering the assets so acquired or newly
constructed does not encumber any other asset of the Borrowers or such
Subsidiary;
Β
(vii)Β Liens
existing on specific tangible assets at the time acquired by Furniture Brands
or
any of its Subsidiaries or on assets of a Person at the time such Person
is
acquired by Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries (together with Liens
securing any extensions, renewals or refinancings of the Indebtedness secured
thereby to the extent not increasing the outstanding principal amount thereof
or
extending to any other asset of Furniture Brands or its Subsidiaries), provided
that (i) no such Liens were created at the time of or in contemplation of
the
acquisition of such assets or Person by Furniture Brands and/or its
Subsidiaries, (ii) in the case of any such acquisition of a Person, any Lien
attaches only to a specific tangible asset of such Person and not assets
of such
Person generally and (iii) the Indebtedness secured by any such Lien does
not
exceed 100% of the fair market value of the asset to which such Lien attaches,
determined at the time of the acquisition of such asset or Person in good
faith
by the Borrower or the respective Subsidiary;
Β
(vii)Β easements,
rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), encroachments,
protrusions and other similar charges or encumbrances, and minor title
deficiencies, in each case whether now or hereafter in existence, not securing
Indebtedness and not materially interfering with the conduct of the business
of
the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries;
Β
(ix)Β Liens
arising out of the existence of judgments or awards not constituting an Event
of
Default under Section 11.09, provided that no cash or property is deposited
or
delivered to secure the respective judgment or award (or any appeal bond
in
respect thereof, except as permitted by clause (xii) of this Section 10.01);
Β
(x)Β any
interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensee or licensor under any
lease
or license agreement permitted by this Agreement;
Β
56
(xi)Β Liens
(other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) incurred in the ordinary course of
business of the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries in connection
with
workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security
legislation;
Β
(xii)Β Liens
(x)
to secure the performance by the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries
of
tenders, statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds,
statutory bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts,
performance and return of money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive
of obligations for the payment of borrowed money) or (y) to secure the
performance by the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries of leases
of Real
Property, to the extent incurred or made in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices, provided that the aggregate amount of cash
deposits, and fair market value of all other property subject to Liens, at
any
time pursuant to this clause (xii) shall not exceed $15,000,000 in the
aggregate;
Β
(xiii)Β Liens
in
favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure
the payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;
Β
(xiv)Β Liens
arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar
arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by the Borrowers or any of
their
Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business consistent with the past
practices; or
Β
(xv)Β Liens
not
otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses (i) through (xiv) to the extent
attaching to properties and assets with an aggregate fair value not in excess
of, and securing liabilities not in excess of, $30,000,000 in the aggregate
at
any time outstanding.
Β
10.02Β Fundamental
Changes.
Furniture Brands will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
consolidate with, merge into, or sell all or substantially all of the assets
of
Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (whether in a single
transaction or in a series of related transactions) to any other Person or
permit any other Person to merge into it or any of its Subsidiaries, except
that
the following shall be permitted:Β
Β
(i)Β any
Subsidiary of Furniture Brands may merge or consolidate with another Subsidiary
of Furniture Brands or with Furniture Brands so long as (x) in the case of
a
merger or consolidation involving a Borrower, the Borrower is the surviving
Person (it being understood and agreed that none of the Borrowers may be
merged
or consolidated out of existence without the prior written consent of the
Required Lenders) and (y) in the case of a merger or consolidation involving
a
Subsidiary Guarantor (unless the respective Subsidiary Guarantor is merging
into
or consolidating with a Borrower which will be the survivor thereof), the
Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person;
Β
(ii)any
Person (not already a Borrower or Subsidiary thereof) may merge or consolidate
with any Subsidiary of Furniture Brands (other than a Borrower) so long as
(x)
the surviving Person is, or as a result of such merger or consolidation becomes,
a Subsidiary of Furniture Brands in which Furniture Brands has direct and
Β
57
Β
indirect
ownership interests at least as great as those (in terms of percentages of
economic interests and voting interests) held by it in the Subsidiary with
which
the respective Person merged or consolidated immediately before giving effect
to
the respective merger or consolidation, (y) if such surviving Person is a
Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Furniture Brands, such Wholly-Owned Domestic
Subsidiary takes all action required pursuant to Section 9.09 and (z) both
before and immediately after giving effect to such merger or consolidation,
no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
Β
(iii)any
Person (not already a Borrower or Subsidiary thereof) may merge or consolidate
with a Borrower so long as (x) the respective Borrower is the surviving
corporation, and (y) both before and immediately after giving effect to such
merger or consolidation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and
be continuing.
Β
10.03Β Indebtedness.
Furniture Brands will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
contract, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness,
except:Β
Β
(i)Β Indebtedness
incurred pursuant to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents;
Β
(ii)Β so
long
as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom,
Permitted Indebtedness shall be permitted on terms and conditions set forth
in
the definition of Permitted Indebtedness;
Β
(iii)Β Indebtedness
outstanding on the Effective Date shall be permitted to the extent (x) the
same
is listed on Schedule VI or (y) the aggregate principal amount of such
Indebtedness does not exceed $500,000, in each case, together with any
refinancings or renewals thereof, so long as, in each such case, no additional
obligors or guarantors, or security, is provided in connection with the
respective such renewal or refinancing and so long as the principal amount
is
not increased as a result thereof;
Β
(iv)Β accrued
expenses and current trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course
of
business;
Β
(v)Β Indebtedness
under Interest Rate Protection Agreements entered into with respect to other
Indebtedness permitted under this Section 10.03 so long as the entering into
of
such Interest Rate Protection Agreements are bona fide hedging activities
and
are not for speculative purposes;
Β
(vi)Β Indebtedness
of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries evidenced by Capitalized Lease
Obligations to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 10.01(v), and
Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted under Section 10.01(vi); provided
that
in no event shall the aggregate principal amount of Capitalized Lease
Obligations and other Indebtedness permitted by this clause (vi) exceed
$20,000,000;
Β
(vii)Β Indebtedness
under Currency Hedging Agreements so long as (i) any such Currency Hedging
Agreement is reasonably related to income (in currencies
Β
58
Β
other
than Dollars) derived from foreign operations of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary
(or any Foreign Sales Corporation) or otherwise related to purchases (in
currencies other than Dollars) permitted hereunder from foreign suppliers
and
(ii) such Currency Hedging Agreements do not exceed a notional amount equal
to
$30,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time;
Β
(viii)Β intercompany
Indebtedness among the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries;
Β
(ix)Β Indebtedness
of a Subsidiary existing at the time of acquisition thereof by Furniture
Brands
or a Subsidiary thereof (or Indebtedness assumed at the time of such an
acquisition of an asset securing such Indebtedness), provided that (a) such
Indebtedness was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of,
such
acquisition and (b) any Lien securing such Indebtedness is permitted under
Section 10.01(vii);
Β
(x)Β Indebtedness
in respect of bid, performance, advance payment or surety bonds entered into
in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;
Β
(xi)Β Contingent
Obligations (a) of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries as a guarantor
of
the lessee under any lease pursuant to which the Borrower (or a Subsidiary)
is
the lessee so long as such lease is otherwise permitted hereunder, (b) of
Furniture Brands constituting guarantees by Furniture Brands of trade payables
owing by its Subsidiaries in their ordinary course of business, (c) of Furniture
Brands and/or Thomasville consisting of guarantees (with the maximum amount
guaranteed at any time pursuant to this clause (c) not to exceed $7,500,000
in
the aggregate) of actual or potential claims under Environmental Laws referred
to in Section 10.01(xiii)(y) and (d) of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary as
a
guarantor of the lessee under any lease pursuant to which a third party is
the
lessee; and
Β
(xii)Β Contingent
Obligations of Furniture Brands pursuant to the Tax Sharing
Agreements.
Β
10.04Β Transactions
with Affiliates.
The
Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries
to,
enter into any transaction or series of related transactions with any Affiliate
of Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries, other than in the ordinary
course of business and on terms and conditions substantially as favorable
to the
Borrowers or such Subsidiary as would reasonably be obtained by the Borrowers
or
such Subsidiary at that time in a comparable arm's-length transaction with
a
Person other than an Affiliate, except:Β
Β
(i)Β transactions
between or among the Borrowers and/or one or more Subsidiaries of Furniture
Brands and not involving any other Affiliate of Furniture Brands shall be
permitted;
Β
(ii)Β customary
fees may be paid to non-officer directors of the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries;
Β
59
(iii)Β Furniture
Brands and its Subsidiaries may enter into employment arrangements with respect
to the procurement of services with their respective officers and employees
in
the ordinary course of business;
Β
(iv)Β Furniture
Brands may sell or issue Furniture Brands Common Stock and Qualified Preferred
Stock to its Affiliates (other than its Subsidiaries); and
Β
(v)Β Furniture
Brands may modify the Tax Sharing Agreement as provided in Section
10.08(b).
Β
10.05Β Maximum
Leverage Ratio.
The
Borrowers will not permit the Leverage Ratio at any time to be greater than
or
equal to 3.25:1.00.
Β
10.06Β Minimum
Coverage Ratio.
The
Borrowers will not permit the Coverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal
quarter
of the Borrowers ending prior to March 31, 2009 to be less than or equal
to
2.75:1.00 or permit the Coverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter
of
the Borrowers ending on or after March 31, 2009 to be less than or equal
to
3.00:1.00.
Β
10.07Β Ownership
of Assets by the Borrowers and the Subsidiary
Guarantors.
The
Borrowers will not at any time allow the assets directly owned by the Borrowers
and the Subsidiary Guarantors to constitute less than 80% of the aggregate
fair
market value (as determined in good faith by Furniture Brands) of the
consolidated assets of Furniture Brands and all of its Subsidiaries.Β
Β
10.08Β Limitation
on Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Certain Other
Agreements, etc.Β
Β
(a)Β The
Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries
to,
amend or modify its Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation,
by the filing or modification of any certificate of designation) or By-Laws
(or
equivalent organizational documents), or any agreement entered into by it,
with
respect to its capital stock or enter into any new agreement with respect
to its
capital stock if any of the foregoing would in any way materially and adversely
affect the Lenders.
Β
(b)Β The
Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries
to,
amend, modify or change any provision of any Tax Sharing Agreement other
than
any amendments, modifications and changes which (individually and in the
aggregate) would not in any way materially and adversely affect the Lenders
or
are consented to in writing by the Required Lenders.
Β
10.09Β Business.
The
Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries, to engage
(directly or indirectly) in any business other than substantially the same
lines
of business in which they are engaged on the Effective Date and reasonable
extensions thereof and other businesses that are complimentary or reasonably
related thereto.
Β
10.10Β Limitation
on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries.
Except
as set forth on Schedule VIII, the Borrowers will not, and will not permit
any
of their respective Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise
cause or suffer to exist or become effective, any
Β
60
Β
encumbrance
or restriction on the ability of any such Subsidiary to (x) pay dividends
or
make any other distributions on its capital stock or any other interest or
participation in its profits owned by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
or pay any Indebtedness owed to any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
(y)
make loans or advances to any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or (z)
transfer any of its properties or assets to any Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under
or by
reason of (i) applicable law, (ii) this Agreement and the other Credit
Documents, (iii) other Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 10.03,
in each
case so long as the encumbrances and restrictions contained therein are not
more
restrictive than those contained in this Agreement, (iv) holders of Permitted
Liens may restrict the transfer of any assets subject thereto, (v) customary
provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a
leasehold interest of the Borrowers or of any Subsidiary of the Borrowers,
and
(vi) customary provisions restricting assignment of any licensing agreement
entered into by the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries in the ordinary
course of business.
Β
10.11Β Limitation
on Issuance of Capital Stock.
Β
(a)Β Furniture
Brands will not issue (i) any Preferred Stock other than Qualified Preferred
Stock (so long as no Event of Default pursuant to Section 11.09 will result
therefrom) or (ii) any redeemable common stock other than common stock that
is
redeemable at the sole option of Furniture Brands; it being understood that
Furniture Brands may from time to time issue Furniture Brands Common Stock
pursuant to the exercise of options therefor.
Β
(b)Β Furniture
Brands shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue any capital stock
(including by way of sales of treasury stock) or any options or warrants
to
purchase, or securities convertible into, capital stock, except (i) for
transfers and replacements of then outstanding shares of capital stock, (ii)
for
stock splits, stock dividends and additional issuances which do not decrease
the
percentage ownership of Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries in any
class
of the capital stock of such Subsidiaries, (iii) to qualify directors to
the
extent required by applicable law, and (iv) for issuances by newly created
or
acquired Subsidiaries in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.
Β
10.12Β Restricted
Payments.
Furniture Brands will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted
Payment, except (a) Furniture Brands may declare and pay dividends with respect
to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its common
stock,
(b) Subsidiaries of Furniture Brands may declare and pay dividends ratably
with
respect to their Equity Interests and (c) Furniture Brands may make Restricted
Payments so long as no Default or Event of Default exists or would result
therefrom.
Β
SECTION
11.Β Events
of Default.
Upon the
occurrence of any of the following specified events (each an "Event of
Default"):
Β
11.01Β Payments.
The
Borrowers shall (i) default in the payment when due of any principal of any
Loan, any Note or any Unpaid Drawing or (ii) default, and such default shall
continue unremedied for three or more Business Days, in the payment when
due of
any interest on any Loan or Note, or any Fees or any other amounts owing
hereunder or thereunder;Β
Β
61
11.02Β Representations,
etc.
Any
representation, warranty or statement made by any Credit Party herein or
in any
other Credit Document or in any certificate delivered pursuant hereto or
thereto
shall prove to be untrue in any material respect on the date as of which
made or
deemed made;Β
Β
11.03Β Covenants.
The
Borrowers shall (i) default in the due performance or observance by it of
any
term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 9.01(d)(i), 9.07, 9.09 or
Section 10 or (ii) default in the due performance or observance by it of
any
other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement and such default
shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after written notice to
the
Borrowers by the Administrative Agent or any Lender;Β
Β
11.04Β Default
Under Other Agreements.
The
Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries shall (i) default in any
payment of any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) beyond the period
of
grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such
Indebtedness was created or (ii) default in the observance or performance
of any
agreement or condition relating to any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations)
or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating
thereto, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of
which
default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder
or
holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder
or
holders) to cause (determined without regard to whether any notice is required),
any such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity, or (iii)
any
Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) of the Borrowers or any of their
respective Subsidiaries shall be declared to be due and payable, or required
to
be prepaid other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment, prior
to the
stated maturity thereof, provided that (x) it shall not be a Default or Event
of
Default under this Section 11.04 unless the aggregate principal amount of
all
Indebtedness as described in preceding clauses (i) through (iii), inclusive,
is
at least $20,000,000;Β
Β
11.05Β Bankruptcy,
etc.
The
Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries shall commence a voluntary
case concerning itself under Title 11 of the United States Code entitled
"Bankruptcy" as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor thereto (the
"Bankruptcy Code"); or an involuntary case is commenced against the Borrowers
or
any of their respective Subsidiaries and the petition is not controverted
within
30 days, or is not dismissed within 60 days, after commencement of the case;
or
a custodian (as defined in the Bankruptcy Code) is appointed for, or takes
charge of, all or substantially all of the property of the Borrowers or any
of
their respective Subsidiaries, or the Borrowers or any of their respective
Subsidiaries commences any other proceeding under any reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment of debt, relief of debtors, dissolution, insolvency
or
liquidation or similar law of any jurisdiction whether now or hereafter in
effect relating to the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries,
or
there is commenced against the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries
any such proceeding which remains undismissed for a period of 60 days, or
the
Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries is adjudicated insolvent
or
bankrupt; or any order of relief or other order approving any such case or
proceeding is entered; or the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries
suffers any appointment of any custodian or the like for it or any substantial
part of its property to continue undischarged or unstayed for a period of
60
days; or the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries makes a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors; or
Β
62
Β
any
corporate action is taken by the Borrowers or any of their respective
Subsidiaries for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;Β
Β
11.06Β ERISA.
Β
Any
Plan
and/or Multiemployer Plan shall fail to satisfy the minimum funding standard
required for any plan year or part thereof or a waiver of such standard or
extension of any amortization period is sought or granted under Section 412
of
the Code, any Plan and/or Multiemployer Plan shall have had or is likely
to have
a trustee appointed to administer such Plan and/or Multiemployer Plan pursuant
to Section 4042 of ERISA, any Plan and/or Multiemployer Plan shall have been
or
is reasonably expected to be terminated or to be the subject of termination
proceedings under Section 4042 of ERISA, any Plan and/or Multiemployer Plan
shall have an Unfunded Current Liability, a contribution required to be made
to
a Plan, Multiemployer Plan and/or Foreign Pension Plan has not been timely
made,
the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate
have incurred or is reasonably expected to incur a liability to or on account
of
a Plan and/or Multiemployer Plan under Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 515,
4062,
4063, 4064, 4069, 4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29), 4971,
4975
or 4980 of the Code, or the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries
have incurred or are reasonably expected to incur liabilities pursuant to
one or
more employee welfare benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA)
which
provide benefits to retired employees or other former employees (other than
as
required by Section 601 of ERISA) or employee pension benefit plans (as defined
in Section 3(2) of ERISA) or Foreign Pension Plans; (b) there shall result
from
any such event or events the imposition of a lien, the granting of a security
interest, or a liability or a material risk of incurring a liability; (c)
and in
each case in clauses (a) and (b) above, such lien, security interest or
liability, individually, or in the aggregate, has had or could reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
Β
11.07Β Guaranty.
The
Guaranty or any provision thereof shall cease to be in full force or effect
as
to any Guarantor, or any Guarantor or Person acting by or on behalf of such
Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm such Guarantor's obligations under the
Guaranty, or any Guarantor shall default in the due performance or observance
of
any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed pursuant
to the Guaranty;Β
Β
11.08Β Judgments.
One or
more judgments or decrees shall be entered against the Borrowers or any of
their
respective Subsidiaries involving in the aggregate for the Borrowers and
their
respective Subsidiaries a liability (not paid or fully covered by a reputable
and solvent insurance company) and such judgments and decrees either shall
be
final and non-appealable or shall not be vacated, discharged or stayed or
bonded
pending appeal for any period of 60 consecutive days, and the aggregate amount
of all such judgments exceeds $40,000,000;
Β
11.09Β Change
of Control.
A Change
of Control shall occur; or
Β
11.10Β Tax
Sharing Agreement.
One or
more parties to a Tax Sharing Agreement (other than Borrowers or any of their
respective Subsidiaries) shall have defaulted in its or their payment
obligations in an aggregate amount equal to or greater than $5,000,000
thereunder and such default or defaults shall remain unremedied for a period
in
excess of ten consecutive Business Days;Β
Β
63
then,
and
in any such event, and at any time thereafter, if any Event of Default shall
then be continuing, the Administrative Agent, upon the written request of
the
Required Lenders, shall by written notice to the Borrowers take any or all
of
the following actions, without prejudice to the rights of any Agent, any
Lender
or the holder of any Note to enforce its claims against any Credit Party
(provided that, if an Event of Default specified in Section 11.05 shall occur
with respect to the Borrowers, the result of which would occur upon the giving
of written notice by the Administrative Agent to the Borrowers as specified
in
clauses (i) and (ii) below shall occur automatically without the giving of
any
such notice): (i) declare the Total Commitment terminated, whereupon the
Commitment of each Lender shall forthwith terminate immediately and any
Commitment Fee and other Fees shall forthwith become due and payable without
any
other notice of any kind; (ii) declare the principal of and any accrued interest
in respect of all Loans and the Notes and all Obligations owing hereunder
and
thereunder to be, whereupon the same shall become, forthwith due and payable
without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of
which
are hereby waived by each Credit Party; (iii) terminate any Letter of Credit
which may be terminated in accordance with its terms; (iv) direct the Borrowers
to pay (and the Borrowers agree that upon receipt of such notice, or upon
the
occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 11.05 with respect
to the
Borrowers, they will pay) to the Administrative Agent at the Payment Office
such
additional amount of cash, to be held as security by the Administrative Agent,
as is equal to the aggregate Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit issued
for
the account of the Borrowers and all Acceptances then outstanding; and (v)
apply
any cash collateral held for the benefit of the Lenders pursuant to Section
5.02(a) to repay outstanding Obligations.
Β
SECTION
12.Β The
Agents.
Β
12.01Β Appointment.
The
Lenders hereby designate JPMCB, as Administrative Agent to act as specified
herein and in the other Credit Documents. Each Lender hereby irrevocably
authorizes, and each holder of any Note by the acceptance of such Note shall
be
deemed irrevocably to authorize, each Agent to take such action on its behalf
under the provisions of this Agreement, the other Credit Documents and any
other
instruments and agreements referred to herein or therein and to exercise
such
powers and to perform such duties hereunder and thereunder as are specifically
delegated to or required of such Agent by the terms hereof and thereof and
such
other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Each Agent may perform
any of
its duties hereunder by or through its respective officers, directors, agents,
employees or affiliates.
Β
12.02Β Nature
of Duties.
No Agent
shall have any duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth
in
this Agreement and in the other Credit Documents. No Agent nor any of its
officers, directors, agents, employees or affiliates shall be liable for
any
action taken or omitted by it or them hereunder or under any other Credit
Document or in connection herewith or therewith, unless caused by its or
their
gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision). The duties of each
Agent
shall be mechanical and administrative in nature; no Agent shall have by
reason
of this Agreement or any other Credit Document a fiduciary relationship in
respect of any Lender or the holder of any Note; and nothing in this Agreement
or any other Credit Document, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall
be
so construed as to impose upon any Agent any
Β
64
Β
Β obligations
in respect of this Agreement or any other Credit Document except as expressly
set forth herein or therein.
Β
12.03Β Lack
of Reliance on the Agents.
Independently and without reliance upon any Agent, each Lender and the holder
of
each Note, to the extent it deems appropriate, has made and shall continue
to
make (i) its own independent investigation of the financial condition and
affairs of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries in connection with the making
and the continuance of the Loans and the taking or not taking of any action
in
connection herewith and (ii) its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of
Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries and, except as expressly provided in
this
Agreement, no Agent shall have any duty or responsibility, either initially
or
on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender or the holder of any Note with
any
credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its
possession or that of any of its Affiliates before the making of the Loans
or at
any time or times thereafter. No Agent nor any of its affiliates or any of
its
officers, directors, agents, or employees shall be responsible to any Lender
or
the holder of any Note for any recitals, statements, information,
representations or warranties herein or in any document, certificate or other
writing delivered in connection herewith or for the execution, effectiveness,
genuineness, validity, enforceability, perfection, collectibility, priority
or
sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or the financial
condition of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries or be required to make
any
inquiry concerning either the performance or observance of any of the terms,
provisions or conditions of this Agreement or any other Credit Document,
or the
financial condition of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries or the existence
or
possible existence of any Default or Event of Default.
Β
12.04Β Certain
Rights of the Agents.
If any
Agent shall request instructions from the Required Lenders with respect to
any
act or action (including failure to act) in connection with this Agreement
or
any other Credit Document, such Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such
act
or taking such action unless and until such Agent shall have received
instructions from the Required Lenders; and such Agent shall not incur liability
to any Person by reason of so refraining. Without limiting the foregoing,
no
Lender or holder of any Note shall have any right of action whatsoever against
any Agent as a result of such Agent acting or refraining from acting hereunder
or under any other Credit Document in accordance with the instructions of
the
Required Lenders.
Β
12.05Β Reliance.
Each
Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying,
upon
any note, writing, resolution, notice, statement, certificate, telex, teletype
or telecopier message, cablegram, radiogram, order or other document or
telephone message signed, sent or made by any Person that such Agent believed
to
be the proper Person, and, with respect to all legal matters pertaining to
this
Agreement and any other Credit Document and its duties hereunder and thereunder,
upon advice of counsel selected by such Agent (which may be counsel for the
Credit Parties).
Β
12.06Β Indemnification.
To the
extent any Agent is not reimbursed and indemnified by the Borrowers, the
Lenders
will reimburse and indemnify such Agent, in proportion to their respective
"percentages" as used in determining the Required Lenders (determined as
if
there were no Defaulting Lenders and at the time indemnification is sought
hereunder), for and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, claims, actions, judgments, costs, expenses or disbursements
of whatsoever kind or nature which may be
Β
65
Β
imposed
on, asserted against or incurred by such Agent in performing its duties
hereunder or under any other Credit Document, in any way relating to or arising
out of this Agreement or any other Credit Document; 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 such Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct (as
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable
decision).
Β
12.07Β The
Agent in its Individual Capacity.
With
respect to its obligation to make Loans and participate in Letters of Credit
under this Agreement, each Agent shall have the rights and powers specified
herein for a "Lender" and may exercise the same rights and powers as though
it
were not performing the duties specified herein; and the term "Lenders,"
"Required Lenders," "Supermajority Lenders," "holders of Notes" or any similar
terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include such
Agent
in its individual capacity. Each Agent may accept deposits from, lend money
to,
and generally engage in any kind of banking, investment banking, trust or
other
business with any Credit Party or any Affiliate of any Credit Party as if
they
were not performing the duties specified herein, and may accept fees and
other
consideration from the Borrowers or any other Credit Party for services in
connection with this Agreement and otherwise without having to account for
the
same to the Lenders.
Β
12.08Β Holders.
The
Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the owner
thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until a written notice of the
assignment, transfer or endorsement thereof, as the case may be, shall have
been
filed with the Administrative Agent. Any request, authority or consent of
any
Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or
consent, is the holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding on any
subsequent holder, transferee, assignee or endorsee, as the case may be,
of such
Note or of any Note or Notes issued in exchange therefor.
Β
12.09Β Resignation
by the Agents.Β
Β
(a)Β The
Administrative Agent may resign from the performance of all its functions
and
duties hereunder and/or under the other Credit Documents at any time by giving
15 Business Days' prior written notice to the Borrowers and the Lenders.
Any
such resignation by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall also constitute
its
resignation as an Issuing Lender (if applicable) or the Swingline Lender,
in
which case upon the effectiveness of such resignation in accordance with
this
Section 12.09 the resigning Administrative Agent (x) shall not be required
to
issue any further Letters of Credit or make any additional Swingline Loans
hereunder and (y) shall maintain all of its rights as an Issuing Lender and
the
Swingline Lender, as the case may be, with respect to any Letters of Credit
issued by it or Swingline Loans made by it, in each case prior to the effective
date of such resignation. Such resignation shall take effect upon the
appointment of a successor Administrative Agent pursuant to clauses (b) and
(c)
below or as otherwise provided below.
Β
(b)Β Upon
any
such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall appoint a successor
Administrative Agent hereunder or thereunder who shall be a commercial bank
or
trust company reasonably acceptable to the Borrowers (which consent shall
not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed and shall not be required at any time when
an
Event of Default exists).
Β
66
(c)Β If
a
successor Administrative Agent shall not have been so appointed within such
15
Business Day period, the Administrative Agent, with the consent of the Borrowers
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and shall not
be
required at any time when an Event of Default exists), shall then appoint
a
commercial bank or trust company with capital and surplus of not less than
$500,000,000 as successor Administrative Agent who shall serve as Administrative
Agent hereunder or thereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders
appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided above.
Β
(d)Β If
no
successor Administrative Agent has been appointed pursuant to clause (b)
or (c)
above by the 20th Business Day after the date such notice of resignation
was
given by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent's resignation
shall
become effective and the Lenders shall thereafter perform all the duties
of the
Administrative Agent hereunder and/or under any other Credit Document until
such
time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative
Agent
as provided in clause (b) above.
Β
12.10Β Co-Syndication
Agents and the Lead Arranger.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, nothing in this
Agreement shall impose on any Co-Syndication Agent or the Lead Arranger,
in each
case in such capacity, any duties or obligations.
Β
SECTION
13.Β Miscellaneous.Β
Β
13.01Β Payment
of Expenses, etc.
The
Borrowers jointly and severally shall: (i) whether or not the transactions
herein contemplated are consummated, pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs
and
expenses of each Agent (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees
and
disbursements of Winston & Xxxxxx LLP) in connection with the preparation,
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and
the
documents and instruments referred to herein and therein and any amendment,
waiver or consent relating hereto or thereto, of each Agent in connection
with
its syndication efforts with respect to this Agreement and of each Agent
and,
following and during the continuation of an Event of Default, each of the
Lenders in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement and the other
Credit Documents and the documents and instruments referred to herein and
therein (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements
of
counsel for each Agent and, following and during the continuation of an Event
of
Default, for each of the Lenders); (ii) pay and hold each of the Lenders
harmless from and against any and all present and future stamp, excise and
other
similar taxes with respect to the foregoing matters and hold each of the
Lenders
harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting
from any delay or omission (other than to the extent attributable to such
Lender) to pay such taxes; and (iii) indemnify each Agent and each Lender
(including in its capacity as an Issuing Lender), and each of their respective
officers, directors, employees, representatives, affiliates and agents (each,
an
"Indemnitee") from and hold each of them harmless against any and all
liabilities, obligations (including removal or remedial actions), losses,
damages, penalties, claims, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and
disbursements (including reasonable attorneys' and consultants' fees and
disbursements) incurred by, imposed on or assessed against any of them as
a
result of, or arising out of, or in any way related to, or by reason of,
(a) any
investigation, litigation or other proceeding (whether or not any Agent or
any
Lender is a party thereto) related to the entering into and/or performance
of
this Agreement or any other Credit Document or the use of any Letter of Credit
or the proceeds of any Loans hereunder or the consummation of any transactions
contemplated herein or in any
Β
67
Β
Β other
Credit Document or the exercise of any of their rights or remedies provided
herein or in the other Credit Documents, or (b) the actual or alleged presence
of Hazardous Materials in the air, surface water or groundwater or on the
surface or subsurface of any Real Property owned or at any time operated
by
Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries, the generation, storage,
transportation, handling or disposal of Hazardous Materials at any location,
whether or not owned or operated by Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries,
the non-compliance of any Real Property with foreign, federal, state and
local
laws, regulations, and ordinances (including applicable permits thereunder)
applicable to any Real Property, or any Environmental Claim asserted against
Furniture Brands, any of its Subsidiaries, or any Real Property owned or
at any
time operated by Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries, including,
in each
case, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel
and
other consultants incurred in connection with any such investigation, litigation
or other proceeding (but excluding any losses, liabilities, claims, damages
or
expenses to the extent incurred by reason of the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of the Person to be indemnified (as determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision)). To the extent
that the undertaking to indemnify, pay or hold harmless any Agent or any
Lender
set forth in the preceding sentence may be unenforceable because it is violative
of any law or public policy, the Borrowers shall make the maximum contribution
to the payment and satisfaction of each of the indemnified liabilities which
is
permissible under applicable law. To the extent permitted by applicable law,
the
Borrowers agree that they shall not assert, and hereby waive, any claim against
any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential
or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out
of, in
connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or
instrument contemplated hereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of
the
proceeds thereof.
Β
13.02Β Right
of Setoff.
In
addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law or
otherwise, and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence
and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Lender is hereby
authorized at any time or from time to time, without presentment, demand,
protest or other notice of any kind to the Borrowers or to any other Person,
any
such notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate
and
apply any and all deposits (general or special) and any other Indebtedness
at
any time held or owing by such Lender (including, without limitation, by
branches and agencies of such Lender wherever located) to or for the credit
or
the account of any Credit Party against and on account of the Obligations
and
liabilities of all Credit Parties to such Lender under this Agreement or
under
any of the other Credit Documents, including, without limitation, all interests
in Obligations purchased by such Lender pursuant to Section 13.06(b), and
all
other claims of any nature or description arising out of or connected with
this
Agreement or any other Credit Document, irrespective of whether or not such
Lender shall have made any demand hereunder and although said Obligations,
liabilities or claims, or any of them, shall be contingent or
unmatured.
Β
13.03Β Notices.
Except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other communications
provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telegraphic, telex,
telecopier or cable communication) and mailed, telegraphed, telexed, telecopied,
cabled or delivered: if to the Borrowers, at the Borrowers' address specified
opposite their signature below; if to any other Credit Party, at such Credit
Party's address set forth in any Credit Document; if to any Lender, at its
address specified on Schedule II below; and if to the Administrative Agent,
at
Β
68
Β
the
Notice Office; or, as to any Credit Party or the Administrative Agent, at
such
other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to
the
other parties hereto and, as to each Lender, at such other address as shall
be
designated by such Lender in a written notice to the Borrowers and the
Administrative Agent. All such notices and communications shall, when mailed,
telegraphed, telexed, telecopied, or cabled or sent by overnight courier,
be
effective when deposited in the mails, delivered to the telegraph company,
cable
company or overnight courier, as the case may be, or sent by telex or
telecopier, except that notices and communications to the Administrative
Agent
and the Borrowers shall not be effective until received by the Administrative
Agent or the Borrowers, as the case may be.
Β
13.04Β Benefit
of Agreement.Β
Β
(a)Β The
provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of
the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted
hereby
(including any Affiliate of the Issuing Lender that issues any Letter of
Credit), except that (i) the Borrowers may not assign or otherwise transfer
any
of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent
of each
Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrowers without
such
consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise
transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this
Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed
to
confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective
successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing
Lender that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided
in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated
hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing
Lender and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under
or
by reason of this Agreement.
Β
(b)Β (i)Β Subject
to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign
to
one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under
this
Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at
the
time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld) of:
Β
(A)Β Furniture
Brands, provided
that no
consent of Furniture Brands shall be required for an assignment to a Lender,
an
Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing, any other assignee;
Β
(B)Β the
Administrative Agent; and
Β
(C)Β the
Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender.
Β
(ii)Β Assignments
shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
Β
(A)Β except
in
the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an
assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender's Commitment
or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning
Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment
and Assumption Agreement with
Β
Β
69
respect
to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be
less
than $5,000,000 unless each of Furniture Brands and the Administrative Agent
otherwise consent, provided
that no
such consent of Furniture Brands shall be required if an Event of Default
has
occurred and is continuing;
Β
(B)Β each
partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part
of all
the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement;
Β
(C)Β the
parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative
Agent
an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, together with a processing and
recordation fee of $3,500; and
Β
(D)Β the
assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative
Agent
an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more
credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain
material non-public information about the Borrowers, their Related Parties
or
their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such
information in accordance with the assignee's compliance procedures and
applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws
Β
For
the
purposes of this Section 13.04(b), the term "Approved
Fund"
has the
following meaning:
Β
"Approved
Fund"
means
any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing,
holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the
ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a)
a
Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of
an
entity that administers or manages a Lender.
Β
(iii)Β Subject
to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraphΒ (b)(iv)
of this
Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and
Assumption Agreement the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and,
to the
extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption Agreement,
have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the
assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned
by
such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, be released from its obligations
under
this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption Agreement
covering all of the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this
Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue
to be
entitled to the benefits of SectionsΒ 2.10, 2.11, 5.04 and 13.01).
Any
assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement
that does not comply with this Section 13.04 shall be treated for purposes
of
this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights
and
obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.
Β
(iv)Β Upon
its
receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption Agreement executed
by an
assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee's completed
Β
70
Β Administrative
Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder),
the
processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraphΒ (b) of this
Section
and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this
Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption
Agreement and record the information contained therein in the Register;
provided
that if
either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any
payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.01(c), 3.04(c), 2.04,
13.06(b) or 12.06, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept
such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the
Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together
with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes
of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided
in
this paragraph.
Β
(c)Β (i)Β Any
Lender may, without the consent of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent,
the
Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more
banks
or other entities (a "Participant")
in all
or a portion of such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement
(including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it);
provided
that
(A)Β such Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged,
(B)Β such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties
hereto
for the performance of such obligations and (C)Β the Borrowers, the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the other Lenders shall continue
to
deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's
rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument
pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that
such
Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve
any
amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement;
provided
that
such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without
the
consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver
described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant.
Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrowers agree that each
Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.10, 2.11 and
5.04 to
the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by
assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted
by
law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of
SectionΒ 13.02 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant
agrees
to be subject to Section 13.06(b) as though it were a Lender.
Β
(ii)Β A
Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section
2.10 or 5.04 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive
with
respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of
the
participation to such Participant is made with Furniture Brands' prior written
consent.
Β
(d)Β Any
Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any
portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such
Lender,
including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations
to a
Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge
or
assignment of a security interest; provided
that no
such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from
any
of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for
such
Lender as a party hereto.
Β
71
13.05Β No
Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.
No
failure or delay on the part of any Agent or any Lender or any holder of
any
Note in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other
Credit Document and no course of dealing between the Borrowers or any other
Credit Party and any Agent or any Lender or the holder of any Note shall
operate
as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right,
power or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document preclude
any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power
or
privilege hereunder or thereunder. The rights, powers and remedies herein
or in
any other Credit Document expressly provided are cumulative and not exclusive
of
any rights, powers or remedies which any Agent or any Lender or the holder
of
any Note would otherwise have. No notice to or demand on any Credit Party
in any
case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand
in
similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of any
Agent
or any Lender or the holder of any Note to any other or further action in
any
circumstances without notice or demand.
Β
13.06Β Payments
Pro Rata.Β
Β
(a)Β Except
as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent agrees that
promptly after its receipt of each payment from or on behalf of the Borrowers
in
respect of any Obligations hereunder, it shall distribute such payment to
the
Lenders (other than any Lender that has consented in writing to waive its
pro
rata share of any such payment) pro rata based upon their respective shares,
if
any, of the Obligations with respect to which such payment was
received.
Β
(b)Β Each
of
the Lenders agrees that, if it should receive any amount hereunder (whether
by
voluntary payment, by realization upon security, by the exercise of the right
of
setoff or banker's lien, by counterclaim or cross action, by the enforcement
of
any right under the Credit Documents, or otherwise), which is applicable
to the
payment of the principal of, or interest on, the Loans, Unpaid Drawings,
the
Commitment Fee or other Fees, of a sum which with respect to the related
sum or
sums received by other Lenders is in a greater proportion than the total
of such
Obligation then owed and due to such Lender bears to the total of such
Obligation then owed and due to all of the Lenders immediately prior to such
receipt, then such Lender receiving such excess payment shall purchase for
cash
without recourse or warranty from the other Lenders an interest in the
Obligations of the respective Credit Party to such Lenders in such amount
as
shall result in a proportional participation by all the Lenders in such amount;
provided that if all or any portion of such excess amount is thereafter
recovered from such Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase
price restored to the extent of such recovery, but without
interest.
Β
(c)Β Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the provisions of the preceding
Sections 13.06(a) and (b) shall be subject to the express provisions of this
Agreement which require, or permit, differing payments to be made to
Non-Defaulting Lenders as opposed to Defaulting Lenders.
Β
13.07Β Calculations;
Computations.Β
Β
(a)Β The
financial statements to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant hereto shall
be
made and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
in
the
Β
72
Β United
States (or the equivalent thereof in any country in which a Foreign Sales
Corporation is doing business, as applicable) consistently applied throughout
the periods involved, provided that, except as otherwise specifically provided
herein, all computations determining compliance with Sections 10.05 through
10.07, inclusive, shall utilize accounting principles and policies in conformity
with those used to prepare the historical financial statements delivered
to the
Lenders pursuant to Sections 8.05(a).
Β
(b)Β All
computations of interest and other Fees hereunder shall be made on the basis
of
a year of 360 days (or 365/366 days in the case of interest on Base Rate
Loans
and Commitment Fee) for the actual number of days (including the first day
but
excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which such interest or
other
Fees are payable.
Β
13.08Β GOVERNING
LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; VENUE; WAIVER OF JURY
TRIAL.Β
Β
(a)Β THIS
AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF
THE
PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND
BE
GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING
WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT
IN
THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN
DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, IN EACH CASE WHICH ARE LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW
YORK,
AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH OF THE BORROWERS HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY
AND
UNCONDITIONALLY, THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS. EACH OF THE BORROWERS
HEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH COURTS LACK PERSONAL
JURISDICTION OVER IT, AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM, IN ANY LEGAL ACTION
OR
PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS BROUGHT
IN ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS, THAT SUCH COURTS LACK PERSONAL JURISDICTION
OVER IT. EACH OF THE BORROWERS FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENT TO THE SERVICE
OF
PROCESS OUT OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING
BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE
PREPAID, TO THE BORROWERS AT THEIR ADDRESS SET FORTH OPPOSITE THEIR SIGNATURE
BELOW, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. NOTHING
HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY AGENT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, ANY LENDER
OR
THE HOLDER OF ANY NOTE TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY
LAW OR
TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST ANY BORROWER IN
ANY
OTHER JURISDICTION.
Β
(b)Β EACH
OF
THE BORROWERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR
HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY OF THE AFORESAID ACTIONS OR
PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER
CREDIT DOCUMENT
Β
73
Β
BROUGHT
IN THE COURTS REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (a) ABOVE AND HEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH ACTION
OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT
FORUM.
Β
(c)Β EACH
OF
THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL
BY
JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING
TO
THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
HEREBY OR THEREBY.
Β
13.09Β Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different
parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and
delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall together constitute
one
and the same instrument. A set of counterparts executed by all the parties
hereto shall be lodged with the Borrowers and the Administrative
Agent.
Β
13.10Β Effectiveness.
This
Agreement shall become effective on the date (the "Effective Date") on which
(i)
each Borrower, each Lender, each Agent and the Lead Arranger shall have signed
a
counterpart hereof (whether the same or different counterparts) and shall
have
delivered (including by way of facsimile device) the same to the Administrative
Agent at the Notice Office or, in the case of the Lenders, shall have given
the
Administrative Agent telephonic (confirmed in writing), written or telex
notice
(actually received) at such office that same has been signed and mailed to
it
and (ii) the conditions contained in Section 6 are met to the satisfaction
of
the Agents and the Required Lenders. Unless the Administrative Agent has
received actual notice from any Lender that the conditions contained in Section
6 have not been met to its reasonable satisfaction, upon the satisfaction
of the
condition described in clause (i) of the immediately preceding sentence and
upon
the Administrative Agent's good faith determination that the conditions
described in clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence have been
met,
then the Effective Date shall have been deemed to have occurred, regardless
of
any subsequent determination that one or more of the conditions thereto had
not
been met (although the occurrence of the Effective Date shall not release
any
Borrower from any liability for failure to satisfy one or more of the applicable
conditions contained in Section 6).
Β
13.11Β Headings
Descriptive.
The
headings of the several sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted
for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction
of any provision of this Agreement.
Β
13.12Β Amendment
or Waiver; etc.Β
Β
(a)Β Neither
this Agreement nor any other Credit Document nor any terms hereof or thereof
may
be changed, waived, discharged or terminated unless such change, waiver,
discharge or termination is in writing signed by the respective Credit Parties
party thereto and the Required Lenders, provided that no such change, waiver,
discharge or termination shall, without the consent of each Lender (other
than a
Defaulting Lender) (with Obligations being directly affected thereby in the
case
of following clause (i)), (i) extend the final scheduled maturity of any
Loan or
Note, or extend the stated maturity of, or any reimbursement obligation under,
any
Β
74
Β
Letter
of
Credit beyond the Maturity Date, or reduce the rate or extend the time of
payment of interest or Fees, or reduce the principal amount thereof (except
to
the extent repaid in cash), or reduce any reimbursement obligations under
any
Letter of Credit, (ii) release any of the Borrowers from the Guaranty or
release
all or substantially all of the Guarantors from the Guaranty (except in
connection with a sale of a Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the terms
of
this Agreement), (iii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section
13.12 (except for technical amendments with respect to additional extensions
of
credit under this Agreement of the type which afford the protections to such
additional extensions of credit provided to the Commitments on the Effective
Date), (iv) reduce the percentage specified in the definition of Required
Lenders (it being understood that, with the consent of the Required Lenders,
additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be included
in
the determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis
as the
extensions of Commitments are included on the Effective Date) or (v) consent
to
the assignment or transfer by any Borrower of any of its rights and obligations
under this Agreement, except mergers and/or consolidations involving one
or more
Borrowers and another Person (not already a Borrower or a Subsidiary thereof)
shall be permitted with the prior written consent of the Required Lenders,
provided that the survivor of such merger or consolidation (to the extent
not a
Borrower) is organized under the laws of the United States or a State thereof
and executes and delivers to the Administrative Agent agreements in form
and
substance satisfactory to the Agents and providing for the assumption by
such
Person of the obligations of the respective Borrower or Borrowers under this
Agreement and the Notes; provided further, that no such change, waiver,
discharge or termination shall (1) increase the Commitment of any Lender
over
the amount thereof then in effect without the consent of such Lender (it
being
understood that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent, covenants,
Defaults or Events of Default or of a mandatory reduction in the Total
Commitments shall not constitute an increase of the Commitment of any Lender,
and that an increase in the available portion of any Commitment of any Lender
shall not constitute an increase in the Commitment of such Lender), (2) without
the consent of the Supermajority Lenders, decrease the percentage set forth
in
Section 10.07 (as in effect on the Effective Date) or amend the definition
of
Supermajority Lenders, (3) without the consent of the respective Issuing
Lender
or Issuing Lenders, amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 3 with
respect to Letters of Credit issued by it (or Acceptances created thereunder)
or
alter its rights or obligations with respect to Letters of Credit or
Acceptances, (4) without the consent of the Swingline Lender, amend, modify
or
waive any provision of Sections 2.01(b) and (c) or alter its rights and
obligations with respect to Swingline Loans or (5) without the consent of
each
Agent affected thereby, amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 12
as
same applies to such Agent or any other provision as same relates to the
rights
or obligations of such Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the execution
and delivery of all documentation required by Section 4.04 to be delivered
in
connection with an increase to the Total Commitment, the Administrative Agent,
the Borrowers and the new or existing Lenders whose Commitments have been
affected may and shall enter into an amendment hereof (which shall be binding
on
all parties hereto and the new Lenders) solely for the purpose of reflecting
any
new Lenders and their new Commitments and any increase in the Commitment
of any
existing Lender.
Β
(b)Β If,
in
connection with any proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination to
any of
the provisions of this Agreement as contemplated by clauses (i) through (v),
inclusive, of the first proviso to Section 13.12(a), the consent of the Required
Lenders is obtained but the consent of one or more of such other Lenders
whose
consent is required is not
Β
75
Β
obtained,
then the Borrowers shall have the right, so long as all non-consenting Lenders
whose individual consent is required are treated as described in either clauses
(A) or (B) below, to either (A) replace each such non-consenting Lender or
Lenders with one or more Replacement Lenders pursuant to Section 2.13 so
long as
at the time of such replacement, each such Replacement Lender consents to
the
proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination or (B) terminate such
non-consenting Lender's Commitment in accordance with Sections 4.02(b) and/or
5.01(b); provided that, unless the Commitments are terminated, and Loans
repaid,
pursuant to the preceding clause (B) are immediately replaced in full at
such
time through the addition of new Lenders or the increase of the Commitments
and/or outstanding Loans of existing Lenders (who in each case must specifically
consent thereto), then in the case of any action pursuant to preceding clause
(B) the Required Lenders (determined before giving effect to the proposed
action) shall specifically consent thereto; provided further, that in any
event
the Borrowers shall not have the right to replace a Lender, terminate its
Commitment or repay its Loans solely as a result of the exercise of such
Lender's rights (and the withholding of any required consent by such Lender)
pursuant to the second proviso to Section 13.12(a).
Β
13.13Β Survival.
All
indemnities set forth herein including, without limitation, in Sections 2.10,
2.11, 3.06, 5.04, 13.01 and 13.06 shall, subject to Section 13.15 (to the
extent
applicable), survive the execution, delivery and termination of this Agreement
and the Notes and the making and repayment of the Loans.
Β
13.14Β Domicile
of Loans.
Each
Lender may transfer and carry its Loans at, to or for the account of any
office,
Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Lender. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, to the extent that a transfer of Loans pursuant to this
Section 13.14 would, at the time of such transfer, result in increased costs
under Section 2.10, 2.11, 3.06 or 5.04 from those being charged by the
respective Lender prior to such transfer, then the Borrowers shall not be
obligated to pay such increased costs (although the Borrowers shall be obligated
to pay any other increased costs of the type described above resulting from
changes after the date of the respective transfer).
Β
13.16Β Limitation
on Additional Amounts, etc.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Sections 2.10, 2.11,
3.06
or 5.04 of this Agreement, unless a Lender gives notice to the Borrowers
that it
is obligated to pay an amount under any such Section within one year after
the
later of (x) the date the Lender incurs the respective increased costs, Taxes,
loss, expense or liability, reduction in amounts received or receivable or
reduction in return on capital or (y) the date such Lender has actual knowledge
of its incurrence of the respective increased costs, Taxes, loss, expense
or
liability, reductions in amounts received or receivable or reduction in return
on capital, then such Lender shall only be entitled to be compensated for
such
amount jointly and severally by the Borrowers pursuant to said Section 2.10,
2.11, 3.06 or 5.04, as the case may be, to the extent the costs, Taxes, loss,
expense or liability, reduction in amounts received or receivable or reduction
in return on capital are incurred or suffered on or after the date which
occurs
one year prior to such Lender giving notice to the Borrowers that it is
obligated to pay the respective amounts pursuant to said Section 2.10, 2.11,
3.06 or 5.04, as the case may be. This Section 13.15 shall have no applicability
to any Section of this Agreement other than said Sections 2.10, 2.11, 3.06
and
5.04.
Β
13.16Β Confidentiality.Β
Β
76
(a)
Each
of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Lenders agrees to
maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except
that
Information may be disclosed (i)Β to its and its Affiliates' directors,
officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and
other
advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is
made
will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed
to keep such Information confidential), (ii)Β to the extent requested
by any
regulatory authority, (iii)Β to the extent required by applicable laws
or
regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (iv) to any other
party
to this Agreement, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder
or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement
of rights hereunder so long as such disclosure is relevant and determined
in
good faith by the disclosing party to be necessary or desirable in connection
with such exercise, suit, action, proceeding or enforcement, (vi) subject
to an
agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section,
to (A) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of
or
Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or
(B) any
actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative
transaction relating to the Borrowers and their obligations, (vi) with the
consent of Furniture Brands or (vii)Β to the extent such Information
(A)Β becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach
of this
Section or (B)Β becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the
Issuing
Lender or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than
the
Borrowers, which source is not known by the recipient to be under a
confidentiality agreement with respect to the disclosed Information; provided,
however, that with respect to any intended disclosure of Information (A)
pursuant to subsection 13.16(a)(iii) to a non-governmental, non-regulatory
entity or (B) pursuant to subsection 13.16(a)(v) in connection with any suit,
action or proceeding to which none of the Borrowers or Subsidiary Guarantors
are
a party, the disclosing party shall, to the extent practicable and legally
permissible, use reasonable efforts to give Furniture Brands prior written
notice of such intended disclosure so as to permit Furniture Brands, at its
own
expense, to seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy with respect
thereto. For the purposes of this Section, "Information"
means
all information received from the Borrowers relating to the Borrowers or
their
business, other than any such information that is available to the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or any Lender on a non-confidential
basis prior to disclosure by the Borrowers; provided
that, in
the case of information received from the Borrowers after the date hereof,
such
information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential.
Any
Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided
in
this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to
do so
if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the
confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own
confidential information.
Β
EACH
LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 13.16(a)) FURNISHED
TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION
CONCERNING THE BORROWERS, THEIR AFFILIATES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES,
AND
CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF
MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC
INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING
FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
ALL
INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND
Β
77
Β
AMENDMENTS,
FURNISHED BY THE BORROWERS OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN
THE
COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION,
WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE BORROWERS, THEIR
AFFILIATES, OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS
TO THE BORROWERS AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS
ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION
THAT
MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE
PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW.
(b)Β Each
of
the Borrowers hereby acknowledges and agrees that each Lender may share with
any
of its Affiliates any information related to Furniture Brands or any of its
Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any nonpublic customer information
regarding the creditworthiness of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries),
provided such Persons shall be subject to the provisions of this Section
13.16
to the same extent as such Lender.
Β
(c)Β Each
Borrower hereby represents and acknowledges that, to the best of its knowledge,
no Agent nor any Lender, nor any employees or agents of, or other persons
affiliated with, any Agent or any Lender, have directly or indirectly made
or
provided any statement (oral or written) to the Borrower, any Credit Party
or to
any of their respective employees or agents, or other persons affiliated
with or
related to such Credit Party (or, so far as such Credit Party is aware, to
any
other Person), as to the potential tax consequences of this Agreement, any
other
Credit Document or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby.
Β
13.17Β Register.
The
Borrowers hereby designate the Administrative Agent to serve as the Borrowers'
agent, solely for purposes of this Section 13.17, to maintain a register
(the
"Register") on which it will record the Commitments from time to time of
each of
the Lenders, the Loans made by each of the Lenders and each repayment in
respect
of the principal amount of the Loans of each Lender. Failure to make any
such
recordation, or any error in such recordation shall not affect the Borrowers'
obligations in respect of such Loans. With respect to any Lender, the transfer
of the Commitments of such Lender and the rights to the principal of, and
interest on, any Revolving Loan made pursuant to such Commitments shall not
be
effective until such transfer is recorded on the Register maintained by the
Administrative Agent with respect to ownership of such Commitments and Revolving
Loans and prior to such recordation all amounts owing to the transferor with
respect to such Commitments and Revolving Loans shall remain owing to the
transferor. The registration of assignment or transfer of all or part of
any
Commitments and Revolving Loans shall be recorded by the Administrative Agent
on
the Register only upon the acceptance by the Administrative Agent of a properly
executed and delivered Assignment and Assumption Agreement pursuant to Section
13.04(b). Coincident with the delivery of such an Assignment and Assumption
Agreement to the Administrative Agent for acceptance and registration of
assignment or transfer of all or part of a Revolving Loan, or as soon thereafter
as practicable, the assigning or transferor Lender shall surrender the Note
evidencing such Revolving Loan, and thereupon one or more new Revolving Notes
in
the same aggregate principal amount shall be issued to the assigning or
transferor Lender and/or the new Lender. The Borrowers jointly and severally
agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent from and against any and all
losses,
claims, damages and liabilities of whatsoever nature which may be imposed
on,
asserted against or incurred by the Administrative Agent in performing its
Β
78
Β
duties
under this Section 13.17, provided that the Borrowers shall have no obligation
to indemnify the Administrative Agent for any loss, claim, damage, liability
or
expense which resulted primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct
of the Administrative Agent (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction
in a final and non-appealable decision).
Β
13.18Β Judgment
Currency.Β
Β
(a)Β The
Credit Parties' obligations hereunder and under the other Credit Documents
to
make payments in Dollars shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender
or
recovery pursuant to any judgment expressed in or converted into any currency
other than Dollars, except to the extent that such tender or recovery results
in
the effective receipt by the Administrative Agent or the respective Lender
of
the full amount of Dollars expressed to be payable to the Administrative
Agent
or such Lender under this Agreement or the other Credit Documents. If for
the
purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against any Credit Party in any
court
or in any jurisdiction, it becomes necessary to convert into or from any
currency other than Dollars (such other currency being hereinafter referred
to
as the "Judgment Currency") an amount due in Dollars, the conversion shall
be
made, at the Dollar Equivalent thereof determined, in each case, on the day
on
which the judgment is given (such Business Day being hereinafter referred
to as
the "Judgment Currency Conversion Date").
Β
(b)Β If
there
is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Judgment Currency
Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the Borrowers
jointly and severally covenant and agree to pay, or cause to be paid, such
additional amounts, if any (but in any event not a lesser amount) as may
be
necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when
converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of payment, will
produce the amount of Dollars which could have been purchased with the amount
of
Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial award at the rate
or
exchange prevailing on the Judgment Currency Conversion Date.
Β
(c)Β For
purposes of determining the Dollar Equivalent or any other rate of exchange
for
this Section, such amounts shall include any premium and costs payable in
connection with the purchase of Dollars.
Β
13.19Β USA
PATRIOT Act.
Each
Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title
III of
Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the "Act") hereby notifies
the Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the Act, it is required
to
obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrowers, which
information includes the name and address of the Borrowers and other information
that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrowers in accordance with
the
Act.
Β
SECTION
14.Β Nature
of Borrowers' Obligations.Β
Β
14.01Β Nature
of Obligations.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement,
it is understood and agreed by the various parties to this Agreement that
all
Obligations to repay principal of, interest on, and all other amounts with
respect to, all Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and Letter of Credit
Outstandings and all other Obligations pursuant to this Agreement and under
any
Note (including, without limitation, all
Β
79
Β
fees,
indemnities, taxes and other Obligations in connection therewith or in
connection with the related Commitments) shall constitute the joint and several
obligations of Furniture Brands, Broyhill, HDM, Lane and Thomasville. In
addition to the direct (and joint and several) obligations of the Borrowers
with
respect to Obligations as described above, all such Obligations shall be
guaranteed pursuant to, and in accordance with the terms of, the
Guaranty.
Β
14.02Β Independent
Obligation.
The
obligations of each Borrower with respect to the Obligations are independent
of
the obligations of the other Borrowers or any guarantor, and a separate action
or actions may be brought and prosecuted against each Borrower, whether or
not
any other Borrower or any guarantor is joined in any such action or actions.
Each Borrower waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the benefit
of any
statute of limitations affecting its liability hereunder or the enforcement
thereof. Any payment by any Borrower or other circumstance which operates
to
toll any statute of limitations as to any Borrower shall, to the fullest
extent
permitted by law, operate to toll the statute of limitations as to each
Borrower.
Β
14.03Β Authorization.
Each of
the Borrowers authorizes the Administrative Agent and the Lenders without
notice
or demand (except as shall be required by applicable statute and cannot be
waived), and without affecting or impairing its liability hereunder, from
time
to time to:
Β
(a)Β exercise
or refrain from exercising any rights against any other Borrower or any
guarantor or others or otherwise act or refrain from acting;
Β
(b)Β release
or substitute any other Borrower, endorsers, guarantors or other
obligors;
Β
(c)Β settle
or
compromise any of the Obligations of any other Borrower or any other Credit
Party, any security therefor or any liability (including any of those hereunder)
incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, and may
subordinate the payment of all or any part thereof to the payment of any
liability (whether due or not) of any Borrower to its creditors other than
the
Lenders;
Β
(d)Β apply
any
sums paid by any other Borrower or any other Person, howsoever realized,
to any
liability or liabilities of such other Borrower or other Person, regardless
of
what liability or liabilities of such other Borrower or other Person remain
unpaid; and/or
Β
(e)Β consent
to or waive any breach of, or act, omission or default under, this Agreement
or
any of the instruments or agreements referred to herein, or otherwise, by
any
other Borrower or any other Person.
Β
14.04Β Reliance.
It is
not necessary for the Administrative Agent or any other Lender to inquire
into
the capacity or powers of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the
officers, directors, members, partners or agents acting or purporting to
act on
its behalf, and any Obligations made or created in reliance upon the professed
exercise of such powers shall constitute the joint and several obligations
of
the Borrowers hereunder.
Β
80
14.05Β Contribution;
Subrogation.
No
Borrower shall have any rights of contribution or subrogation with respect
to
any other Borrower as a result of payments made by it hereunder, in each
case
unless and until the Total Commitment has been terminated and all Obligations
have been paid in full in cash.
Β
14.06Β Waiver.
Each
Borrower waives any right to require the Administrative Agent or the other
Lenders to (i) proceed against any other Borrower, any guarantor or any other
party, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security held from any Borrower,
any
guarantor or any other party or (iii) pursue any other remedy in the
Administrative Agent's or the Lenders' power whatsoever. Each Borrower waives
any defense based on or arising out of suretyship or any impairment of security
held from any Borrower, any guarantor or any other party or on or arising
out of
any defense of any other Borrower, any guarantor or any other party other
than
payment in full in cash of the Obligations, including, without limitation,
any
defense based on or arising out of the disability of any other Borrower,
any
guarantor or any other party, or the unenforceability of the Obligations
or any
part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability
of
any other Borrower, in each case other than as a result of the payment in
full
in cash of the Obligations.
Β
Β
Β
81
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their duly authorized officers
to execute and deliver this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
Β
Address:
Β
c/o
Furniture Brands International, Inc.
|
Β |
FURNITURE
BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
|
||
000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
|
XXXXXXXX
FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
|
|||
Xx.
Xxxxx, XX 00000
|
HDM
FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
|
|||
Tel:
(000) 000-0000
|
LANE
FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
|
|||
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
|
THOMASVILLE
FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
|
|||
Attention:
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
Β | Β | |
Β |
Senior
Vice President, and
|
Β | ||
Β |
Chief
Financial Officer
|
Β | ||
Β | Β | Β | ||
Β | Β |
By
|
/s/
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
|
|
Β |
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
|||
Β |
Title:
Senior Vice President and
|
|||
Β |
Chief
Financial Officer of
|
|||
Β |
Furniture
Brands International, Inc.
|
|||
Β |
and
Vice President of each other Borrower
|
|||
Β |
On
behalf of each of the Borrowers
|
[Signature
Page to Credit Agreement]
82
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A.,
|
|
Β |
Individually
and as Administrative Agent
|
By
|
/s/
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
Β |
Title:
Vice President
|
Β | |
PNC
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
|
|
By
|
/s/
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
|
Β |
Title:
Vice President
|
Β | |
THE
BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD.
|
|
By
|
/s/
Tsuguyuki Umene
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Tsuguyuki Umene
|
Β |
Title:
Deputy General Manager
|
Β | |
WACHOVIA
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
|
|
By
|
/s/
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
Β |
Title:
Associate
|
Β | |
XXXXX
FARGO BANK, NA
|
|
By
|
/s/
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
|
Β |
Title:
Assistant Vice President
|
Β | |
BANK
OF AMERICA, N.A.
|
|
By
|
/s/
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
|
Β |
Title:
Vice President
|
[Signature
Page to Credit Agreement]
83
BNP
PARIBAS
|
|
By
|
/s/
Jo Xxxxx Xxxxxx
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Jo Xxxxx Xxxxxx
|
Β |
Title:
Managing Director
|
Β | |
By
|
/s/
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
|
Β |
Title:
Director
|
Β | |
SUNTRUST
BANK
|
|
By
|
/s/
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
Β |
Title:
Director
|
Β | |
MIZUHO
CORPORATE BANK, LTD.
|
|
By
|
/s/
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
|
Β |
Title:
Deputy General Manager
|
Β | |
NATIONAL
CITY BANK OF THE MIDWEST
|
|
By
|
/s/
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
|
Β |
Title:
Vice President
|
Β | |
THE
BANK OF NEW YORK
|
|
By
|
/s/
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
Β |
Title:
Vice President
|
Β | |
COMERICA
BANK
|
|
By
|
/s/
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
|
Β |
Title:
Assistant Vice President
|
Β |
[Signature
Page to Credit Agreement]
84
REGIONS
BANK
|
|
By
|
/s/
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
Β |
Title:
Vice President
|
Β | |
THE
NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY
|
|
By
|
/s/
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
|
Β |
Title:
Vice President
|
Β | |
US
BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
|
|
By
|
/s/
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
|
Β |
Title:
Vice President
|
Β | |
X.X.
XXXXXX SECURITIES INC., Individually and
|
|
as
Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
Β |
Title:
Vice President
|
Β | |
By
|
/s/
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
Β | Β |
Β |
Name:
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
Β |
Title:
Managing Director
|
Β
Β
[Signature
Page to Credit Agreement]
85
SCHEDULE
I
Β
COMMITMENTS
Β
Lender
Β
|
Β | Β |
Commitment
|
Β |
Β JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Β | Β
$
|
42,500,00Β | Β |
Β PNC Bank, National Association | Β | Β | 32,000,000Β | Β |
Β The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. | Β | Β | 32,000,000Β | Β |
Β Wachovia Bank, National Association | Β | Β | 32,000,000Β | Β |
Β Xxxxx Fargo Bank, NA | Β | Β | 32,000,000Β | Β |
Β Bank of America, N.A. | Β | Β | 26,500,000Β | Β |
Β BNP Paribas | Β | Β | 26,500,000Β | Β |
Β Sun Trust Bank | Β | Β | 26,500,000Β | Β |
Β Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. | Β | Β | 24,000,000Β | Β |
Β National City Bank of the Midwest | Β | Β | 24,000,000Β | Β |
Β The Bank of New York | Β | Β | 24,000,000Β | Β |
Β Comercia Bank | Β | Β | 19,500,000Β | Β |
Β Regions Bank | Β | Β | 19,500,000Β | Β |
Β The Northern Trust Company | Β | Β | 19,500,000Β | Β |
Β US Bank National Association | Β | Β |
19,500,000Β
|
Β |
TOTAL
|
Β |
$
|
400,000,000
|
Β |
Β
86
SCHEDULE
II
Β
LENDER
ADDRESSES
Β
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A.
Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxx Vice President
1
Chase
Plaza
Mail
Code
IL1-0173
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Bank
of America, N.A.
Xxxx
X.
Xxxxxxx, Vice President
000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
XX0-000-00-00
Xx.
Xxxxx, XX 00000-0000
The
Bank of New York
Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, Vice President
Xxx
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
00xx
xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
The
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.
Tsuguyuki
Umene, Deputy General Manager
Chicago
Branch
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
BNP
Paribas
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Director
000
Xxxxx
XxXxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
000
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
87
Comerica
Bank
Xxxx
X.
Xxxxxxxx, Assistant Vice President
000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Mizuho
Corporate Bank, Ltd.
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Vice President
0000
Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000-0000
National
City Bank of the Midwest
Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxxx, Xx., Vice President
Code
56-SL-WB08
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xx.
Xxxxx, XX 00000
The
Northern Trust Company
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Vice President
00
Xxxxx
XxXxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
PNC
Bank, National Association
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Vice President
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Regions
Bank
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Vice President
000
00xx
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
SunTrust
Bank
Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxx, Managing Director
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
88
US
Bank National Association
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Banking Officer
One
U.S.
Bank Plaza
Mail
Code: SL-MO-T12M
Xx.
Xxxxx, XX 00000
Wachovia
Bank, National Association
Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxx, Director
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Xxxxx
Fargo Bank, NA
Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxxxxx, Assistant Vice President
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx 0000
Xx.
Xxxxx, XX 00000
Β