STANLEY FURNITURE COMPANY, INC. $10,000,000 6.94% SENIOR NOTES DUE MAY 3, 2011 $25,000,000 6.73% SERIES AA SENIOR NOTES DUE MAY 3, 2017 $25,000,000 UNCOMMITTED SHELF FACILITY AMENDED AND RESTATED NOTE PURCHASE AND PRIVATE SHELF AGREEMENT Dated January...
XXXXXXX
FURNITURE COMPANY, INC.
$10,000,000
6.94%
SENIOR NOTES DUE MAY 3, 2011
$25,000,000
6.73%
SERIES AA SENIOR NOTES DUE MAY 3, 2017
$25,000,000
UNCOMMITTED SHELF FACILITY
AMENDED
AND
RESTATED
Dated
January 26,
2007
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
|
|||
Page
|
|||
1. AUTHORIZATION
OF ISSUE OF NOTES
|
1
|
||
1A. Authorization
of Issue of Series AA Notes
|
1
|
||
1B. Authorization
of Issue of Shelf Notes
|
2
|
||
1C. 2001
Notes
|
2
|
||
2. PURCHASE
AND
SALE OF NOTES
|
2
|
||
2A. Purchase
and
Sale of Series AA Notes
|
2
|
||
2B. Purchase
and
Sale of Shelf Notes
|
3
|
||
2B(1).
Facility
|
3
|
||
2B(2).
Issuance
Period
|
3
|
||
2B(3).
Request
for
Purchase
|
4
|
||
2B(4).
Rate
Quotes
|
4
|
||
2B(5).
Acceptance
|
4
|
||
2B(6).
Market
Disruption
|
5
|
||
2B(7).
Facility
Closings
|
5
|
||
2B(8).
Fees
|
6
|
||
2B(8)(i).
Intentionally
Omitted
|
6
|
||
2B(8)(ii).
Issuance
Fee
|
6
|
||
2B(8)(iii).
Delayed
Delivery Fee
|
6
|
||
2B(8)(iv).
Cancellation
Fee
|
7
|
||
3. CONDITIONS
OF
CLOSING
|
7
|
||
3A. Initial
Closing Documents
|
7
|
||
3B. Series
AA
Closing Day and Each other Closing Day
|
8
|
||
3C. Opinion
of
Purchaser’s Special Counsel
|
9
|
||
3D. Representations
and Warranties; No Default
|
9
|
||
3E. Purchase
Permitted by Applicable Laws
|
9
|
||
3F. Payment
of
Fees.
|
9
|
||
3G. No
Material
Adverse Change
|
9
|
||
3H. Private
Placement Numbers
|
9
|
||
3I. Location
of
Closings
|
10
|
||
4. PREPAYMENTS
|
10
|
||
4A. Required
Prepayments of Series AA Notes
|
10
|
||
4B. Required
Prepayments of Shelf Notes
|
10
|
||
4C. Optional
Prepayment With Yield-Maintenance Amount
|
10
|
||
4D. Notice
of
Optional Prepayment
|
10
|
||
4E. Application
of Required Prepayments
|
11
|
||
4F. Retirement
of
Notes
|
11
|
||
5. AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS
|
11
|
||
5A. Reporting
Requirements
|
11
|
||
5A(1).
General
Information
|
11
|
||
5A(2).
Quarterly
Officer’s Certificates
|
13
|
||
5A(3).
Annual
Accountant’s Letter.
|
13
|
||
5A(4).
Special
Information
|
13
|
||
5B. Inspection
of
Property
|
14
|
||
5C. Covenant
to
Secure Notes Equally
|
14
|
||
5D. Guaranteed
Obligations
|
14
|
||
5E. Maintenance
of Insurance
|
15
|
||
5F. Maintenance
of Corporate Existence/Compliance with Law/Preservation
of Property
|
15
|
||
5G. Compliance
with Environmental Laws
|
16
|
||
5H. No
Integration
|
16
|
||
5I. Financial
Records
|
16
|
||
6. NEGATIVE
COVENANTS
|
16
|
||
6A. Fixed
Charge
Coverage and Debt Limits
|
16
|
||
6B. Intentionally
Omitted
|
16
|
||
6C. Liens,
Debt
and Other Restrictions
|
16
|
||
6C(1).
Liens.
|
18
|
||
6C(2).
Debt.
|
18
|
||
6C(3).
Merger
or
Consolidation
|
18
|
||
6C(4).
Sale
or
Discount of Receivables
|
18
|
||
6C(5).
Change
in
Business
|
18
|
||
6C(6).
Transactions
with Related Party
|
19
|
||
6C(7).
Investments
|
20
|
||
6D. Sale
of
Property
|
21
|
||
6E. Subsidiary
Stock and Debt
|
21
|
||
6F. ERISA
|
21
|
||
6G. Environmental
Matters
|
21
|
||
6H. Specified
Laws
|
21
|
||
7. EVENTS
OF
DEFAULT
|
24
|
||
7A. Acceleration.
|
25
|
||
7B. Rescission
of
Acceleration
|
25
|
||
7C. Notice
of
Acceleration or Rescission
|
25
|
||
7D. Other
Remedies
|
25
|
||
8. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
|
26
|
||
8A. Organization
|
26
|
||
8B. Financial
Statements
|
26
|
||
8C. Actions
Pending
|
26
|
||
8D. Outstanding
Debt.
|
27
|
||
8E. Title
to
Properties
|
27
|
||
8F. Taxes.
|
27
|
||
8G. Conflicting
Agreements and Other Matters
|
27
|
||
8H. Offering
of
Notes
|
28
|
||
8I. Use
of
Proceeds
|
28
|
||
8J. ERISA
|
29
|
||
8K. Governmental
Consent
|
30
|
||
8M. Disclosure
|
30
|
||
8N. Hostile
Tender Offers
|
30
|
||
8O. Absence
Of
Foreign Or Enemy Status
|
30
|
||
9. REPRESENTATIONS
OF THE PURCHASERS
|
30
|
||
9A. Nature
of
Purchase
|
32
|
||
9B. Source
of
Funds
|
32
|
||
10. DEFINITIONS
|
32
|
||
10A. Yield-Maintenance
Terms
|
32
|
||
10B. Other
Terms
|
33
|
||
10C. Accounting
Principles, Terms and Determinations
|
43
|
||
11. MISCELLANEOUS
|
43
|
||
11A. Note
Payments
|
43
|
||
11B. Expenses
|
43
|
||
11C. Consent
to
Amendments
|
44
|
||
11D. Form,
Registration, Transfer and Exchange of Notes; Lost
Notes
|
44
|
||
11E. Persons
Deemed Owners; Participations
|
45
|
||
11F. Survival
of
Representations and Warranties; Entire Agreement.
|
45
|
||
11G. Successors
and Assigns; Transfer Provisions
|
45
|
||
11H. Disclosure
to
Other Persons; Confidentiality
|
45
|
||
11I. Notices
|
46
|
||
11J. Payments
Due
on Non-Business Days
|
47
|
||
11K. Satisfaction
Requirement
|
47
|
||
11L. Independence
of Covenants
|
47
|
||
11M. Governing
Law
|
47
|
||
11N. Severability
|
48
|
||
11O. Descriptive
Headings
|
48
|
||
11P. Counterparts
|
48
|
SCHEDULES
Purchaser
Schedule
Information
Schedule
Schedule
8A --
Subsidiaries
Schedule
8B --
Changes to Business
Schedule
8D --
Debt
Schedule
8G --
Other Agreements
Schedule
8L --
Environmental
EXHIBITS
Exhibit
A -- Form
of Series AA Note
Exhibit
B -- Form
of Shelf Note
Exhibit
C -- Form
of Request for Purchase
Exhibit
D -- Form
of Confirmation of Acceptance
Exhibit
E -- Form
of Opinion of Company Counsel
XXXXXXX
FURNITURE COMPANY, INC.
P.O.
Box
30
Route
57
Stanleytown,
Virginia 24168
As
of January 26,
2007
The
Prudential
Insurance Company
of
America (“Prudential”)
Hartford
Life
Insurance Company (“Hartford”)
Medica
Health Plans
(“Medica”)
Pruco
Life
Insurance Company of New Jersey (“Pruco”)
Prudential
Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (“PRIAC”)
Mutual
of Omaha
Insurance Company (“Mutual
of Omaha”)
Each
Prudential
Affiliate (as hereinafter defined)
which
becomes bound
by certain provisions of this
Agreement
as
hereinafter provided (together with
Prudential,
Hartford, Medica, Pruco, PRIAC
and
Omaha, the
“Purchasers”)
c/o
Prudential
Capital Group
0000
Xxxxxxxxx Xx.,
XX, Xxxxx 000
Atlanta,
GA
30309
Ladies
and
Gentlemen:
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Company (the “Company”)
entered into
that certain Private Shelf Agreement, dated as of September 8, 1999, by and
between the Company and Prudential, as amended or modified prior to the date
hereof (the “Original
Agreement”),
pursuant to
which, among other things, the Company authorized and issued $10,000,000 in
aggregate principal amount of its 6.94% Senior Notes due 2011 (collectively,
the
“2001
Notes”),
of which
$7,142,857 remains outstanding on the date hereof. Prudential, Hartford and
Medica together hold
100% of the
aggregate principal amount of the 2001 Notes.
The Company has
requested that Prudential agree to amend and restate the terms of the Original
Agreement on the terms contained herein, and that the other Purchasers join
this
Agreement in connection therewith.
The
Company hereby
agrees with you that the Original Agreement is amended and restated in its
entirety as follows:
1. AUTHORIZATION
OF ISSUE OF NOTES.
1A. Authorization
of Issue of Series AA Notes.
The Company will
authorize the issue of its senior promissory notes (the "Series
AA Notes")
in the aggregate
principal amount of $25,000,000, to be dated the Series AA Closing Day and
to
mature on May 3, 2017, to bear interest on the unpaid balance thereof from
the
date thereof until the principal thereof shall have become due and payable
at
the rate of 6.73% per annum and on overdue principal, Yield-Maintenance Amount
and interest at the rate specified therein, and to be substantially in the
form
of Exhibit
A
attached hereto. The terms "Series
AA Note"
and "Series
AA Notes"
as used herein
shall include each Series AA Note delivered pursuant to any provision of this
Agreement and each Series AA Note delivered in substitution or exchange for
any
such Series AA Note pursuant to any such provision.
1B. Authorization
of Issue of Shelf Notes.
The Company will
authorize the issue of its additional senior promissory notes (the “Shelf
Notes”)
in the aggregate
principal amount of up to $25,000,000, to be dated the date of issue thereof,
to
mature, in the case of each Shelf Note so issued, no more than ten years after
the date of original issuance thereof, to have an average life, in the case
of
each Shelf Note so issued, of no more than ten years after the date of original
issuance thereof, to bear interest on the unpaid balance thereof from the date
thereof at the rate per annum, and to have such other particular terms, as
shall
be set forth, in the case of each Shelf Note so issued, in the Confirmation
of
Acceptance with respect to such Shelf Note delivered pursuant to paragraph
2B(6)
and to be substantially in the form of Exhibit
B
attached hereto. The terms “Shelf
Note”
and
“Shelf
Notes”
as
used herein
shall include each Shelf Note delivered pursuant to any provision of this
Agreement and each Shelf Note delivered in substitution or exchange for any
such
Shelf Note pursuant to any such provision. The terms "Note"
and "Notes"
as used herein
shall include each 2001 Note, each Series AA Note and each Shelf Note delivered
pursuant to any provision of this Agreement and each Note delivered in
substitution or exchange for any such Note pursuant to any such provision.
Notes
which have (i) the same final maturity, (ii) the same principal prepayment
dates, (iii) the same principal prepayment amounts (as a percentage of the
original principal amount of each Note), (iv) the same interest rate, (v) the
same interest payment periods and (vi) the same date of issuance (which, in
the
case of a Note issued in exchange for another Note, shall be deemed for these
purposes the date on which such Note’s ultimate predecessor Note was issued),
are herein called a “Series”
of
Notes.
1C. 2001
Notes.
The 2001 Notes
were authorized and issued under the Original Agreement.
2. PURCHASE
AND SALE OF NOTES.
2A. Purchase
and Sale of Series AA Notes. The
Company hereby
agrees to sell to each Series AA Note Purchaser and, subject to the terms and
conditions herein set forth, each Series AA Note Purchaser agrees to purchase
from the Company the aggregate principal amount of Series AA Notes set forth
opposite its name on the Purchaser Schedule attached hereto at 100% of such
aggregate principal amount. On April 17, 2007 or any other date prior to April
17, 2007 upon which the Company and the Series AA Note Purchasers may agree
(herein called the "Series
AA Closing Day"),
the Company
will deliver to each Series AA Note Purchaser at the offices of King &
Spalding, LLP, 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 10036, one or
more Series AA Notes registered in its name, evidencing the aggregate principal
amount of Series AA Notes to be purchased by each Series AA Note Purchasers
and
in the denomination or denominations specified with respect to each Series
AA
Note Purchasers in the Purchaser Schedule attached hereto, against payment
of
the purchase price thereof by transfer of immediately available funds for credit
to the Company in accordance with written instructions executed by a Responsible
Officer of the Company and received by each Series AA Note Purchaser at least
three Business Days prior to the Series AA Closing Day, setting forth (a) the
name and address of the transferee bank, (b) such transferee bank’s ABA number,
(c) the account name and number into which the purchase price of the Series
AA
Notes is to be deposited, and (d) the name and telephone number of the account
representative responsible for verifying receipt of such funds.
2B. Purchase
and Sale of Shelf Notes.
2B(1).
Facility.
Prudential is
willing to consider, in its sole discretion and within limits which may be
authorized for purchase by Prudential and Prudential Affiliates from time to
time, the purchase of Shelf Notes pursuant to this Agreement. The willingness
of
Prudential to consider such purchase of Shelf Notes is herein called the
“Facility”.
At any time, the
aggregate principal amount of Shelf Notes stated in paragraph 1B, minus the
aggregate principal amount of Shelf Notes purchased and sold pursuant to this
Agreement prior to such time, minus the aggregate principal amount of Accepted
Notes (as hereinafter defined) which have not yet been purchased and sold
hereunder prior to such time is herein called the “Available
Facility Amount”
at
such time.
NOTWITHSTANDING
THE WILLINGNESS OF PRUDENTIAL TO CONSIDER PURCHASES OF SHELF NOTES, THIS
AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO ON THE EXPRESS UNDERSTANDING THAT NEITHER PRUDENTIAL
NOR ANY PRUDENTIAL AFFILIATE SHALL BE OBLIGATED TO MAKE OR ACCEPT OFFERS TO
PURCHASE SHELF NOTES, OR TO QUOTE RATES, SPREADS OR OTHER TERMS WITH RESPECT
TO
SPECIFIC PURCHASES OF SHELF NOTES, AND THE FACILITY SHALL IN NO WAY BE CONSTRUED
AS A COMMITMENT BY PRUDENTIAL OR ANY PRUDENTIAL AFFILIATE.
2B(2).
Issuance
Period.
Shelf Notes may
be issued and sold pursuant to this Agreement until the earlier of:
(i) the
third
anniversary of the date of this Agreement (or if any such anniversary is not
a
Business Day, the Business Day next preceding such anniversary),
(ii) the
thirtieth day
after Prudential shall have given to the Company, or the Company shall have
given to Prudential, a notice stating that it elects to terminate the issuance
and sale of Shelf Notes pursuant to this Agreement (or if such thirtieth day
is
not a Business Day, the Business Day next preceding such thirtieth
day),
(iii) The
last Closing
Day after which there is no Available Facility Amount,
(iv) The
termination of
the Facility under paragraph 7, and
(v) The
acceleration of
any Note under paragraph 7A of this Agreement.
The
period during
which Shelf Notes may be issued and sold pursuant to this Agreement is herein
called the “Issuance Period”.
2B(3).
Request
for Purchase.
The Company may
from time to time during the Issuance Period make requests for purchases of
Shelf Notes (each such request being herein called a “Request
for Purchase”).
Each Request
for Purchase shall be made to Prudential by telecopy or overnight delivery
service, and shall:
(i) specify
the
aggregate principal amount of Shelf Notes covered thereby, which shall not
be
less than $5,000,000 and not be greater than the Available Facility Amount
at
the time such Request for Purchase is made,
(ii) specify
the
principal amounts, final maturities (which shall be no more than ten years
from
the date of issuance), principal prepayment dates and amounts and interest
payment periods (quarterly or semi-annual in arrears) of the Shelf Notes covered
thereby,
(iii) specify
the use of
proceeds of such Shelf Notes,
(iv) specify
the
proposed day for the closing of the purchase and sale of such Shelf Notes,
which
shall be a Business Day during the Issuance Period not less than 10 days and
not
more than 25 days after the making of such Request for Purchase (the
“Closing
Day”),
(v) specify
the number
of the account and the name and address of the depository institution to which
the purchase prices of such Shelf Notes are to be transferred on the Closing
Day
for such purchase and sale,
(vi) certify
that the
representations and warranties contained in paragraph 8 are true on and as
of
the date of such Request for Purchase and that there exists on the date of
such
Request for Purchase no Event of Default or Default,
(vii) specify
the
Designated Spread for such Shelf Notes, and
(viii) be
substantially in
the form of Exhibit
C
attached hereto. Each Request for Purchase shall be in writing and shall be
deemed made when received by Prudential.
2B(4).
Rate
Quotes.
Not later than
five Business Days after the Company shall have given Prudential a Request
for
Purchase pursuant to paragraph 2B(3), Prudential may, but shall be under no
obligation to, provide to the Company by telephone or telecopier, in each case
between 9:30 A.M. and 1:30 P.M. New York City local time (or such later time
as
Prudential may elect) interest rate quotes for the several principal amounts,
maturities, principal prepayment schedules, and interest payment periods of
Shelf Notes specified in such Request for Purchase. Each quote shall represent
the interest rate per annum payable on the outstanding principal balance of
such
Shelf Notes at which Prudential or a Prudential Affiliate would be willing
to
purchase such Shelf Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof.
2B(5).
Acceptance.
Within 30 minutes
after Prudential shall have provided any interest rate quotes pursuant to
paragraph 2B(4) or such shorter period as Prudential may specify to the Company
(such period herein called the “Acceptance
Window”),
the Company
may, subject to paragraph 2B(6), elect to accept such interest rate quotes
as to
not less than $5,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Shelf Notes specified
in the related Request for Purchase. Such election shall be made by an
Authorized Officer of the Company notifying Prudential by telephone or
telecopier within the Acceptance Window (but not earlier than 9:30 a.m. or
later
than 2:00 p.m., New York City local time) that the Company elects to accept
such
interest rate quotes, specifying the Shelf Notes (each such Shelf Note being
herein called an “Accepted
Note”)
as to which such
acceptance (herein called a “Acceptance”)
relates. The day
the Company notifies Prudential of an Acceptance with respect to any Accepted
Notes is herein called the “Acceptance
Day”
for
such Accepted
Notes. Any interest rate quotes as to which Prudential does not receive an
Acceptance within the Acceptance Window shall expire, and no purchase or sale
of
Shelf Notes hereunder shall be made based on such expired interest rate quotes.
Subject to paragraph 2B(6) and the other terms and conditions hereof, the
Company agrees to sell to Prudential or a Prudential Affiliate, and Prudential
agrees to purchase, or to cause the purchase by a Prudential Affiliate of,
the
Accepted Notes at 100% of the principal amount of such Notes. As soon as
practicable following the Acceptance Day, the Company, Prudential and each
Prudential Affiliate which is to purchase any such Accepted Notes will execute
a
confirmation of such Acceptance substantially in the form of Exhibit
D
attached hereto (herein called a “Confirmation
of Acceptance”).
If the Company
should fail to execute and return to Prudential within three Business Days
following receipt thereof a Confirmation of Acceptance with respect to any
Accepted Notes, Prudential may at its election at any time prior to its receipt
thereof cancel the closing with respect to such Accepted Notes by so notifying
the Company in writing.
2B(6).
Market
Disruption.
Notwithstanding
the provisions of paragraph 2B(5), if Prudential shall have provided interest
rate quotes pursuant to paragraph 2B(4) and thereafter prior to the time an
Acceptance with respect to such quotes shall have been notified to Prudential
in
accordance with paragraph 2B(5) the domestic market for U.S. Treasury securities
or derivatives shall have closed or there shall have occurred a general
suspension, material limitation, or significant disruption of trading in
securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange or in the domestic market
for U.S. Treasury securities or derivatives, then such interest rate quotes
shall expire, and no purchase or sale of Shelf Notes hereunder shall be made
based on such expired interest rate quotes. If the Company thereafter notifies
Prudential of the Acceptance of any such interest rate quotes, such Acceptance
shall be ineffective for all purposes of this Agreement, and Prudential shall
promptly notify the Company that the provisions of this paragraph 2B(6) are
applicable with respect to such Acceptance.
2B(7).
Facility
Closings.
Not later than
11:30 A.M. (New York City local time) on the Closing Day for any Accepted Notes,
the Company will deliver to each Purchaser listed in the Confirmation of
Acceptance relating thereto, and at the place specified in the applicable
Purchaser Schedule for such Series of Notes, the Accepted Notes to be purchased
by such Purchaser in the form of one or more Notes in authorized denominations
as such Purchaser may request for each Series of Accepted Notes to be purchased
on the Closing Day, dated the Closing Day and registered in such Purchaser’s
name (or in the name of its nominee), against payment of the purchase price
thereof by transfer of immediately available funds for credit to the Company’s
account specified in the Request for Purchase of such Notes. If the Company
fails to tender to any Purchaser the Accepted Notes to be purchased by such
Purchaser on the scheduled Closing Day for such Accepted Notes as provided
above
in this paragraph 2B(7), or any of the conditions specified in paragraph 3
shall
not have been fulfilled by the time required on such scheduled Closing Day,
the
Company shall, prior to 1:00 P.M., New York City local time, on such scheduled
Closing Day notify Prudential (which notification shall be deemed received
by
each Purchaser) in writing whether (i) such closing is to be rescheduled (such
rescheduled date to be a Business Day during the Issuance Period not less than
one Business Day and not more than 10 Business Days after such scheduled Closing
Day (the “Rescheduled
Closing Day”)
and certify to
Prudential (which certification shall be for the benefit of each Purchaser)
that
the Company reasonably believes that it will be able to comply with the
conditions set forth in paragraph 3 on such Rescheduled Closing Day and that
the
Company will pay the Delayed Delivery Fee in accordance with paragraph
2B(8)(iii) or (ii) such closing is to be canceled. In the event that the Company
shall fail to give such notice referred to in the preceding sentence, Prudential
(on behalf of each Purchaser) may at its election, at any time after 1:00 P.M.,
New York City local time, on such scheduled Closing Day, notify the Company
in
writing that such closing is to be canceled. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary appearing in this Agreement, the Company may elect to reschedule a
closing with respect to any given Accepted Notes on not more than one occasion,
unless Prudential shall have otherwise consented in writing.
2B(8).
Fees.
2B(8)(i).
Intentionally
Omitted.
2B(8)(ii).
Issuance
Fee.
The Company will
pay to Prudential in immediately available funds a fee (herein called the
“Issuance
Fee”)
on each Closing
Day (other than the Series AA Closing Day) in an amount equal to
0.125% of
the aggregate
principal amount of Notes sold on such Closing Day.
2B(8)(iii).
Delayed
Delivery Fee.
If the closing of
the purchase and sale of any Accepted Note is delayed for any reason beyond
the
original Closing Day for such Accepted Note, the Company will pay to Prudential
(a) on the Cancellation Date or actual closing date of such purchase and sale
and (b) if earlier, the next Business Day following 90 days after the Acceptance
Day for such Accepted Note and on each Business Day following 90 days after
the
prior payment hereunder, a fee (herein called the “Delayed Delivery Fee”)
calculated as follows:
(BEY
- MMY) X
DTS/360 X PA
where
“BEY”
means
Bond
Equivalent Yield, i.e., the bond equivalent yield per annum of such Accepted
Note, “MMY”
means
Money
Market Yield, i.e., the yield per annum on a commercial paper investment of
the
highest quality selected by Prudential on the date Prudential receives notice
of
the delay in the closing for such Accepted Note having a maturity date or dates
the same as, or closest to, the Rescheduled Closing Day or Rescheduled Closing
Days (a new alternative investment being selected by Prudential each time such
closing is delayed); “DTS”
means
Days to
Settlement, i.e., the number of actual days elapsed from and including the
original Closing Day with respect to such Accepted Note (in the case of the
first such payment with respect to such Accepted Note) or from and including
the
date of the next preceding payment (in the case of any subsequent delayed
delivery fee payment with respect to such Accepted Note) to but excluding the
date of such payment; and “PA”
means
Principal
Amount, i.e., the principal amount of the Accepted Note for which such
calculation is being made. In no case shall the Delayed Delivery Fee be less
than zero. Nothing contained herein shall obligate any Purchaser to purchase
any
Accepted Note on any day other than the Closing Day for such Accepted Note,
as
the same may be rescheduled from time to time in compliance with paragraph
2B(7).
2B(8)(iv).
Cancellation
Fee.
If the Company at
any time notifies Prudential in writing that the Company is canceling the
closing of the purchase and sale of any Accepted Note, or if Prudential notifies
the Company in writing under the circumstances set forth in the last sentence
of
paragraph 2B(5) or the penultimate sentence of paragraph 2B(7) that the closing
of the purchase and sale of such Accepted Note is to be canceled, or if the
closing of the purchase and sale of such Accepted Note is not consummated on
or
prior to the last day of the Issuance Period (the date of any such notification,
or the last day of the Issuance Period, as the case may be, being herein called
the “Cancellation
Date”),
the Company
will pay the Purchasers in immediately available funds an amount (the
“Cancellation
Fee”)
calculated as
follows:
PI
X
PA
where
"PI"
means Price
Increase, i.e.,
the quotient
(expressed in decimals) obtained by dividing (a) the excess of the ask price
(as
determined by Prudential) of the Hedge Treasury Note(s) on the Cancellation
Date
over the bid price (as determined by Prudential) of the Hedge Treasury Notes(s)
on the Acceptance Day for such Accepted Note by (b) such bid price; and
"PA"
has the meaning
ascribed to it in paragraph 2B(8)(iii). The foregoing bid and ask prices shall
be as reported by Telerate Systems, Inc. (or, if such data for any reason ceases
to be available through Telerate Systems, Inc., any publicly available source
of
similar market data). Each price shall be based on a U.S. Treasury security
having a par value of $100.00 and shall be rounded to the second decimal place.
In no case shall the Cancellation Fee be less than zero.
3. CONDITIONS
OF CLOSING.
The obligations
of Prudential and each other Purchaser to enter into this Agreement, to purchase
and pay for any Notes, and to make the Facility available to the Company is
subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Agreement Effective Date and
the
applicable Closing Day for such Notes, of the following conditions:
3A. Initial
Closing Documents.
Prudential shall
have received the following, each dated the date of the Agreement Effective
Date:
(i) Certified
copies of
the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, and of all documents evidencing other
necessary corporate action and governmental approvals, if any, with respect
to
this Agreement.
(ii) A
certificate of
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary and one other officer of the Company
certifying the names and true signatures of the officers of the Company
authorized to sign this Agreement and the other documents to be delivered
hereunder.
(iii) Certified
copies of
the Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws of the Company.
(iv) A
favorable opinion
of XxXxxxx Xxxxx Battle & Xxxxxx, L.L.P., special counsel to the Company (or
such other counsel designated by the Company and acceptable to Prudential)
satisfactory to Prudential and substantially in the form of Exhibit
E
attached hereto and as to such other matters as Prudential may reasonably
request. The Company hereby directs each such counsel to deliver such opinion,
and understands and agrees that Prudential will and is hereby authorized to
rely
on such opinion.
(v) A
good standing
certificate for the Company from the Secretary of State of Delaware dated of
a
recent date and good standing or other certificates of qualification to do
business as a foreign corporation for the Company in the State of Virginia
and
North Carolina and such other evidence of the status of the Company as
Prudential may reasonably request.
(vi) Xxxx
executed
amendment to the 1995 Note Agreement.
(vii) Additional
documents or certificates with respect to legal matters or corporate or other
proceedings related to the transactions contemplated hereby as may be reasonably
requested by Prudential.
3B. Series
AA Closing Day and Each other Closing Day.
Such Purchaser
shall have received the following, each dated the date of the applicable Closing
Day:
(i) The
Note(s) to be
purchased by such Purchaser.
(ii) Certified
copies of
the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance of the Notes, and
of
all documents evidencing other necessary corporate action and governmental
approvals, if any, with respect to this Agreement and the Notes.
(iii) A
certificate of
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary and one other officer of the Company
certifying the names and true signatures of the officers of the Company
authorized to sign this Agreement and the Notes and the other documents to
be
delivered hereunder.
(iv) Certified
copies of
the Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws of the Company (or certification
of
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to no changes thereto since the
delivery of the constituent documents on the prior Closing Day).
(v) A
favorable opinion
of XxXxxxx Xxxxx Battle & Xxxxxx, L.L.P., special counsel to the Company (or
such other counsel designated by the Company and acceptable to the Purchaser(s))
satisfactory to such Purchaser and substantially in the form of Exhibit
E
attached hereto and as to such other matters as such Purchaser may reasonably
request. The Company hereby directs each such counsel to deliver such opinion,
agrees that the issuance and sale of any Notes will constitute a reconfirmation
of such direction, and understands and agrees that each Purchaser receiving
such
an opinion will and is hereby authorized to rely on such opinion.
(vi) A
good standing
certificate for the Company from the Secretary of State of Delaware dated of
a
recent date and good standing or other certificates of qualification to do
business as a foreign corporation for the Company in the State of Virginia
and
North Carolina and such other evidence of the status of the Company as such
Purchaser may reasonably request.
(vii) Additional
documents or certificates with respect to legal matters or corporate or other
proceedings related to the transactions contemplated hereby as may be reasonably
requested by such Purchaser.
3C. Opinion
of Purchaser’s Special Counsel.
On the Agreement
Effective Date and each subsequent Closing Day, Prudential and each other
Purchaser shall have received from King & Spalding, LLP a favorable opinion
satisfactory to Prudential and each other Purchaser as to such matters incident
to the matters herein contemplated as it may reasonably request.
3D. Representations
and Warranties; No Default.
The
representations and warranties contained in paragraph 8 shall be true in all
material respects on and as of the Agreement Effective Date and each such
Closing Day, except to the extent of changes caused by the transactions herein
contemplated; there shall exist on the Agreement Effective Date and such Closing
Day no Event of Default or Default; and the Company shall have delivered to
such
Purchaser an Officer’s Certificate, dated the Agreement Effective Date or such
Closing Day, to both such effects.
3E. Purchase
Permitted by Applicable Laws.
The purchase of
and payment for the Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser on the terms and
conditions herein provided (including the use of the proceeds of such Notes
by
the Company) shall not violate any applicable law or governmental regulation
(including, without limitation, Section 5 of the Securities Act or Regulation
T,
U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and shall not
subject such Purchaser to any tax, penalty, liability or other onerous condition
under or pursuant to any applicable law or governmental regulation, and such
Purchaser shall have received such certificates or other evidence as it may
reasonably request to establish compliance with this condition.
3F. Payment
of Fees.
The Company shall
have paid to Prudential on the applicable Closing Day any fees due it pursuant
to or in connection with this Agreement, including any Issuance Fee due pursuant
to paragraph 2B(8)(ii) and any Delayed Delivery Fee due pursuant to paragraph
2B(8)(iii).
3G. No
Material Adverse Change.
Prudential shall
have received a certificate from the chief financial officer of the Company,
dated the Agreement Effective Date or the applicable Closing Day, saying that,
except as set forth on Schedule 8B, no material adverse change in the financial
condition, business, operations or prospects of the Company or its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, has occurred since December 31, 2005.
3H. Private
Placement Numbers.
A private
placement number issued by Standard & Poor’s CUSIP Service Bureau (in
cooperation with the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association
of
Insurance Commissioners) shall have been obtained for the Notes to be purchased
on the applicable Closing Day.
3I. Location
of Closings.
Prudential,
together with each other Purchaser, acknowledges and agrees that it has
delivered, with the intent to be bound, its executed counterparts of this
Agreement to counsel for the Purchasers, c/o King & Spalding LLP, 0000
Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000. The Company acknowledges
and
agrees that it has delivered, with the intent to be bound, its executed
counterparts of this Agreement, together with all other documents, instruments,
opinions, certificates and other items required under paragraph 3A to counsel
for the Purchasers, c/o King & Spalding LLP, 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000. All parties agree that closing of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement on the Agreement Effective Date and each
subsequent Closing Day shall be deemed to have occurred in New York and that
all
deliveries on each subsequent Closing Day for the Notes shall be delivered
to
counsel for the Purchasers, c/o King & Spalding, LLP, 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000.
4. PREPAYMENTS.
The 2001 Notes
shall be subject to required prepayment as and to the extent set forth in the
Notes of such Series. The Series AA Notes and any Shelf Notes shall be subject
to required prepayment as and to the extent provided in paragraphs 4A and 4B,
respectively. The Notes shall also be subject to prepayment under the
circumstances set forth in paragraph 4C. Any prepayment made by the Company
pursuant to any other provision of this paragraph 4 shall not reduce or
otherwise affect its obligation to make any required prepayment as specified
in
the 2001 Notes or in paragraphs 4A or 4B.
4A. Required
Prepayments of Series AA Notes. Until
the Series AA
Notes shall be paid in full, the Company shall apply to the prepayment of the
Series AA Notes, without Yield-Maintenance Amount, the sum of $3,571,428.57
on
May 3rd of each year, commencing on May 3, 2011,
and such principal
amounts of the Series AA Notes, together with interest thereon to the payment
dates, shall become due on such payment dates. The remaining unpaid principal
amount of the Series AA Notes, together with interest accrued thereon, shall
become due on the maturity date of the Series AA Notes.
4B. Required
Prepayments of Shelf Notes.
Each Series of
Shelf Notes shall be subject to required prepayments, if any, set forth in
the
Notes of such Series.
4C. Optional
Prepayment With Yield-Maintenance Amount.
The Notes of each
Series shall be subject to prepayment, in whole at any time or from time to
time
in part (in integral multiples of $100,000 and in a minimum amount of
$1,000,000), at the option of the Company, at 100% of the principal amount
so
prepaid plus interest thereon to the prepayment date and the Yield-Maintenance
Amount, if any, with respect to each such Note. Any partial prepayment of a
Series of the Notes pursuant to this paragraph 4C shall be applied in
satisfaction of required payments of principal in inverse order of their
scheduled due dates.
4D. Notice
of Optional Prepayment.
The Company shall
give the holder of each Note of a Series to be prepaid pursuant to paragraph
4C
irrevocable written notice of such prepayment not less than 5 Business Days
prior to the prepayment date, specifying such prepayment date, the aggregate
principal amount of the Notes of such Series to be prepaid on such date, the
principal amount of the Notes of such Series held by such holder to be prepaid
on that date and that such prepayment is to be made pursuant to paragraph 4C.
Notice of prepayment having been given as aforesaid, the principal amount of
the
Notes specified in such notice, together with interest thereon to the prepayment
date and together with the Yield-Maintenance Amount, if any, herein provided,
shall become due and payable on such prepayment date. The Company shall use
reasonable efforts, on or before the day on which it gives written notice of
any
prepayment pursuant to paragraph 4C, to give telephonic notice of the principal
amount of the Notes to be prepaid and the prepayment date to each Significant
Holder which shall have designated a recipient for such notices in the Purchaser
Schedule attached hereto or the applicable Confirmation of Acceptance or by
notice in writing to the Company.
4E. Application
of Required Prepayments.
In the case of
each prepayment of less than the entire unpaid principal amount of all
outstanding Notes of any Series pursuant to paragraphs 4A, 4B or 4C, the amount
to be prepaid shall be applied pro rata to all outstanding Notes of such Series
(including, for the purpose of this paragraph 4E only, all Notes of such Series
prepaid or otherwise retired or purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates other than by prepayment pursuant
to
paragraph 4A, 4B or 4C) according to the respective unpaid principal amounts
thereof.
4F. Retirement
of Notes.
The Company shall
not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates to, prepay
or
otherwise retire in whole or in part prior to their stated final maturity (other
than by prepayment pursuant to paragraphs 4A, 4B or 4C or upon acceleration
of
such final maturity pursuant to paragraph 7A), or purchase or otherwise acquire,
directly or indirectly, Notes of any Series held by any holder unless the
Company or such Subsidiary or Affiliate shall have offered to prepay or
otherwise retire or purchase or otherwise acquire, as the case may be, the
same
proportion of the aggregate principal amount of Notes of such Series held by
each other holder of Notes of such Series at the time outstanding upon the
same
terms and conditions. Any Notes so prepaid or otherwise retired or purchased
or
otherwise acquired by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates
shall
not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose under this Agreement, except
as
provided in paragraph 4E.
5. AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS.
5A. Reporting
Requirements.
5A(1).
General
Information.
The Company
covenants that it will deliver to each Significant Holder in
triplicate:
(i) as
soon as
practicable and in any event within 45 days after the end of each quarterly
period (other than the fourth quarterly period) in each fiscal
year,
(1) Consolidated
statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the period from
the beginning of the current fiscal year to the end of such quarterly period,
and
(2) a
Consolidated
balance sheet as at the end of such quarterly period,
setting
forth in
each case in comparative form figures for the corresponding period in the
preceding fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and satisfactory in form to
the
Required Holder(s) and certified by an authorized financial officer of the
Company as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial condition
of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such period
and the results of their operations for the period then ended in accordance
with
generally accepted accounting principles, subject to changes resulting from
normal year-end adjustments and the inclusion of abbreviated footnotes;
provided,
however,
that delivery
pursuant to clause (iii) below of copies of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
of
the Company for such quarterly period filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this clause
(i);
(ii) as
soon as
practicable and in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal
year,
(1)
|
Consolidated
statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for such year,
and
|
(2)
|
a
Consolidated balance sheet as at the end of such
year,
|
setting
forth in
each case in comparative form corresponding Consolidated figures from the
preceding annual audit, all in reasonable detail and satisfactory in scope
to
the Required Holder(s) and reported on by independent public accountants of
recognized standing selected by the Company whose report shall be without
limitation as to the scope of the audit and reasonably satisfactory in substance
to the Required Holder(s); provided,
however,
that delivery
pursuant to clause (iii) below of copies of the Annual Report on Form 10-K
of
the Company for such year filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this clause (ii);
(iii) promptly
upon
transmission thereof, copies of all such financial statements, proxy statements,
notices and reports as it shall send to its public stockholders and copies
of
all registration statements (without exhibits) and all reports (other than
any
registration statement filed on Form S-8) which it files with the Securities
and
Exchange Commission (or any governmental body or agency succeeding to the
functions of the Securities and Exchange Commission);
(iv) promptly
upon
receipt thereof, a copy of each other report (including, without limitation,
management letters) submitted to the Company or any Subsidiary by independent
accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by
them
of the books of the Company or any Subsidiary;
(v) promptly
upon
receipt thereof, a copy of each report, survey, study, evaluation, assessment
or
other document prepared by any consultant, engineer, Environmental Authority
or
other Person relating to compliance by the Company or any Subsidiary with any
Environmental Requirements, if the cost of remediation, repair or compliance
may
be reasonably expected to exceed $500,000 in any one case or in the
aggregate,
(vi) with
reasonable
promptness, upon the request of the holder of any Note, provide such holder,
and
any qualified institutional buyer designated by such holder, such financial
and
other information as such holder may reasonably determine to be necessary in
order to permit compliance with the information requirements of Rule 144A under
the Securities Act in connection with the resale of Notes, except at such times
as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of section 13 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act. For the purpose of this clause (vii), the term “qualified
institutional buyer” shall have the meaning specified in Rule 144A under the
Securities Act; and
(vii) with
reasonable
promptness, such other financial data as a Significant Holder may reasonably
request,
5A(2).
Quarterly
Officer’s Certificates.
Together with
each delivery of financial statements required by clauses 5A(1)(i) and (ii)
above, the Company will deliver to each Significant Holder an Officer’s
Certificate demonstrating (with computations in reasonable detail) compliance
with the provisions of paragraphs 6A, 6B and 6D and stating that there exists
no
Event of Default or Default, or, if any Event of Default or Default exists,
specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the
Company has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect
thereto;
5A(3).
Annual
Accountant’s Letter.
Together with
each delivery of financial statements required by clause 5A(1)(ii) above, the
Company will deliver to each Significant Holder a certificate of the independent
public accountants giving the report on such financial statements stating that,
in making the audit necessary for their report, they have obtained no knowledge
of any Event of Default or Default, or, if they have obtained knowledge of
any
Event of Default or Default, specifying the nature and period of existence
thereof. The accountants, however, shall not be liable to anyone as a result
of
this provision by reason of their failure to obtain knowledge of any Event
of
Default or Default which would not be disclosed in the course of an audit
conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards;
5A(4).
Special
Information.
The Company also
covenants that within 5 Business Days after any Responsible Officer obtains
knowledge of:
(a) an
Event of Default
or Default,
(b) a
material adverse
change in the financial condition, business or operations of the Company and
its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
(c) legal
proceedings
filed against the Company and/or any Subsidiary, which reasonably could be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business
or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or which
in
any manner draws into question the validity of or reasonably could be expected
to impair the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this
Agreement or the Notes;
(d) a
default under any
agreement or note evidencing Debt for which the Company or any Subsidiary is
liable, which individually or in the aggregate with all other agreements and
notes in default for which the Company or any Subsidiary is liable, exceeds
$5,000,000;
(e) the
occurrence of
any other event that reasonably could be expected to impair the ability of
the
Company to meet its obligations hereunder;
(f) any
(i)
Environmental Liabilities, (ii) pending, threatened or anticipated Environmental
Proceedings, (iii) Environmental Notices, (iv) Environmental Judgments and
Orders, or (v) Environmental Releases at, on, in, under or in any way affecting
the Properties which reasonably could be expected to have a material adverse
effect on the business, operations or financial condition of the Company and
its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or
(g) with
respect to any
Plan that is subject to the funding requirements of Section 302 of ERISA or
Section 412 of the Code, the Company (i) has given or is required to give notice
to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation that a material reportable event
has
occurred with respect to such Plan, (ii) has delivered notice to the Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation of any intent to withdraw from or terminate any
such Plan, or (iii) has failed to make timely a contribution to any such
Plan;
the
Company will
deliver to each Significant Holder an Officer’s Certificate specifying the
nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Company or the
Subsidiary has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect
thereto.
5B. Inspection
of Property.
The Company
covenants that, at such reasonable times and as often as a Significant Holder
may reasonably request, it will permit any Person designated by a Significant
Holder in writing, at such Significant Holder’s expense unless a Default has
occurred and is continuing in which case at the Company’s expense,
to:
(i) visit
and inspect
any of the properties of the Company and any Subsidiary;
(ii) examine
the
corporate books and financial records of the Company and its Subsidiaries and
make copies thereof or extracts therefrom; and
(iii) discuss
the
affairs, finances and accounts of any of such corporations with the principal
officers of the Company or any Subsidiary and independent public accountants
to
the Company.
5C. Covenant
to Secure Notes Equally.
The Company
covenants that if it or any Subsidiary shall create or assume any Lien upon
any
of its property or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than
Liens permitted by paragraph 6C(1) (unless prior written consent shall have
been
obtained under paragraph 11C), it will make or cause to be made effective
provision whereby the Notes will be secured by such Lien equally and ratably
with any and all other Debt thereby secured so long as any such other Debt
shall
be so secured.
5D. Guaranteed
Obligations.
The Company
covenants that if any Person (other than the Company) guarantees or provides
collateral in any manner for any Debt of the Company or any Subsidiary, it
will
simultaneously cause such Person to guarantee or provide collateral for the
Notes equally and ratably with all Debt guaranteed or secured by such Person
pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
such
holder.
5E. Maintenance
of Insurance.
The Company
covenants that it and each Subsidiary will maintain, with responsible insurers,
insurance with respect to its properties and business against such casualties
and contingencies (including, but not limited to, public liability, larceny,
embezzlement or other criminal misappropriation) and in such amounts as is
customary in the case of similarly situated corporations engaged in the same
or
similar businesses.
5F. Maintenance
of Corporate Existence/Compliance with Law/Preservation of
Property.
The Company
covenants that, except as permitted under paragraph 6C(3) and 6D, it and each
Subsidiary will do or cause to be done all things necessary to:
(i) preserve,
renew and
keep in full force and effect the corporate existence of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (other than those Subsidiaries not material to the financial
condition, business or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken
as a
whole);
(ii) comply
with all
laws and regulations (including, without limitation, laws and regulations
relating to equal employment opportunity and employee safety) applicable to
it
and any Subsidiary except where the failure to comply could not reasonably
be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, operations or
financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole;
(iii) maintain,
preserve
and protect all material intellectual property of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, and
(iv) preserve
all the
remainder of its property used or useful in the conduct of its business and
keep
the same in good repair, working order and condition excluding normal wear
and
tear.
5G. Compliance
with Environmental Laws.
The Company
covenants that it and each Subsidiary will, comply in a timely fashion with,
or
operate pursuant to valid waivers of the provisions of, all applicable
Environmental Requirements, including, without limitation, the emission of
wastewater effluent, solid and hazardous waste and air emissions together with
any other applicable Environmental Requirements for conducting, on a timely
basis, periodic tests and monitoring for contamination of ground water, surface
water, air and land and for biological toxicity of the aforesaid, and all
applicable regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency or other relevant
federal, state or local governmental authority, except where the failure to
comply could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
the
business, operations or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold you, your officers,
agents and employees (each an “Indemnified
Person”)
harmless from any
loss, liability, claim or expense that you may incur or suffer as a result
of a
breach by the Company or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, of this covenant
other than as a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such
Indemnified Person. The Company shall not be deemed to have breached or violated
this paragraph 5G if the Company or any Subsidiary is challenging in good faith
by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued the application or enforcement
of
such Environmental Requirements for which adequate reserves have been
established in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
5H. No
Integration.
The Company
covenants that it has taken and will take all necessary action so that the
issuance of the Notes does not and will not require registration under the
Securities Act. The Company covenants that no future offer and sale of debt
securities of the Company of any class will be made if there is a reasonable
possibility that such offer and sale would, under the doctrine of “integration”,
subject the issuance of the Notes to you to the registration requirements of
the
Securities Act.
5I. Financial
Records.
The Company
covenants that it and each Subsidiary will, keep proper books of record and
account in which full and correct entries (subject to normal year end
adjustments and, as to interim statements, the absence of footnotes) will be
made of the business and affairs of the Company or such Subsidiary under
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied (except for
changes disclosed in the financial statements furnished to you pursuant to
paragraph 5A and concurred in by the independent public accountants referred
to
in paragraph 5A).
6. NEGATIVE
COVENANTS.
Unless the
Required Holders otherwise agree in writing, the Company shall not, and shall
not permit any Subsidiary, to take any of the following actions or permit the
occurrence or existence of any of the following events or
conditions:
6A. Fixed
Charge Coverage and Debt Limits.
The Company
covenants that it will not at any time permit:
(i) Consolidated
Operating Income to be less than 200% of Consolidated Fixed Charges;
or
(ii) Consolidated
Debt
to exceed 55% of Consolidated Capitalization; or
(iii) Consolidated
Priority Debt to exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Worth; or
(iv) the
ratio of
Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA to exceed 2.75:1.00.
6B. Intentionally
Omitted.
6C. Liens,
Debt and Other Restrictions.
The Company
covenants that it will not and will not permit any Subsidiary to:
6C(1).
Liens.
Create, assume or
suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets, whether now owned
or hereafter acquired (whether or not provision is made for the equal and
ratable securing of the Notes pursuant to paragraph 5C), except:
(i) Liens
for taxes
(including ad valorem and property taxes) and assessments or governmental
charges or levies not yet due or which are being actively contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings;
(ii) other
Liens
incidental to the conduct of its business or the maintenance, operation,
construction or ownership of its property and assets (including pledges or
deposits in connection with workers’ compensation and social security taxes,
assessments and charges, and landlords, mechanics and materialmen Liens and
survey exceptions or encumbrances, easements or reservations, rights-of-way,
or
zoning restrictions) provided
that (A) such
Liens were not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money, or the
obtaining of advances or credit or the payment of the deferred purchase price
of
property and (B) the existence of such Lien does not materially detract from
the
value of such property or assets to the Company or any Subsidiary or
unreasonably interfere with the ordinary conduct of business;
(iii) Liens
(other than
any Lien imposed by ERISA) incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course
of
business to secure (or to obtain letters of credit that secure) the performance
of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases,
performance bonds, purchase, construction or sales contracts and other similar
obligations, in each case not incurred or made in connection with
Debt;
(iv) to
the extent
permitted under paragraphs 6A and 6C(2), any Lien created to secure all or
any
part of the purchase price incurred or assumed to pay all or any part of the
purchase price of property acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary after the
date of this Agreement, provided
that:
(A) any
such Lien shall
be confined solely to the item or items of property so acquired and, if required
by the terms of the instrument originally creating such Lien, other property
which is an improvement to or for specific use with such acquired
property;
(B) the
principal
amount of the Debt secured by any such Lien shall at no time exceed 100% of
the
lesser of (1) the cost to the Company or the Subsidiary of the property acquired
and (2) the Fair Market Value of such property (as determined in good faith
by
the Company’s Board) at the time of such acquisition; and
(C) any
such Lien shall
be created within 365 days after the acquisition of the property or completion
of the improvements;
(v) Liens
securing
Capitalized Lease Obligations, provided such Liens are limited to the property
subject to such leases;
(vi) other
Liens
securing Consolidated Priority Debt permitted under paragraphs 6A and 6C(2);
and
(vii) any
right of set
off or banker’s lien (whether by common law, statute, contract or otherwise) in
favor of any Person to whom neither the Company nor Subsidiary owes any
Debt.
6C(2).
Debt.
Create, incur,
assume or suffer to exist any Debt, except:
(i) Debt
of any
Subsidiary to the Company or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary;
(ii) other
Debt of
Subsidiaries permitted under paragraph 6A; and
(iii) other
Debt of the
Company (other than Debt owed to a Subsidiary) if after giving effect thereto,
the Company is in compliance with the provisions of paragraph 6A.
6C(3).
Merger
or Consolidation.
Merge,
consolidate or exchange shares with any other Person, except that:
(i) any
Subsidiary may
merge or consolidate with the Company or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary;
provided,
in the case of a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, it remains a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary after the merger
or consolidation; and
(ii) the
Company may
merge or consolidate with any other corporation (including a Subsidiary) if
the
continuing or surviving corporation is the Company and immediately after such
merger or consolidation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
or
exist.
6C(4).
Sale
or
Discount of Receivables.
Sell with
recourse, or discount or otherwise sell for less than the face value thereof,
any of its notes or accounts receivable.
6C(5).
Change
in Business.
Enter into any
business which is substantially different from the manufacturing of home
furnishings.
6C(6).
Transactions
with Related Party.
Effect any
transaction with any Affiliate or Subsidiary (other than a Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary) by which any assets or services of the Company or a Subsidiary
of
the Company is transferred to such Affiliate or Subsidiary (other than a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary), or from such Affiliate or Subsidiary (other than
a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary) or enter into any other transaction with an Affiliate
or Subsidiary (other than a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary), on terms more favorable
than would be reasonably expected to be given in a similar transaction with
an
unrelated entity.
6C(7).
Investments.
Make, or permit
to remain, an Investment except:
(i) any
Investment in a
Subsidiary or an entity that becomes a Subsidiary simultaneously with such
Investment,
(ii) any
evidence of
debt, maturing not more than one year after the date of issue, issued by the
United States of America, or any instrumentality or agency thereof and
guaranteed fully as to principal, interest and premium, if any, by the United
States of America,
(iii) any
repurchase
agreement or certificate of deposit, maturing not more than one year after
the
date of purchase, issued by Wachovia Bank, National Association, or a commercial
bank, bank holding company or trust company which is located within the United
States of America, organized under the laws of the United States of America
or
the laws of any State thereof, is a member of the Federal Reserve System, has
a
Xxxxxxxx Bank Watch Rating (or if no longer available, a comparable rating
system), at the time of determination, of “B” (or higher), and has a combined
capital and surplus and undivided profits of at least $500,000,000,
(iv) commercial
paper,
maturing not more than 270 days after the date of purchase, issued by a
corporation (other than the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate) organized
and existing under the laws of any state within the United States of America
with a rating, at the time as of which any determination thereof is to be made,
of “P-I” (or higher) according to Xxxxx’x Investors Service (or if no longer
available, a comparable rating system), or “A-1” (or higher) according to
Standard & Poor’s Corporation (or if no longer available, a comparable
rating system),
(v) property
or assets
acquired solely in exchange for capital stock of the Company, and
(vi) any
other
Investment of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries so long as the amount
of
all such Investments, other than investments specified in clauses (i) through
(v) above shall not exceed an amount equal to 10% of Consolidated Assets.
6D. Sale
of
Property.
The Company will
not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, Dispose of any property or assets,
except:
(i) The
Company or any
Subsidiary may sell inventory in the ordinary course of business for Fair Market
Value;
(ii) any
Subsidiary may
Dispose of its assets to the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary;
(iii) the
Company or any
Subsidiary may Dispose of its assets (whether or not leased back) so long as,
immediately after giving effect to such proposed Disposition:
(A) the
consideration
for such assets represents the Fair Market Value of such assets (as determined
in good faith by the Company’s Board) at the time of such Disposition;
and
(B) the
net book value
of all assets so Disposed of by the Company and its Subsidiaries during the
prior 12 months, does not exceed 15% of Consolidated Assets; and
(C) the
amount of
Consolidated Operating Income produced by all assets so Disposed of by the
Company and its Subsidiaries during the prior 12 months, does not exceed 15%
of
Consolidated Operating Income at the end of the most recently completed 12
months; and
(D) no
Default or Event
of Default shall exist;
provided,
however,
if after any
Disposition, the net book value of all assets Disposed of during the prior
12
months exceeds 15% of Consolidated Assets or the Consolidated Operating Income
produced by all assets Disposed of during the prior 12 months exceeds 15% of
Consolidated Operating Income, the Company shall, within 12 months of the date
of such Disposition, apply the proceeds (net of reasonable expenses) from such
Disposition (or such portion thereof as is necessary to cause compliance with
the provisions of this paragraph 6D(iii)) to acquire operating assets and
equipment to be used in the furniture manufacturing business of the Company
and
its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
For
purposes of
this paragraph 6D:
(i) “Disposition”
means
the sale,
lease, transfer or other disposition of property, and “Disposed
of”
has a
corresponding meaning to Disposition;
(ii) Calculation
of net book value/Consolidated Operating Income.
The net book
value of any assets shall be determined as of the respective date of Disposition
of those assets and the Consolidated Operating Income produced by any assets
shall be determined using Consolidated Operating Income for the 12 month period
before the respective date of Disposition of those assets; and
(iii) Sales
of less than all the stock of a Subsidiary.
In the case of
the sale or issuance of the stock of a Subsidiary, the amount of Consolidated
Operating Income, or amount of Consolidated Assets, as the case may be,
contributed by the stock Disposed of shall be assumed to be the percentage
of
outstanding stock sold or to be sold.
6E. Subsidiary
Stock and Debt.
The Company will
not:
(i) directly
or
indirectly sell, assign, pledge or otherwise dispose of any Debt of or any
shares of stock of (or warrants, rights or options to acquire stock of) any
Subsidiary except to a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and except as permitted pursuant
to paragraph 6D;
(ii) permit
any
Subsidiary directly or indirectly to sell, assign, pledge or otherwise dispose
of any Debt of the Company or any other Subsidiary, or any shares of stock
of
(or warrants, rights or options to acquire stock of) any other Subsidiary,
except to the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and except pursuant to
paragraph 6D;
(iii) permit
any
Subsidiary to have outstanding any shares of Preferred Stock other than
Preferred Stock owned by the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary;
(iv) permit
any
Subsidiary directly or indirectly to issue or sell any shares of its stock
(or
warrants, rights or options to acquire its stock) except to the Company or
a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and except as permitted pursuant to paragraph 6C(3)
and
6D; or
(v) permit
any
Subsidiary to enter into or otherwise be bound by or subject to any contract
or
agreement (including, without limitation, any provision of its certificate
or
articles of incorporation or bylaws) that restricts its ability to pay dividends
or other distributions on account of its stock; or
(vi) permit
any
Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or maintain any Debt except as permitted
by
paragraphs 6A and 6C(2).
6F. ERISA.
The Company
covenants that it will not nor permit any Subsidiary to:
(i) terminate
or
withdraw from any Plan resulting in the incurrence of any material liability
to
the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation;
(ii) engage
in or permit
any Person to engage in any prohibited transaction (as defined in Section 4975
of the Code) involving any Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which would
subject the Company or any Subsidiary to any material tax, penalty or other
liability;
(iii) incur
or suffer to
exist any material accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in section 302
of
ERISA and section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived, involving any Plan
(other than a Multiemployer Plan); or
(iv) allow
or suffer to
exist any risk or condition which presents a risk of incurring a material
liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
6G. Environmental
Matters.
The Company
covenants that it will not, and will not permit any Third Party to, use,
produce, manufacture, process, generate, store, dispose of, manage at, or ship
or transport to or from the Properties any Hazardous Materials except for
Hazardous Materials used, produced, released or managed in the ordinary course
of business in compliance with all applicable Environmental Requirements except
where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of the Company
and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and except for Hazardous Materials
released in amounts which do not require remediation pursuant to applicable
Environmental Requirements or if remediation is required, such remediation
could
not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business,
operations or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken
as a
whole.
6H. Specified
Laws.
Neither the
Company nor any agent acting on its behalf will take any action which could
reasonably be expected to cause this Agreement or the Notes to violate
Regulation U, Regulation T or any other regulation of the Board of Governors
of
the Federal Reserve System or to violate the Exchange Act, in any case as in
effect now or as the same may hereafter be in effect. At
no time shall
more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the Company’s Consolidated Assets subject
to the restrictions set forth in paragraph 6(C)(1) be represented by “margin
stock”, as such term is defined in Regulation U.
7. EVENTS
OF DEFAULT.
7A. Acceleration.
If any of the
following events shall occur and be continuing for any reason whatsoever (and
whether such occurrence shall be voluntary or involuntary or come about or
be
effected by operation of law or otherwise):
(i) the
Company
defaults in the payment of any principal of or Yield-Maintenance Amount payable
with respect to any Note when the same shall become due, either by the terms
thereof or otherwise as herein provided; or
(ii) the
Company
defaults in the payment of any interest on any Note for more than 5 calendar
days after the date due; or
(iii) the
Company or any
Subsidiary defaults (whether as primary obligor or as guarantor or other surety)
in any payment of principal of or interest on any other obligation for money
borrowed (or any Capitalized Lease Obligation, any obligation under a
conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any obligation (other
than
a current trade payable which does not constitute Debt) issued or assumed as
full or partial payment for property whether or not secured by a purchase money
mortgage or any obligation under notes payable or drafts accepted representing
extensions of credit) beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto;
or the Company or any Subsidiary fails to perform or observe any other
agreement, term or condition contained in any agreement under which any such
obligation is created (or if any other event thereunder or under any such
agreement shall occur and be continuing) and the effect of such failure or
other
event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such obligation (or
a
trustee on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, such obligation to become
due (or to be repurchased by the Company or any Subsidiary) prior to any stated
maturity, provided that the aggregate amount of all obligations as to which
such
a payment default shall occur and be continuing or such a failure or other
event
causing or permitting acceleration (or resale to the Company or any Subsidiary)
shall occur and be continuing exceeds $5,000,000; or
(iv) any
representation
or warranty made by the Company herein or by the Company or any of its officers
in any writing furnished in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall
be false in any material respect on the date as of which made; or
(v) the
Company fails
to perform or observe any agreement contained in paragraph 6 (other than
paragraphs 6C(6), 6F, 6G and 6H and solely to the extent that a commercial
bank,
bank holding company or trust company shall fail to meet the standards specified
in clause (iii) of paragraph 6C(7) after the date of an Investment by the
Company under such clause (iii), paragraphs 6C(7)(iii) and solely to the extent
a corporation shall fail to meet the standards specified in clause (iv) of
paragraph 6C(7) after the date of an Investment by the Company under such clause
(iv), paragraph 6C(7)(iv)); or
(vi) the
Company fails
to perform or observe any other agreement contained herein and such failure
shall not be remedied within 30 days after any Responsible Officer obtains
actual knowledge thereof or after receipt by the Company of written notice
from
a holder of a Note of such failure; or
(vii) the
Company or any
Subsidiary makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors or is generally
not
paying its debts as such debts become due; or
(viii) any
decree or order
for relief in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary is entered under any
bankruptcy, reorganization, compromise, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment
of
debt, dissolution or liquidation or similar law, whether now or hereafter in
effect (herein called the “Bankruptcy
Law”),
of any
jurisdiction; or
(ix) the
Company or any
Subsidiary petitions or applies to any tribunal for, or consents to, the
appointment of, or taking possession by, a trustee, receiver, custodian,
liquidator or similar official of the Company or any Subsidiary, or of any
substantial part of the assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, or commences
a
voluntary case under the Bankruptcy Law of the United States or any proceedings
(other than proceedings for the voluntary liquidation and dissolution of a
Subsidiary) relating to the Company or any Subsidiary under the Bankruptcy
Law
of any other jurisdiction; or
(x) any
such petition
or application is filed, or any such proceedings are commenced, against the
Company or any Subsidiary and the Company or such Subsidiary by any act
indicates its approval thereof, consent thereto or acquiescence therein; or
an
order, judgment or decree is entered appointing any such trustee, receiver,
custodian, liquidator or similar official, or approving the petition in any
such
proceedings, and such order, judgment or decree remains unstayed and in effect
for more than 60 days; or
(xi) any
order, judgment
or decree is entered in any proceedings against the Company decreeing the
dissolution of the Company and such order, judgment or decree remains unstayed
and in effect for more than 60 days; or
(xii) any
order, judgment
or decree is entered in any proceedings against the Company or any Subsidiary
decreeing a split-up of the Company or such Subsidiary which requires the
divestiture of assets representing a substantial part (being an amount equal
to
15% of Consolidated Assets), or the divestiture of the stock of a Subsidiary
whose assets represent a substantial part, of the consolidated assets of the
Company and its Subsidiaries (determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles) or which requires the divestiture of assets, or stock
of
a Subsidiary, which shall have contributed at least 15% of Consolidated
Operating Income for any of the three fiscal years then most recently ended,
and
such order, judgment or decree remains unstayed and in effect for more than
60
days; or
(xiii) a
final judgment or
judgments in an amount in excess of $5,000,000, individually or in the
aggregate, shall be rendered against the Company or any Subsidiary (for which
no
insurer has acknowledged, in writing, responsibility for liability, subject
to
customary deductible) and, within 60 days after entry thereof, such judgment
is
not discharged or execution thereof stayed pending appeal, or within 60 days
after the expiration of any such stay, such judgment is not discharged; or
(xiv) the
Company or any
ERISA Affiliate, in its capacity as an employer under a Multiemployer Plan,
makes a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan resulting
in
the incurrence by such withdrawing employer of a withdrawal liability in an
amount exceeding $5,000,000;
then:
(a) if
such event is an
Event of Default specified in clause (i) or (ii) of this paragraph 7A, the
holder of any Note (other than the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate)
may
at its option, by written notice to the Company, terminate the Facility and/or
declare such Note to be, and such Note shall thereupon be and become,
immediately due and payable at par together with interest accrued and unpaid
thereon, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind
(including, without limitation, notice of intent to accelerate), all of which
are hereby waived by the Company,
(b) if
such event is an
Event of Default specified in any of clauses (vii), (viii), (ix) or (x) of
this
paragraph 7A with respect to the Company, the Facility shall automatically
terminate and all of the Notes at the time outstanding shall automatically
become immediately due and payable at par together with interest accrued and
unpaid thereon, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind
(including, without limitation, notice of intent to accelerate and notice of
acceleration of maturity), all of which are hereby waived by the Company,
and
(c) if
such event is
any Event of Default other than specified in clauses (vii) (viii), (ix) or
(x)
of this paragraph 7A with respect to the Company, the Required Holder(s) may,
at
its or their option, by written notice to the Company, terminate the Facility
and declare all of the Notes to be, and all of the Notes shall thereupon be
and
become, immediately due and payable, together with interest accrued and unpaid
thereon and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Yield-Maintenance
Amount, if any, with respect to each Note, without presentment, demand, protest
or other notice of any kind (including, without limitation, notice of intent
to
accelerate), all of which are hereby waived by the Company, provided that,
to
the extent permitted by applicable law, the Yield-Maintenance Amount, if any,
with respect to each Note shall be due and payable upon such declaration only
if:
(x) such
Event of
Default does not arise under clause (vii), (viii), (ix) or (x) of this paragraph
7A with respect to the Company,
(y) the
Required
Holder(s) shall have given to the Company, at least 10 Business Days before
such
declaration, written notice stating its or their intention so to declare the
Notes to be immediately due and payable and identifying one or more such Events
of Default whose occurrences on or before the date of such notice permits such
declaration, and
(z) one
or more of the
Events of Default so identified shall be continuing at the time of such
declaration.
7B. Rescission
of Acceleration.
At any time after
any or all of the Notes shall have been declared immediately due and payable
pursuant to paragraph 7A, the Required Holder(s) may, by notice in writing
to
the Company, rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences
if:
(i) the
Company shall
have paid all accrued and unpaid overdue interest on the Notes, the principal
of
and Yield-Maintenance Amount, if any, payable with respect to any Notes which
have become due otherwise than by reason of such declaration, and accrued and
unpaid interest on such overdue interest and overdue principal and
Yield-Maintenance Amount at the rate specified in the Notes,
(ii) the
Company shall
not have paid any amounts which have become due solely by reason of such
declaration,
(iii) all
Events of
Default and Defaults, other than non-payment of amounts which have become due
solely by reason of such declaration, shall have been cured or waived pursuant
to paragraph 11C, and
(iv) no
judgment or
decree shall have been entered for the payment of any amounts due pursuant
to
the Notes or this Agreement.
No
such rescission
or annulment shall extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or
Default or impair any right arising therefrom.
7C. Notice
of Acceleration or Rescission.
Whenever any Note
shall be declared immediately due and payable pursuant to paragraph 7A or any
such declaration shall be rescinded and annulled pursuant to paragraph 7B,
the
Company shall forthwith give written notice thereof to the holder of each Note
of each Series at the time outstanding.
7D. Other
Remedies.
If any Event of
Default or Default shall occur and be continuing, the holder of any Note may
proceed to protect and enforce its rights under this Agreement and such Note
by
exercising such remedies as are available to such holder in respect thereof
under applicable law, either by suit in equity or by action at law, or both,
whether for specific performance of any covenant or other agreement contained
in
this Agreement or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Agreement.
No remedy conferred in this Agreement upon the holder of any Note is intended
to
be exclusive of any other remedy, and each and every such remedy shall be
cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy conferred herein
or
now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or
otherwise.
8. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES.
To induce each
Purchaser to enter into this Agreement, and thereby amend and restate the
Original Agreement, the Company warrants and represents as follows:
8A. Organization.
The Company is a
corporation duly organized and existing in good standing under the laws of
the
State of Delaware, and each Subsidiary is duly organized and existing in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized. Schedule
8A hereto is an accurate and complete list of all Subsidiaries as of the Date
of
Closing, including the jurisdiction of organization and ownership of all such
Subsidiaries, and as of September 30, 2006, the percentage of such Subsidiary’s
contribution to Consolidated Operating Income. The Company and each Subsidiary
has the organizational power to own its respective properties and to carry
on
its respective businesses as now being conducted and is duly qualified and
authorized to do business in each other jurisdiction in which the character
of
its respective properties or the nature of its respective businesses require
such qualification or authorization except where the failure to be so qualified
or authorized could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on the business, operations or financial condition of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
8B. Financial
Statements.
The Company has
furnished you with the following financial statements, identified by a principal
financial officer of the Company:
(i) a
Consolidated
balance sheet as at the last day of the fiscal year in each of the years 2001
to
2005, inclusive, a Consolidated statement of income for each such year, and
Consolidated statements of stockholder’s equity and cash flows for 2001 to and
including 2005, all reported on by PriceWaterhouseCoopers; and
(ii) a
Consolidated
balance sheet as at September 30, 2006 and Consolidated statements of income,
stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the nine-month period ended on each such
date, prepared by the Company.
Those
financial
statements (including any related schedules and/or notes) fairly present in
all
material respects (subject, as to interim statements, to the absence of
footnotes or to changes resulting from normal year-end adjustments) the
financial condition of the Company and have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied throughout the
periods involved and show all liabilities, direct and contingent, of the Company
and its Subsidiaries required to be shown in accordance with such principles.
The balance sheets fairly present, in all material respects, the Consolidated
financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the dates thereof,
and the statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows fairly
present, in all material respects, the Consolidated results of the operations
of
the Company and its Subsidiaries, the changes in the Company’s stockholders’
equity and their Consolidated cash flows for the periods indicated. Except
as
set forth on Schedule 8B, there has been no material adverse change in the
business, condition (financial or otherwise) or operations of the Company and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole since December 31, 2005.
8C. Actions
Pending.
There is no
action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary, or any properties
or
rights of the Company or any Subsidiary, by or before any court, arbitrator
or
administrative or governmental body which could reasonably be expected to result
in any material adverse change in the business, condition (financial or
otherwise) or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole.
8D. Outstanding
Debt.
Neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary has any Debt outstanding except as permitted by
paragraphs 6A and 6C(2). There is no default under the provisions of any
instrument evidencing any Debt or of any agreement relating thereto. Schedule
8D
hereto is an accurate and complete list of Debt of the Company and its
Subsidiaries on the Date of Closing.
8E. Title
to Properties.
The Company and
each Subsidiary have good and indefeasible title to their respective real
properties (other than leased properties or which individually or in the
aggregate are not material to the Company) and good title to all of their other
respective properties and assets, including the properties and assets reflected
in the balance sheet as at September 30, 2006 referred to in paragraph 8B (other
than properties and assets disposed of in the ordinary course of business or
which individually or in the aggregate are not material to the Company), subject
to no Lien of any kind except Liens permitted by paragraph 6C(1). All leases
necessary in any material respect for the conduct of the respective business
of
the Company and its Subsidiaries are valid and subsisting and are in full force
and effect.
8F. Taxes.
The Company has
and each Subsidiary has filed all federal, state and other income tax returns
which, to the best knowledge of the Responsible Officers of the Company, are
required to be filed (giving effect to any extensions granted), and each has
paid all taxes as shown on such returns and on all assessments received by
it to
the extent that such taxes have become due (including any extensions granted),
except such taxes as are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance
with
generally accepted accounting principles.
8G. Conflicting
Agreements and Other Matters.
Neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to any contract or agreement or subject
to
any charter or other corporate restriction which materially and adversely
affects its business, property or assets, or financial condition of the Company
and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Neither the execution nor delivery of
this Agreement or the Notes, nor the offering, issuance and sale of the Notes,
nor fulfillment of nor compliance with the terms and provisions hereof and
of
the Notes will conflict with, or result in a breach of the terms, conditions
or
provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in any violation of,
or
result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of
the
Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to, the charter or by-laws of the Company
or
any Subsidiary, any award of any arbitrator or any agreement (including any
agreement with stockholders), instrument, order, judgment, decree, statute,
law,
rule or regulation to which the Company or any Subsidiary is subject. Neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise subject to any
provision contained in, any instrument evidencing Debt of the Company or such
Subsidiary, any agreement relating thereto or any other contract or agreement
(including its charter) which limits the amount of, or otherwise imposes
restrictions on the incurring of, Debt of the Company of the type to be
evidenced by the Notes except as set forth in the agreements listed in Schedule
8G attached hereto.
8H. Offering
of Notes.
Neither the
Company nor any agent acting on its behalf has, directly or indirectly, offered
the Notes or any similar security of the Company for sale to, or solicited
any
offers to buy the Notes or any similar security of the Company from, or
otherwise approached or negotiated with respect thereto with, any Person other
than accredited investors, and neither the Company nor any agent acting on
its
behalf has taken any action which would reasonably be expected to subject the
issuance or sale of the Notes to the provisions of section 5 of the Securities
Act or to the provisions of any securities or Blue Sky law of any applicable
jurisdiction. The Company hereby represents and warrants to you that, within
the
preceding twelve months, neither the Company nor any other Person acting on
behalf of the Company has offered or sold to any Person (other than accredited
investors) any Notes, or any securities of the same or a similar class as the
Notes, or any other substantially similar securities of the
Company.
8I. Use
of
Proceeds.
Neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary owns (other than margin stock of insignificant
amounts received by the Company as payment for accounts receivable or otherwise
held by the Company) or has any present intention of acquiring any “margin
stock” as defined in Regulation U (12 CFR Part 221) of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System (herein called “margin stock”), other than shares of
the Company’s common stock repurchased by the Company which are immediately
thereafter cancelled and are not held as treasury stock. The proceeds of sale
of
the Notes will be used for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock and for
general corporate purposes. None of such proceeds will be used, directly or
indirectly, for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of
purchasing or carrying any margin stock or for the purpose of maintaining,
reducing or retiring any Debt which was originally incurred to purchase or
carry
any stock that is currently a margin stock or for any other purpose which might
constitute this transaction a “purpose credit” within the meaning of such
Regulation U, other than for the repurchase by the Company of its common stock,
which stock is immediately thereafter cancelled and is not held as treasury
stock. Neither the Company nor any agent acting on its behalf has taken any
action which might cause this Agreement or the Notes to violate Regulation
U,
Regulation T or any other regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System or to violate the Exchange Act.
8J. ERISA.
No accumulated
funding deficiency (as defined in section 302 of ERISA and section 412 of the
Code), whether or not waived, exists with respect to any Plan (other than a
Multiemployer Plan). No liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
has been or is expected by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate to be incurred
with respect to any Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) by the Company,
any
Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate which is or would be materially adverse to
the
business, condition (financial or otherwise) or operations of the Company and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Neither the Company, any Subsidiary or any
ERISA Affiliate has incurred or presently expects to incur any withdrawal
liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Multiemployer Plan which
is or would be materially adverse to the business, condition (financial or
otherwise) or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance and sale of the
Notes will be exempt from, or will not involve any transaction which is subject
to, the prohibitions of section 406 of ERISA and will not involve any
transaction in connection with which a penalty could be imposed under section
502(i) of ERISA or a tax could be imposed pursuant to section 4975 of the Code.
The representation by the Company in the next preceding sentence is made in
reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of your representation in paragraph
9B.
8K. Governmental
Consent.
Assuming the
representations made by you in paragraph 9 are accurate, neither the nature
of
the Company or of any Subsidiary, nor any of their respective businesses or
properties, nor any relationship between the Company or any Subsidiary and
any
other Person, nor any circumstance in connection with the offering, issuance,
sale or delivery of the Notes is such as to require any authorization, consent,
approval, exemption or other action by or notice to or filing with any court
or
administrative or governmental body (other than those which are made or obtained
prior to Closing and routine filings after the date of any Closing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and/or state Blue Sky authorities) in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the offering,
issuance, sale or delivery of the Notes or fulfillment of or compliance with
the
terms and provisions hereof or of the Notes.
8L. Environmental
Compliance.
(i) The
Company and its
Subsidiaries and all of their respective Properties have complied at all times
and in all respects with all Environmental Requirements where failure to comply
could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business,
condition (financial or otherwise) or operations of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(ii) Neither
the Company
nor any Subsidiary is subject to any Environmental Liability or Environmental
Requirement which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on the business, condition (financial or otherwise) or operations of the Company
and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(iii) Neither
the Company
nor any Subsidiary has been designated as a potentially responsible party under
CERCLA or under any state statute similar to CERCLA. Except as specified on
Schedule 8L, none of the Properties has been identified on any current or
proposed National Priorities List under 40 C.F.R. § 300 or any list arising from
a state statute similar to CERCLA. None of the Properties has been identified
on
any CERCLIS list.
(iv) No
Hazardous
Materials have been or are being used, produced, manufactured, processed,
generated, stored, disposed of, released, managed at or shipped or transported
to or from the Properties or are otherwise present at, on, in or under the
Properties or, to the actual knowledge of the Company, at or from any adjacent
site or facility, except for Hazardous Materials used, produced, manufactured
processed, generated, stored, disposed of, released and managed in the ordinary
course of business in compliance with all applicable Environmental Requirements
and except for Hazardous Materials present in amounts which have not required
and do not require remediation, pursuant to applicable law or regulation, or
if
remediation is required, such remediation could not reasonably be expected
to
have a material adverse effect on the business, condition (financial or
otherwise) or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole.
(v) The
Company and
each Subsidiary have procured all permits necessary under Environmental
Requirements for the conduct of their respective businesses or is otherwise
in
compliance with all applicable Environmental Requirements, except to the extent
the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise) or operations of
the
Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
8M. Disclosure.
Neither this
Agreement nor any other document, certificate or statement furnished to you
by
or on behalf of the Company in connection herewith contains any untrue statement
of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to
make
the statements contained herein and therein not misleading. There is no fact
peculiar to the Company or any Subsidiary which materially adversely affects
or
in the future may (so far as the Company can now reasonably foresee) materially
adversely affect the business, property or assets, or financial condition of
the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and which has not been set forth
in this Agreement or in the other documents, certificates and statements
furnished to you by or on behalf of the Company prior to the date hereof in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
8N. Hostile
Tender Offers.
None of the
proceeds of the sale of any Notes will be used to finance a Hostile Tender
Offer.
8O. Absence
Of
Foreign Or Enemy Status. Neither
the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries is or will become a Person described by
section 1 of Executive Order 13224 of September 24, 2001 Blocking
Property
and Prohibiting Transactions with Persons who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or
Support Terrorism,
31 CFR Part 595
et seq.
(the
“Anti-Terrorism
Order”),
and neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary has knowingly engaged in any dealings or
transactions, or otherwise knowingly been associated, with any such Person.
Neither the sale of the Notes nor the use of proceeds thereof will result in
a
violation of the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, or any of the Foreign
Assets Control Regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR,
Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended), or any ruling issued thereunder or any
enabling legislation or presidential executive order in connection therewith.
Whether
or not, in
each case, the Company and its Subsidiaries are subject to the jurisdiction
thereof, the Company and its Subsidiaries are in material compliance with the
provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Order, and do not and will not engage in any
dealings or transactions or otherwise be associated with Persons who are on
the
list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, as published from
time to time, or in Section 1 of Executive Order 13224.
9. REPRESENTATIONS
OF THE PURCHASERS.
You represent as
follows:
9A. Nature
of Purchase.
You are acquiring
the Notes to be purchased by you hereunder for your own account and not with
a
view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof within the
meaning of the Securities Act, provided that the disposition of your property
shall at all times be and remain within your control.
9B. Source
of Funds.
At least one of
the following statements is an accurate representation as to each source of
funds (a “Source”)
to be used by you
to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by you
hereunder:
(i) the
Source is an
“insurance company general account” (as the term is defined in the United States
Department of Labor’s Prohibited Transaction Exemption (“PTE”)
95-60) in respect
of which the reserves and liabilities (as defined by the annual statement for
life insurance companies approved by the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners (the “NAIC
Annual Statement”))
for the general
account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any employee benefit plan together
with the amount of the reserves and liabilities for the general account
contract(s) held by or on behalf of any other employee benefit plans maintained
by the same employer (or affiliate thereof as defined in PTE 95-60) or by the
same employee organization in the general account do not exceed 10% of the
total
reserves and liabilities of the general account (exclusive of separate account
liabilities) plus surplus as set forth in the NAIC Annual Statement filed with
your state of domicile; or
(ii) the
Source is a
separate account that is maintained solely in connection with your fixed
contractual obligations under which the amounts payable, or credited, to any
employee benefit plan (or its related trust) that has any interest in such
separate account (or to any participant or beneficiary of such plan (including
any annuitant)) are not affected in any manner by the investment performance
of
the separate account; or
(iii) the
Source is
either (a) an insurance company pooled separate account, within the meaning
of
PTE 90-1 or (b) a bank collective investment fund, within the meaning of the
PTE
91-38 and, except as disclosed by you to the Company in writing pursuant to
this
clause (iii), no employee benefit plan or group of plans maintained by the
same
employer or employee organization beneficially owns more than 10% of all assets
allocated to such pooled separate account or collective investment fund;
or
(iv) the
Source
constitutes assets of an “investment fund” (within the meaning of Part V of PTE
84-14 (the “QPAM
Exemption”))
managed by a
“qualified professional asset manager” or “QPAM” (within the meaning of Part V
of the QPAM Exemption), no employee benefit plan’s assets that are included in
such investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee
benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate
(within the meaning of Section V(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer
or by the same employee organization and managed by such QPAM, exceed 20% of
the
total client assets managed by such QPAM, the conditions of Part I(c) and (g)
of
the QPAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the QPAM nor a person controlling
or
controlled by the QPAM (applying the definition of “control” in Section V(e) of
the QPAM Exemption) owns a 5% or more interest in the Company and (a) the
identity of such QPAM and (b) the names of all employee benefit plans whose
assets are included in such investment fund have been disclosed to the Company
in writing pursuant to this clause (iv); or
(v) the
Source
constitutes assets of a “plan(s)” (within the meaning of Section IV of PTE 96-23
(the “INHAM
Exemption”))
managed by an
“in-house asset manager” or “INHAM” (within the meaning of Part IV of the INHAM
exemption), the conditions of Part I(a), (g) and (h) of the INHAM Exemption
are
satisfied, neither the INHAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the
INHAM
(applying the definition of “control” in Section IV(h) of the INHAM Exemption)
owns a 5% or more interest in the Company and (a) the identity of such INHAM
and
(b) the name(s) of the employee benefit plan(s) whose assets constitute the
Source have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause
(v); or
(vi) the
Source is a
governmental plan; or
(vii) the
Source is one
or more employee benefit plans, or a separate account or trust fund comprised
of
one or more employee benefit plans, each of which has been identified to the
Company in writing pursuant to this clause (vii); or
(viii) the
Source does not
include assets of any employee benefit plan, other than a plan exempt from
the
coverage of ERISA.
As
used in this
paragraph 9B, the terms “employee benefit plan,” “governmental
plan,” and “separate account” shall have the respective meanings assigned to
such terms in Section 3 of ERISA.
10. DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose
of this Agreement, the terms defined in the introductory sentence and in
paragraphs 1 and 2 shall have the respective meanings specified therein, and
the
following terms shall have the meanings specified with respect thereto
below:
10A. Yield-Maintenance
Terms.
“Called
Principal”
shall
mean, with
respect to any Note, the principal of such Note that is to be prepaid pursuant
to paragraph 4C or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to
paragraph 7A, as the context requires.
“Designated
Spread”
shall
mean 0% in
the case of each Series AA Note and of any other Series unless the Confirmation
of Acceptance with respect to the Notes of such other Series specifies a
different Designated Spread in which case it shall mean, with respect to each
Note of such other Series, the Designated Spread so specified.
“Discounted
Value”
shall
mean, with
respect to the Called Principal of any Note, the amount obtained by discounting
all Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to such Called Principal from
their respective scheduled due dates to the Settlement Date with respect to
such
Called Principal, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a
discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest
on
the Note is payable) equal to the Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Called
Principal.
“Reinvestment
Yield”
shall
mean, with
respect to the Called Principal of any Note, the Designated Spread over the
yield to maturity implied by (i) the yields reported, as of 10:00 A.M. (New
York
City time) on the Y-M Business Day next preceding the Settlement Date with
respect to such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date, as reported by
TradeWeb LLC (or, if such data for any reason ceases to be available through
TradeWeb LLC, or TradeWeb LLC shall cease to be Prudential Capital Group’s
customary source of information for calculating yield-maintenance amounts on
privately placed notes, then such source as is then Prudential Capital Group’s
customary source of such information), or if such yields shall not be reported
as of such time or the yields reported as of such time shall not be
ascertainable, the Treasury Constant Maturity Series yields reported, for the
latest day for which such yields shall have been so reported as of the Y-M
Business Day next preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called
Principal, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H. 15 (519) (or any comparable
successor publication) for actively traded U.S. Treasury securities having
a
constant maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal
as of such Settlement Date. Such implied yield shall be determined, if
necessary, by (a) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond-equivalent
yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating
linearly between yields reported for various maturities.
“Remaining-Average
Life”
shall
mean, with
respect to the Called Principal of any Note, the number of years (calculated
to
the nearest one-twelfth year) obtained by dividing (i) such Called Principal
into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) each Remaining
Scheduled Payment of such Called Principal (but not of interest thereon) by
(b)
the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) which will
elapse between the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal and
the
scheduled due date of such Remaining Scheduled Payment.
“Remaining
Scheduled Payments”
shall
mean, with
respect to the Called Principal of any Note, all payments of such Called
Principal and interest thereon that would be due on or after the Settlement
Date
with respect to such Called Principal if no payment of such Called Principal
were made prior to its scheduled due date.
“Settlement
Date”
shall
mean, with
respect to the Called Principal of any Note, the date on which such Called
Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to paragraph 4B or is declared to be
immediately due and payable pursuant to paragraph 7A, as the context
requires.
“Yield-Maintenance
Amount”
shall
mean, with
respect to any Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted
Value of the Called Principal of such Note. over the sum of (i) such Called
Principal plus (ii) interest accrued thereon as of (including interest due
on)
the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal. The Yield-Maintenance
Amount shall in no event be less than zero.
“Y-M
Business Day”
shall
mean any
day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New
York
City are required or authorized to be closed.
10B. Other
Terms.
“Acceptance”
is
defined in
paragraph 2B(5) of this Agreement.
“Acceptance
Day”
is
defined in
paragraph 2B(5) of this Agreement.
“Acceptance
Window”
is
defined in
paragraph 2B(5) of this Agreement.
“Accepted
Note”
is
defined in
paragraph 2B(5) of this Agreement.
“Affiliate”
shall
mean with
respect to any Person, any other Person (a) directly or indirectly controlling
or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person,
(b) which other Person beneficially owns or holds 5% or more of the shares
of
any class of Voting Stock of such Person or (c) 5% or more of any class of
the
Voting Stock of which is beneficially owned or held by such designated entity.
For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative
meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used
with respect to any entity, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies
of
such entity, whether through the ownership of Voting Stock or by contract or
otherwise. Affiliate shall not include Subsidiaries.
“Agreement
Effective Date”
means January 26,
2007.
“Authorized
Officer”
shall
mean (i) in
the case of the Company, its chief executive officer, its chief financial
officer, any vice president of the Company designated as an “Authorized Officer”
of the Company in the Information Schedule attached hereto or any vice president
of the Company designated as an “Authorized Officer” of the Company for the
purpose of this Agreement in an Officer’s Certificate executed by the Company’s
chief executive officer or chief financial officer and delivered to Prudential,
and (ii) in the case of Prudential, any officer of Prudential designated as
its
“Authorized Officer” in the Information Schedule or any officer of Prudential
designated as its “Authorized Officer” for the purpose of this Agreement in a
certificate executed by one of its Authorized Officers. Any action taken under
this Agreement on behalf of the Company by any individual who on or after the
date of this Agreement shall have been an Authorized Officer of the Company
and
whom Prudential in good faith believes to be an Authorized Officer of the
Company at the time of such action shall be binding on the Company even though
such individual shall have ceased to be an Authorized Officer of the Company,
and any action taken under this Agreement on behalf of Prudential by any
individual who on or after the date of this Agreement shall have been an
Authorized Officer of Prudential and whom the Company in good faith believes
to
be an Authorized Officer of Prudential at the time of such action shall be
binding on Prudential even though such individual shall have ceased to be an
Authorized Officer of Prudential.
“Available
Facility Amount”
shall
have the
meaning specified in paragraph 2(B)(1) of this Agreement.
“Bankruptcy
Law”
is
defined in
clause (viii) of paragraph 7A of this Agreement.
“Board”
shall
mean, for
any Person, its Board of Directors or equivalent governing body.
“Business
Day”
shall
mean any
day other than (i) a Saturday, a Sunday or (ii) a day on which commercial banks
in New York City or Charlotte, North Carolina are required or authorized to be
closed.
“Cancellation
Date”
is
defined in
paragraph 2B(8)(iv) of this Agreement.
“Cancellation
Fee”
is
defined in
paragraph 2B(8)(iv) of this Agreement.
“Capitalized
Lease Obligation”
shall
mean any
rental obligation which, under generally accepted accounting principles, would
be required to be capitalized on the books of the Company or any Subsidiary,
taken at the amount thereof accounted for as indebtedness (net of interest
expense) in accordance with such principles.
“CERCLA”
shall
mean the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act.
“CERCLIS”
shall
mean the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Inventory
System established pursuant to CERCLA.
“Closing
Day”
is
defined in
paragraph 2B(3)(iv).
“Code”
shall
mean the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986. as amended.
“Company”
shall
have the
meaning assigned to such term in the initial paragraph hereof.
“Confirmation
of Acceptance”
is
defined in
paragraph 2B(5) of this Agreement.
“Consolidated”
shall
mean the
consolidated financial information of the Company and its Subsidiaries under
generally accepted accounting principles.
“Consolidated
Assets”
shall
mean, as at
any date of determination, the total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries
appearing on a Consolidated balance sheet prepared under generally accepted
accounting principles as of the date of determination, after deducting any
reserves applicable thereto and after eliminating all intercompany transactions
and all amounts properly attributable to minority interests, if any, in the
stock and surplus of Subsidiaries.
“Consolidated
Capitalization”
shall
mean, at
any time, the sum of (i) Consolidated Debt at such time plus (ii) Consolidated
Net Worth at such time.
“Consolidated
EBITDA”
shall mean, for
the Company and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis for the four fiscal
quarters most recently ended, Consolidated Net Earnings, or Consolidated Net
Loss, as the case may be, for such period, plus
to
the extent
deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Earnings or Consolidated Net
Loss,
taxes, depreciation, amortization and Consolidated Interest
Charges.
“Consolidated
Fixed Charges”
shall
mean, for
the Company and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, the sum (without
duplication) of:
(i) all
Rentals
(excluding all principal components of Rentals under Capitalized Lease
Obligations) paid during the most recently completed four fiscal quarters (the
“Prior
Period”);
and
(ii) all
Consolidated
Interest Charges for the Prior Period.
“Consolidated
Interest Charges”
shall
mean, for
the Company and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis for the four fiscal
quarters most recently ended, all interest expense (as determined in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles) on all Debt (including
Capitalized Lease Obligations) net of interest income.
“Consolidated
Net Earnings”
shall
mean, for
any applicable period, for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated
basis, the excess of (a) gross revenues over (b) all expenses and charges of
a
proper character (including current and deferred taxes on income and current
additions to reserves) each for the applicable period, but not including in
gross revenues:
(i) any
gains (net of
expenses and taxes applicable thereto) in excess of losses resulting from the
sales, conversions or other dispositions of capital assets outside the ordinary
course of business,
(ii) any
gains resulting
from the write-up of assets,
(iii) any
earnings or
deferred credit (or amortization of a deferred credit) of any Person acquired
by
the Company or any Subsidiary through purchase, merger or consolidation or
otherwise for any year prior to the year of acquisition not included in gross
revenues under generally accepted accounting principles, or
(iv) any
deferred credit
representing the excess of equity in any Subsidiary of the Company at the date
of acquisition over the cost of the investment in such Subsidiary,
(v) proceeds
of life
insurance policies on any Responsible Officer exceeding $250,000 for such
period,
(vi) gains
arising from
the acquisition of debt securities for a cost less than the principal amount
and
accrued interest,
(vii) extraordinary
items
or transactions of a non-recurring or non-operating and material nature or
arising from gains or sales relating to the discontinuance of operations,
or
(viii) any
portion of the
net earnings (included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Earnings
or
such Consolidated Net Loss) of any Subsidiary which for any reason shall be
unavailable for payment of dividends to the Company,
all
as determined
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
If
the above
calculation results in an amount less than zero, then for such period there
shall be a “Consolidated
Net Loss”
as
determined
below.
“Consolidated
Net Loss”
shall
mean, for
any applicable period, for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated
basis, the excess of (a) expenses and charges of a proper character (including
current and deferred taxes on income, provision for taxes an unremitted foreign
earnings which are included in gross revenues, and current additions to
resources) over (b) gross revenues for the same period, but not including in
gross revenues those items listed in clauses (i) through (iv), inclusive, in
the
definition Consolidated Net Earnings above, all as determined in accordance
with
generally accepted accounting principles. If the above calculation results
in an
amount of zero or more, then for such period there shall be “Consolidated
Net Earnings”
as
determined
above.
“Consolidated
Net Worth”
shall
mean, at
any time, for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis
shareholders’ equity at such time determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.
“Consolidated
Operating Income”
shall
mean, for
the Company and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis for the four fiscal
quarters most recently ended, Consolidated Net Earnings, or Consolidated Net
Loss, as the case may be, for such period, plus to the extent deducted in
calculating such Consolidated Net Earnings or Consolidated Net Loss, taxes,
Consolidated Interest Charges and Rentals.
“Consolidated
Priority Debt”
shall
mean, on a
Consolidated basis on any date of determination, the sum (without duplication)
of:
(i) the
aggregate
amount of Debt of all Subsidiaries, plus
(ii) Debt
of any Person
which is secured by, or otherwise benefitting from, a Lien on any property,
tangible or intangible, of the Company or any Subsidiary, whether or not the
Company or such Subsidiary has assumed or become liable for the payment of
such
Debt, plus
(iii) the
present value
of the rental obligations of the Company or a Subsidiary as lessee under a
Capitalized Lease Obligation (discounted according to generally accepted
accounting principles at the debt rate implicit in the lease).
“Debt”
shall
mean with
respect to any Person, at any date of determination,
(i) all
indebtedness
for borrowed money which such Person has directly or indirectly created,
incurred or assumed (including, without limitation, all Capitalized Lease
Obligations); and
(ii) all
indebtedness,
whether or not for borrowed money, secured by any Lien on any property or asset
owned or held by such Person subject thereto, whether or not the indebtedness
secured thereby shall have been assumed by such Person; and
(iii) any
indebtedness,
whether or not for borrowed money, with respect to which such Person has become
directly or indirectly liable and which represents or has been incurred to
finance the purchase price (or a portion thereof) of any property or services
or
business acquired by such Person, whether by purchase, consolidation, merger
or
otherwise other than any trade payable in the ordinary course of business that
is a current liability under generally accepted accounting principles;
and
(iv) any
indebtedness of
the character referred to in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of this definition
deemed to be extinguished under generally accepted accounting principles but
for
which such Person remains legally liable to the extent the market value of
any
assets such Person has placed in trust for the benefit of the holders of that
indebtedness is less than the aggregate amount of that indebtedness;
and
(v) any
indebtedness of
any other Person of the character referred to in subdivision (i), (ii), (iii)
or
(iv) of this definition with respect to which the Person whose Debt is being
determined has become liable by way of a Guarantee;
all
as determined
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, provided, however,
Debt shall not include endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection
in
the ordinary course of business.
“Delay
Delivery Fee”
is
defined in
paragraph 2B(8)(iii) of this Agreement.
“Disposition”
is
defined in
paragraph 6D of this Agreement.
“Environmental
Authority”
shall
mean any
foreign, federal, state, local or regional government that exercises any form
of
jurisdiction or authority under any Environmental Requirement.
“Environmental
Judgments and Orders”
shall
mean all
judgments, decrees or orders arising from or in any way associated with any
Environmental Requirements, whether or not entered upon consent or written
agreements with an Environmental Authority or other entity arising from or
in
any way associated with any Environmental Requirement, whether or not
incorporated in a judgment, degree or order.
“Environmental
Liabilities”
shall
mean any
liabilities, whether accrued or contingent, arising from or relating in any
way
to any Environmental Requirements.
“Environmental
Notices”
shall
mean any
written communication from any Environmental Authority stating possible or
alleged noncompliance with or possible or alleged liability under any
Environmental Requirement, including without limitation any complaints,
citations, demands or requests from any Environmental Authority for correction
of any purported violation of any Environmental Requirements or any
investigation concerning any purported violation of any Environmental
Requirements. Environmental Notices also shall mean (i) any written
communication from any other Person threatening litigation or administrative
proceedings against or involving the Company relating to alleged violation
of
any Environmental Requirements and (ii) any complaint, petition or similar
documents filed by any other Person commencing litigation or administrative
proceedings against or involving the Company relating to alleged violation
of
any Environmental Requirements.
“Environmental
Proceedings”
shall
mean any
judicial or administrative proceedings arising from or in any way associated
with any Environmental Requirement.
“Environmental
Releases”
shall
mean
releases (as defined in CERCLA or under any applicable state or local
environmental law or regulation) of Hazardous Materials. Environmental Releases
does not include releases for which no remediation or reporting is required
by
applicable Environmental Requirements and which do not present a danger to
health, safety or the environment.
“Environmental
Requirements”
shall
mean any
applicable local, state or federal law, rule, regulation, permit, order,
decision, determination or requirement relating in any way to Hazardous
Materials or to health, safety or the environment.
“ERISA”
shall
mean the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“ERISA
Affiliate”
shall
mean any
corporation which is a member of the same controlled group of corporations
as
the Company within the meaning of section 414(b) of the Code, or any trade
or
business which is under common control with the Company within the meaning
of
section 414(c) of the Code.
“Event
of Default”
shall
mean any of
the events specified in paragraph 7A, provided that there has been satisfied
any
requirement in connection with such event for the giving of notice, or the
lapse
of time, or the happening of any further condition, event or act, and
“Default”
shall
mean any of
such events, whether or not any such requirement has been
satisfied.
“Exchange
Act”
shall
mean the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Facility”
is
defined in
paragraph 2B(1) of this Agreement.
“Fair
Market Value”
shall
mean at any
time, the sale value of property that would be realized in an arm’s-length sale
at such time between an informed and willing buyer, and an informed and willing
seller, under no compulsion to buy or sell, respectively.
“Guarantee”
shall
mean, with
respect to any Person, any direct or indirect liability, contingent or
otherwise, of such Person with respect to any Debt, lease, dividend or other
obligation of another, including, without limitation, any such obligation
directly or indirectly guaranteed, endorsed (otherwise than for collection
or
deposit in the ordinary course of business) or discounted or sold with recourse
by such Person, or in respect of which such Person is otherwise directly or
indirectly liable, including, without limitation, any such obligation in effect
guaranteed by such Person through any agreement (contingent or otherwise) to
purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such obligation or any security
therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge of such obligation
(whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions
or otherwise), or to maintain the solvency or any balance sheet or other
financial condition of the obligor of such obligation, or to make payment for
any products, materials or supplies or for any transportation or services
regardless of the non-delivery or non-furnishing thereof, in any such case
if
the purpose or intent of such agreement is to provide assurance that such
obligation will be paid or discharged, or that any agreements relating thereto
will be complied with, or that the holders of such obligation will be protected
against loss in respect thereof. The amount of any Guarantee shall be equal
to
the outstanding principal amount of the obligation guaranteed or such lesser
amount to which the maximum exposure of the guarantor shall have been
specifically limited.
“Hazardous
Materials”
shall
mean (a)
hazardous waste as defined in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of
1976, or in any applicable federal, state or local law or regulation, (b)
hazardous substances, as defined in CERCLA, or in any applicable state or local
law or regulation, (c) gasoline, or any other petroleum product or by-product,
(d) toxic substances, as defined in the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976,
or
in any applicable federal, state or local law or regulation or (e) insecticides,
fungicides, or rodenticides, as defined in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide,
and Rodenticide Act of 1975, or in any applicable federal, state or local law
or
regulation, as each such Act, statute or regulation may be amended from time
to
time.
“Hedge
Treasury Note(s)”
shall
mean, with
respect to any Accepted Note, the United States Treasury Note or Notes whose
duration (as determined by Prudential) most closely matches the duration of
such
Accepted Note.
“Hostile
Tender Offer”
shall
mean, with
respect to the use of proceeds of any Note, any offer to purchase, or any
purchase of, shares of capital stock of any corporation or equity interests
in
any other entity, or securities convertible into or representing the beneficial
ownership of. or rights to acquire, any such shares or equity interests, if
such
shares, equity interests, securities or rights are of a class which is publicly
traded on any securities exchange or in any over-the-counter market, other
than
purchases of such shares, equity interests, securities or rights representing
less than 5% of the equity interests or beneficial ownership of such corporation
or other entity for portfolio investment purposes, and such offer or purchase
has not been duly approved by the board of directors of such corporation or
the
equivalent governing body of such other entity prior to the date on which the
Company makes the Request for Purchase of such Note.
“Investment”
shall
mean, when
used with respect to any Person, any direct or indirect advance, loan or other
extension of credit (other than the creation of receivables in the ordinary
course of business) or capital contribution by such Person (by means of
transfers of property to others or payments for property or services for the
account or use of others, or otherwise) to any other Person, or any direct
or
indirect purchase or other acquisition by such Person of, or of a beneficial
interest in, capital stock, partnership interests, bonds, notes, debentures
or
other securities issued by any other Person.
“Issuance
Fee”
is
defined in
paragraph 2B(8)(ii) of this Agreement.
“Issuance
Period”
is
defined in
paragraph 2B(2) of this Agreement.
“Lien”
shall
mean any
mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise),
or charge of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing,
any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature
thereof, and the filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under
the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction) or any other type of
preferential arrangement for the purpose, or having the effect, of protecting
a
creditor against loss or securing the payment or performance of an obligation,
including any rights of setoff (whether by statute, common law, contract or
otherwise).
“Multiemployer
Plan”
shall
mean any
Plan which is a “multiemployer plan” (as such term is defined in section
4001(a)(3) of ERISA).
“1995
Note Agreement”
shall
mean that
certain Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement, dated as of June 29, 1995,
between the Company and the Prudential Insurance Company of America, as amended
from time to time.
“Notes”
is
defined in
paragraph lB of this Agreement.
“Officer’s
Certificate”
shall
mean a
certificate signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman, President, one
of
its Vice Presidents or its Treasurer.
“Original
Agreement”
shall
have the
meaning assigned to such term in the initial paragraph hereof.
“Person”
shall
mean and
include an individual, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a limited
liability company, a trust, an unincorporated organization and a government
or
any department or agency thereof.
“Plan”
shall
mean any
“employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in section 3 of ERISA)
which is or has been established or maintained, or to which contributions are
or
have been made, by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate.
“Preferred
Stock”,
as applied to
any corporation, shall mean shares of stock of such corporation which are
entitled to preference or priority over any other shares of such corporation
in
respect of the payment of dividends or distribution of assets upon liquidation
or both.
“Properties”
shall
mean all
real property owned, leased or otherwise used or occupied by the Company or
any
Subsidiary, wherever located.
“Prudential”
is
defined in the
Introduction of this Agreement.
“Prudential
Affiliate”
shall mean (i)
any
Person which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls,
or is controlled by, or is under common control with, Prudential, or
(ii) any
investment fund, account or other vehicle for which Prudential (or any
Prudential Affiliate) acts as investment advisor or portfolio manager. As used
in the preceding clause (i), the
term
“control”
means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Purchasers”
shall
mean
Prudential, Hartford Life Insurance Company, and Medica Health Plans with
respect to the 2001 Notes; Prudential, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New
Jersey, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, and Mutual of
Omaha
Insurance Company with respect to the Series AA Notes; and, with respect to
any
Accepted Notes, Prudential and/or the Prudential Affiliate(s), which are
purchasing such Accepted Notes.
“Rentals”
shall
mean for
any period of determination all fixed rents or charges (including as such all
payments during any such period of determination which the lessee is obligated
to make on termination of the lease or surrender of the property) payable by
the
Company or a Subsidiary (as lessee, sublessee, license, franchisee or the like)
for such period under a lease, license, or other agreement for the use or
possession of real or personal property, tangible or intangible, as determined
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
“Request
for Purchase”
is
defined in
paragraph 2B(3) of this Agreement.
“Required
Holder(s)”
shall
mean the
holder or holders of at least 66 2/3% of the aggregate principal amount of
the
Notes from time to time outstanding.
“Rescheduled
Closing Day”
is
defined in
paragraph 2B(7) of this Agreement.
“Responsible
Officer”
shall
mean the
chief executive officer, chief operating officer, principal financial officer,
principal accounting officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer of the Company
or
any other senior executive officer of the Company involved principally in its
financial administration or its controllership function.
“SEC”
shall
mean the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities
Act”
shall
mean the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Series
AA Closing Day”
is
defined in
paragraph 2A of this Agreement.
“Series
AA Note(s)”
is
defined in
paragraph 1A of this Agreement.
“Series
AA Note Purchaser(s)”
shall
mean
Prudential, Hartford Life Insurance Company and Media Health Plans.
“Shelf
Notes”
is
defined in
paragraph lB of this Agreement.
“Significant
Holder”
shall
mean (i)
you, so long as you shall hold (or be committed under this Agreement to
purchase) any Note, or (ii) any other Person which holds at least $5,000,000
of
the aggregate principal amount of the Notes from time to time
outstanding.
“Subsidiary”
shall
mean any
corporation, limited liability company, or partnership organized under the
laws
of any state of the United States of America which conducts the major portion
of
its business in and makes the major portion of its sales to Persons located
in
the United States or Canada, whose accounts are or are required to be
consolidated with the Company’s under generally accepted accounting
principles.
“Third
Party”
shall
mean all
lessees, sublessees, licensees and other users of the Properties, excluding
those users of the Properties in the ordinary course of the Company’s business
(consistent with its practices on the Date of Closing) and on a temporary
basis.
“Transferee”
shall
mean any
direct or indirect transferee of all or any part of any Note purchased by you
under this Agreement.
“2001
Notes”
shall
have the
meaning in the initial paragraph hereof.
“Voting
Stock”
shall
mean, with
respect to any Person, any shares of stock of or other ownership interest in
such Person whose holders are entitled under ordinary circumstances to vote
for
the election of directors or similar body of such Person (irrespective of
whether at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might
have
voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).
“Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary”
shall
mean any
Subsidiary, all of the Voting Stock of which shall, at the time of
determination, be owned by the Company or another Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary.
10C. Accounting
Principles, Terms and Determinations.
All references in
this Agreement to “generally
accepted accounting principles”
shall
be deemed
to refer to generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United
States at the time of application thereof Unless otherwise specified herein,
all
accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all determinations with
respect to accounting matters hereunder shall be made, and all unaudited
financial statements and certificates and reports as to financial matters
required to be furnished hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, applied on a basis consistent with
the
most recent audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its
Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to clause (ii) of paragraph 5A or, if no such
statements have been so delivered, the most recent audited financial statements
referred to in clause (i) of paragraph 8B, subject in the case of, interim
statements to normal year end adjustments and to the absence of
footnotes.
11. MISCELLANEOUS.
11A. Note
Payments.
The Company
agrees that, so long as any Purchaser shall hold any Note, it will make payments
of principal of, interest on, and any Yield-Maintenance Amount payable with
respect to such Note, which comply with the terms of this Agreement, by wire
transfer of immediately available funds for credit (not later than 12:00 noon,
New York City time, on the date due) to (i) the account or accounts of such
Purchaser as previously specified in the case of any 2001 Note; (ii) the account
or accounts of such Purchaser specified in the Purchaser Schedule attached
hereto in the case of any 2001 Note or any Series AA Note, (iii) the account
or
accounts of such Purchaser specified in the Confirmation of Acceptance with
respect to such Note in the case of any Shelf Note, or (iv) or such other
account or accounts in the United States as such Purchaser may from time to
time
designate in writing, notwithstanding any contrary provision herein or in any
Note with respect to the place of payment. Each Purchaser agrees (and any
Transferee shall agree as a condition to the transfer of any Note or part
thereof) that, before disposing of any Note, it (and any such Transferee) will
make a notation thereon (or on a schedule attached thereto) of all principal
payments previously made thereon and of the date to which interest thereon
has
been paid. The Company agrees to afford the benefits of this paragraph 11A
to
any Transferee which shall have made the same agreement as you have made in
this
paragraph 11A.
11B. Expenses.
The Company
agrees, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
consummated, to pay, and save you and any Transferee harmless against liability
for the payment of, all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred
(including without limitation legal fees) arising in connection with such
transactions, including:
(i) all
taxes (together
in each case with interest and penalties, if any), other than state or federal
income taxes or franchise taxes, including without limitation, all stamp,
intangibles, recording and other taxes, which may be payable with respect to
the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or the execution, delivery or
acquisition of any Note;
(ii) all
reasonable
document production and duplication charges and the reasonable fees and expenses
of any special counsel engaged by you or any Transferee after the Series AA
Closing Day in connection with this Agreement or the Notes and any subsequent
proposed modification or waiver of, or proposed consent under, this Agreement
or
the Notes, whether or not such proposed modification or waiver shall be effected
or proposed consent granted, and
(iii) the
reasonable
costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, actually incurred by
you or such Transferee in connection with the restructuring, refinancing or
“work out” of this Agreement or the Notes or the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby or in enforcing (or determining whether or how to enforce)
any
rights under this Agreement or the Notes or in responding to any subpoena or
other legal process or informal investigative demand issued in connection with
this Agreement or the Notes or the transactions contemplated hereby or by reason
of your or any Transferee’s having acquired any Note, including without
limitation costs and expenses incurred in any bankruptcy case.
The
obligations of
the Company under this paragraph 11B shall survive the transfer of any Note
or
portion thereof or interest therein by you or any Transferee and the payment
of
any Note.
11C. Consent
to Amendments.
This Agreement
may be amended, and the Company may take any action herein prohibited, or omit
to perform any act herein required to be performed by it, if the Company shall
obtain the written consent to such amendment, action or omission to act, of
the
Required Holder(s) except that, without the written consent of the holder or
holders of all Notes at the time outstanding, no amendment to this Agreement
shall change:
(i) the
maturity of any
Note,
(ii) the
principal of,
or the rate or time of payment of interest on or any Yield-Maintenance Amount
payable on any Note,
(iii) the
time, amount or
allocation of any prepayments, or
(iv) the
proportion of
the principal amount of the Notes required for any consent, amendment, waiver
or
declaration.
Each
holder of any
Note at the time or thereafter outstanding shall be bound by any consent
authorized by this paragraph 11C, whether or not such Note shall have been
marked to indicate such consent, but any Notes issued thereafter may bear a
notation referring to any such consent. No course of dealing between the Company
and the holder of any Note nor any delay in exercising any rights hereunder
or
under any Note shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any holder of such
Note. As used herein and in the Notes, the term “this
Agreement”
and
references
thereto shall mean this Agreement as it may from be amended or supplemented
time
to time.
11D. Form,
Registration, Transfer and Exchange of Notes; Lost
Notes.
The Notes are
issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of at least
$1,000,000, except as may be necessary to reflect any principal amount not
evenly divisible by $1,000,000. The Company shall keep at its principal office
a
register in which the Company shall provide for the registration of Notes and
a
record of transfers of the Notes. Upon surrender for registration of transfer
of
any Note at the principal office of the Company, the Company shall, at its
expense, execute and deliver one or more new Notes of like tenor and of a like
aggregate principal amount, registered in the name of such transferee or
transferees. At the option of the holder of any Note, such Note may be exchanged
for other Notes of like tenor and of any authorized denominations, of a like
aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Note to be exchanged at the
principal office of the Company. Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for
exchange, the Company shall, at its expense, execute and deliver the Notes
which
the holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Every Note surrendered
for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed, or be
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the holder
of
such Note or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing. Any Note or
Notes issued in exchange for any Note or upon transfer thereof shall carry
the
rights to unpaid interest and interest to accrue which were carried by the
Note
so exchanged or transferred, so that neither gain nor loss of interest shall
result from any such transfer or exchange. Upon receipt of written notice from
the holder of any Note of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of such
Note and, in the case of any such loss, theft or destruction, upon receipt
of
such holder’s unsecured indemnity agreement, or in the case of any such
mutilation upon surrender and cancellation of such Note, the Company will make
and deliver a new Note, of like tenor, in lieu of the lost, stolen, destroyed
or
mutilated Note.
11E. Persons
Deemed Owners; Participations.
Prior to due
presentment for registration of transfer, the Company shall treat the Person
in
whose name any Note is registered as the owner and holder of such Note for
the
purpose of receiving payment of principal of, interest on and any
Yield-Maintenance Amount payable with respect to such Note and for all other
purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note shall be overdue, and the Company
shall not be affected by notice to the contrary. Subject to the preceding
sentence, the holder of any Note may from time to time grant participations
in
such Note to any Person (other than any Person not an institutional investor)
on
such terms and conditions as may be determined by such holder in its sole and
absolute discretion.
11F. Survival
of Representations and Warranties; Entire Agreement.
All
representations and warranties contained herein or made in writing by or on
behalf of the Company in connection herewith shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Notes, the transfer by you of any Note or
portion thereof or interest therein and the payment of any Note, and may be
relied upon by any Transferee, regardless of any investigation made at any
time
by or on behalf of you or any Transferee. Subject to the preceding sentence,
this Agreement and the Notes embody the entire agreement and understanding
between you and the Company and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings relating to the subject matter hereof
11G. Successors
and Assigns; Transfer Provisions.
All covenants and
other agreements in this Agreement contained by or on behalf of either of the
parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors
and assigns of the parties hereto (including, without limitation, any
Transferee) whether so expressed or not.
11H. Disclosure
to Other Persons; Confidentiality.
The Company
acknowledges that the holder of any Note may deliver copies of any financial
statements and other documents or information delivered to such holder, and
disclose any other information disclosed to such holder, by or on behalf of
the
Company or any Subsidiary in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement
only
to:
(i) such
holder’s
directors, officers, employees, agents and professional
consultants,
(ii) any
other holder of
any Note,
(iii) any
Person to which
such holder offers to sell such Note or any part thereof, provided that each
such Person agrees in writing to observe the confidentiality standards described
in this paragraph 11H,
(iv) any
Person to which
such holder sells or offers to sell a participation in all or any part of such
Note, provided that each such Person agrees in writing to observe the
confidentiality standards described in this paragraph 11H,
(v) any
Person from
which such holder offers to purchase any security of the Company, provided
that
each such Person agrees in writing to observe the confidentiality standards
described in this paragraph 11H,
(vi) any
federal or
state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such holder,
(vii) the
National
Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization
or
(viii) any
other Person to
which such delivery or disclosure may be necessary or reasonably appropriate
(a)
in compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to such holder,
(b) in response to any subpoena or other legal process or informal investigative
demand or (c) in connection with any litigation to which such holder is a
party.
Subject
to the
foregoing, each holder of a Note hereby agrees to use its best efforts to hold
in confidence and not to disclose any Confidential Information; provided, that
such holder will be free, after notice to the Company, to correct any false
or
misleading information which may become public concerning its relationship
to
the Company. For the purpose of this paragraph 11H, the term “Confidential
Information”
shall
mean
information about the Company or any Subsidiary furnished by the Company or
any
Subsidiary to such holder, but does not include any information (i) which as
publicly known, or otherwise known to such holder, at the time of disclosure,
(ii) which subsequently becomes publicly known through no act or omission by
such holder, or (iii) which otherwise becomes known to such holder other than
through disclosure by the Company or any Subsidiary.
11I. Notices.
All written
communications provided for hereunder shall be sent by first class mail or
nationwide overnight delivery service (with charges prepaid) and
(i) if
to you,
addressed to you at the address specified for such communications in the
Purchaser Schedule attached hereto, or at such other address as you shall have
specified to the Company in writing,
(ii) if
to any other
holder of any Note, addressed to such other holder at such address as such
other
holder shall have specified to the Company in writing or, if any such other
holder shall not have so specified an address to the Company, then addressed
to
such other holder in care of the last holder of such Note which shall have
so
specified an address to the Company, and
(iii) if
to the Company,
addressed to it at 0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000,
Telephone: (000) 000-0000, Telecopy: (000) 000-0000, Attention: Xx. Xxxxxxx
X.
Xxxxx, Executive Vice President - Finance and Administration or at such other
address as the Company shall have specified to the holder of each Note in
writing.
11J. Payments
Due on Non-Business Days.
Anything in this
Agreement or the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding, any payment of principal
of or interest on any Note that is due on a date other than a Business Day
shall
be made on the next succeeding Business Day. If the date for any payment is
extended to the next succeeding Business Day by reason of the preceding
sentence, the period of such extension shall not be included in the computation
of the interest payable on such Business Day.
11K. Satisfaction
Requirement.
If any agreement,
certificate or other writing, or any action taken or to be taken, is by the
terms of this Agreement required to be satisfactory to you or to the Required
Holder(s), the determination of such satisfaction shall be made by you or the
Required Holder(s), as the case may be, in the sole and exclusive judgment
(exercised in good faith) of the Person or Persons making such
determination.
11L. Independence
of Covenants.
All covenants of
the Company hereunder shall be of independent effect so that if a particular
action or condition is not permitted by any one of such covenants, the fact
that
it would be permitted by an exception to, or otherwise be within the other
limitations of, another covenant, shall not avoid the occurrence of an Event
of
Default or Default if such action is taken or condition exists.
11M. Governing
Law.
This Agreement
shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the
parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York. THE COMPANY
HEREBY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK
LOCATED IN NEW YORK COUNTY, NEW YORK AND THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT, SUBJECT TO THE
SOLE AND ABSOLUTE ELECTION OF THE REQUIRED HOLDER(S) AND TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED
BY APPLICABLE LAW, ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR
THE
NOTES SHALL BE LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS, AND THE COMPANY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION
WHICH IT MAY HAVE BASED ON IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS TO THE CONDUCT
OF ANY PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURTS.
11N. Severability.
Any provision of
this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall,
as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and
any
such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate
or
render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
11O. Descriptive
Headings.
The descriptive
headings of the several paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for
convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.
11P. Counterparts.
This Agreement
may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed
an
original, but all of which together shall constitute one
instrument.
If
you agree to the
foregoing, please sign the form of acceptance on the enclosed counterpart of
this letter and return the same to the Company, whereupon this letter shall
become a binding agreement between the Company and you.
[signatures
appear on following pages]
Very
Truly
Yours,
XXXXXXX
FURNITURE COMPANY, INC.
By: /s/
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
Title: Exective
Vice-President -
Finance & Adminstration
The
foregoing
Agreement is
xxxxxx
accepted as of
the date
first
above
written.
THE
PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF
AMERICA
By:
/s/
Xxx X. Xxxxx
Name:
Xxx X. Xxxxx
Title:
Vice President
HARTFORD
LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY
By:
Prudential Private
Placement Investors, LP
(as
Investment
Advisor)
By:
Prudential Private
Placement Investors, Inc.
(as
its General
Partner)
By:
/s/
Xxx X.
Xxxxx
Name:
Xxx X.
Xxxxx
Title:
Vice
President
MEDICA
HEALTH PLANS
By:
Prudential Private
Placement Investors, LP
(as
Investment
Advisor)
By:
Prudential Private
Investment Investors, Inc.
(as
its General
Partner)
By:
/s/
Xxx X.
Xxxxx
Name:
Xxx X.
Xxxxx
Title:
Vice
President
PRUCO
LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW JERSEY
By:
/s/
Xxx
X.Xxxxx
Name:
Xxx X.
Xxxxx
Title:
Assistant
Vice President
PRUDENTIAL
RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
By: Prudential
Investment Management, Inc.,
as
investment
manager
By:
/s/
Xxx X.
Xxxxx
Name:
Xxx X. Xxxxx
Title:
Vice
President
MUTUAL
OF
OMAHA INSURANCE COMPANY
By: Prudential
Private Placement Investors,
LP
(as Investment Advisor)
By:Prudential
Private Placement Investors,
Inc.
(as
its General
Partner)
By:
/s/
Xxx X. Xxxxx
Name:
Xxx X.
Xxxxx
Title:
Vice
President