ZEKELMAN INDUSTRIES, INC., as Issuer and the Guarantors party hereto 9.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 INDENTURE Dated as of June 14, 2016 WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee and Collateral Agent
Exhibit 4.6
EXECUTION VERSION
as Issuer
and the Guarantors party hereto
9.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2023
Dated as of June 14, 2016
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee and Collateral Agent
EXECUTION VERSION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I | ||||||
Definitions and Incorporation by Reference |
||||||
SECTION 1.1. |
Definitions |
1 | ||||
SECTION 1.2. |
Other Definitions |
46 | ||||
SECTION 1.3. |
Rules of Construction |
47 | ||||
ARTICLE II | ||||||
The Notes | ||||||
SECTION 2.1. |
Form and Dating |
47 | ||||
SECTION 2.2. |
Form of Execution and Authentication |
51 | ||||
SECTION 2.3. |
Registrar and Paying Agent |
52 | ||||
SECTION 2.4. |
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust |
52 | ||||
SECTION 2.5. |
Lists of Holders of the Notes |
53 | ||||
SECTION 2.6. |
Transfer and Exchange |
53 | ||||
SECTION 2.7. |
Replacement Notes |
63 | ||||
SECTION 2.8. |
Outstanding Notes |
63 | ||||
SECTION 2.9. |
Treasury Notes |
64 | ||||
SECTION 2.10. |
Temporary Notes |
64 | ||||
SECTION 2.11. |
Cancellation |
64 | ||||
SECTION 2.12. |
Payment of Interest; Defaulted Interest |
64 | ||||
SECTION 2.13. |
CUSIP Numbers |
66 | ||||
SECTION 2.14. |
Record Date |
66 | ||||
ARTICLE III |
||||||
Covenants | ||||||
SECTION 3.1. |
Payment of Notes |
66 | ||||
SECTION 3.2. |
Reports and Other Information |
66 | ||||
SECTION 3.3. |
Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock |
69 | ||||
SECTION 3.4. |
Limitation on Restricted Payments |
76 | ||||
SECTION 3.5. |
Liens |
84 | ||||
SECTION 3.6. |
Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries |
85 | ||||
SECTION 3.7. |
Asset Sales |
87 | ||||
SECTION 3.8. |
Transactions with Affiliates |
91 | ||||
SECTION 3.9. |
Change of Control |
94 | ||||
SECTION 3.10. |
Maintenance of Insurance |
97 | ||||
SECTION 3.11. |
Additional Guarantors |
97 |
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SECTION 3.12. |
Compliance Certificate; Statement by Officers as to Default | 98 | ||||
SECTION 3.13. |
[Reserved.] | 98 | ||||
SECTION 3.14. |
Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries | 98 | ||||
SECTION 3.15. |
Covenant Suspension | 99 | ||||
SECTION 3.16. |
Stay, Extension and Usury Laws | 100 | ||||
ARTICLE IV | ||||||
Merger; Consolidation, Amalgamation or Sale of Assets | ||||||
SECTION 4.1. |
When the Issuer May Merge or Otherwise Dispose of Assets | 100 | ||||
ARTICLE V | ||||||
Redemption of Notes | ||||||
SECTION 5.1. |
Optional Redemption | 102 | ||||
SECTION 5.2. |
Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee of Optional Redemption | 102 | ||||
SECTION 5.3. |
Selection by Trustee of Notes to Be Redeemed | 103 | ||||
SECTION 5.4. |
Notice of Redemption | 103 | ||||
SECTION 5.5. |
Deposit of Redemption Price | 104 | ||||
SECTION 5.6. |
Notes Payable on Redemption Date | 104 | ||||
SECTION 5.7. |
Notes Redeemed in Part | 105 | ||||
SECTION 5.8. |
Offer to Repurchase | 105 | ||||
ARTICLE VI | ||||||
Defaults and Remedies | ||||||
SECTION 6.1. |
Events of Default | 107 | ||||
SECTION 6.2. |
Acceleration | 109 | ||||
SECTION 6.3. |
Other Remedies | 109 | ||||
SECTION 6.4. |
Waiver of Past Defaults | 110 | ||||
SECTION 6.5. |
Control by Majority | 110 | ||||
SECTION 6.6. |
Limitation on Suits | 110 | ||||
SECTION 6.7. |
Rights of Holders to Receive Payment | 111 | ||||
SECTION 6.8. |
Collection Suit by Trustee | 111 | ||||
SECTION 6.9. |
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 111 | ||||
SECTION 6.10. |
Priorities | 112 | ||||
SECTION 6.11. |
Undertaking for Costs |
112 | ||||
ARTICLE VII | ||||||
Trustee and Collateral Agent | ||||||
SECTION 7.1. |
Duties of Trustee | 112 | ||||
SECTION 7.2. |
Rights of Trustee and Collateral Agent | 114 | ||||
SECTION 7.3. |
Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee | 116 |
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SECTION 7.4. |
Individual Rights of Trustee | 116 | ||||
SECTION 7.5. |
Disclaimer | 116 | ||||
SECTION 7.6. |
Notice of Defaults | 116 | ||||
SECTION 7.7. |
Compensation and Indemnity | 116 | ||||
SECTION 7.8. |
Replacement of Trustee and Collateral Agent | 117 | ||||
SECTION 7.9. |
Successor Trustee by Merger | 118 | ||||
SECTION 7.10. |
Eligibility; Disqualification | 119 | ||||
SECTION 7.11. |
Limitation on Duty of Trustee | 119 | ||||
SECTION 7.12. |
Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer | 119 | ||||
SECTION 7.13. |
Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes | 119 | ||||
SECTION 7.14. |
Collateral Agent | 119 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII | ||||||
Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance | ||||||
SECTION 8.1. |
Discharge of Liability on Securities; Defeasance | 122 | ||||
SECTION 8.2. |
Conditions to Defeasance | 123 | ||||
SECTION 8.3. |
Application of Trust Money | 125 | ||||
SECTION 8.4. |
Repayment to Issuer | 125 | ||||
SECTION 8.5. |
Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations | 125 | ||||
SECTION 8.6. |
Reinstatement | 125 | ||||
ARTICLE IX | ||||||
Amendments | ||||||
SECTION 9.1. |
Without Consent of Holders | 125 | ||||
SECTION 9.2. |
With Consent of Holders | 127 | ||||
SECTION 9.3. |
Effect of Consents and Waivers | 129 | ||||
SECTION 9.4. |
Notation on or Exchange of Notes | 129 | ||||
SECTION 9.5. |
Trustee and Collateral Agent To Sign Amendments | 129 | ||||
ARTICLE X | ||||||
Guarantees | ||||||
SECTION 10.1. |
Guarantees | 130 | ||||
SECTION 10.2. |
Limitation on Liability; Termination, Release and Discharge | 132 | ||||
SECTION 10.3. |
Right of Contribution | 133 | ||||
SECTION 10.4. |
No Subrogation | 133 | ||||
SECTION 10.5. |
Limitations on Merger | 134 | ||||
ARTICLE XI | ||||||
COLLATERAL | ||||||
SECTION 11.1. |
Security Documents and Intercreditor Agreement | 135 |
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SECTION 11.2. |
[Reserved] | 136 | ||||
SECTION 11.3. |
Release of Collateral | 136 | ||||
SECTION 11.4. |
[Reserved] | 137 | ||||
SECTION 11.5. |
After Acquired Collateral | 137 | ||||
SECTION 11.6. |
Impairment of Collateral; Impairment of Security Interests | 137 | ||||
SECTION 11.7. |
Real Estate Mortgages and Filings | 137 | ||||
SECTION 11.8. |
Further Assurances | 139 | ||||
ARTICLE XII | ||||||
Miscellaneous | ||||||
SECTION 12.1. |
Notices | 139 | ||||
SECTION 12.2. |
Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 140 | ||||
SECTION 12.3. |
Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 141 | ||||
SECTION 12.4. |
[Reserved] | 141 | ||||
SECTION 12.5. |
Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar | 141 | ||||
SECTION 12.6. |
Days Other than Business Days | 141 | ||||
SECTION 12.7. |
Governing Law | 141 | ||||
SECTION 12.8. |
Waiver of Jury Trial | 142 | ||||
SECTION 12.9. |
No Recourse Against Others | 142 | ||||
SECTION 12.10. |
Successors | 142 | ||||
SECTION 12.11. |
Multiple Originals | 142 | ||||
SECTION 12.12. |
Variable Provisions | 142 | ||||
SECTION 12.13. |
Table of Contents; Headings | 142 | ||||
SECTION 12.14. |
Force Majeure | 142 | ||||
SECTION 12.15. |
USA Patriot Act | 142 | ||||
SECTION 12.16. |
[Reserved] | 143 | ||||
SECTION 12.17. |
Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes | 143 | ||||
EXHIBITS | ||||||
EXHIBIT A |
Form of Note | |||||
EXHIBIT B |
Form of Certificate of Transfer | |||||
EXHIBIT C |
Form of Certificate of Exchange |
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EXECUTION VERSION
INDENTURE, dated as of June 14, 2016, as amended or supplemented from time to time (this “Indenture”), among ZEKELMAN INDUSTRIES, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Issuer”), certain subsidiaries of the Issuer from time to time parties hereto (the “Guarantors”) and WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”) and collateral agent (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”).
Recitals of the Issuer
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) of the Notes (as defined herein):
ARTICLE I
Definitions and Incorporation by Reference
SECTION 1.1. Definitions.
“144A Global Note” means a global note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that shall be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
“ABL Borrowers” means Wheatland Tube, LLC (formerly known as Xxxx Xxxxxxx Company), a Pennsylvania corporation, together with 6582125 Canada, Inc., a federal Canadian corporation.
“ABL Credit Agreement” means (i) the amended and restated revolving credit and guaranty agreement entered into on November 13, 2014 as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated as of May 19, 2016, among the ABL Borrowers, the Issuer, certain Subsidiaries of the ABL Borrowers, the financial institutions named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, as may be further amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, and (ii) whether or not the credit agreement referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by the Issuer to be included in the definition of “ABL Credit Agreement,” one or more (A) debt facilities, indentures or commercial paper facilities providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, notes, debentures, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in
each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, increased, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.
“ABL Credit Agreement Agent” means the administrative agent under the ABL Credit Agreement.
“Acquired Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) | Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging, amalgamating or consolidating with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, and |
(2) | Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person. |
“Additional Priority Lien Obligations” means other Priority Lien Obligations permitted to be secured by (i) the Fixed Asset Collateral on a first or second priority basis under this Indenture, by the Term Loan Credit Agreement, the ABL Credit Agreement and any other then-existing Priority Lien Debt Documents or (ii) the Current Asset Collateral on a first or second priority basis under this Indenture, the Term Loan Credit Agreement, the ABL Credit Agreement and any other then-existing Priority Lien Debt Documents.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.
“Agent” means any Notes Custodian, Registrar, Paying Agent, co-registrar or additional paying agent.
“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any applicable redemption date, as calculated by the Issuer, the greater of:
(1) | 1.0% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Note; and |
(2) | the excess, if any, of |
(a) | the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Note at June 15, 2019 (such redemption price being set forth in Paragraph 7 of the form of Note set forth in Exhibit A hereto (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through June 15, 2019 (excluding accrued but |
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unpaid interest to (but not including) the redemption date), in each case of clauses (i) and (ii), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points; over |
(b) | the then outstanding principal amount of the Note. |
The Trustee shall have no obligation to calculate or verify the calculation of the Applicable Premium.
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.
“Asset Sale” means:
(1) | the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) of property or assets (including by way of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition”); or |
(2) | the issuance or sale of Equity Interests (other than (i) directors’ qualifying shares or shares or interests required to be held by foreign nationals or other third parties to the extent required by applicable law and (ii) Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries issued in compliance with Section 3.3) of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions), |
in each case other than:
(a) | a sale, exchange or other disposition of cash, Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities or obsolete, damaged, unnecessary, unsuitable or worn out equipment in the ordinary course of business; |
(b) | the sale, conveyance, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer in compliance with the provisions described in Section 4.1 or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control; |
(c) | any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 3.4; |
(d) | any disposition of assets or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, with an aggregate Fair Market Value of less than or equal to $25.0 million; |
(e) | any transfer or disposition of property or assets or issuance or sale of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary to another Restricted Subsidiary; |
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(f) | dispositions in connection with any Lien permitted under this Indenture; |
(g) | any issuance or sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary; |
(h) | the sale, lease, assignment, license or sub-lease of inventory, equipment, accounts receivable or other current assets held for sale in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with any financing transaction; |
(i) | the lease, sub-lease, assignment, license or sub-license of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business; |
(j) | a sale of accounts receivable and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Receivables Financing” to a Receivables Subsidiary in a Qualified Receivables Financing or in factoring or similar transactions; |
(k) | a transfer of accounts receivable and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Receivables Financing” (or a fractional undivided interest therein) by a Receivables Subsidiary in a Qualified Receivables Financing; |
(l) | any exchange of assets for assets (including a combination of assets and Cash Equivalents) related to a Similar Business of comparable or greater market value or usefulness to the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by the Issuer, which in the event of an exchange of assets with a Fair Market Value in excess of (1) $20.0 million shall be evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate, and (2) $40.0 million shall be set forth in a resolution approved in good faith by at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the Issuer; |
(m) | the grant in the ordinary course of business of any license or sub-license of patents, trademarks, know-how and any other intellectual property; |
(n) | the sale in a Sale/Leaseback Transaction of any property acquired after the Issue Date within six months of the acquisition of such property; |
(o) | the surrender or waiver of contract rights or settlement, release or surrender of a contract, tort or other litigation claim in the ordinary course of business; |
(p) | foreclosures, condemnations or any similar action on assets not prohibited by this Indenture; and |
(q) | to the extent allowable under Section 1031 of the Code, any exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon) for use in a Similar Business. |
“Bank Products” means any facilities or services related to cash management, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, automated clearing house fund transfer services, purchase card, electronic funds transfer (including non-card e-payables services) and other cash management arrangements and commercial credit card and merchant card services.
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“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.
“beneficial owner” has the meaning given to that term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as of the Issue Date, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of any securities that such “person” has the right to acquire or vote only upon the happening of any future event or contingency (including the passage of time) that has not yet occurred. The terms “beneficial ownership,” “beneficially owns” and “beneficially owned” have a corresponding meaning.
“Board of Directors” means as to any Person, the board of directors, board of managers, sole member or managing member or other governing body of such Person, or if such Person is owned or managed by a single entity, the board of directors, board of managers, sole member or managing member or other governing body of such entity, or in each case, any duly authorized committee thereof, and the term “directors” means members of the Board of Directors.
“Borrowing Base” means, as of any date, an amount equal to: (1) 85% of the value of all accounts receivable owned by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding such date; plus (2) 75% of the value of all inventory owned by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding such date, all calculated on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.
“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York City or a place of payment.
“Capital Stock” means:
(1) | in the case of a corporation, corporate stock; |
(2) | in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock; |
(3) | in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and |
(4) | any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person. |
“Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP.
“Cash Contribution Amount” means the aggregate amount of cash contributions made to the capital of the Issuer or any Guarantor described in the definition of “Contribution Indebtedness.”
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“Cash Equivalents” means:
(1) | U.S. Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Japanese yen, pounds sterling, euros or the national currency of any participating member state of the European Union; |
(2) | securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the government of the United States or any country that is a member of the European Union or any agency or instrumentality thereof in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition; |
(3) | certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances, in each case with maturities not exceeding one year, and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $250.0 million, or the foreign currency equivalent thereof, and whose long-term debt is rated “A” or the equivalent thereof by Xxxxx’x or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency); |
(4) | repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above; |
(5) | commercial paper issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Issuer) rated at least “A-2” or the equivalent thereof by Xxxxx’x or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) and in each case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition; |
(6) | readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof having one of the two highest rating categories obtainable from either Xxxxx’x or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition; |
(7) | Indebtedness issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A-2” or higher from Xxxxx’x in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition; |
(8) | investment funds investing at least 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (6) above; and |
(9) | in the case of Investments by any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary, (x) such local currencies in those countries in which such Foreign Subsidiary transacts business from time to time in the ordinary course of business and (y) Investments of comparable tenor and credit quality to those described in the foregoing clauses (1) through (8) customarily utilized in countries in which such Foreign Subsidiary operates for short-term cash management purposes. |
6
“CFC” means a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957(a) of the Code.
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“Change of Control” means:
(1) | the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all the assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to a Person other than one or more of the Permitted Holders; or |
(2) | Issuer becomes aware of the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than any of the Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of Equity Interests or otherwise, of beneficial ownership of Voting Stock of the Issuer representing 50% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer. |
“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme, as currently in effect or any successor securities clearing agency.
“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
“Collateral” means the Current Asset Collateral and the Fixed Asset Collateral, other than Excluded Property.
“Collateral Agent” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
“Collateral Agreement” means the third lien pledge and security agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Issuer, certain of the Guarantors and the Collateral Agent, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Commodity Swap Agreement” means any commodity or fuel exchange contract, futures contract, option contract, synthetic cap or other similar agreement or arrangement, each of which is for the purpose of hedging the Issuer’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ exposure to fluctuations in prices for commodities or fuel and not for speculative purposes.
“Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Issuer by any Officer.
“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(1) | interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, to the extent such expense was deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income (including amortization of original issue discount, the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and net payments and receipts (if any) pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations and excluding amortization of deferred financing fees and expensing of any bridge or other financing fees, the non-cash portion of interest expense resulting from the |
8
reduction in the carrying value under purchase accounting of the Issuer’s outstanding Indebtedness and commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Receivables Financing); and |
(2) | consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; |
less interest income for such period; provided that, for purposes of calculating Consolidated Interest Expense, no effect shall be given to the discount and/or premium resulting from the bifurcation of derivatives under FASB ASC 815 and related interpretations as a result of the terms of the Indebtedness to which such Consolidated Interest Expense relates.
For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by such Person to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis; provided, however, that:
(1) | any net after-tax extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual gains or losses or income or expenses (including the effect of all fees and expenses relating thereto), including, without limitation, any fees, expenses, charges or payments related to the Transactions, shall be excluded; |
(2) | the Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period; |
(3) | [Reserved]; |
(4) | all net after-tax income, loss, expense or charge from abandoned, closed or discontinued operations and any net after-tax gain or loss on the disposal of abandoned, closed or discontinued operations or discontinuance of any Subsidiary, line of business, division, segment or operating unit (and all related expenses) (the “Obsolete Operations”) other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by such Person) shall be excluded; |
(5) | any net after-tax gains or losses (including the effect of all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment of Indebtedness, Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments shall be excluded; |
(6) | the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary of such Person, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting (other than a Guarantor), shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period; |
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(7) | solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 3.4(a)(C)(1) the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions have been legally waived; provided that (x) the net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary shall be included therein and (y) the Consolidated Net Income of such Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or converted into cash) by any such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person, to the extent not already included therein; |
(8) | any non-cash compensation expense realized from employee benefit plans or post-employment benefit plans, grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options or other rights to officers, directors and employees of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be excluded; |
(9) | (a)(i) the non-cash portion of “straight-line” rent expense shall be excluded and (ii) the cash portion of “straight-line” rent expense that exceeds the amount expensed in respect of such rent expense shall be included and (b) non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by FASB ASC 815 shall be excluded; |
(10) | unrealized gains and losses relating to hedging transactions and xxxx-to-market of Indebtedness denominated in foreign currencies resulting from the application of FASB ASC 830 shall be excluded; |
(11) | any (a) severance or relocation costs or expenses, (b) one-time non-cash compensation charges, (c) the costs and expenses after March 11, 2011 related to employment of terminated employees, or (d) costs or expenses realized in connection with or resulting from stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options or other rights existing on March 11, 2011 of officers, directors and employees, in each case of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, shall be excluded; |
(12) | the effect of any non-cash impairment charges or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs of assets (including intangible assets, goodwill and deferred financing costs but excluding accounts receivable) or liabilities resulting from the application of GAAP (including in connection with the Transactions) and the amortization of intangibles arising from the application of GAAP (excluding any non-cash item to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenditures in any future period except to the extent such item is subsequently reversed) shall be excluded; and |
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(13) | any fees and expenses incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, Investment, Asset Sale, issuance or repayment of Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to the Issue Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction shall be excluded. |
In addition, to the extent not already included in the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds actually received from business interruption insurance and reimbursements of any expenses and charges pursuant to indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any Permitted Investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 3.4 only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from the sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments, from repurchases or redemptions of Restricted Investments, from repayments of loans or advances which constituted Restricted Investments or from any dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer to the extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under Sections 3.4(a)(C)(5) or (6).
“Consolidated Non-cash Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate depreciation, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period), impairment, compensation and other non-cash expenses of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that if any non-cash charges referred to in this definition represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA in such future period to such extent paid.
“Consolidated Senior Secured Debt Ratio” means, as of any date of determination the ratio of (1)(x) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is secured by a Lien ranking senior in priority to the Liens that secure the Notes as of the end of the most recent fiscal period for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur minus (y) the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents, in each case, that is held by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of such most recent fiscal period to (2) the EBITDA of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur, in each case, with such pro forma adjustments to Consolidated Total Indebtedness, cash and Cash Equivalents and EBITDA as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set
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forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.” For purposes of calculating the Consolidated Senior Secured Debt Ratio with respect to any revolving or asset-based lending Indebtedness, the Issuer may elect, at any time (which election may not be changed with respect to such revolving or asset-based lending Indebtedness), to give pro forma effect to the Incurrence of the entire committed amount of such Indebtedness, in which case such committed amount may thereafter be borrowed or reborrowed, in whole or in part, from time to time, without further compliance with the Consolidated Senior Secured Debt Ratio component of any provision hereunder. The Issuer hereby elects that on the Issue Date, the entire committed amount of the ABL Credit Agreement shall be deemed to have been Incurred (with any subsequent permanent reductions in the committed amount of such asset-based lending credit facility reducing the amount Incurred on the Issue Date).
“Consolidated Taxes” means, with respect to any Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including, without limitation, state franchise and similar taxes.
“Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries and the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of such Person and all Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences and maximum fixed repurchase prices, outstanding on such date, determined on a consolidated basis, to the extent required to be recorded on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than Indebtedness with respect to Bank Products, if any), Capitalized Lease Obligations and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes or similar instruments and, regardless of whether on or off balance sheet, obligations under Receivables Financings.
“Consolidated Total Debt Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (1)(x) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Issuer as of the end of the most recent fiscal period for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur minus (y) the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents, in each case, that is held by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of such most recent fiscal period to (2) the EBITDA of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur, in each case, with such pro forma adjustments to Consolidated Total Indebtedness, cash and Cash Equivalents and EBITDA as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”
“continuing” means, with respect to any Default or Event of Default, that such Default or Event of Default has not been cured or waived.
“Contingent Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“primary obligation”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner,
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whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(1) | to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, |
(2) | to advance or supply funds: |
(a) | for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation; or |
(b) | to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or |
(3) | to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof. |
“Contribution Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor in an aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate amount of cash contributions (other than Excluded Contributions) made to the capital of the Issuer or such Guarantor after March 11, 2011; provided that:
(1) | such Contribution Indebtedness shall be Indebtedness with a Stated Maturity later than the Stated Maturity of the Notes and a Weighted Average Life to Maturity longer than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Notes, and |
(2) | such Contribution Indebtedness (a) is Incurred within 210 days after the making of such cash contributions and (b) is so designated as Contribution Indebtedness pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate on the Incurrence date thereof. |
“Corporate Trust Office” shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.1 or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Issuer or Holders pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 12.1.
“Credit Agreements” means, the (i) ABL Credit Agreement and (ii) Term Loan Credit Agreement.
“Credit Agreement Obligations” means the “Obligations” as such term is defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the “US Obligations” as such term is defined in the ABL Credit Agreement.
“Currency Agreement” means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, option contract, synthetic cap or other similar agreement or arrangement, each of which is for the purpose of hedging the foreign currency risk associated with the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ operations and not for speculative purposes.
“Current Asset Collateral” means all the assets of any Grantor subject to Liens created pursuant to Security Documents and subject to first priority liens securing obligations under the Credit Agreements.
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“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
“Default” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.6 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.
“Depositary” means The Depositary Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors and assigns, or such other depository institution hereinafter appointed by the Issuer.
“Designated Non-cash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of or collection on such Designated Non-cash Consideration.
“Designated Preferred Stock” means Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as applicable (other than Excluded Equity), that is issued after the Issue Date for cash and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, on the issuance date thereof and excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 3.4(a)(C).
“Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations” means, with respect to the Collateral, the discharge of all Priority Lien Obligations secured by first or second priority Lien on such Collateral.
“Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is redeemable or exchangeable), in each case, at the option of the holder thereof or upon the happening of any event:
(1) | matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (other than as a result of a change of control or asset sale; provided that the relevant asset sale or change of control provisions, taken as a whole, are no more favorable in any material respect to holders of such Capital Stock than the asset sale and change of control provisions applicable to the Notes and any purchase requirement triggered thereby may not become operative until compliance with the asset sale and change of control provisions applicable to the Notes (including the purchase of any Notes tendered pursuant thereto)), |
(2) | is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, or |
(3) | is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, |
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in each case prior to the date that is 91 days after the maturity date of the Notes; provided, however, that only the portion of Capital Stock that so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided, further, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Issuer in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability; provided, further, that any class of Capital Stock of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock.
“Domestic Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary that (i) is organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (ii) is not a Foreign Subsidiary Holdco, and (iii) is not a Subsidiary that is a CFC or a Foreign Subsidiary Holdco.
“EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication, to the extent the same was deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income:
(1) | Consolidated Taxes; plus |
(2) | Consolidated Interest Expense; plus |
(3) | Consolidated Non-cash Charges; plus |
(4) | [Reserved]; plus |
(5) | any expenses or charges (other than Consolidated Non-cash Charges) related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the Incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred by this Indenture (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including (i) such fees, expenses or charges related to (x) the offering of the Notes or (y) the Transactions, (ii) any amendment or other modification of the Notes or other Indebtedness and (iii) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Qualified Receivables Financing; plus |
(6) | the amount of loss on sale of receivables and related assets to a Receivables Subsidiary in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing; plus |
(7) | the amount of any restructuring charges or reserves (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include retention, severance, systems establishment cost, excess pension charges, contract termination costs, including future lease commitments, costs related to the start-up, closure, relocation or consolidation of facilities and costs to relocate employees), plus |
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(8) | all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in note (1) to “Summary historical consolidated financial and other data” contained in the Offering Circular to the extent such adjustments continue to be applicable during the period in which EBITDA is being calculated, plus |
(9) | any costs or expense incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such costs or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or the net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of the Issuer (other than Excluded Equity) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation of the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 3.4(a)(C)(1), plus/minus |
(10) | gains or losses due solely to fluctuations in currency values and the related tax effects, |
less, without duplication, non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding any items that represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges in any prior period).
“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any Capital Stock that arises only by reason of the happening of a contingency or any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
“Equity Offering” means any public or private sale after the Issue Date of capital stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as applicable (other than Disqualified Stock), other than:
(1) | public offerings with respect to the Issuer’s or such direct or indirect parent’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or successor form thereto; and |
(2) | any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution or Refunding Capital Stock. |
“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
“Excluded Contributions” means the net cash proceeds and Cash Equivalents received by the Issuer after the Issue Date from:
(1) | contributions to its common equity capital, and |
(2) | the sale of Capital Stock (other than Excluded Equity) of the Issuer, |
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in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate executed by an Officer of the Issuer, the proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 3.4(a)(C).
“Excluded Equity” means (i) Disqualified Stock, (ii) any Equity Interests issued or sold to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer or any employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries (to the extent such employee stock ownership plan or trust has been funded by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) and (iii) any Equity Interest that has already been used or designated (x) as (or the proceeds of which have been used or designated as) Cash Contribution Amount, Designated Preferred Stock, Excluded Contribution or Refunding Capital Stock, or (y) to increase the amount available under Section 3.4(b)(iv)(a).
“Executive Management” means Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxx Xxxxxxxx and their respective affiliates and heirs.
“Excluded Property” means:
(1) any interest in leased real property;
(2) any fee interest in owned real property if the tax assessed value of such fee interest is less than $1,500,000;
(3) any property or asset to the extent that the grant of a security interest in such property or asset is prohibited by any applicable law, rule or regulation or requires a consent not obtained of any third party or governmental authority pursuant to any applicable law, rule or regulation after giving effect to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 and 9-409 of the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction or other applicable law;
(4) those assets that would constitute Collateral but as to which neither Priority Lien Agent requires a lien or security interest;
(5) any contract, license, lease, agreement, instrument or other document to the extent that such grant of a security interest therein is (1) prohibited by, or constitutes a breach or default under, or results in the termination of, or requires any consent not obtained under, such contract, license, lease, agreement, instrument or other document, or, in the case of any Equity Interests or other securities, any applicable shareholder or similar agreement or (2) otherwise constitutes or results in the abandonment, invalidation or unenforceability of any right, title or interest of the Issuer or any Guarantor under such contract, license, lease, agreement, instrument or other document, except, in each case, to the extent that applicable law or the term in such contract, license, lease, agreement, instrument or other document or shareholder or similar agreement providing for such prohibition, breach, default or termination or requiring such consent is ineffective under applicable law or purports to prohibit the granting of a security interest over all or a material portion of assets of the Issuer or any Guarantor; provided, however, that the foregoing exclusions shall not apply to the extent that any such prohibition, default or other term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable law or principles of equity; provided, further, that the security interest shall attach immediately to any portion
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of such property that does not result in any of the consequences specified above including, without limitation, any proceeds of such property;
(6) any assets or property of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary that is subject to a Permitted Lien related to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iv), (xvii) or (xx) of the definition of Permitted Debt or capital lease permitted under the Indenture to the extent the documents relating to such Lien or capital lease would not permit such assets or property to be subject to the Liens created under the Security Documents or that would create a right of termination in favor of the parties thereto (other than any Grantor); provided that immediately upon the termination of any such restriction, such assets or property shall cease to be Excluded Property;
(7) any vehicles and any other assets subject to certificate of title;
(8) any intellectual property, including any United States intent-to-use trademark applications, to the extent and for so long as the creation of a security interest therein would invalidate the Issuer’s or any Guarantor’s right, title or interest therein;
(9) assets to the extent a security interest in such assets would result in material adverse tax consequences (including as a result of the operation of Section 956 of the Code or any similar law, rule or regulation in any applicable jurisdiction) as reasonably determined by the Issuer;
(10) (a) any Capital Stock with respect to which the Issuer reasonably determines in writing delivered to the Collateral Agent that the costs (including any costs resulting from adverse tax consequences) of pledging such Capital Stock shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the collateral agent under the Term Loan Credit Agreement therefrom and (b)(1) solely in the case of any pledge of Capital Stock of any Subsidiary that either is a CFC or a Foreign Subsidiary Holdco, any Voting Stock of such Subsidiary in excess of 65% of the Voting Stock of such Subsidiary, (2) any Capital Stock to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any applicable law, rule or regulation or contractual obligation existing on the Issue Date or on the date such Capital Stock is acquired by the Issuer or a Guarantor or on the date the issuer of such Capital Stock is created, (3) the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary that is not wholly owned by the Issuer and the Guarantors at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary (for so long as such Subsidiary remains a non-wholly owned Subsidiary) to the extent the pledge of such Capital Stock by the Issuer or Guarantor is prohibited by the terms of such Subsidiary’s organizational or joint venture documents or contractual obligation with a third party that is not a Grantor under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, (4) the Capital Stock of any Immaterial Subsidiary, (5) the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary of a CFC or any Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary Holdco, (6) any Capital Stock of a Subsidiary to the extent the pledge of such Capital Stock would result in adverse tax consequences to the Issuer or its Subsidiaries, as reasonably determined by the Issuer in writing delivered to the Collateral Agent, (7) the Capital Stock of any Unrestricted Subsidiary and (8) the Capital Stock of not-for-profit Subsidiaries;
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(11) the deposit, securities and commodities accounts designated as such by the collateral agent under the ABL Credit Agreement, which in any event shall include accounts that are used primarily for the purpose of making payments in respect of payroll, taxes and employee wages and benefits, or xxxxx cash and fiduciary trust accounts;
(12) letter-of-credit rights with a value not in excess of $10,000,000 (except for letter-of-credit rights that are perfected by filing UCC financing statements);
(13) commercial tort claims with a value not in excess of $10,000,000;
(14) those assets as to which the collateral agent under the Term Loan Credit Agreement and Issuer reasonably agree in writing that the cost of obtaining such a security interest or perfection thereof is excessive in relation to the benefit to the Secured Parties of the security to be afforded thereby; and
(15) proceeds and products from any and all of the foregoing excluded collateral described in clauses (1) through (14), unless such proceeds or products would otherwise constitute Collateral;
provided, however, that Excluded Property will not include (a) any proceeds, substitutions or replacements of any Excluded Property referred to in clause (3) (unless such proceeds, substitutions or replacements would otherwise constitute Excluded Property) or (b) any asset of the Issuer or the Guarantors that secures obligations with respect to Indebtedness under the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the ABL Credit Agreement.
“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price that could be negotiated in an arm’s-length, free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction (as determined in good faith by the Issuer).
“FASB ASC” means the Accounting Standard Codifications as promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, including any renumbering of such standards or any successor or replacement section or sections promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
“Fixed Asset Collateral” means all the assets of a Grantor subject to Liens created pursuant to any Security Document and subject to first and second priority Liens securing obligations under the Credit Agreements.
“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person as of any date, the ratio of (1) EBITDA of such Person for the most recent period of four consecutive fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made to (2) the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period calculated. In the event that the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurs, redeems or repays any Indebtedness (other than in the case of revolving credit borrowings or revolving advances under any Qualified Receivables Financing, in which case interest expense shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness
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during the applicable period) or issues or redeems Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence or redemption or repayment of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period provided that, in the event that the Issuer shall classify Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred or issued on the date of determination as Incurred or issued in part pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 3.3(a) and in part pursuant to one or more clauses of the definition of “Permitted Debt” (other than in respect of clause (o) of such definition) as provided in Section 3.3, any calculation of Fixed Charges pursuant to this definition on such date (but not in respect of any future calculation following such date) shall not include any such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (and shall not give effect to any repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition, retirement or discharge of Indebtedness from the proceeds thereof) to the extent Incurred or issued pursuant to any such other clause of such definition.
For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, consolidations, amalgamations and Obsolete Operations, in each case with respect to any Subsidiary or an operating unit of a business, and operational changes, that the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has both determined to make and made after the Issue Date and during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or substantially simultaneously with the Calculation Date (each, for purposes of this definition, a “pro forma event”) shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, consolidations, amalgamations and Obsolete Operations with respect to any Subsidiary or an operating unit, and operational changes (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have made or effected any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation or Obsolete Operations, in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, or operational change that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation, Obsolete Operations or operational change had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.
For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any pro forma event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease
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Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Issuer may designate. Any such pro forma calculation may include, without limitation, (1) adjustments permitted by and calculated consistent with the requirements of Article 11 of Regulation S-X (regardless of whether pro forma financial information would be required to be presented thereunder), (2) adjustments calculated to give effect to any Pro Forma Cost Savings and (3) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Adjusted EBITDA, external reporting” as set forth in note (1) under the heading “Summary Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data” in the Offering Circular to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period.
“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of:
(1) | Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period, and |
(2) | all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries. |
“Fixed GAAP Date” means the Issue Date; provided that at any time after the Issue Date, the Issuer may by written notice to the Trustee elect to change the Fixed GAAP Date to be the date specified in such notice, and upon such notice, the Fixed GAAP Date shall be such date for all periods beginning on and after the date specified in such notice; provided however the Issuer shall only be permitted to change the Fixed GAAP date once following the Issue Date.
“Fixed GAAP Terms” means (a) the definitions of the terms “Capitalized Lease Obligation,” “Consolidated Interest Expense,” “Consolidated Net Income,” “Total Assets,” “Consolidated Senior Secured Debt Ratio,” “Consolidated Total Debt Ratio,” “Consolidated Total Indebtedness,” “EBITDA” and “Indebtedness,” (b) all defined terms in this Indenture to the extent used in or relating to any of the foregoing definitions, and all ratios and computations based on any of the foregoing definitions, and (c) any other term or provision of this Indenture or the Notes that, at the Issuer’s election, may be specified by the Issuer by written notice to the Trustee from time to time; provided that the Issuer may elect to remove any term from constituting a Fixed GAAP Term.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means, any direct or indirect Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
“Foreign Subsidiary Holdco” means, any Subsidiary that has no material assets other than equity interests and/or, if applicable, indebtedness of one or more Subsidiaries that are CFCs or Foreign Subsidiary Holdcos.
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“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect on the Fixed GAAP Date (for purposes of the Fixed GAAP Terms) and as in effect from time to time (for all other purposes of this Indenture), including those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession (but excluding the policies, rules and regulations of the SEC applicable only to public companies); provided that the Issuer may at any time elect by written notice to the Trustee to use IFRS in lieu of GAAP for financial reporting purposes and, upon any such notice, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean (a) for periods beginning on and after the date specified in such notice, IFRS as in effect on the date specified in such notice (for purposes of the Fixed GAAP Terms) and as in effect from time to time (for all other purposes of this Indenture) and (b) for prior periods, GAAP as defined in the first sentence of this definition prior to the proviso. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.
“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.1(b) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.
“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto issued in accordance with Section 2.1 or 2.6 hereof.
“Grantor” means, the Issuer and any Guarantor.
“guarantee” means, as to any Person, a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.
“Guarantee” means any guarantee of the Obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes by any Person in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
“Guarantors” means each Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that executes this Indenture as a Guarantor on the Issue Date or otherwise becomes a party thereto and each other Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that Incurs a Guarantee of the Notes; provided that upon the release or discharge of such Person from its Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture, such Person ceases to be a Guarantor, provided, further, that, for the avoidance of doubt, neither any Subsidiary that is a CFC (or any Subsidiary thereof) nor any Foreign Subsidiary Holdco (or any Subsidiary thereof) shall be or be required to become a Guarantor.
“Hedge Agreement” means a Swap Contract entered into with a Swap Contract Counterparty, as applicable.
“Hedging Obligation” of any Person means any obligation of such Person pursuant to any Hedge Agreement.
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“Holder” or “Noteholder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.
“IFRS” means the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
“Immaterial Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer that, as of the date of the most recent financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to the terms of the Term Loan Credit Agreement, does not have assets or annual revenues (together with the assets of all other Immaterial Subsidiaries) in excess of 5.0% of Total Assets or annual revenues of the Issuer and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
“Incur” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, Capital Stock or Lien, to issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for such Indebtedness, Capital Stock or Lien, as applicable; provided, however, that any Indebtedness, Capital Stock or Lien of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person:
(1) | an amount of any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, (a) in respect of borrowed money, (b) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), (c) representing the deferred and unpaid purchase price of any property except (i) any such balance that constitutes a trade payable, accrued expense or similar obligation to a trade creditor, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP, (d) in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations, (e) representing any Hedging Obligations, in each case, if and to the extent that any of the foregoing Indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP or (f) under or in respect of Receivables Financings; |
(2) | to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, on the Indebtedness of another Person (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business); and |
(3) | to the extent not otherwise included, Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person); provided, however, that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of: (a) the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination, and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person; |
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provided that Contingent Obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business shall be deemed not to constitute Indebtedness.
The term “Indebtedness” shall not include any lease, concession or license of property (or Guarantee thereof) which would be considered an operating lease under GAAP as in effect on the Issue Date, any prepayments of deposits received from clients or customers in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices, or obligations under any license, permit or other approval (or Guarantees given in respect of such obligations) Incurred prior to the Issue Date or in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices.
“Indenture” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
“Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm or consultant, in each case of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith determination of the Issuer, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.
“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.
“Initial Notes” means the $375,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 9.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 of the Issuer issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date.
“Initial Purchasers” means Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx & Co. and X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC and such other initial purchasers party to future purchase agreements entered into in connection with an offer and sale of Notes.
“Interest Payment Date” means June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing, in the case of the Initial Notes, on December 15, 2016 and ending at the Stated Maturity of the Notes.
“Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding” means (a) any case commenced by or against the Issuer or any Guarantor under the Bankruptcy Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Issuer or any Guarantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Issuer or any Guarantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Issuer or any Guarantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary, (b) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Issuer or any Guarantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; provided that the liquidation or dissolution of any Subsidiary that is not prohibited by and does not require consent under any of the Priority Lien Debt Documents and Parity Lien Documents shall not be considered an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.
“Intercreditor Agreement” means the junior lien intercreditor agreement dated on or about the Issue Date among the Trustee, Collateral Agent, each Priority Lien Agent, the Issuer and each other Guarantor named therein, as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
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“Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedging agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement, each of which is for the purpose of hedging the interest rate exposure associated with the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ operations and not for speculative purposes.
“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Xxxxx’x and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.
“Investment Grade Securities” means:
(1) | securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents) and in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition, |
(2) | securities that have an Investment Grade Rating but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, |
(3) | investments in any fund that invests at least 95% of its assets in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment and/or distribution, and |
(4) | corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments and in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition. |
“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit and advances to customers and commission, travel and similar advances to officers, directors, managers, employees, and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet of the Issuer in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. If the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary, or any Restricted Subsidiary issues any Equity Interests, in either case, such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Issuer, the Issuer shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or other disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Equity Interests of and all other Investments in such Restricted Subsidiary retained. In no event shall a guarantee of an operating lease of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary be deemed an Investment. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 3.4:
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(1) | “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of a Subsidiary of the Issuer at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Issuer shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary equal to an amount (if positive) equal to: |
(a) | the Issuer’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less |
(b) | the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and |
(2) | any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Issuer. |
The amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and shall be the amount actually invested at such time and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value (determined, in the case of any Investment made with assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, based on the Fair Market Value of the assets invested).
“Issue Date” means June 14, 2016.
“Issuer” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
“joint venture” means any joint venture or similar arrangement (in each case, regardless of legal formation), including but not limited to collaboration arrangements, profit sharing arrangements or other contractual arrangements.
“JV Distributions” means, at any time, 50% of the aggregate amount of all cash dividends or distributions received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a return on an Investment in a Permitted Joint Venture during the period from the Issue Date through the end of the fiscal quarter most recently ended immediately prior to such date for which financial statements are internally available (provided that the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries are not required to reinvest such dividends or distributions in the Permitted Joint Venture).
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, hypothecation, charge, security interest, preference, priority or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the UCC (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction); provided that in no event shall an operating lease or an agreement to sell be deemed to constitute a Lien.
“Material Real Property” means any parcel of real property (other than a parcel with a Fair Market Value of less than $10.0 million) owned in fee by the Issuer or a Guarantor and located in the United States; provided, however, that one or more parcels owned in fee by the Issuer or a Guarantor and located adjacent to, contiguous with, or in close proximity to, and
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comprising one property with a common street address, may, if determined in the reasonable discretion of the Term Loan Credit Agreement Agent, be deemed to be one parcel for the purposes of this definition.
“Moody’s” means Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“Net Cash Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds (using the Fair Market Value of any Cash Equivalents) received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received in respect of or upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale and any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, and including any proceeds received as a result of unwinding any related Hedging Obligations in connection with such transaction but excluding the assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness relating to the disposed assets or other consideration received in any other non-cash form), net of the direct cash costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions), and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements related thereto), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on Indebtedness required (other than pursuant to Section 3.7(b)) to be paid as a result of such transaction, any costs associated with unwinding any related Hedging Obligations in connection with such transaction and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after such sale or other disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.
“Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) attributable to such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.
“Non-Guarantor Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Guarantor.
“Non-U.S. Person” means a non-U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S).
“Notes” means the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes, treated as a single class of securities.
“Notes Custodian” means the custodian with respect to the Global Note (as appointed by the Depositary), or any successor Person thereto and shall initially be the Trustee.
“Notes Secured Parties” means the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the Holders and each of their respective successors and assigns and their permitted transferees and endorsees.
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“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
“Offering Circular” means the Offering Circular related to the offering of Initial Notes, dated June 7, 2016.
“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary (or any person serving the equivalent function of any of the foregoing) of such Person (or of the general partner, managing member or sole member of such Person) or any individual designated as an “Officer” by the Board of Directors of such Person (or the Board of Directors of the general partner, managing member or sole member of such Person).
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Officer of the Issuer that meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer.
“Other Parity Lien Obligations” means other Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is equally and ratably secured with the Notes (with respect to the Collateral, on a third priority basis) and is designated by the Issuer as an Other Parity Lien Obligation; provided that the holders of such Other Parity Lien Obligations (or their authorized representatives) are party to the Intercreditor Agreement and have agreed to be bound by the terms thereof.
“Pari Passu Indebtedness” means:
(1) with respect to the Issuer, the Notes and any Indebtedness that ranks pari passu in right of payment to the Notes without giving effect to collateral arrangements; and
(2) with respect to any Guarantor, its Guarantee and any Indebtedness that ranks pari passu in right of payment to such Guarantor’s Guarantee without giving effect to collateral arrangements.
“Parity Lien Documents” means, with respect to any class of Parity Lien Obligations, the promissory notes, indentures, credit agreements, loan agreements, security agreements and other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Parity Lien Obligations, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Parity Lien Obligations” means all Indebtedness and other Obligations with respect to the Notes, this Indenture, the Guarantees thereof and the Security Documents and all Indebtedness and other obligations with respect to Other Parity Lien Obligations.
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“Parity Liens” means third priority Liens on Fixed Asset Collateral securing Parity Lien Obligations and third priority Liens on Current Asset Collateral securing Parity Lien Obligations.
“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, as applicable (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear or Clearstream).
“Permanent Regulation S Global Note” means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Temporary Regulation S Global Note upon expiration of the Restricted Period.
“Permitted Asset Swap” means the purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets and cash or Cash Equivalents between the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided that such purchase and sale or exchange must occur within 90 days of each other and any cash or Cash Equivalents received must be applied in accordance with Section 3.7; and, provided further, to the extent any assets or property the subject of such Permitted Asset Swap constituted Collateral for the Notes, the Issuer shall take such action as necessary or required to cause any assets or property received to be made subject to a Lien securing the Notes pursuant to this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement in the manner and to the extent required by this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement so that such Lien is perfected, preserved and protected to the extent required by this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement.
“Permitted Debt” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 3.3(b).
“Permitted Holders” means each of (i) Executive Management and (ii) any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision) of which the Persons described in clause (i) are members; provided that, without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group, the Persons described in clause (i), collectively, beneficially own Voting Stock representing more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer. Any Person or group, together with its Affiliates, whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture will thereafter constitute an additional Permitted Holder.
“Permitted Investments” means:
(1) | any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities; |
(2) | any Investment in the Issuer (including the Notes) or any Restricted Subsidiary; |
(3) | any Investment by Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer in other Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer and Investments by Subsidiaries that are not Restricted Subsidiaries in other Subsidiaries that are not Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer; |
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(4) | any Investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer in a Person that is primarily engaged in a Similar Business if as a result of such Investment (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, or (b) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer; |
(5) | any Investment in securities or other assets not constituting Cash Equivalents and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.7 or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale; |
(6) | any Investment (x) existing on the Issue Date, (y) made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date or (z) that replaces, refinances, refunds, renews or extends any Investment described under either of the immediately preceding clauses (x) or (y); provided that any such Investment is in an amount that does not exceed the amount replaced, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended; |
(7) | advances to directors, officers, managers or employees in an aggregate amount, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (7), not in excess of $10.0 million outstanding at any one time in the aggregate; |
(8) | loans and advances to officers, directors and employees for business related travel expenses, moving and relocation expenses and other similar expenses, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business; |
(9) | any Investment (x) acquired by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable, or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default and (y) received in compromise or resolution of (a)obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer, or (b) litigation, arbitration or other disputes; |
(10) | Hedging Obligations and Bank Products permitted under Section 3.3(b)(x); |
(11) | any Investment by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Similar Business, including joint ventures (other than an Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary) having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (11) that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $200.0 million and (y) 10.0% of Total Assets, at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being |
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measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), at any one time outstanding; provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (11) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (2) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (11) for so long as such Person continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary; and provided, further, that the Investments permitted pursuant to this clause (11) may be increased by the amount of JV Distributions, without duplication of dividends or distributions increasing amounts available pursuant to Section 3.4(a)(C); |
(12) | [Reserved]; |
(13) | additional Investments by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (13) that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $125.0 million and (y) 6.0% of Total Assets, at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), at any one time outstanding; provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (13) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (2) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (13) for so long as such Person continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary; |
(14) | Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (14) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $125.0 million and (y) 6.0% of Total Assets, at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), at any one time outstanding; provided that no Default or Event of Default exists at the time of any such Investment or would result therefrom; |
(15) | Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests (other than Excluded Equity) of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as applicable; provided, however, that such Equity Interests shall not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 3.4(a)(C); |
(16) | Investments consisting of the leasing, licensing, sub-licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons; |
(17) | Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses, sub-licenses, |
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leases or sub-leases of intellectual property, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(18) | any Investment in a Receivables Subsidiary or any Investment by a Receivables Subsidiary in any other Person in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing, including Investments of funds held in accounts permitted or required by the arrangements governing such Qualified Receivables Financing or any related Indebtedness; provided, however, that any Investment in a Receivables Subsidiary is in the form of a Purchase Money Note, contribution of additional receivables or an equity interest; |
(19) | Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer acquired after the Issue Date or of an entity merged or amalgamated into or consolidated with a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer in a transaction that is not prohibited by Section 4.1 after the Issue Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation; |
(20) | repurchases of Notes; |
(21) | guarantees of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 3.3 and performance guarantees in the ordinary course of business; |
(22) | any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.8(b) (except transactions described in clause (ii), (iv), (v), (ix), (x), (xiv) or (xv) of such Section); |
(23) | accounts receivable, security deposits and prepayments and other credits granted or made in the ordinary course of business and any Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors and others, including in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with or judgments against, such account debtors and others, in each case in the ordinary course of business; |
(24) | Investments consisting of the redemption, purchase, repurchase or retirement of any Equity Interests permitted by Section 3.4; |
(25) | Investments made in the ordinary course of business in connection with obtaining, maintaining or renewing client and customer contracts and loans or advances made to, and guarantees with respect to obligations of, distributors, suppliers, licensors and licensees in the ordinary course of business; and |
(26) | intercompany current liabilities owed to Unrestricted Subsidiaries or joint ventures Incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management operations of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries. |
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“Permitted Joint Venture” means, with respect to any specified Person, a joint venture in any other Person engaged in a Similar Business in respect of which the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary beneficially owns at least 35% of the shares of Equity Interests of such Person.
“Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:
(1) | pledges or deposits by such Person under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business; |
(2) | Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, landlords’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, construction and mechanics’ or other like Liens, in each case for sums not yet due or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review (or which, if due and payable, are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves are being maintained, to the extent required by GAAP and such proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property or assets subject to any such Lien); |
(3) | Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges (i) that are not yet due or payable, or (ii) that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings that have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property or assets subject to any such Lien and for which adequate reserves are being maintained to the extent required by GAAP; |
(4) | Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business; |
(5) | minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties that were not Incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person; |
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(6) | Liens Incurred to secure Obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred pursuant to the Term Loan Credit Agreement or the ABL Credit Agreement pursuant to clause (i) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” and obligations secured ratably thereunder, or to secure Obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred pursuant to clauses (iv), (xvii) and (xx) of the definition of “Permitted Debt”; provided that (A) in the case of clause (iv), such Lien extends only to the assets and/or Capital Stock, the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of which is financed thereby and any income or profits thereof; and (B) in the case of clause (xx), such Lien does not extend to the property or assets (or income or profits therefrom) of any Restricted Subsidiary other than a Foreign Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor; |
(7) | Liens existing on the Issue Date (other than Liens securing the Credit Agreements); |
(8) | Liens on assets of, or Equity Interest in, a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, however, that such Liens may not extend to any other assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer; |
(9) | Liens on assets at the time the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer acquired the assets, including any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer; provided, however, that such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided, further, however, that the Liens may not extend to any other assets owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer; |
(10) | Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer permitted to be Incurred in accordance with Section 3.3; |
(11) | Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as the related Indebtedness is, and is permitted to be under this Indenture, secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging Obligations; |
(12) | Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods; |
(13) | leases and sub-leases of real property that do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; |
(14) | Liens arising from UCC financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; |
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(15) | Liens in favor of the Issuer or any Guarantor; |
(16) | Liens on accounts receivable and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Receivables Financing” Incurred in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing; |
(17) | deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers or under self-insurance arrangements in respect of such obligations; |
(18) | Liens on the Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries; |
(19) | grants of software and other technology licenses in the ordinary course of business; |
(20) | judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made; |
(21) | Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business; |
(22) | Liens Incurred to secure Bank Products owed to a lender under the Credit Agreements (or any Affiliate of such lender) in the ordinary course of business; |
(23) | Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in clauses (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (27) and (32) of this definition; provided, however, that (x) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on such property), and (y) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (27) and (32) of this definition at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and (B) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement; |
(24) | other Liens securing obligations that do not exceed the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 7.5% of Total Assets at the time of Incurrence of such obligation, at any one time outstanding; |
(25) | Liens on the assets of a joint venture to secure Indebtedness of such joint venture Incurred pursuant to clause (xxi) of the definition of “Permitted Debt”; |
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(26) | Liens on equipment of the Issuer or any Guarantor of the Issuer granted in the ordinary course of business to the Issuer’s or such Guarantor’s client at which such equipment is located; |
(27) | Liens on the Collateral securing the Notes (other than Additional Notes), the Guarantees thereof and other Obligations under this Indenture and in respect thereof and any obligations owing to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent under this Indenture or the Security Documents. |
(28) | Liens on property or assets used to redeem, repay, defease or to satisfy and discharge Indebtedness; provided that such redemption, repayment, defeasance or satisfaction and discharge is not prohibited by this Indenture; |
(29) | Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation and exportation of goods in the ordinary course of business; |
(30) | Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the UCC on items in the course of collection; (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) in favor of banking institutions arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and that are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry; |
(31) | Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness; (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Issuer or any Guarantor to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and its Guarantors; or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Issuer or any of its Guarantors in the ordinary course of business; and |
(32) | Liens securing Other Parity Lien Obligations permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 3.3; provided that at the time of any Incurrence of such Indebtedness and the associated Lien and after giving pro forma effect thereto (in a manner consistent with the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio) under this clause (32), the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00; |
For purposes of determining compliance with this definition, (x) a Lien need not be Incurred solely by reference to one category of Permitted Liens described in this definition but may be Incurred under any combination of such categories (including in part under one such category and in part under any other such category), (y) in the event that a Lien (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of such categories of Permitted Liens, the Issuer shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify such Lien (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this definition, and (z) in the event that a portion of Indebtedness secured by a Lien could be classified as secured in part pursuant to clause (6) or (32) above (giving effect to
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the Incurrence of such portion of such Indebtedness), the Issuer, in its sole discretion, may classify such portion of such Indebtedness (and any Obligations in respect thereof) as having been secured pursuant to clause (6) or (32) above and thereafter the remainder of the Indebtedness as having been secured pursuant to one or more of the other clauses of this definition.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, company, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
“Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.1(c) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions hereof.
“Priority Liens” means all first or second priority Liens on Fixed Asset Collateral securing Priority Lien Obligations and first or second priority Liens on Current Asset Collateral securing Priority Lien Obligations.
“Priority Lien Agents” means, with respect to Fixed Asset Collateral, the Term Loan Credit Agreement Agent and, with respect to Current Asset Collateral, the ABL Credit Agreement Agent or, if the ABL Credit Agreement has been discharged, the Term Loan Credit Agreement Agent.
“Priority Lien Debt Documents” means, with respect to any class of Priority Lien Obligations, the promissory notes, indentures, credit agreements, loan agreements, security agreements and other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Priority Lien Obligations, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Priority Lien Obligations” means the Credit Agreement Obligations and other Additional Priority Lien Obligations secured by Fixed Asset Collateral or Current Asset Collateral, as applicable, provided that in the case of any Additional Priority Lien Obligations Incurred after the Issue Date, the applicable Priority Lien Agent thereof becomes a party to the Intercreditor Agreement.
“Pro Forma Cost Savings” means, without duplication of amounts added-back to calculate EBITDA or otherwise being given pro forma effect, with respect to any period, the reductions in costs and other operating improvements or synergies that have been realized or are reasonably anticipated to be realized in good faith with respect to a pro forma event within twelve months of the date of such pro forma event and that are reasonable and factually supportable, as if all such reductions in costs and other operating improvements or synergies had been effected as of the beginning of such period, decreased by any recurring incremental expenses incurred or to be incurred during such four-quarter period in order to achieve such reduction in costs. Pro Forma Cost Savings described in the preceding sentence shall be accompanied by a certificate delivered to the Trustee from the Issuer’s chief financial officer that outlines the specific actions taken or to be taken and the net cost reductions and other operating
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improvements or synergies achieved or to be achieved from each such action and certifies that such cost reductions and other operating improvements or synergies meet the criteria set forth in the preceding sentence.
“Purchase Money Note” means a promissory note of a Receivables Subsidiary evidencing a line of credit, which may be irrevocable, from the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer to a Receivables Subsidiary in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing, which note is intended to finance that portion of the purchase price that is not paid by cash or a contribution of equity.
“QIB” means any “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A).
“Qualified Receivables Financing” means any Receivables Financing of a Receivables Subsidiary that meets the following conditions:
(1) | the Board of Directors of the Issuer shall have determined in good faith that such Qualified Receivables Financing (including financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions) is in the aggregate economically fair and reasonable to the Issuer and the Receivables Subsidiary, |
(2) | all sales of accounts receivable and related assets to the Receivables Subsidiary are made at Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer), and |
(3) | the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) and may include Standard Securitization Undertakings. |
The grant of a security interest in any accounts receivable of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) to secure any Credit Agreement shall not be deemed a Qualified Receivables Financing.
“Rating Agency” means (1) each of Xxxxx’x and S&P and (2) if Xxxxx’x or S&P ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Issuer’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by the Issuer or any parent of the Issuer as a replacement agency for Xxxxx’x or S&P, as the case may be.
“Receivables Fees” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interest issued or sold in connection with, and other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Receivables Financing.
“Receivables Financing” means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (a) a Receivables Subsidiary (in the case of a transfer by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries), and (b) any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Subsidiary), or may grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, and any
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assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral securing such accounts receivable, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such accounts receivable, proceeds of such accounts receivable and other assets that are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving accounts receivable and any Hedging Obligations entered into by the Issuer or any such Subsidiary in connection with such accounts receivable.
“Receivables Repurchase Obligation” means any obligation of a seller of receivables in a Qualified Receivables Financing to repurchase receivables arising as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dispute, off-set or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.
“Receivables Subsidiary” means a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer (or another Person formed for the purposes of engaging in a Qualified Receivables Financing with the Issuer in which the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer makes an Investment and to which the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer transfers accounts receivable and related assets) that engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual or other), collateral and other assets relating thereto, and any business or activities incidental or related to such business, and that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Issuer (as provided below) as a Receivables Subsidiary and:
(a) | no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which (i) is guaranteed by the Issuer or any other Subsidiary of the Issuer (excluding guarantees of obligations (other than the principal of, and interest on, Indebtedness) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings), (ii) is recourse to or obligates the Issuer or any other Subsidiary of the Issuer in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings, or (iii) subjects any property or asset of the Issuer or any other Subsidiary of the Issuer, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings, |
(b) | with which neither the Issuer nor any other Subsidiary of the Issuer has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms that the Issuer reasonably believes to be no less favorable to the Issuer or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Issuer, and |
(c) | to which neither the Issuer nor any other Subsidiary of the Issuer has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results. |
Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Issuer shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of
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the Issuer giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.
“Record Date” for the interest payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means June 1 and December 1 (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Regulation S Global Note” means a Temporary Regulation S Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable.
“Related Business Assets” means assets (other than cash or Cash Equivalents) used or useful in a Similar Business; provided that any assets received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for assets transferred by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary will not be deemed to be Related Business Assets if they consist of securities of a Person, unless such Person is, or upon receipt of the securities of such Person, such Person would become a Restricted Subsidiary.
“Related Taxes” means any taxes, charges or assessments, including, but not limited to, sales, use, transfer, rental, ad valorem, value-added, stamp, property, consumption, franchise, license, capital, net worth, gross receipts, excise, occupancy, intangibles or similar taxes, charges or assessments (other than U.S. federal, state or local income taxes), required to be paid by any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer by virtue of its being incorporated or having Capital Stock outstanding (but not by virtue of owning stock or other equity interests of any corporation or other entity other than the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any other direct or indirect parent of the Issuer), or being a holding company parent of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any other direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or receiving dividends from or other distributions in respect of the Capital Stock of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any other direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, or having guaranteed any obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary thereof, or having made any payment in respect of any of the items for which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is permitted to make payments to any parent entity pursuant to Section 3.4 or acquiring, developing, maintaining, owning, prosecuting, protecting or defending its intellectual property and associated rights (including but not limited to receiving or paying royalties for the use thereof) relating to the business or businesses of the Issuer or any Subsidiary thereof.
“Replacement Assets” means (1) tangible assets that will be used or useful in a Similar Business, (2) substantially all the assets of a Similar Business or (3) a majority of the Voting Stock of any Person engaged in a Similar Business that will become, on the date of acquisition thereof, a Restricted Subsidiary.
“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
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“Restricted Period” means, in relation to the Initial Notes, the 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (A) the day on which the Initial Notes are offered to persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) and (B) the Issue Date; and, in relation to any Additional Notes that bear the Private Placement Legend, it means the comparable period of 40 consecutive days.
“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of a Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person. Unless otherwise indicated in this Indenture, all references to Restricted Subsidiaries shall mean Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer.
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person, other than leases between the Issuer and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business, or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Secured Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness secured by a Lien.
“Secured Parties” means lenders or holders of Parity Lien Obligations, the representatives or agents with respect thereto and the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
“Security Documents” means the Collateral Agreement, each joinder agreement required by the Collateral Agreement, and all security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, collateral agency agreements, control agreements, deeds of trust, security deeds, deeds to secure debt, hypothecations, debentures or other instruments or other grants, pledges or transfers for security executed and delivered by the Issuer or any Guarantor creating or perfecting (or purporting to create or perfect) a Lien upon Collateral (including, without limitation, financing statements under the UCC) in favor of the Collateral Agent on behalf of itself, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes to secure the Notes and the Guarantees, in each case, as amended, modified, renewed, restated, supplemented or replaced, in whole or in part, from time to time, in accordance with its terms and the provisions described in Article XI.
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“Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” of the Issuer within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.
“Similar Business” means any business engaged in by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on March 11, 2011 and any business or other activities that are reasonably similar, ancillary, complementary or related to, or a reasonable extension, development or expansion of, the businesses in which the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged on March 11, 2011.
“Standard Securitization Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and guarantees of performance entered into by the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer that the Issuer has determined in good faith to be customary in a Receivables Financing including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing of the assets of a Receivables Subsidiary, it being understood that any Receivables Repurchase Obligation shall be deemed to be a Standard Securitization Undertaking.
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any indebtedness, the date specified in such indebtedness as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such indebtedness is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such indebtedness at the option of the Holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).
“Subordinated Indebtedness” means (a) with respect to the Issuer, any Indebtedness of the Issuer that is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and (b) with respect to any Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Guarantor that is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to its Guarantee.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, (2) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity and (3) any Person that is consolidated in the consolidated financial statements of the specified Person in accordance with GAAP.
“Swap Contracts” means collectively, each Interest Rate Agreement, each Currency Agreement and each Commodity Swap Agreement.
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“Swap Contract Counterparty” means, at the time of entry into any Swap Contract, the ABL Credit Agreement Agent, any lender under the ABL Credit Agreement or an affiliate of the ABL Credit Agreement Agent or a lender under the ABL Credit Agreement (together with its successors and assigns).
“Temporary Regulation S Global Note” means a temporary Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereof bearing the Global Note Legend, the Private Placement Legend, and the Temporary Regulation S Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 903.
“Temporary Regulation S Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.1(e).
“Term Loan Credit Agreement” means (i) the amended and restated credit agreement with respect to the senior secured term loan B credit facilities entered into on or prior to the Issue Date among the Issuer, certain Subsidiaries of the Issuer, the financial institutions named therein and Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Lending Partners LLC as administrative agent and collateral agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, and (ii) whether or not the credit agreement referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by the Issuer to be included in the definition of “Term Loan Credit Agreement,” one or more (A) debt facilities, indentures or commercial paper facilities providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, notes, debentures, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, increased, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.
“Term Loan Credit Agreement Agent” means the administrative agent under the Term Loan Credit Agreement.
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect from time to time.
“Total Assets” means the total consolidated assets of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, with such pro forma adjustments to Total Assets as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”
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“Transactions” means the transactions described in the Offering Circular under “Summary — Concurrent Transactions.”
“Treasury Rate” means, as of the applicable redemption date, the yield to maturity as of the earlier of (a) such redemption date or (b) the date on which such Notes are defeased or satisfied and discharged, of the most recently issued United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to such date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such redemption date or the date of such defeasance or satisfaction and discharge, as applicable to June 15, 2019; provided, however, that if the period from such redemption date to June 15, 2019 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.
“Trust Officer” means any officer within the corporate trust administration department of the Trustee, with direct responsibility for performing the Trustee’s duties under this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter relating to this Indenture, any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“Trustee” means the respective party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.
“Uniform Commercial Code” or “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of New York or the Uniform Commercial Code (or similar code or statute) of another jurisdiction, to the extent it may be required to apply to any item or items of Collateral.
“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.
“Unrestricted Global Note” means a permanent Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:
(1) | any Subsidiary of the Issuer that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of such Person pursuant to Section 3.14; and |
(2) | any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. |
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Without any further action, each of Atlas Tube (Arkansas) Inc., Lakeside Steel Holding USA Inc., Lakeside Steel Alabama Inc., Lakeside Steel Texas Inc. and Lakeside Steel USA Inc. shall be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the Issue Date.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are:
(1) | direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or |
(2) | obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the Holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt. |
“U.S. Person” means a U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S).
“U.S. Subfacility” means the tranche of the ABL Credit Agreement consisting initially of $350.0 million of commitments, available for borrowings in U.S. dollars, to certain U.S. subsidiaries of the Issuer, as the U.S. borrowers under such subfacility.
“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the number of years (and/or portion thereof) obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment, in respect of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that shall elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
“Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary” is any Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.
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“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares or interests required to be held by foreign nationals or other third parties to the extent required by applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.
SECTION 1.2. Other Definitions.
Term |
Defined in | |
“actual knowledge” | 7.2(g) | |
“Additional Notes” | 2.2 | |
“Affiliate Transaction” | 3.8(a) | |
“Agent Members” | 2.1(e) | |
“Asset Sale Offer” | 3.7(d) | |
“Change of Control Offer” | 3.9(b) | |
“Change of Control Payment” | 3.9(a) | |
“covenant defeasance option” | 8.1 | |
“Covenant Suspension Event” | 3.15(a) | |
“Defaulted Interest” | 2.12 | |
“DTC” | 2.1(b) | |
“Event of Default” | 6.1 | |
“Excess Proceeds” | 3.7(d) | |
“Guarantor Obligations” | 10.1(a) | |
“Initial Lien” | 3.5(a) | |
“IPO” | 3.4(b)(iv) | |
“legal defeasance option” | 8.1 | |
“Mortgage” | 11.7(a) | |
“Mortgage Policy” | 11.7(b) | |
“Offer Amount” | 5.8(a) | |
“Offer Period” | 5.8(a) | |
“Offer to Repurchase” | 5.8 | |
“Paying Agent” | 2.3 | |
“Permitted Debt” | 3.3(b) | |
“Purchase Date” | 5.8(a) | |
“Redemption Date” | 5.4 | |
“Refinancing Indebtedness” | 3.3(b)(xiv) | |
“Refunding Capital Stock” | 3.4(b)(ii) | |
“Registrar” | 2.3 | |
“Resale Restriction Termination Date” | 2.1(c) | |
“Restricted Payments” | 3.4(a)(iv) | |
“Retained Declined Proceeds” | 3.7(f) | |
“Retired Capital Stock” | 3.4(b)(ii) | |
“Reversion Date” | 3.15(b) | |
“Special Interest Payment Date” | 2.12(a) | |
“Special Record Date” | 2.12(a) | |
“Successor Company” | 4.1(i) |
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Term |
Defined in | |
“Successor Guarantor” | 10.5(1) | |
“Suspended Covenants” | 3.15(a) | |
“Suspension Period” | 3.15(a) | |
“Unpaid Amount” | 3.4(b)(ii) |
SECTION 1.3. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(c) “or” is not exclusive;
(d) “including” means including without limitation;
(e) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;
(f) (i) unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Indebtedness; (ii) secured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinated or junior to other secured Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral; and (iii) Indebtedness shall not be treated as subordinated or junior to any other Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral;
(g) references to sections of, or rules under, the Securities Act or Exchange Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;
(h) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” “Section” or “clause” refers to an Article, Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Indenture; and
(i) the words “herein,” “hereof’ and “hereunder” and any other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not any particular Article, Section, clause or other subdivision.
ARTICLE II
The Notes
SECTION 2.1. Form and Dating.
(a) The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, the terms of which are incorporated in and made a
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part hereof. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements approved as to form by the Issuer, and required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Issuer is subject or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issuable only in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
(b) The Notes shall initially be issued in the form of one or more Global Notes and The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), its nominees, and their respective successors, shall act as the Depositary with respect thereto. Each Global Note (i) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Note or the nominee of such Depositary, (ii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or held by the Notes Custodian as custodian for the Depositary pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions, and (iii) shall bear a Global Note Legend in substantially the following form:
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. THIS NOTE IS NOT EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.
(c) Except as permitted by Section 2.6(g), any Note not registered under the Securities Act shall bear the following Private Placement Legend on the face thereof:
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION.
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NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: SIX MONTHS] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: FORTY DAYS] AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY), ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (B) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (C) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN OFFSHORE TRANSACTIONS WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (D) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (C) OR (D) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM.
(d) [Reserved]
(e) The Temporary Regulation S Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE WILL NOT BE EXCHANGEABLE FOR INTERESTS IN THE PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR ANY OTHER NOTE REPRESENTING AN INTEREST IN THE NOTES REPRESENTED HEREBY WHICH DO NOT CONTAIN A LEGEND CONTAINING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF THE “40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 903(b)(2) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THEN ONLY UPON
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CERTIFICATION IN FORM REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE TRUSTEE THAT SUCH BENEFICIAL INTERESTS ARE OWNED EITHER BY NON-U.S. PERSONS OR U.S. PERSONS WHO PURCHASED SUCH INTERESTS IN A
TRANSACTION THAT DID NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. DURING SUCH 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE MAY ONLY BE SOLD, PLEDGED OR TRANSFERRED (I) TO THE ISSUERS, (II) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN A TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (III) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. HOLDERS OF INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE WILL NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO ABOVE, IF THEN APPLICABLE.
AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR INTERESTS IN A RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE ONLY IF (1) SUCH EXCHANGE OCCURS IN CONNECTION WITH A TRANSFER OF THE NOTES IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A AND (2) THE TRANSFEROR OF THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE FIRST DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATE (IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS CERTIFICATE) TO THE EFFECT THAT THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE IS BEING TRANSFERRED (A) TO A PERSON WHO THE TRANSFEROR REASONABLY BELIEVES TO BE A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A, (B) TO A PERSON WHO IS PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, AND (C) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A PERSON WHO TAKES DELIVERY IN THE FORM OF AN INTEREST IN THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE, WHETHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, ONLY IF THE TRANSFEROR FIRST DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATE (IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS CERTIFICATE) TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR 904 OF REGULATION S OR RULE 144 (IF AVAILABLE).
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Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian and the Depositary may be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Note for all purposes whatsoever, including but not limited to notices and payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Note. Any notice to be delivered to DTC (including, but not limited to, a notice of redemption) may be delivered electronically by the Trustee in accordance with applicable procedures of DTC.
SECTION 2.2. Form of Execution and Authentication. An Officer shall sign the Notes for the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature of the Trustee shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee shall authenticate (i) Initial Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in an aggregate principal amount of $375,000,000 and (ii) subject to compliance with Section 3.3, one or more series of Notes (“Additional Notes”) for original issue after the Issue Date (such Notes to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A) in an unlimited amount, in each case upon written order of the Issuer in the form of an Officer’s Certificate, which Officer’s Certificate shall, in the case of any issuance of Additional Notes, certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 3.3. In addition, each such Officer’s Certificate shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated, whether the securities are to be Initial Notes or Additional Notes and the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding on the date of authentication, and shall further specify the amount of such Notes to be issued as Global Notes or Definitive Notes. Such Notes shall initially be in the form of one or more Global Notes, which (i) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the Notes to be issued, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction. All Notes issued under this Indenture shall vote and consent together on all matters as one class and no series of Notes shall have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter.
The Issuer shall have the right to designate the maturity date, interest rate and optional redemption provisions applicable to each series of Additional Notes, which may differ from the maturity date, interest rate and optional redemption provisions applicable to the Initial Notes. Additional Notes that differ with respect to maturity date, interest rate or optional redemption provisions from the Initial Notes will constitute a different series of Notes from the Initial Notes. Additional Notes that have the same maturity date, interest rate and optional redemption provisions as the Initial Notes will be treated as the same series as the Initial Notes
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unless otherwise designated by the Issuer. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.2(a), the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes issued under this Indenture shall vote and consent together on all matters as one class and no series of Notes shall have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter. The Issuer shall also have, subject to the provisions of Section 9.2(a), the right to vary the application of the provisions of this Indenture to any series of Additional Notes.
The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes shall be resold initially only to (A) QIBs and (B) Persons other than U.S. Persons in reliance on Regulation S. Such Initial Notes and Additional Notes may thereafter be transferred to among others, QIBs and purchasers in reliance on Regulation S.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Notes. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer.
SECTION 2.3. Registrar and Paying Agent. The Issuer shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (including any co-registrar, the “Registrar”) and (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment ( “Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without prior notice to any Holder of a Note. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing and the Trustee shall notify the Holders of the Notes of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Issuer may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar. The Issuer shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions hereof that relate to such Agent. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such Agent. If the Issuer fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as such, and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation in accordance with Section 7.11.
The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent and agent for service of notices and demands in connection with the Notes.
SECTION 2.4. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee in writing of any Default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such Default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by such Paying Agent to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer) shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee. If the Issuer acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders
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of the Notes all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any Event of Default under Section 6.1(v) or (vi), the Trustee shall automatically become the Paying Agent.
SECTION 2.5. Lists of Holders of the Notes. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders of the Notes and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders of the Notes, including the aggregate principal amount of the Notes held by each thereof.
SECTION 2.6. Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. Global Notes shall be exchanged by the Issuer for Definitive Notes, subject to any applicable laws, only (i) if the Issuer delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary for the Global Notes and the Issuer fails to appoint a successor Depositary after the date of such notice from the Depositary or (ii) upon request of the Trustee or Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes if there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Notes. In any such case, the Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing that, upon surrender by the Participants and Indirect Participants of their interests in such Global Note, certificated Notes shall be issued to each Person that such Participants, Indirect Participants and DTC jointly identify as being the beneficial owner of the related Notes. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.7 and 2.10. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.6 or Section 2.7 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.6(a). However, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.6(b) or (c) below.
(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions hereof and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth in this Indenture to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with the applicable subparagraphs below:
(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend;
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provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, no transfer of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Note may be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser) unless permitted by applicable law and made in compliance with Sections 2.6(b)(ii) and (iii) below. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.6(b)(i) unless specifically stated above.
(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.6(b)(i) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A)(1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase, or (B) (1) if Definitive Notes are at such time permitted to be issued pursuant to this Indenture, a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above; provided that in no event shall Definitive Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903 under the Securities Act. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.6(m) below.
(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.6(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; and
(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.
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(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any Holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.6(b)(ii) above, and;
(A) the Registrar receives the following:
(y) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or
(z) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the applicable certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (A), if the Issuer or the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel of the Holder or the Issuer in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar and the Issuer to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained in this Indenture and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (A) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an authentication order in accordance with Section 2.2, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (A) above.
Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.
(c) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.
(i) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes. Subject to Section 2.6(a), if any Holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
(A) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a
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certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;
(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;
(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;
(E) [Reserved]
(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or
(G) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof;
the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.6(m) below, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the certificate a Restricted Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Restricted Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.6(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the Holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Restricted Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Restricted Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.6(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.
(ii) Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Temporary Global Note to Definitive Notes. Notwithstanding Sections 2.6(c)(i)(A) and (C) hereof, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act, except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.
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(iii) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Subject to Section 2.6(a), a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if,
(A) the Registrar receives the following:
(y) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or
(z) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the applicable certifications in item (4) thereof,
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (A), if the Issuer or the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel of the Holder or the Issuer in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained in this Indenture and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes for Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Subject to Section 2.6(a), if any Holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.6(b)(ii) above, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.6(m) below, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the certificate a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.6(c)(iv) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the Holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.6(c)(iv) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.
(i) Transfer and Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such
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Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;
(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;
(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;
(E) [Reserved]
(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or
(G) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,
the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, and in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note.
(ii) Transfer and Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if,
(A) the Registrar receives the following:
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(y) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or
(z) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the applicable certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (A), if the Issuer or the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel of the Holder or the Issuer in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained in this Indenture and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.6(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.
(iii) Transfer and Exchange of Unrestricted Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Unrestricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.
If any such exchange or transfer from an Unrestricted Definitive Note or a Restricted Definitive Note, as the case may be, to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to Section 2.6(d)(ii) or (d) (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an authentication order in accordance with Section 2.2, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes, as the case may be, so transferred.
(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.6(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.6(e).
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(f) Transfer of Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and
(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including, if the Issuer so requests, a certification and/or Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act.
(g) Transfer and Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes for Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if,
(A) the Registrar receives the following:
(y) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or
(z) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the applicable certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (A), if the Issuer or the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel of the Holder or the Issuer in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained in this Indenture and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(h) Transfer of Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.
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(i) [Reserved.]
(j) Temporary Regulation S Global Note.
(1) Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of the Temporary Regulation S Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Notes Custodian and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.
(2) During the Restricted Period, beneficial ownership interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes may only be sold, pledged or transferred (i) to the Issuer, (ii) in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S (other than a transaction resulting in an exchange for an interest in a Permanent Regulation S Global Note) or (iii) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any State of the United States; and beneficial interests in a 144A Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Regulation S Global Note, whether before or after the expiration of the Restricted Period, only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if applicable).
(3) Within a reasonable period after expiration or termination of the Restricted Period, beneficial interests in each Temporary Regulation S Global Note shall be exchanged for beneficial interests in a Permanent Regulation S Global Note upon delivery to DTC of the certification of compliance and the transfer of applicable Notes pursuant to the Applicable Procedures. Simultaneously with the authentication of the corresponding Permanent Regulation S Global Note, the Trustee shall cancel the corresponding Temporary Regulation S Global Note. The aggregate principal amount of a Temporary Regulation S Global Note and a Permanent Regulation S Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.
(4) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Sections 2.6, a beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to (x) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (y) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) of the Securities Act, except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.
(k) Private Placement Legend.
(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note (other than an Unrestricted Global Note) and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the Private Placement Legend.
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(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(iii), (c)(iv), (d)(ii) or (d)(iii) of this Section 2.6 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(l) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear the Global Note Legend.
(m) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.
(n) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon the Issuer’s order in accordance with Section 2.2 or at the Registrar’s request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.2, 2.10, 3.7, 3.9, 5.7 and 9.4).
(iii) The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
(iv) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits hereof, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(v) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuer shall be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business on a Business Day 15 days before the sending of a notice of redemption of Notes and
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ending at the close of business on the day of such sending, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.
(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuer may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuer shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(vii) The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2.
(viii) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.6 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile or electronically.
(ix) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Participants or Indirect Participants) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
(x) Neither the Trustee, the Issuer nor any Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.
SECTION 2.7. Replacement Notes. If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, or the Issuer and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee, upon the written order of the Issuer signed by two Officers of the Issuer, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements for replacements of Notes are met. The Holder must supply indemnity or security sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee (with respect to the Trustee) and the Issuer (with respect to the Issuer) to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuer and the Trustee may charge for their fees and expenses in replacing a Note including amounts to cover any tax, assessment, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto.
Every replacement Note is an obligation of the Issuer.
SECTION 2.8. Outstanding Notes. The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section 2.8 as not outstanding.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.7, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.
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If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 3.1 hereof, it shall cease to be outstanding and interest on it shall cease to accrue.
Subject to Section 2.9, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer, a Subsidiary of the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer holds the Note.
SECTION 2.9. Treasury Notes. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent (other than in respect of any action pursuant to Section 9.2(a), which requires the consent of each Holder of an affected Note), Notes owned by the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes which a Trust Officer actually knows to be owned by the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer, or any Affiliate of the Issuer shall be considered as not outstanding. Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall promptly furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate listing and identifying all Notes, if any, known by the Issuer to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above-described persons, and the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officer’s Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Notes not listed therein are outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.
SECTION 2.10. Temporary Notes. Until Definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee shall upon written order of the Issuer signed by two Officers of the Issuer authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of Definitive Notes but may have variations that the Issuer and the Trustee consider appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of the written order of the Issuer signed by two Officers of the Issuer, shall authenticate Definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes. Until such exchange, temporary Notes shall be entitled to the same rights, benefits and privileges as Definitive Notes.
SECTION 2.11. Cancellation. The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of all canceled Notes in its customary manner (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act and the Trustee’s internal procedures), and upon the written request of the Issuer, the Trustee shall deliver copies of such canceled Notes to the Issuer. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has redeemed or paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 2.12. Payment of Interest; Defaulted Interest. Interest on any Note which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any interest payment date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 2.3.
Any interest on any Note which is payable, but is not paid when the same becomes due and payable and such nonpayment continues for a period of 30 days shall forthwith
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cease to be payable to the Holder on the regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such defaulted interest and (to the extent lawful) interest on such defaulted interest at the rate borne by the Notes (such defaulted interest and interest thereon herein collectively called “Defaulted Interest”) shall be paid by the Issuer, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:
(a) The Issuer may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date (as defined below) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date (not less than 30 days after such notice unless a shorter period shall be acceptable to the Trustee) of the proposed payment (the “Special Interest Payment Date”), and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Issuer shall fix a record date (the “Special Record Date”) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the Special Interest Payment Date and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee of such Special Record Date, and in the name and at the expense of the Issuer, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date and Special Interest Payment Date therefor to be given in the manner provided for in Section 12.1, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date and Special Interest Payment Date therefor having been so given, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid on the Special Interest Payment Date to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).
(b) The Issuer may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Issuer to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause (b), such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any such Interest Payment Date (other than an Interest Payment Date at maturity) would otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, then the Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day (except if that Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then interest shall be paid on the immediately preceding Business Day). If the maturity date of the Notes is a day that is not a Business Day, all payments to be made on such day shall be made on the next succeeding
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Business Day, with the same force and effect as if made on the maturity date. In either of such cases, no additional interest shall be payable as a result of such delay in payment.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.
SECTION 2.13. CUSIP Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use). The Trustee shall not be responsible for the use of CUSIP numbers, and the Trustee makes no representation as to their correctness as printed on any Note or notice to Holders. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
SECTION 2.14. Record Date. The Issuer may fix any date as the record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, or to vote on any action, authorized or permitted to be given or take by Holders. If not set by the Issuer prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or, in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, the record date for any such action or vote shall be the 30th day (or, if later, the date of the most recent list of Holders required to be provided pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof) prior to such first solicitation or vote, as the case may be. With regard to any record date, only the Holders on such date (or their duly designated proxies) shall be entitled to give or take, or vote on, the relevant action.
ARTICLE III
Covenants
SECTION 3.1. Payment of Notes. The Issuer shall promptly pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and in this Indenture. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified therefor in the Notes.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, the Issuer may, to the extent it is required to do so by law, deduct or withhold income or other similar taxes imposed by the United States of America from principal or interest payments hereunder.
SECTION 3.2. Reports and Other Information.
(a) So long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer shall furnish to the Holders requesting such reports and the Trustee:
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(1) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year (or such longer period as may be permitted by the SEC if the Issuer were then subject to such SEC reporting requirements as a non-accelerated filer), annual reports of the Issuer containing substantially all of the financial information that would have been required to be contained in an annual report on Form 10-K on the Issue Date (but only to the extent similar information is included herein), and will include (a) “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” (b) audited financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and (c) a presentation of Adjusted EBITDA of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries consistent with the presentation thereof in the Offering Circular,
(2) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters (other than for the fiscal quarter ended June 25, 2016, which shall be 60 days after the end of such fiscal quarter) of each fiscal year (or such longer period as may be permitted by the SEC if the Issuer were then subject to such SEC reporting requirements as a non-accelerated filer), quarterly reports of the Issuer containing substantially all of the financial information that would have been required to be contained in a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on the Issue Date under the Exchange Act if the Issuer had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act (but only to the extent similar information is included herein), and will include (a) “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” (b) unaudited quarterly financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and reviewed pursuant to Statement on Auditing Standards No. 100 (or any successor provision) and (c) a presentation of Adjusted EBITDA of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries consistent with the presentation thereof in the Offering Circular and derived from such financial statements, and
(3) within 5 Business Days after the occurrence of each event that would have been required to be reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act if the Issuer had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act (or such later time period provided for in such Form 8-K), current reports containing substantially all of the information that would be required to be filed in a Current Report on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act on the Issue Date pursuant to Sections 1, 2 and 4, Items 5.01 and 5.02 (other than compensation information) and Item 9.01 (only to the extent relating to any of the foregoing) of Form 8-K if the Issuer had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that no such current report will be required to be furnished if the Issuer determines in its good faith judgment that such event is not material to Holders or the business, assets, operations, financial position or prospects of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or if the Issuer determines in its good faith judgment that such disclosure would otherwise cause material competitive harm to the business, assets, operations, financial position or prospects of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided that such non-disclosure shall be limited only to those specific provisions that would cause material competitive harm and not the occurrence of the event itself;
provided, however, (i) in each of clauses (1), (2) and (3) above, the Issuer will not be required to furnish any information, certificates or reports required by (a) Section 302, Section 404 or Section 906 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, or (b) Items 10(e), 307, 308 or 402 of
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Regulation S-K and (ii) such reports required by clauses (1), (2) and (3), shall not be required to contain separate financial statements or other information contemplated by Rule 3-05, Rule 3-09, Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC; provided that annual and quarterly reports will include summary guarantor and non-guarantor information consistent with that disclosed in the Offering Circular.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer shall be deemed to have furnished such reports referred to above to the Trustee and the Holders if the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer has filed such reports with the SEC via the XXXXX (or successor) filing system within the applicable time periods after giving effect to any extensions permitted by the SEC and such reports are publicly available or (b) with respect to the Holders of the Notes only, the Issuer or such parent entity has made such reports available electronically and has notified the Holders of the Notes of such (including by posting to a non-public, password-protected website as provided above) pursuant to this covenant, it being understood that the Trustee shall not be responsible for determining whether such filings have been made.
(c) At any time that any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries are Unrestricted Subsidiaries and such Unrestricted Subsidiaries, either taken together or individually, constitute a Significant Subsidiary, then the quarterly and annual reports required by Section 3.2(a) will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” or other comparable section, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer.
(d) The Issuer will make available such information electronically by posting such information to a secure website or distributing such information via electronic mail and, upon receipt of a request for access to such website or such information via electronic mail, shall promptly grant access to such website or distribute such information via electronic mail to any of the following:
(1) any Noteholder;
(2) any beneficial owner of the Notes that provides its electronic mail address to the Issuer and certifies that it is a beneficial owner of the Notes;
(3) any prospective investor in the Notes that provides its electronic mail address to the Issuer and certifies that it is (i) a prospective investor in the Notes and (ii) a Qualified Institutional Buyer (as defined in the Securities Act) or a non-U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act); and
(4) any market maker or securities analyst that provides its electronic mail address to the Issuer and certifies that it is or intends to be a market maker with respect to the Notes or to provide an analysis of investment in the Notes, as the case may be.
Any person who requests or receives such financial information from the Issuer will be required to represent to the Issuer or seeks to participate in any conference calls required by this Section 3.2 (to the Issuer’s reasonable good faith satisfaction) that:
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(1) it is a Holder of the Notes, a beneficial owner of the Notes, a prospective investor in the Notes, a market maker or a securities analyst;
(2) it will not use the information in violation of applicable securities laws or regulations;
(3) it will not communicate the information to any Person; provided that high yield research analysts shall be permitted to publish research reports in the ordinary course of business; and
(4) it (a) will not use such information in any manner intended to compete with the business of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries and (b) is not a Person (which includes such Person’s Affiliates) that (i) is principally engaged in a Similar Business or (ii) derives a significant portion of its revenues from operating or owning a Similar Business.
(e) Within 10 Business Days after furnishing to the Trustee the annual and quarterly reports required by Sections 3.2(a)(1) and (2) the Issuer would hold a conference call to discuss such reports and the results of operations for the relevant reporting period. Each notice for each conference call may be given electronically by posting to a secure website or distribution via electronic mail and shall be issued no fewer than three Business Days prior to the date of the conference call required to be held in accordance with this paragraph and shall include the time and date of such conference call and either include all information necessary to access the call or direct holders, prospective investors, broker-dealers, securities analysts or market makers to contact the appropriate person at the Issuer to obtain such information; provided that participation in such conference call may be limited to persons that meet the requirements and make the representations set forth in the two preceding paragraphs.
(f) In addition to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, the Issuer shall furnish to Holders, prospective investors, broker-dealers, securities analysts and market makers, upon their request, any information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
(g) Delivery of reports, information and documents (including without limitation reports contemplated under this Section 3.2) to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).
SECTION 3.3. Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.
(a) (1) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue any shares of Disqualified Stock; and (2) the Issuer shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Issuer and any Restricted Subsidiary may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares
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of Disqualified Stock and any Restricted Subsidiary may issue shares of Preferred Stock, in each case if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided, further, that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) that may be Incurred and Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that may be issued pursuant to the foregoing by Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries shall not exceed the greater of (x) $175.0 million and (y) 9.0% of Total Assets at the time of Incurrence, at any one time outstanding.
(b) The foregoing limitations will not apply to (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):
(i) the Incurrence by the Issuer and the Guarantors of Indebtedness under (I) the Term Loan Credit Agreement, the guarantees thereof and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder (with letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof) up to an aggregate principal amount, not to exceed at any one time outstanding, (x) $825.0 million plus (y) additional amounts not to exceed the sum of (i) $125.0 million plus (ii) an unlimited amount that could be Incurred such that after giving effect to such Incurrence the Consolidated Senior Secured Debt Ratio would be no greater than 3.00 to 1.00 (provided that, the (A) Indebtedness under subclauses (i) and (ii) above may be utilized in a single transaction by first calculating the incurrence under subclause (ii) (without inclusion of any amounts utilized pursuant to subclause (i)) and then calculating the incurrence under subclause (i) and (B) amounts under subclause (ii) above (to the extent permitted by the pro forma calculation of the Consolidated Senior Secured Debt Ratio) shall be deemed to have been utilized prior to utilization of amounts under subclause (i) above) and (II) the ABL Credit Agreement, the guarantees thereof and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder (with letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof) up to an aggregate principal amount, not to exceed at any one time outstanding, the greater of (x) $350.0 million and (y) the Borrowing Base as of the date of such Incurrence; in each case of this clause (II) less the aggregate amount of Indebtedness under Receivables Financings incurred by a Receivables Subsidiary;
(ii) the Incurrence by the Issuer and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the Notes (not including any Additional Notes) and the Guarantees, as applicable;
(iii) Indebtedness existing on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (i) and (ii));
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(iv) Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Capitalized Lease Obligations and mortgage financings as purchase money obligations) Incurred by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, Disqualified Stock issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and Preferred Stock issued by any Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer to finance all or any part of the purchase, lease, construction, installation, repair or improvement of property (real or personal), plant or equipment or other fixed or capital assets used or useful in the business of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries or in a Similar Business (whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets) in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, including all Indebtedness Incurred and Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred and Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued pursuant to this clause (iv), not to exceed the greater of (x) $125.0 million and (y) 6.0% of Total Assets at the time of Incurrence, at any one time outstanding;
(v) Indebtedness Incurred by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees issued in the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits (whether current or former) or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims; provided, however, that upon the drawing of such letters of credit, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing;
(vi) the Incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock arising from or related to agreements of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries related to indemnification, earn-outs, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary of the Issuer in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, other than guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;
(vii) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer owing to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (x) any such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock owing to a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary shall be unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to the Issuer’s Obligations with respect to the Notes and (y) any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event that results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness or an issuance of such Disqualified Stock not permitted by this clause (vii);
(viii) shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event that results in any Restricted Subsidiary that holds such
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shares of Preferred Stock of another Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an issuance of shares of Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause (viii);
(ix) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (x) if a Guarantor Incurs such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock owing to a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary, such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such Guarantor and (y) any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event that results in any Restricted Subsidiary lending such Indebtedness or issuing such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause (ix);
(x) Hedging Obligations that are Incurred in the ordinary course of business (and not for speculative purposes): (1) for the purpose of fixing or hedging interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be outstanding; (2) for the purpose of fixing or hedging currency exchange rate risk with respect to any currency exchanges; or (3) for the purpose of fixing or hedging commodity price risk with respect to any commodity purchases and Bank Products incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(xi) obligations (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees) in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;
(xii) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer and Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference that, when aggregated with the principal amount or liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xii), does not exceed the greater of (x) $225.0 million and (y) 11.0% of Total Assets at the time of Incurrence, at any one time outstanding;
(xiii) any guarantee by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries so long as the Incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligations by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary would be permitted under the terms of this Indenture at the time of Incurrence; provided that if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, any such guarantee of such Guarantor with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Guarantor’s Guarantee with respect to the Notes substantially
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to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable;
(xiv) the Incurrence by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or the issuance of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that serves to refund, refinance, replace, redeem, repurchase, retire or defease any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred as permitted under Section 3.3(a) or Sections 3.3(b)(ii) or (iii), this Section 3.3(b)(xiv) or Sections 3.3(b)(xv) or (xviii) or any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to so refund or refinance such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, including any additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay accrued and unpaid interest, premiums (including reasonable tender premiums), fees and expenses in connection therewith (subject to the following proviso, collectively, the “Refinancing Indebtedness”) prior to its respective maturity; provided, however, that such Refinancing Indebtedness:
(A) has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded, refinanced, replaced, redeemed, repurchased or retired;
(B) has a Stated Maturity that is no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refunded, refinanced, replaced, redeemed, repurchased or retired;
(C) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances (x) Subordinated Indebtedness, such Refinancing Indebtedness is Subordinated Indebtedness, (y) Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien junior in priority to the Liens securing the Notes, such Refinancing Indebtedness is unsecured or secured by a Lien junior in priority to the Liens securing the Notes and (z) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness is Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock;
(D) is Incurred in an aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the sum of (1) the aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding of the Indebtedness being refinanced plus (2) the amount of premium, fees and expenses Incurred in connection with such refinancing; and
(E) shall not include (x) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or a Guarantor or (y) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
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provided that subclause (A) shall not apply to any refunding or refinancing of any Priority Lien Obligations;
(xv) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (x) of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred to finance or assumed in connection with an acquisition and (y) of Persons that are acquired by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or merged into or consolidated or amalgamated with the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided, however, that after giving effect to such acquisition, merger, consolidation or amalgamation and the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, either: (i) the Issuer would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 3.3(a); or (ii) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio would be equal to or greater than immediately prior to such acquisition, merger, consolidation or amalgamation;
(xvi) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its Incurrence;
(xvii) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary supported by a letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to Credit Agreements, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit or bank guarantee;
(xviii) Contribution Indebtedness;
(xix) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary consisting of (x) the financing of insurance premiums or (y) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;
(xx) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Foreign Subsidiaries of the Issuer in an amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 7.5% of Total Assets at the time of such Incurrence, at any one time outstanding;
(xxi) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a joint venture to the Issuer issued pursuant to this clause (xxi) or any Restricted Subsidiary (or in the case that such joint venture is a Guarantor, to the Issuer or any Guarantor) and to the other holders of Equity Interests of such joint venture, so long as the percentage of the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of such joint venture owed to such other holders of its Equity Interests does not exceed the percentage of the aggregate outstanding amount of the Equity Interests of such joint venture held by such other holders;
(xxii) Indebtedness Incurred by a Receivables Subsidiary in a Qualified Receivables Financing that is not recourse to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary other than a Receivables Subsidiary (except for Standard Securitization Undertakings);
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(xxiii) Indebtedness owed on a short-term basis to banks and other financial institutions Incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries with such banks or financial institutions that arises in connection with ordinary banking arrangements to manage cash balances of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries;
(xxiv) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock consisting of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to future, current or former officers, directors, managers and employees, and consultants thereof or any direct or indirect parent thereof, their respective estates, heirs, family members, spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent described in Section 3.4(b)(iv);
(xxv) customer deposits and advance payments received in the ordinary course of business from customers for goods purchased in the ordinary course of business;
(xxvi) Indebtedness Incurred by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with bankers’ acceptances, discounted bills of exchange or the discounting or factoring of receivables for credit management purposes, in each case Incurred or undertaken in the ordinary course of business on arm’s-length commercial terms;
(xxvii) Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock issued by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or Preferred Stock issued by any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent that the net proceeds thereof are promptly deposited with the Trustee to satisfy and discharge the Notes in accordance with this Indenture;
(xxviii)guarantees Incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations to suppliers, customers, franchisees, lessors, licensees, sub-licensees and distribution partners that, in each case, are non-Affiliates;
(xxix) the Incurrence by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued on behalf, or consisting of guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued by, Permitted Joint Ventures; provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness Incurred or guaranteed or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued pursuant to this clause (xxix) does not exceed $75.0 million at any one time outstanding; and
(xxx) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred to finance or assumed in connection with an acquisition in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $75.0 million at any one time outstanding.
For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 3.3, in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt or is entitled to be Incurred pursuant to Section 3.3(a), the Issuer shall, in its sole discretion, at the time of Incurrence, divide, classify or reclassify, or at any later time divide, classify or reclassify, such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with
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this covenant; provided that all Indebtedness under the Term Loan Credit Agreement or the ABL Credit Agreement outstanding on the Issue Date shall be deemed to have been Incurred pursuant to clause (i) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” and the Issuer shall not be permitted to reclassify all or any portion of such Indebtedness. Accrual of interest or dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the same class, the accretion of liquidation preference, any fees, underwriting discounts, accrued and unpaid interest, premiums and other costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith and increases in the amount of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness or issuance of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this covenant. Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness that are otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included in the determination of such amount of Indebtedness; provided that the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such guarantee or letter of credit, as the case may be, was in compliance with this covenant.
For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness or the issuance of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first Incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar-equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt, or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock was issued; provided that if such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is Incurred or issued to refinance other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, being refinanced (plus unpaid accrued interest and the aggregate amount of premiums (including reasonable tender premiums) and underwriting discounts, defeasance costs and fees, discounts and expenses in connection therewith).
For the avoidance of doubt, (1) unsecured Indebtedness shall not be treated as subordinated or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured and (2) Indebtedness shall not be treated as subordinated or junior to any other Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral.
SECTION 3.4. Limitation on Restricted Payments.
(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
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(i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on account of the Issuer’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any payment made in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving the Issuer (other than (A) dividends or distributions by the Issuer payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer; or (B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary other than a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities);
(ii) purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer including in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation;
(iii) make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case, prior to any scheduled repayment or scheduled maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor (other than the payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement of (A) Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement and (B) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (vii), (viii) or (ix) of the definition of “Permitted Debt”); or
(iv) make any Restricted Investment;
(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:
(A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;
(B) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Issuer could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Section 3.3(a); and
(C) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (i) and (viii) of the next succeeding paragraph, but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by the next succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum of, without duplication;
(1) (i) $50.0 million plus (ii) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer for the period (taken as one accounting period) from March 27, 2016 to the end of the Issuer’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); plus
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(2) 100% of the aggregate net proceeds, including cash and the Fair Market Value of assets other than cash, received by the Issuer after the Issue Date from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Issuer (other than Excluded Equity), including such Equity Interests issued upon exercise of warrants or options; plus
(3) 100% of the aggregate amount of contributions to the capital of the Issuer received in cash and the Fair Market Value of assets other than cash after the Issue Date (other than Excluded Equity); plus
(4) 100% of the principal amount of any Indebtedness, or the liquidation preference or maximum fixed repurchase price, as the case may be, of any Disqualified Stock, in each case, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof issued after the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock issued to a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the extent such employee stock ownership plan or trust has been funded by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary)) that, in each case, has been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests in the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer (other than Excluded Equity); plus
(5) 100% of the aggregate amount received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash and the Fair Market Value of assets other than cash received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from:
(A) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer) of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and from repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries by any Person (other than the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) and from repayments of loans or advances that constituted Restricted Investments (other than in each case to the extent that the Restricted Investment was made pursuant to Section 3.4(b)(x));
(B) the sale (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the extent such employee stock ownership plan or trust has been funded by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or to the extent that such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment)) of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary; or
(C) any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (to the extent such distribution or dividend is not already included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income); plus
(6) in the event any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Issuer has been redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged, consolidated or
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amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer, in each case after the Issue Date, the Fair Market Value of the Investment of the Issuer in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable), after deducting any Indebtedness associated with the Unrestricted Subsidiary so designated or combined or any Indebtedness associated with the assets so transferred or conveyed (other than in each case to the extent that the designation of such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary was made pursuant to Section 3.4(b)(x)) or constituted a Permitted Investment), plus
(7) the aggregate amount of Retained Declined Proceeds since the Issue Date (to the extent Holders were provided notice in connection with the Asset Sale Offer related thereto that any Excess Proceeds not accepted by the Holders shall constitute Retained Declined Proceeds and such Retained Declined Proceeds shall increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 3.4(a)(C) to the extent not otherwise applied in accordance with Section 3.4(b)(xi)).
(b) The provisions of Section 3.4(a) shall not prohibit:
(i) the payment of any dividend or distribution or consummation of any redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof or the giving of a redemption notice related thereto, if at the date of declaration or notice such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;
(ii) (A) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“Retired Capital Stock”) of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, or Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or contributions to the equity capital of the Issuer (other than Excluded Equity) (collectively, including any such contributions, “Refunding Capital Stock”);
(B) the declaration and payment of accrued dividends on the Retired Capital Stock out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer or to an employee stock ownership plan or any trust established by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) of Refunding Capital Stock; and
(C) if immediately prior to the retirement of the Retired Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under Section 3.4(b)(vi) and has not been made as of such time (the “Unpaid Amount”), the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of the Issuer
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or any direct or indirect parent) in an aggregate amount no greater than the Unpaid Amount;
(iii) the prepayment, redemption, defeasance, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Refinancing Indebtedness thereof;
(iv) the purchase, retirement, redemption or other acquisition (or dividends to any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to finance any such purchase, retirement, redemption or other acquisition) for value of Equity Interests (including related stock appreciation rights or similar securities) of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer held directly or indirectly by any future, present or former employee, officer, director, manager or consultant of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer or their estates, heirs, family members, spouses or former spouses or permitted transferees (including for all purposes of this clause (iv), Equity Interests held by any entity whose Equity Interests are held by any such future, present or former employee, officer, director, manager, consultant or independent contractor (or their estates, heirs, family members, spouses or former spouses or permitted transferees) pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or other agreement or arrangement or any stock subscription or shareholder or similar agreement; provided, however, that the aggregate amounts paid under this clause (iv) shall not exceed (x) $20.0 million in any calendar year or (y) subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering of common stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer (an “IPO”), $30.0 million in any calendar year (with unused amounts in any calendar year being permitted to be carried over for the next two succeeding calendar years up to a maximum of (1) $30.0 million in the aggregate in any calendar year or (2) subsequent to the consummation of an IPO, $40.0 million in any calendar year); provided, further, however, that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:
(A) the cash proceeds received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer (to the extent contributed to the Issuer), in each case, to any future, present or former employees, members of management, officers, directors, managers or consultants of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer that occurs after the Issue Date (provided that the amount of such cash proceeds utilized for any such repurchase, retirement, other acquisition or dividend will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 3.4(a)(C)); plus
(B) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries and any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer (to the extent contributed to the Issuer) after the Issue Date;
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(provided that the Issuer may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by subclauses (a) and (b) above in any calendar year); in addition, cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from any future, current or former officer, director, manager, employee or consultant (or any permitted transferees thereof) of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof), in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer from such Persons will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this covenant or any other provisions of this Indenture;
(v) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiaries issued or Incurred in accordance with Section 3.3;
(vi) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) and the declaration and payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer issued after March 11, 2011; provided, however, that (A) for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance (and the payment of dividends or distributions) on a pro forma basis, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 and (B) the aggregate amount of dividends declared and paid pursuant to this clause (vi) does not exceed the net cash proceeds actually received by the Issuer from the sale (or the contribution of the net cash proceeds from the sale) of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) after the Issue Date;
(vii) [Reserved];
(viii) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Issuer’s common stock (or the payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to fund the payment by any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer of dividends on such entity’s common stock) of up to 6.0% per annum of the net cash proceeds received by the Issuer from any public offering of common stock or contributed to the Issuer by any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer from any public offering of common stock (other than public offerings with respect to common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or successor form thereto and any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution);
(ix) Restricted Payments that are made with Excluded Contributions;
(x) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (x) not to exceed the greater of
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(A) $100.0 million and (B) 5.0% of Total Assets, at the time of such Restricted Payment, at any one time outstanding;
(xi) the payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to provisions similar to those described under Sections 3.7 and 3.9; provided that, prior to such payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value, the Issuer (or a third party to the extent permitted by this Indenture) has made a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as the case may be, with respect to the Notes as a result of such Change of Control or Asset Sale, as the case may be, and has repurchased, redeemed, defeased, acquired or retired all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in connection with such Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as the case may be;
(xii) for so long as the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries are members of a group filing a consolidated, combined, affiliated or unitary income (or franchise in lieu of income) tax return with any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, Restricted Payments to such other direct or indirect parent of the Issuer in amounts required for such parent entity to pay federal, national, foreign, state and local income taxes (and franchise taxes) imposed on such entity to the extent such income taxes (and franchise taxes) are attributable to the income of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the amount of such payments in respect of any tax year does not, in the aggregate, exceed the amount that the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are members of such consolidated, combined, affiliated or unitary group would have been required to pay in respect of federal, national, foreign, state and local income and/or franchise taxes (as the case may be) in respect of such year if the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries paid such income (and franchise) taxes directly on a separate company basis or as a stand-alone consolidated, combined, affiliated or unitary income (or franchise in lieu of income) tax group (reduced by any such taxes paid directly by the Issuer or any Subsidiary);
(xiii) the declaration and payment of dividends, other distributions or other amounts to, or the making of loans to any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, in the amount required for such entity to, if applicable:
(A) pay amounts equal to the amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to pay fees and expenses (including Related Taxes), customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, officers, employees, directors, managers, or consultants of any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, if applicable, and general corporate operating (including, without limitation, expenses related to auditing and other accounting matters) and overhead costs and expenses of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, if applicable, in each case to the extent such fees, expenses, salaries, bonuses, benefits and indemnities are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(B) pay fees, taxes (including Related Taxes) and expenses incurred by any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer related to (i) the maintenance of such
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parent entity of its corporate or other entity existence and performance of its obligations under this Indenture and similar obligations under any Credit Agreement and (ii) any equity or debt issuance, incurrence or offering, any disposition or acquisition or any investment transaction by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or any acquisition of or investment in any business, assets or property that shall be contributed to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as part of the same or a related transaction) permitted by this Indenture.
(xiv) the payment of cash dividends or other distributions on the Issuer’s Capital Stock used to, or the making of loans to any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to, fund the payment of fees and expenses owed by the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer, as the case may be, to Affiliates, in each case to the extent permitted by Section 3.8;
(xv) (i) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants and (ii) in connection with the withholding of a portion of the Equity Interests granted or awarded to a director or an employee to pay for the taxes payable by such director or employee upon such grant or award;
(xvi) purchases of receivables pursuant to a Receivables Repurchase Obligation in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing and the payment or distribution of Receivables Fees;
(xvii) payments or distributions to satisfy dissenters’ rights, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer of assets that complies with the provisions of this Indenture applicable to mergers, consolidations, amalgamations and transfers of all or substantially all the property and assets of the Issuer;
(xviii) the distribution, as a dividend or otherwise, of shares of Capital Stock of, or Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of Issuer by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries the primary assets of which are cash and/or Cash Equivalents);
(xix) the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares of Equity Interests upon exercise or conversion of securities exercisable or convertible into Equity Interests of the Issuer; and
(xx) any additional Restricted Payment so long as immediately after giving effect to the making of such Restricted Payment, the Issuer’s Consolidated Total Debt Ratio does not exceed 3.00 to 1.00;
provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (iv), (vi), (viii), (ix), (x), (xi), (xviii) and (xx) of this Section 3.4(b), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a
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consequence thereof. For purposes of clauses (xii) and (xiii) above, taxes and Related Taxes shall include all interest and penalties with respect thereto.
As of the Issue Date, all of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries shall be Restricted Subsidiaries except for Atlas Tube (Arkansas) Inc., Lakeside Steel Holding USA Inc., Lakeside Steel Alabama Inc., Lakeside Steel Texas Inc. and Lakeside Steel USA Inc. which shall be Unrestricted Subsidiaries as of the Issue Date. The Issuer shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to become an Unrestricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated shall be deemed to be Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Investments.” Such designation shall only be permitted if a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment in such amount would be permitted at such time and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
For purposes of this Section 3.4, if any Investment or Restricted Payment would be permitted pursuant to one or more provisions described above and/or one or more of the exceptions contained in the definition of “Permitted Investments,” the Issuer may divide and classify such Investment or Restricted Payment in any manner that complies with this covenant and may later divide and reclassify any such Investment or Restricted Payment so long as the Investment or Restricted Payment (as so divided and/or reclassified) would be permitted to be made in reliance on the applicable exception as of the date of such reclassification.
SECTION 3.5. Liens.
(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or suffer to exist any Lien (an “Initial Lien”) that secures any Obligations of Indebtedness, or any related guarantee thereof, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary on any asset or property of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, (x) other than Permitted Liens; (y) unless the Notes and any applicable Guarantee are secured by a Lien on such property or assets of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary and proceeds thereof that is senior in priority to such Initial Lien; or (z) in the case of any asset that is not at the time Collateral, the Notes or the applicable Guarantee are equally and ratably secured with or prior to such Obligation with a Lien on the same assets of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent that this Indenture permits Obligations to be secured by Liens on a prior or pari passu basis to the Notes, such Liens may be incurred on a junior lien basis.
(b) Any Lien that is granted to secure the Notes or such Guarantee under the preceding paragraph shall be automatically released and discharged at the same time as the release of the Lien (other than a release following enforcement of remedies in bankruptcy in respect of such Lien or the Obligations secured by such Lien) that gave rise to the obligation to secure the Notes or such Guarantee under the preceding paragraph.
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SECTION 3.6. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries. The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:
(a) (x) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (1) on its Capital Stock or (2) with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits; or (y) make payments with respect to any Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(b) make loans or advances to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(c) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
except in each case for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(i) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect or entered into on the Issue Date, including pursuant to the Term Loan Credit Agreement and ABL Credit Agreement and in each case, the other documents relating thereto and related Hedging Obligations;
(ii) this Indenture, the Notes and Guarantees thereof the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement;
(iii) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;
(iv) any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by or merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary that was in existence at the time of such acquisition (or at the time it merges with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person (but, in each case, not created in contemplation thereof)), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired;
(v) customary encumbrances or restrictions contained in contracts or agreements for the sale of assets applicable to such assets pending consummation of such sale, including customary restrictions with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary;
(vi) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(vii) customary provisions in (x) joint venture agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business with respect to the Equity Interests subject to the joint
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venture and (y) operating or other similar agreements, asset sale agreements and stock sale agreements entered into in connection with the entering into of such transaction, which limitation is applicable only to the assets that are the subject of those agreements;
(viii) purchase money obligations for property acquired and Capitalized Lease Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice to the extent such obligations impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (c) above on the property so acquired;
(ix) customary provisions contained in leases, sub-leases, licenses, sub-licenses, contracts and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice to the extent such obligations impose restrictions of the type described in clause (c) above on the property subject to such lease, sub-lease, license, sub-license, contract or other similar arrangement;
(x) any encumbrance or restriction of a Receivables Subsidiary effected in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing; provided, however, that such restrictions (i) apply only to such Receivables Subsidiary or (ii) are necessary to effect such Qualified Receivables Financing and applicable only to the relevant Subsidiaries to which such Receivables Financing is made available;
(xi) other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary that is Incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to Section 3.3; provided that such encumbrances and restrictions contained in any agreement or instrument will not materially affect the Issuer’s ability to make anticipated principal or interest payment on the Notes (as determined by the Issuer in good faith);
(xii) any encumbrance or restriction contained in Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Sections 3.3 and 3.5 to the extent limiting the right of the debtor to dispose of or transfer the assets securing such Indebtedness;
(xiii) any encumbrance or restriction arising or agreed to in the ordinary course of business, not relating to any Indebtedness, and that do not, individually or in the aggregate, (A) detract from the value of the property or assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner material to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (B) materially affect the Issuer’s ability to make anticipated principal or interest payment on the Notes (as determined by the Issuer in good faith); and
(xiv) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in Sections 3.6(a), (b) or (c) imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (i) through (xiii) above; provided that any such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing is, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, no more restrictive as a whole with respect to such encumbrance or restriction than prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.
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For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 3.6 (i) the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock and (ii) the subordination of loans or advances made to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer to other Indebtedness Incurred by the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances.
SECTION 3.7. Asset Sales.
(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, cause or make an Asset Sale, unless:
(i) the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of; and
(ii) except in the case of a Permitted Asset Swap, at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents or Replacement Assets; provided, however, that the amount of:
(1) any liabilities (as shown on the Issuer’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding such date or, if incurred or accrued subsequent to the date of such balance sheet, such liabilities that would have been reflected on the Issuer’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto if such incurrence or accrual had taken place on or prior to the date of such balance sheet in the good faith determination of the Issuer) of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary (other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes) that are extinguished in connection with the transactions relating to such Asset Sale, or that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets or Equity Interests pursuant to an agreement that releases or indemnifies the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from further liability;
(2) any Notes or other obligations or other securities or assets received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash Equivalents, or by their terms are required to be satisfied for cash or Cash Equivalents (to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents received), in each case, within 180 days of the receipt thereof (to the extent of the Cash Equivalents received); and
(3) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration
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received pursuant to this subclause (c) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $125.0 million and (y) 6.0% of Total Assets, at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);
shall each be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for the purposes of this clause (ii).
(b) Within 365 days after the Issuer’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s receipt of the Net Cash Proceeds of any Asset Sale, an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds from such Asset Sale may be applied, at its option:
(i) to the extent the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, elects (or is required by the terms of any Indebtedness), (A) to prepay, repay or purchase any Indebtedness of a Non-Guarantor or that is secured by a Lien (in each case, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) or any Priority Lien Obligations, including Indebtedness under the Term Loan Credit Agreement or ABL Credit Agreement (or any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof); provided, however, that, in connection with any prepayment, repayment or purchase of Indebtedness pursuant to this Section 3.7(b)(i)(A), the Issuer or Restricted Subsidiary shall retire such Indebtedness and shall cause the related commitment (if any) to be reduced in an amount equal to the principal amount so prepaid, repaid or purchased; or (B) to prepay, repay or purchase Other Parity Lien Obligations at a price of no more than 100% of the principal amount of such Other Parity Lien Obligations plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of such prepayment, repayment or purchase; provided, further, that, to the extent the Issuer redeems, repays or repurchases Other Parity Lien Obligations pursuant to this clause Section 3.7(b)(i)(B), the Issuer shall equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Notes as provided under Section 5.1 through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all Holders to purchase their Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on the amount of Notes that would otherwise be prepaid; provided, further, that, in addition to the foregoing, the Net Cash Proceeds from an Asset Sale of Collateral may not be applied to prepay, repay or purchase any Indebtedness other than Priority Lien Obligations, the Notes and Other Parity Lien Obligations of the Issuer or a Guarantor secured by a Lien on such Collateral; and/or
(ii) to make an Investment in any one or more businesses (provided that if such Investment is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock of a Person, such acquisition results in such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer), assets, or property or capital expenditures, in each case that either (x) replaces the properties or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale or (y) that are used or useful in a Similar Business; provided however that to the extent such Asset Sale involves property or assets that constitutes Collateral for the Notes, any business, assets or property which are the subject of an Investment pursuant to this Section 3.7(b)(ii) shall constitute Collateral for the Notes; or
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(iii) any combination of the foregoing (and in each case, if such Asset Sale or Permitted Asset Swap involves the disposition of Collateral, the Issuer or such Subsidiary has complied with the provisions of this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement so that such Lien is perfected, preserved and protected to the extent required by this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement);
provided that the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be deemed to have complied with the provisions described in Section 3.7(b)(ii) if and to the extent that, within 365 days after the Asset Sale that generated the Net Cash Proceeds, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, has entered into and not abandoned or rejected a binding agreement to acquire the assets or Capital Stock of a Similar Business, make an Investment in Replacement Assets or make a capital expenditure in compliance with the provision described in clause (ii) of this Section 3.7(b), and that acquisition, purchase or capital expenditure is thereafter completed within 180 days after the end of such 365-day period.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any of or all the Net Cash Proceeds of any Asset Sales by a Foreign Subsidiary is (x) prohibited or delayed by applicable local law from being repatriated to the United States or (y) would have a material adverse tax consequence (taking into account any foreign tax credit or other net benefit actually realized in connection with such repatriation that would not otherwise be realized), as determined by the Issuer in its sole discretion, the portion of such Net Cash Proceeds so affected shall not be required to be applied in compliance with this Section 3.7, and such amounts may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary; provided that Section 3.7(c)(x) shall apply to such amounts so long, but only so long, as the applicable local law shall not permit repatriation to the United States (the Issuer hereby agreeing to use reasonable efforts to cause the applicable Foreign Subsidiary to take all actions reasonably required by the applicable local law, applicable organizational impediments or other impediment to permit such repatriation), and if such repatriation of any of such affected Net Cash Proceeds is permitted under the applicable local law and is not subject to Section 3.7(c)(y), then such repatriation shall be promptly effected and such repatriated Net Cash Proceeds shall be applied (whether or not repatriation actually occurs) in compliance with this Section 3.7; provided, further, that the aggregate amount of such Net Cash Proceeds retained pursuant to Section 3.7(c)(y) shall not exceed $5.0 million at any one time outstanding. The time periods set forth in this Section 3.7 shall not start until such time as the Net Cash Proceeds may be repatriated (whether or not such repatriation actually occurs).
(d) Pending the final application of any such Net Cash Proceeds, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility, if any, or otherwise invest such Net Cash Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture and the Security Documents. This indenture shall provide that any amount of Net Cash Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not applied as provided and within the time period set forth in Section 3.7(b) shall be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds;” provided that any amount of proceeds offered to Holders pursuant to Section 3.7(b)(i)(B) or pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer made at any time after the Asset Sale shall be deemed to have been applied as required and shall not be deemed to be Excess Proceeds without regard to the extent to which such offer is accepted by the Holders. When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million, the Issuer shall make an offer (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to all Holders and, if
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required by the terms of any Parity Lien Obligations and, if the asset or property disposed of in the Asset Sale was not Collateral, Pari Passu Indebtedness, to all holders of Other Parity Lien Obligations and Pari Passu Indebtedness, as applicable, to purchase the maximum principal amount of such Notes and Other Parity Lien Obligations or Pari Passu Indebtedness, as appropriate, on a pro rata basis, that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price, in the case of the Notes, in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or in the event such other Indebtedness was issued with original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest (or such lesser price with respect to Other Parity Lien Obligations or Pari Passu Indebtedness, if any, as may be provided by the terms of such other Indebtedness), to (but not including) the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture and the agreement governing such Other Parity Lien Obligations or Pari Passu Indebtedness, as applicable.
(e) The Issuer shall commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceed $50.0 million by transmitting electronically or by mailing to the Holders the notice required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC. The Issuer may satisfy the foregoing obligations with respect to such Net Cash Proceeds from an Asset Sale (whether or not such Net Cash Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million) by making an Asset Sale Offer with respect to such Net Cash Proceeds at any time prior to the expiration of the application period.
(f) To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes and such Other Parity Lien Obligations or Pari Passu Indebtedness, as applicable, tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer made with Excess Proceeds is less than the amount offered in an Asset Sale Offer, the Issuer may use any remaining Excess Proceeds (any such amount, “Retained Declined Proceeds”) for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and Other Parity Lien Obligations or Pari Passu Indebtedness, as applicable, surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount offered in an Asset Sale Offer, the Trustee shall select the Notes and the Issuer or its agent shall select such Other Parity Lien Obligations or Pari Passu Indebtedness, as applicable, to be purchased in the manner described below. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero. To the extent the Excess Proceeds exceed the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Notes (and, if required by the terms thereof, all Other Parity Lien Obligations or Pari Passu Indebtedness, as applicable), the Issuer need only make an Asset Sale Offer up to the outstanding aggregate principal amount of Notes (and any such Other Parity Lien Obligations or Pari Passu Indebtedness, as applicable), and any additional Excess Proceeds shall not be subject to this Section 3.7 and shall be permitted to be used for any purpose in the Issuer’s discretion.
The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the purchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.
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If more Notes are tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer than the Issuer is required to purchase, selection of such Notes for purchase shall be made in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such Notes are listed (so long as the Trustee knows of such listing) or if such Notes are not listed, on a pro rata basis or by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and in such manner as complies with applicable legal requirements, and, in the case of Global Notes, the procedures of DTC); provided that the selection of Notes for purchase shall not result in a Noteholder with a principal amount of Notes less than the minimum denomination to the extent practicable.
(g) Notices of an Asset Sale Offer shall be sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, or sent electronically, at least ten days but not more than 60 days before the purchase date to each Holder of Notes at such Holder’s registered address with a copy to the Trustee or otherwise in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC. If any Note is to be purchased in part only, any notice of purchase that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased.
A new Note in principal amount equal to the unpurchased portion of any Note (other than a Global Note) purchased in part will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. On and after the purchase date, unless the Issuer defaults in payment of the purchase price, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof purchased.
SECTION 3.8. Transactions with Affiliates.
(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of transactions, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Issuer involving aggregate consideration in excess of $30.0 million (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:
(i) such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions, is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Issuer or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arm’s length basis; and
(ii) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $60.0 million, the Issuer delivers to the Trustee a resolution adopted in good faith by the majority of the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, approving such Affiliate Transaction and determining or resolving that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i) above, together with an Officer’s Certificate certifying the authenticity of such resolutions.
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(b) The provisions of Section 3.8(a) will not apply to the following:
(i) (a) transactions between or among the Issuer and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or an entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction) and (b) any merger, amalgamation or consolidation of the Issuer and any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer; provided that such parent entity shall have no material liabilities and no material assets other than cash, Cash Equivalents and the Capital Stock of the Issuer and such merger, amalgamation or consolidation is otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture and effected for a bona fide business purpose;
(ii) (a) Restricted Payments permitted by this Indenture and (b) Permitted Investments;
(iii) any employment agreements entered into by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and the payment of reasonable and customary fees and reimbursements paid to, and indemnity and similar arrangements provided on behalf of, officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (to the extent relating to the business of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries) any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer;
(iv) transactions in which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or meets the requirements of clause (a) of the preceding paragraph;
(v) payments, loans, advances or guarantees (or cancellation of loans, advances or guarantees) to employees, officers, directors, managers or consultants or guarantees in respect thereof for bona fide business purposes in the ordinary course of business;
(vi) any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date or as thereafter amended, supplemented or replaced (so long as such amended, supplemented or replaced agreement is not more disadvantageous to the Holders of the Notes in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date) or any transaction or payments contemplated thereby;
(vii) [Reserved];
(viii) the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of any stockholder agreement or similar agreement to which it is a party as of the Issue Date and any amendment thereto or similar transactions, arrangements or agreements that it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under, any future amendment to any such existing transaction, arrangement or agreement or under any similar transaction, arrangement or agreement entered into after the Issue Date shall only be permitted by this
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clause (viii) to the extent that the terms of any such existing transaction, arrangement or agreement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, or new agreement are not otherwise more disadvantageous to the Holders of the Notes in any material respect than the original transaction, arrangement or agreement as in effect on the Issue Date;
(ix) (a) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, which are fair to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors or the senior management of the Issuer, and are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party or (b) transactions with Unrestricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(x) any transaction effected as part of a Qualified Receivables Financing;
(xi) the sale, issuance or transfer of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer;
(xii) [Reserved];
(xiii) any contribution to the capital of the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock);
(xiv) any transaction with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) that would constitute an Affiliate Transaction solely because the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary owns an Equity Interest in or otherwise controls such Person; provided that no Affiliate of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall have a beneficial interest or otherwise participate in such Person;
(xv) transactions between the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Person that would constitute an Affiliate Transaction solely because such Person is a director, or such Person has a director, which is also a director of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer; provided, however, that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Issuer or such direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person;
(xvi) the entering into of any tax sharing agreement or arrangement and any payments permitted by Sections 3.4(b)(xii), (xiii)(A) or (xiii)(B);
(xvii) [Reserved];
(xviii) pledges of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;
(xix) the issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock option and stock ownership plans or similar employee benefit plans approved by the Board of Directors of the Issuer or of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer, as appropriate, in good faith;
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(xx) any employment, consulting, service or termination agreement, or customary indemnification arrangements, entered into by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with current, former or future officers, directors, employees, managers, and consultants of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and the payment of compensation to officers, directors, managers and employees of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including amounts paid pursuant to employee benefit plans, employee stock option or similar plans), in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(xxi) transactions with Affiliates solely in their capacity as holders of Indebtedness or Equity Interests of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, so long as such transaction is with all holders of such class (and there are such non-Affiliate holders) and such Affiliates are treated no more favorably than all other holders of such class generally;
(xxii) the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of their obligations under the terms of, any customary registration rights agreement to which they are a party or become a party in the future;
(xxiii) transactions with joint ventures for the purchase or sale of goods, equipment and services entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(xxiv) [Reserved];
(xxv) investments by a direct or indirect parent of the Issuer in equity securities of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (and payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such direct or indirect parent of the Issuer in connection therewith);
(xxvi) any lease entered into between the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as lessee, and any Affiliate of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as lessor, in the ordinary course of business; and
(xxvii) (i) intellectual property licenses and (ii) intercompany intellectual property licenses and research and development agreements.
SECTION 3.9. Change of Control.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder will have the right to require the Issuer to purchase all or any part of such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), except to the extent the Issuer has previously elected to issue a notice of full redemption pursuant to Article V.
(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control, except to the extent that the Issuer has exercised its right to redeem the Notes as described under Section 5.1 the Issuer
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shall deliver a notice (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee and the Paying Agent, or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC, describing:
(i) that a Change of Control has occurred or, if the Change of Control Offer is being made in advance of a Change of Control, that a Change of Control is expected to occur, and that such Holder has, or upon such occurrence shall have, the right to require the Issuer to purchase such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment);
(ii) the transaction or transactions that constitute, or are expected to constitute, such Change of Control;
(iii) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than ten days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent) (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);
(iv) that any Note not properly tendered shall remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;
(v) that unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;
(vi) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer shall be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed, to the paying agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;
(vii) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Issuer to purchase such Notes; provided that the paying agent receives, not later than the expiration time of the Change of Control Offer, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder of the Notes, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes and its election to have such Notes purchased;
(viii) that if a Holder (other than a Holder of a Global Note) is tendering for purchase less than all of its Notes, the Issuer shall issue new Notes and such new Notes shall be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered and the unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;
(ix) if such notice is delivered prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control; and
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(x) the other instructions determined by the Issuer, consistent with this Section 3.9, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.
(c) Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Issuer at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Issuer receives not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date, a telegram, telex facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount at maturity of the Note which was delivered for purchase by the Holder and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his selection to have such Note purchased.
(d) On the purchase date, all Notes purchased by the Issuer under this Section 3.9 shall be delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Issuer shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Holders entitled thereto. With respect to any Note purchased in part, the Issuer shall issue a new Note in a principal amount equal at maturity to the unpurchased portion of the original Note in the name of the Holder upon cancellation of the original Note.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.9, the Issuer shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.
(f) Prior to any Change of Control Offer, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent contained herein to the right of the Issuer to make such offer have been complied with.
(g) The Issuer shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 3.9. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 3.9, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 3.9 by virtue of such compliance.
(h) A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon such Change of Control.
(i) While the Notes are in global form and the Issuer makes an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, a Holder of the Notes may exercise its option to elect for the purchase of the Notes to be made through the facilities of DTC in accordance with the rules and regulations thereof.
(j) In connection with any tender offer for the Notes, including a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, if Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in such tender offer and
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the Issuer, or any third party making such tender offer in lieu of the Issuer, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Issuer or such third party shall have the right upon not less than ten nor more than 60 days’ prior notice to the Holders (with a copy to the Trustee), given not more than ten days following such purchase date with respect to such tendered Notes, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the price offered to each other Holder in such tender offer or Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer plus, to the extent not included in the tender offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to, but not including, the date of such redemption.
SECTION 3.10. Maintenance of Insurance. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Issuer, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons.
SECTION 3.11. Additional Guarantors. If, after the Issue Date, (a) any Restricted Subsidiary (including any newly formed, newly acquired or newly redesignated Restricted Subsidiary, but excluding any Receivables Subsidiary) that is not then a Guarantor guarantees any Indebtedness under the Term Loan Credit Agreement or is a borrower or a guarantor under the U.S. Subfacility of the ABL Credit Agreement or (b) the Issuer otherwise elects to have any Restricted Subsidiary become a Guarantor, then, in each such case, the Issuer shall cause such Restricted Subsidiary, within 20 Business Days of the date that such Indebtedness has been guaranteed, to (i) execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in form satisfactory to the Trustee pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor under this Indenture and (ii) execute and deliver a joinder to the Intercreditor Agreement and Security Documents (in substantially the same form as those executed and delivered with respect to the Collateral on the Issue Date or on the date first delivered in the case of Collateral that this Indenture provides may be delivered after the Issue Date (to the extent, and substantially in the form, delivered on the Issue Date or the date first delivered, as applicable (but no greater scope)) and take all actions thereunder to grant a perfected third priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
Each Guarantee will be limited as necessary to reflect limitations under local law in the applicable jurisdiction and defenses generally available to guarantors in such jurisdiction (including those relating to fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, voidable preference, financial assistance, corporate purpose, corporate benefit, capital maintenance and similar laws, regulations and defenses affecting the rights of creditors generally) or other considerations under applicable law. Each Guarantee will be limited to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by that Restricted Subsidiary without rendering the Guarantee, as it relates to such Restricted Subsidiary, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
Each Guarantee shall be released in accordance Section 10.2(b).
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SECTION 3.12. Compliance Certificate; Statement by Officers as to Default. The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuer ending after the Issue Date, an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that to the best knowledge of the signer thereof on behalf of the Issuer, the Issuer is or is not in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Issuer (through its own action or omission or through the action or omission of any Guarantor as applicable) shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which such signer may have knowledge. The individual signing any certificate given by any Person pursuant to this Section 3.12 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of such Person.
So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days of any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default (unless such Default or Event of Default has been cured or waived within such 30-day time period), an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
SECTION 3.13. [Reserved.].
SECTION 3.14. Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Issuer may designate any Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the Issuer but excluding the Issuer) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Issuer or any other Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided, however, that the Subsidiary to be so designated and its Subsidiaries do not at the time of designation have and do not thereafter Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, further, however, that either:
(i) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets of $1,000 or less; or
(ii) if such Subsidiary has consolidated assets greater than $1,000, then such designation would be permitted under Section 3.4.
(b) The Board of Directors of the Issuer may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that immediately after giving effect to such designation:
(x) (1) the Issuer could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test described under Section 3.3(a), or (2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be equal to or greater than such ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such designation, in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation, and
(y) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
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(c) Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Issuer shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with this Section 3.14.
(d) Without any further action, each of Atlas Tube (Arkansas) Inc., Lakeside Steel Holding USA Inc., Lakeside Steel Alabama Inc., Lakeside Steel Texas Inc. and Lakeside Steel USA Inc. shall be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the Issue Date.
SECTION 3.15. Covenant Suspension.
(a) If on any date following the Issue Date (i) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “Covenant Suspension Event”), Sections 3.3, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7 (only to the extent related to properties or assets of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries that do not constitute Collateral), 3.8, 3.11 and 4.1(iv) (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”) shall no longer be applicable to such Notes.
(b) In the event that the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture for any period of time pursuant to Section 3.15(a) (any such period, a “Suspension Period”), and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraw their Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the rating assigned to the Notes below an Investment Grade Rating, then the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture with respect to future events.
(c) Upon the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event, the amount of Excess Proceeds from Net Cash Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
(d) In the event of any reinstatement of the Suspended Covenants pursuant to Section 3.15(b), no action taken or omitted to be taken by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries prior to such reinstatement will give rise to a Default or Event of Default under this Indenture with respect to any Notes; provided that (1) with respect to Restricted Payments made after any such reinstatement, the amount of Restricted Payments made shall be calculated as though Section 3.4 had been in effect prior to, but not during the Suspension Period; provided that no Subsidiaries may be designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries during the Suspension Period (unless such designation would have complied with Section 3.4 as if such section were in effect during such period), and (2) all Indebtedness Incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, during the Suspension Period shall be classified to have been Incurred or issued pursuant to Section 3.3(b)(iii). In addition, for purposes of Section 3.8, all agreements and arrangements entered into by the Issuer and any Restricted Subsidiary with an Affiliate of the Issuer during the Suspension Period prior to such Reversion Date will be deemed to have been entered pursuant to Section 3.8(b)(vi) and for purposes of Section 3.5 all contracts entered into during the Suspension Period prior to such Reversion Date that contain any of the restrictions contemplated by such Section will be deemed to have been entered pursuant to Section 3.6(i).
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The Issuer shall provide an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee indicating the occurrence of any Covenant Suspension Event or Reversion Date. The Trustee shall have no obligation to (i) independently determine or verify if such events have occurred, (ii) make any determination regarding the impact of actions taken during the Suspension Period on the Issuer and its Subsidiaries’ future compliance with their covenants or (iii) notify the Holders of any Covenant Suspension Event or Reversion Date.
SECTION 3.16. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Issuer and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuer and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenant that they shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
ARTICLE IV
Merger; Consolidation, Amalgamation or Sale of Assets
SECTION 4.1. When the Issuer May Merge or Otherwise Dispose of Assets.
The Issuer shall not consolidate, merge or amalgamate with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Issuer is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to any Person unless:
(i) the Issuer is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or winding up (if other than the Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory of the United States (the Issuer or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”) and, if such entity is not organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia, a co-obligor of the Notes is organized or existing under such laws;
(ii) the Successor Company (if other than the Issuer) expressly assumes all the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture, and the Notes pursuant to supplemental indentures and the Security Documents by amendments or supplements thereto;
(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
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(iv) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, either:
(1) the Successor Company would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 3.3(a); or
(2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Successor Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be equal to or greater than such ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;
(v) if the Successor Company is other than the Issuer, each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, shall (x) by supplemental indenture confirm that its Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes, and (y) shall execute such amendments, supplements or other instruments to the Security Documents and file and record in such jurisdictions as may be required by applicable law to preserve and protect the Lien on the Collateral owned by such Guarantor;
(vi) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indentures (if any) comply with this Indenture;
(vii) to the extent any assets or property of the Successor Company, or the Person that is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Successor Company, are property or assets of the type that would constitute Collateral under the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, the Successor Company shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary or required to cause such property and assets to be made subject to a Lien securing the Notes pursuant to this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement in the manner and to the extent required by this Indenture or any of the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement and shall take all reasonably necessary action so that such Lien is perfected, preserved and protected to the extent required by this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement;
(viii) Collateral owned by or sold, assigned, conveyed, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of to the Successor Company shall (a) continue to constitute Collateral under this Indenture and the Security Documents, (b) be subject to the Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of itself, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and (c) not be subject to any Lien other than Permitted Liens and other Liens permitted under Section 3.5; and
(ix) the Successor Company shall become a party to the Intercreditor Agreement by joinder or supplement.
The Successor Company (if other than the Issuer) will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Issuer under this Indenture, the Notes and the Security Documents and the Issuer will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations thereunder.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (iii) and (iv), (a) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate or amalgamate with, merge into or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or part of its properties and assets to the Issuer, (b) the Issuer may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with an Affiliate incorporated or organized solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing the Issuer in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby (unless such increase is permitted by this Indenture), (c) the Issuer may convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Issuer or the laws of the United States, any state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia and (d) the Issuer may change its name.
ARTICLE V
Redemption of Notes
SECTION 5.1. Optional Redemption.
(a) The Notes may be redeemed, in whole at any time, or in part from time to time, subject to the conditions and at the redemption prices set forth in Paragraph 7 of the form of Note set forth in Exhibit A hereto, which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.
(b) Any redemption of Notes may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent. If such redemption or notice is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be modified or rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion) by the redemption date, or by the redemption date so delayed.
(c) Unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable Redemption Date.
SECTION 5.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee of Optional Redemption. If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 5.1, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 2 Business Days for Global Notes and 10 calendar days for Definitive Notes before notice of redemption is required to be sent or caused to be sent to Holders pursuant to Section 5.4, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (a) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (b) the Redemption Date, (c) the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (d) the redemption price. The Issuer may also include a request in such Officer’s Certificate that the Trustee give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at its expense and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in Section 5.4. The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee such
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documentation and records as shall enable the Trustee to select the Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Section 5.3.
SECTION 5.3. Selection by Trustee of Notes to Be Redeemed. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select Notes for redemption in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange (so long as the Trustee knows of such listing), if any, on which such Notes are listed, or if such Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis or by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and in such manner as complies with applicable legal requirements and the procedures of DTC) in minimum denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof unless otherwise required by law, the Depositary or applicable stock exchange requirements; provided, however, that no Notes in an unauthorized denomination shall be redeemed in part. No Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption relating to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof shall be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note in accordance with Section 5.7.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Notes selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to redemption of Notes shall relate, in the case of any Note redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Note which has been or is to be redeemed.
SECTION 5.4. Notice of Redemption. The Issuer shall send a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address not less than ten nor more than 60 days prior to a date fixed for redemption (whether or not a Business Day) (a “Redemption Date”), to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed. The Trustee may give notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at the Issuer’s expense; provided, however, that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article VIII.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(a) the Redemption Date,
(b) the redemption price and the amount of accrued interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 5.6, if any,
(c) if less than all outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the identification of the particular Notes (or portion thereof) to be redeemed, as well as the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be outstanding after such partial redemption,
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(d) in case any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Note shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, the Holder shall receive, without charge, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,
(e) that on the Redemption Date the redemption price (and accrued interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 5.6) shall become due and payable upon each such Note, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed, and, unless the Issuer defaults in making the redemption payment, that interest on Notes called for redemption (or the portion thereof) shall cease to accrue on and after said date,
(f) the place or places where such Notes are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price and accrued interest, if any,
(g) the name and address of the Paying Agent,
(h) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price,
(i) the CUSIP number, and that no representation is made as to the accuracy or correctness of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes,
(j) the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes are to be redeemed; and (k) any conditions to the redemption of Notes.
At the Issuer’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least two Business Days for Global Notes and 10 calendar days for Definitive Notes prior to when the notice of the redemption is to be given, an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph. Such Officer’s Certificate shall state that all conditions precedent to the delivery of such notice have been complied with.
SECTION 5.5. Deposit of Redemption Price. Prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.4) an amount of money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all the Notes which are to be redeemed on that date.
SECTION 5.6. Notes Payable on Redemption Date. Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Notes so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the redemption price therein specified (together with accrued interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of the redemption price and accrued interest) such Notes shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Note for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Note shall be paid by the Issuer at the redemption price, together with accrued interest, if
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any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).
If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Notes.
If a Redemption Date is on or after a Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, the accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall be paid to the Person in whose name the Note is registered at the close of business on such Record Date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders whose Notes shall be subject to redemption by the Issuer.
SECTION 5.7. Notes Redeemed in Part. Any Note which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article) shall be surrendered at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 2.3 (with, if the Issuer so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Holder of such Note at the expense of the Issuer, a new Note or Notes, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Note so surrendered, provided that each such new Note shall be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
SECTION 5.8. Offer to Repurchase. In the event that, pursuant to Section 3.7, the Issuer is required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase the Notes (an “Offer to Repurchase”), it shall follow the procedures specified below.
(a) The Offer to Repurchase shall remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Issuer shall apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) in accordance with Section 3.7. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made pursuant to Section 3.1.
(b) If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Offer to Repurchase.
(c) Upon the commencement of an Offer to Repurchase, the Issuer shall send, by first class mail, or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials
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necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Offer to Repurchase. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Offer to Repurchase, shall state:
(i) that the Offer to Repurchase is being made pursuant to this Section 5.8 and Section 3.7, and the length of time the Offer to Repurchase shall remain open;
(ii) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;
(iii) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;
(iv) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer to Repurchase shall cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;
(v) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Offer to Repurchase may elect to have Notes purchased in a minimum amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof only;
(vi) that Holders electing to have Notes purchased pursuant to any Offer to Repurchase shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Issuer, a Depositary, if appointed by the Issuer, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;
(vii) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Issuer, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than on the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;
(viii) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and, if applicable, other Pari Passu Indebtedness, if any, surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Trustee shall select the Notes and, if applicable, the trustee or agent for such other Pari Passu Indebtedness shall select such other Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased or prepaid, on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and other Pari Passu Indebtedness, if any, surrendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Issuer so that only Notes in minimum denominations of $2,000, or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, shall be purchased); and
(ix) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).
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(d) On or before the Purchase Date, the Issuer shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Offer to Repurchase, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Issuer in accordance with the terms of this Section 5.8. The Issuer, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuer for purchase, and the Issuer shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Issuer, shall authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Issuer to the Holder thereof. The Issuer shall publicly announce the results of the Offer to Repurchase on the Purchase Date.
ARTICLE VI
Defaults and Remedies
SECTION 6.1. Events of Default. Each of the following is an Event of Default:
(i) a default in any payment of interest on any Note when due continued for 30 days;
(ii) default in the payment of principal or premium, if any, of any Note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption (in the case of optional redemption, to the extent such Event of Default arises from the failure to pay the redemption price that is then due and is not subject to any conditions in connection with such optional redemption on all the Notes), upon required purchase, upon acceleration or otherwise;
(iii) the failure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply for 60 days after written notice with any of its other agreements contained in the Notes or this Indenture; provided that in the case of a failure to comply with Section 3.2, such period of continuance of such default or breach shall be 120 days.
(iv) the failure by the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary to pay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owing to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the Holders thereof because of a default, in each case, if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid at final maturity or accelerated exceeds $75.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent;
(v) the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
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(1) commences a voluntary case;
(2) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in any voluntary case;
(3) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or
(4) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency;
(vi) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(1) is for relief against the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(2) appoints a Custodian of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or
(3) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary;
or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;
(vii) failure by the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary to pay final and non-appealable judgments aggregating in excess of $75.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent (net of any amounts that are covered by enforceable insurance policies issued by solvent insurance companies), which judgments are not discharged, waived or stayed for a period of 60 days after such judgment becomes final and, in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree that is not promptly stayed;
(viii) the Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms thereof), or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary denies in writing that it has any further liability under its Guarantee or gives written notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination or discharge of this Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture, and such Default continues for 10 days;
(ix) (1) any material provision of any Security Document or the Intercreditor Agreement, at any time, (a) ceases to be in full force and effect for any reason other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, or (b) is declared invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, (2) the Issuer or any Guarantor contests in writing the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Security Document or the Intercreditor Agreement
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or (3) the Issuer or any Guarantor denies in writing that it has any further liability under this Indenture, any Security Document or the Intercreditor Agreement or gives written notice to revoke or rescind any Security Document or the perfected third priority Liens created thereby other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement; or
(x) any Security Document covering a material portion of the Collateral for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms thereof) ceases to create a valid and perfected third priority Lien on and security interest in any material Collateral covered thereby, subject to Permitted Liens, except (a) to the extent that any such perfection or priority is not required pursuant to this Indenture and the Security Documents or results from the failure of the Collateral Agent to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Security Documents or from the failure of the Issuer to satisfy its obligation to file UCC continuation statements (unless such failure results in the loss of a perfected third priority Lien on and a security interest in any material Collateral) or (B) as to Collateral consisting of real property, to the extent that such losses are covered by a title insurance policy in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and such insurers have not denied or failed to acknowledge coverage.
The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.
However, a default under clause (iii) of this Section 6.1 will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of outstanding Notes notify the Issuer in writing of the default and the Issuer does not cure such default within the time specified in clause (iii) of this Section 6.1 after receipt of such notice.
SECTION 6.2. Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.1(v) or (vi) above with respect to the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding Notes by written notice to the Issuer (and the Trustee, if given by the Holders) may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default arising from Sections 6.1(v) or (vi) of the Issuer occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders.
SECTION 6.3. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes, this Indenture (including sums owed to the Trustee and its agents and counsel) and the Guarantees.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or
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any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.
SECTION 6.4. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, waive, rescind or cancel any declaration of an existing or past Default or Event of Default and its consequences under this Indenture if such waiver, rescission or cancellation would not conflict with any judgment or decree, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes (other than such nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due as a result of such acceleration). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
In the event of any Event of Default arising from Section 6.1(iv), such Event of Default and all consequences thereof will be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes, if prior to the earlier of (i) a declaration of acceleration pursuant to the preceding paragraph and (ii) 20 days after such Event of Default arose, the Issuer delivers an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that (x) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (y) the requisite amount of Holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (z) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.
SECTION 6.5. Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be. The Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee or the Collateral Agent determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Noteholders or that would involve the Trustee or the Collateral Agent in personal liability unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Prior to taking any action under this Indenture, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to security or indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses, liabilities and expenses that may be caused by taking or not taking such action.
SECTION 6.6. Limitation on Suits. Subject to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the rights and duties of the Trustee, in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, when due, no Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:
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(i) such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;
(ii) Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee in writing to pursue the remedy;
(iii) such Holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it in respect of any loss, liability or expense;
(iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and
(v) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a written direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.
SECTION 6.7. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the contractual right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on the Notes held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Notes, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 6.8. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(i) or (ii) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.7.
SECTION 6.9. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer, its Subsidiaries or their respective creditors or properties and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders (pursuant to the written direction of Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes) in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan or reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in such proceeding.
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SECTION 6.10. Priorities. The Trustee shall pay out any money or property received by it in the following order:
First: to the Trustee and Collateral Agent for amounts due under Section 7.7;
Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and
Third: to the Issuer or, to the extent the Trustee receives any amount for any Guarantor, to such Guarantor.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section. At least 15 days before such record date, the Issuer shall mail to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.
SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.7 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in outstanding principal amount of the Notes.
ARTICLE VII
Trustee and Collateral Agent
SECTION 7.1. Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs; provided that if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall not be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered the Trustee indemnity, security or prefunding satisfactory to the Trustee in its sole discretion against any loss, liability or expense it may incur.
(b) The Trustee, except during the continuance of an Event of Default of which a Trust Officer has actual knowledge, and, at all times, the Collateral Agent:
(i) undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement and
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no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement against the Trustee and the Collateral Agent; and
(ii) in the absence of gross negligence or bad faith on its part, may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent under this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees, the Security Document and the Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, as the case may be (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(c) The Trustee shall not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct and the Collateral Agent shall not be relieved from liability for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this Section 7.1(c) does not limit the effect of Section 7.1(b);
(ii) neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer or Trust Officers unless it is proved that the Trustee or the Collateral Agent was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.5.
(d) Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee or Collateral Agent may agree in writing with the Issuer.
(e) Money held in trust by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(f) No provision of this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement shall require the Trustee or Collateral Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or thereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(g) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall be subject to the
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provisions of this Section (provided that Section 7.1(a) shall not be applicable to the Collateral Agent).
(h) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture or to direct the Collateral Agent to take action under the Security Documents at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee, security, prefunding or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), losses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
SECTION 7.2. Rights of Trustee and Collateral Agent.
(a) Each of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond or any other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person or Persons. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent need investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee or the Collateral Agent acts or refrains from acting (except in connection with (x) the issuance of the Initial Notes on the Issue Date and (y) with respect to an Opinion of Counsel to the extent not otherwise specifically required by the terms of this Indenture, the execution of any amendment or supplement adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture or the release of a Guarantor pursuant to Section 10.2(b), the entry into the Security Documents and the release of Liens on the Collateral pursuant to Section 11.3), it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on an Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
(c) Each of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may act through its attorneys, custodians, nominees and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of or for the supervision of any agent, custodians, nominees or attorney appointed with due care.
(d) Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided, however, that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence and the Collateral Agent’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or gross negligence, in each case, as determined by a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) Each of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder or under the Notes, the Guarantees, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
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(f) Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be bound to make any investigation into any statement, warranty or representation, or the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond or other paper or document made or in connection with this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement; moreover, neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be bound to make any investigation into (i) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein, (ii) the occurrence of any default, or the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Indenture, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (iii) the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee or the Collateral Agent shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
(g) Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except any Default or Event of Default of which a Trust Officer shall have (x) received written notification at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture or (y) obtained “actual knowledge.” “Actual knowledge” shall mean the actual fact or statement of knowing by a Trust Officer without independent investigation with respect thereto.
(h) In no event shall the Trustee or the Collateral Agent be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee or the Collateral Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent in each of their respective capacities hereunder (including as Agents, if applicable), and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(j) The Trustee and the Collateral Agent may request that the Issuer deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture and/or the Security Documents.
(k) Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall have any duty (A) to see to any recording, filing, or depositing of this Indenture, the Security Documents or any agreement referred to herein, or to see to the maintenance of any such recording or filing or depositing or to any rerecording, refiling or redepositing of any thereof or (B) to see to any insurance.
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(l) The right of the Trustee to perform any discretionary act enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty.
SECTION 7.3. Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee.
(a) In case the Collateral shall be in the possession of a receiver or trustee, lawfully appointed, the powers conferred in this Article VII upon the Issuer or a Guarantor with respect to the release, sale or other disposition of such property may be exercised by such receiver or trustee, and an instrument signed by such receiver or trustee shall be deemed the equivalent of any similar instrument of the Issuer or a Guarantor or of any Officer or Officers thereof required by the provisions of this Article VII; and if the Trustee shall be in the possession of the Collateral under any provision of this Indenture, then such powers may be exercised by the Trustee.
SECTION 7.4. Individual Rights of Trustee. Subject to Section 310 of the TIA, the Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer, the Guarantors or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Section 7.9. In addition, the Trustee shall be permitted to engage in transactions with the Issuer; provided, however, that if the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest the Trustee must (i) eliminate such conflict within 90 days of acquiring such conflicting interest, (ii) apply to the SEC for permission to continue acting as Trustee or (iii) resign.
SECTION 7.5. Disclaimer. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible for, and neither of them makes any representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement, neither of them the shall be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the Notes or the proceeds from the Notes, and neither of them shall be responsible for any statement of the Issuer in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication or for the use or application of any funds received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee.
SECTION 7.6. Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a Trust Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall deliver to each Holder notice of the Default within 90 days after it is known to a Trust Officer of the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the Holders.
SECTION 7.7. Compensation and Indemnity. The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent from time to time such compensation for their services as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer shall reimburse each of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including, but not limited to, costs of collection, costs of preparing and reviewing reports, certificates and other documents, costs of preparation and mailing of notices
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to Holders and reasonable costs of counsel, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s and Collateral Agent’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Issuer shall indemnify the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder (including as Agents), the Collateral Agent or any predecessor Collateral Agent and each of their officers, directors, employees, counsel and agents, against any and all loss, liability or expense (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it in connection with the administration of this trust and the performance of their duties hereunder and under the Notes, the Guarantees the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture (including this Section 7.7), the Notes, the Guarantees, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement and of defending itself against any claims (whether asserted by any Holder, the Issuer or otherwise). The Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall notify the Issuer promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent to so notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer of its obligations hereunder. The Issuer shall defend the claim and each of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may have separate counsel and the Issuer shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuer need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee as a result of its own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith or incurred by the Collateral Agent as a result of its own willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith, in each case, as determined by a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
To secure the Issuer’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee and the Collateral Agent other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes. The right of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent to receive payment of any amounts due under this Section 7.7 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or indebtedness of the Issuer.
The Issuer’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section and any lien arising hereunder shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent. When the Trustee or the Collateral Agent incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.1(v) or (vi) with respect to the Issuer, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
Pursuant to Section 10.1, the obligations of the Issuer hereunder are jointly and severally guaranteed by the Guarantors.
SECTION 7.8. Replacement of Trustee and Collateral Agent. Each of the Trustee and Collateral Agent may resign at any time by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may remove the Trustee or Collateral Agent by so notifying the Issuer and the Trustee or Collateral Agent, as applicable, in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee or Collateral Agent. The Issuer shall remove the Trustee or the Collateral Agent if:
(i) in the case of the Trustee, the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.9;
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(ii) the Trustee or Collateral Agent, as applicable, is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;
(iii) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or Collateral Agent or either of their property; or
(iv) the Trustee or Collateral Agent otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee or Collateral Agent resigns or is removed by the Issuer or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Collateral Agent, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee) or the Collateral Agent (the Collateral Agent in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Collateral Agent) for any reason, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Collateral Agent, as applicable.
A successor Trustee or Collateral Agent shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee or Collateral Agent and to the Issuer. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall become effective, and the successor Trustee or Collateral Agent shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee or Collateral Agent under this Indenture. The successor Trustee or Collateral Agent shall send a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee or Collateral Agent shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee or Collateral Agent to the successor Trustee or Collateral Agent, as applicable, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7. All costs reasonably incurred in connection with any resignation or removal hereunder shall be borne by the Issuer.
If a successor Trustee or Collateral Agent does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee or Collateral Agent, as applicable, resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or Collateral Agent, as applicable, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Notes may petition, at the Issuer’s expense, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee or Collateral Agent.
If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, unless the Trustee’s duty to resign is stayed, any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee or Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.7 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee or Collateral Agent.
SECTION 7.9. Successor Trustee by Merger. Any business entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
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In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent filed annual report of condition.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA
§ 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA § 310(b).
SECTION 7.11. Limitation on Duty of Trustee. The Trustee shall not have any duty to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms of this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees by the Issuer, the Guarantors or any other Person.
SECTION 7.12. Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer. The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
SECTION 7.13. Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.
Within 60 days after each June 1, beginning with June 1, 2017, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes shall be mailed to the Issuer and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which any Notes are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing when any Notes are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.
SECTION 7.14. Collateral Agent.
(a) Wilmington Trust, National Association, is hereby designated and appointed as the Collateral Agent of the Notes Secured Parties under this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, and Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby accepts such designation and appointment.
(b) By accepting a Note, each Holder will be deemed to have irrevocably appointed the Collateral Agent to act as its agent under the Security Documents and the
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Intercreditor Agreement and to have irrevocably authorized the Collateral Agent to (i) perform the duties and exercise the rights, powers and discretions that are specifically given to it under the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement or other documents to which it is a party, together with any other incidental rights, powers and discretions; and (ii) execute each document expressed to be executed by the Collateral Agent on its behalf. Each of the Holders hereby exempts the Collateral Agent from any restrictions on representing several persons and self-dealing under any applicable law to the extent legally possible for such Holder. Each Holder agrees that any action taken by the Collateral Agent in accordance with the provision of this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents, and the exercise by the Collateral Agent of any rights or remedies set forth herein and therein shall be authorized and binding upon all Holders. The provisions of this Section 7.14 are solely for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and none of the Trustee, any of the Holders nor any of the Grantors shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions contained herein.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, the duties of the Collateral Agent shall be ministerial and administrative in nature, and the Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Note Documents to which the Collateral Agent is a party, nor shall the Collateral Agent have or be deemed to have any trust or other fiduciary relationship with the Trustee, any Holder or any Grantor, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement or otherwise exist against the Collateral Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term “agent” or “Agent” in this Indenture and the other Security Documents with reference to the Collateral Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Collateral Agent shall solely act pursuant to the instructions of the Holders and the Trustee with respect to the Security Documents and the Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Trustee or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes as it determines and, if it so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Holders against any and all loss, liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Collateral Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement in accordance with a request, direction, instruction or consent of the Trustee or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of the Holders. After the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Trustee or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes may direct the Collateral Agent in connection with any action required or permitted by this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the Collateral Agent shall have no discretion under this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement or the Security Documents and shall not be required to make or give any
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determination, consent, approval, request or direction without the written direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes or the Trustee, as applicable.
(e) The Collateral Agent is authorized and empowered to appoint one or more subagents or co-collateral agents as it deems necessary or appropriate, including without limitation the collateral agents under the Credit Agreements (including any successor collateral agents under the Credit Agreements).
(f) The Collateral Agent shall have all the rights and protection provided in the Security Documents as well as the rights and protections afforded to the Trustee in Sections 7.2 and 7.7 hereof; provided, however, that the Issuer shall not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Collateral Agent through the Collateral Agent’s own willful misconduct or gross negligence, as determined by a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(g) None of the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, attorneys or agents will be responsible or liable for the existence, genuineness, value or protection of any Collateral, for the legality, enforceability, effectiveness or sufficiency of the Security Documents, for the creation, perfection, continuation of perfection, priority, sufficiency or protection of any Lien securing the Notes (including without limitation the filing or continuation of any UCC financing or continuation statements or similar documents or instruments) or any defect or deficiency as to any such matters, except to the extent any possessory collateral is delivered to the Collateral Agent for perfection purposes. The Collateral Agent shall not be required to initiate or conduct any litigation or collection or other proceeding under this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents, or to exercise at all or in any particular manner or under any duty of care, disclosure, or fidelity, or to continue exercising, any of the rights, authorities, and powers granted or available to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Indenture, any Security Document or the Intercreditor Agreement other than pursuant to the instructions of the Trustee or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes, it being understood and agreed that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission, or event related thereto, the Collateral Agent shall have no other duty or liability whatsoever to the Trustee or any Holder as to any of the foregoing unless expressly set forth hereunder or thereunder.
(h) Subject to the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, except as directed by the Trustee as required or permitted by this Indenture, the Collateral Agent will not be obligated:
(1) to act upon directions purported to be delivered to it by any Person;
(2) to foreclose upon or otherwise enforce any Lien securing the Notes; or
(3) to take any other action whatsoever with regard to any or all of the Liens securing the Notes, Security Documents or the Collateral.
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(i) In acting as Collateral Agent, co-collateral agent or sub-collateral agent, the Collateral Agent, each co-collateral agent and each sub-collateral agent may rely upon and enforce each and all of the rights, powers, immunities, indemnities and benefits of the Trustee under this Article VII.
ARTICLE VIII
Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance
SECTION 8.1. Discharge of Liability on Securities; Defeasance. This Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect and any Collateral then securing the Notes shall be automatically released (except as to surviving rights of registration or transfer or exchange of Notes and certain rights, privileges and immunities of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent with respect to compensation and indemnity, as expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes when:
(a) (i) all the Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Notes pursuant to Section 2.7 which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or (ii) all of the Notes not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (a) have become due and payable, (b) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year or (c) if redeemable at the option of the Issuer, have been called for redemption or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of a full redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer, and the Issuer or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee funds in cash in U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to the date of maturity or redemption, as the case may be, together with irrevocable instructions from the Issuer directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
(b) the Issuer and/or the Guarantors have paid all other sums payable under this Indenture; and
(c) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with (other than Section 8.1(a)(ii)(c) to the extent that compliance will occur solely upon passage of time).
Subject to Sections 8.1(c) and 8.2, the Issuer at any time may terminate (i) all of its obligations under the Notes and this Indenture (with respect to such Notes) and have each Guarantors’ obligation discharged with respect to its Guarantee and cure any then-existing
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Events of Default (“legal defeasance option”) or (ii) its obligations and the obligations of each Restricted Subsidiary under Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10 and 3.11 and the operation of Section 4.1 (other than Sections 4.1(i), (ii) and (vi)) and Sections 6.1(iii) (with respect to any Default under Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9 and 3.10), 6.1(iv), 6.1(v) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries of the Issuer only), 6.1(vi) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries of the Issuer only), 6.1(vii)(with respect to Significant Subsidiaries of the Issuer only), 6.1(viii), 6.1(ix) and 6.1(x) (“covenant defeasance option”). The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. In the event that the Issuer terminates all of its obligations under the Notes and this Indenture (with respect to such Notes) by exercising its legal defeasance option, the Liens as they pertain to the Notes and Guarantees will be released, and the obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee of such Notes, and to the extent pertaining to the Notes and the Guarantees, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement shall be terminated simultaneously with the termination of such obligations. In the event that the Issuer terminates its obligations under the sections listed above by exercising its covenant defeasance option, the obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee of such Notes shall be terminated simultaneously with the termination of such obligations
If the Issuer exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes so defeased may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuer exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes so defeased may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(iii) (with respect to any Default by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with any of its obligations under Article III other than Sections 3.1, 3.15), 6.1(iv), 6.1(v) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries of the Issuer only), 6.1(vi) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries of the Issuer only), 6.1(vii) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries of the Issuer only), 6.1(viii), 6.1(ix) and 6.1(x).
Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Issuer, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Issuer terminates.
Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Issuer’s obligations in Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 7.7, 7.14 and in this Article VIII shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Issuer’s obligations in Sections 7.7, 7.14, 8.5 and 8.6 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.
SECTION 8.2. Conditions to Defeasance.
(a) The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:
(i) the Issuer irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee cash in U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof in an amount sufficient or U.S. Government Obligations, the principal of and the interest on which will be sufficient, or a combination thereof sufficient, to pay the principal of, and premium (if any) and interest on the applicable Notes when due at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
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(ii) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest when due on all the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
(iii) 91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no Default specified in Section 6.1(v) or (vi) with respect to the Issuer occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;
(iv) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement binding on the Issuer;
(v) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment advisor under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940;
(vi) in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (1) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (2) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;
(vii) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred; and
(viii) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Notes to be so defeased and discharged as contemplated by this Article VIII have been complied with.
Before or after a deposit, the Issuer may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of such Notes at a future date in accordance with Article V.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by the clause (vi) above need not be delivered if all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (x) have become due and payable, (y) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year or (z) are to be called for redemption within one year.
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SECTION 8.3. Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article VIII. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes.
SECTION 8.4. Repayment to Issuer. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon Company Order any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in this Article VIII which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, provided that the Trustee shall not be required to liquidate any U.S. Government Obligations in order to comply with the provisions of this Section 8.4.
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Issuer upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuer for payment as general creditors.
SECTION 8.5. Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Issuer shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.
SECTION 8.6. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article VIII by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the obligations of the Issuer and each Guarantor under this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article VIII until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article VIII; provided, however, that, if the Issuer or the Guarantors has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer or any Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE IX
Amendments
SECTION 9.1. Without Consent of Holders. Notwithstanding Section 9.2 hereof, this Indenture, the Notes and Guarantees, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement may be amended or supplemented by the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent (if applicable) without notice to or consent of any Holder:
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(i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency therein;
(ii) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Guarantees, the Notes, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement to the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Circular or, with respect to any Additional Notes and any supplemental indenture or other instrument pursuant to which such Additional Notes are issued, to the “Description of Notes” relating to the issuance of such Additional Notes solely to the extent that such “Description of Notes” provides for terms of such Additional Notes that differ from the terms of the initial Notes, as contemplated by Section 2.2 above;
(iii) to comply with Article IV and Section 10.5;
(iv) to provide for the assumption by a successor corporation, partnership or limited liability company of the obligations of the Issuer or a Guarantor under this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement;
(v) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes; provided, however, that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code;
(vi) to add or release Guarantees with respect to the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture with respect to the Notes, to add additional co-issuers of the Notes to the extent it does not result in adverse tax consequences to the Holders, to add security to or for the benefit of the Notes, or to confirm and evidence the release, termination, discharge or retaking of any Lien with respect to or securing the Notes when such release, termination, discharge or retaking is provided for under this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable;
(vii) [Reserved];
(viii) to make, complete or confirm any grant of Collateral permitted or required by this Indenture, any of the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement or any release of Collateral pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, any of the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement;
(ix) to add to the covenants of the Issuer for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer or any Guarantor;
(x) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect;
(xi) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with this Indenture; or
(xii) at the Issuer’s election, comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA, if such qualification is required;
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(xiii) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of the Notes as permitted by this Indenture, including, without limitation, to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes; provided, however, that (i) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes;
(xiv) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, provided that the successor Trustee or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, is otherwise qualified and eligible to act as such under the terms of this Indenture, the Notes Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable;
(xv) to secure additional extensions of credit and add additional secured creditors holding Priority Lien Obligations or Other Parity Lien Obligations so long as such Priority Lien Obligations or Parity Lien Obligations are not prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture or any other then-existing Priority Lien Debt Documents or Parity Lien Debt Documents; and
(xvi) to add additional assets as Collateral.
SECTION 9.2. With Consent of Holders.
(a) This Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes) and any existing or past Default or compliance with any provisions of such documents may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes); provided that (x) if any such amendment or waiver will only affect one series of Notes (or less than all series of Notes) then outstanding under this Indenture, then only the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes of such series then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer, for such series of the Notes) shall be required and (y) if any such amendment or waiver by its terms will affect a series of Notes in a manner different and materially adverse relative to the manner such amendment or waiver affects other series of Notes, then the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes of such series then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, such series of the Notes) shall be required. However, without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Notes held by Affiliates), no amendment, supplement or waiver may (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):
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(i) reduce the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(ii) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note;
(iii) reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Note;
(iv) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which any Note may be redeemed as described under Section 5.1 (other than with respect to notice periods in connection with a redemption of the Notes);
(v) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in such Note;
(vi) impair the contractual right expressly set forth in this Indenture of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes;
(vii) make any change in the amendment or waiver provisions in this Indenture that require each Holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions;
(viii) make the Notes or any Guarantee subordinated in right of payment to any other obligations; or
(ix) modify the Guarantees in any manner adverse to the Holders.
(b) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, no amendment to, or deletion of any of the covenants contained in Article III of this Indenture shall be deemed to impair or affect any rights of Holders of Notes to receive payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes.
(c) After an amendment under this Section 9.2 becomes effective, the Issuer shall (or shall cause the Trustee, at the expense of and at the request of the Issuer, to) send to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure of the Issuer to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not in any way impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.2.
(d) Without the consent of the Holders of at least 80% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes), no amendment, supplement or waiver may (1) have the effect of releasing all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Liens of the Security Documents (except as permitted by the terms of this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement or the Security Documents) or changing or altering the priority of the security interests of the Holders of the Notes in the Collateral under the Intercreditor Agreement, (2) make any change in the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement or the provisions in this Indenture dealing with the application of proceeds of the Collateral that would adversely
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affect Holders of the Notes or (3) modify the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement or the provisions in this Indenture dealing with Collateral in any manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes in any material respect other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement or the Security Documents.
(e) No amendment of, or supplement or waiver to, this Indenture, the Notes or the Security Documents shall be permitted to be effected if such amendment, supplement or waiver is in violation of or inconsistent with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement. No amendment of, or supplement or waiver to, the Intercreditor Agreement shall be permitted to be effected without the consent of the Collateral Agent and any other Priority Lien Agent party thereto, other than pursuant to the terms thereof.
SECTION 9.3. Effect of Consents and Waivers. A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Note shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Note. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder unless it makes a change described in clauses (i) through (ix) of Section 9.2(a), in which case the amendment or waiver or other action shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Notes. An amendment or waiver made pursuant to Section 9.2 shall become effective upon receipt by the Trustee of the requisite number of written consents.
The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date.
SECTION 9.4. Notation on or Exchange of Notes. If an amendment changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Note to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Note regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Issuer or the Trustee so determines, the Issuer in exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Note shall not affect the validity of such amendment.
SECTION 9.5. Trustee and Collateral Agent To Sign Amendments. The Trustee, and as applicable, the Collateral Agent, shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not, in the sole determination of the Trustee, and as applicable, the Collateral Agent, adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee, and as applicable, the Collateral Agent. If it does, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, may but need not sign it. In signing any amendment, supplement or waiver pursuant to this Article IX, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 7.1 and 7.2) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment,
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supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by or complies with this Indenture or the Security Documents, as applicable, that all conditions precedent to such amendment required by this Indenture or the Security Documents, as applicable, have been complied with and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel will be required for the Trustee to execute any amendment or supplement adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture or a release of a Guarantor pursuant to Section 10.2(b).
ARTICLE X
Guarantees
SECTION 10.1. Guarantees.
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Article X, each Guarantor hereby jointly and severally irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees on a senior secured basis, as guarantor and not as a surety, with each other Guarantor, to each Holder of the Notes, to the extent lawful, and the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, the performance and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all Obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes (including interest which, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to the Issuer, would have accrued on any Obligation, whether or not a claim is allowed against the Issuer for such interest in the related bankruptcy proceeding) to the Holders, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, whether for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, expenses, indemnification or otherwise (all such obligations guaranteed by such Guarantors being herein called the “Guarantor Obligations”). Each Guarantor agrees (to the extent lawful) that the Guarantor Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from it, and that it shall remain bound under this Article X notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guarantor Obligation.
(b) Each Guarantor waives (to the extent lawful) presentation to, demand of, payment from and protest to the Issuer of any of the Guarantor Obligations and also waives (to the extent lawful) notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Guarantor waives (to the extent lawful) notice of any default under the Notes or the Guarantor Obligations.
(c) Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein constitutes a Guarantee of payment when due (and not a Guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder to any security held for payment of the Guarantor Obligations.
(d) Except as set forth in Section 10.2 and Article VIII, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than payment of the Guarantor Obligations in full), including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not (to the extent lawful) be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guarantor Obligations or otherwise.
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Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Guarantor herein shall not (to the extent lawful) be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by (a) the failure of any Holder to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Issuer or any other person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (d) the release of any security held by any Holder for the Guarantor Obligations or any of them; (e) the failure of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy against any other Guarantor; (f) any change in the ownership of the Issuer; (g) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Guarantor Obligations; or (h) any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of such Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.
(e) Each Guarantor agrees that its Guarantee herein shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guarantor Obligations or such Guarantor is released from its Guarantee in compliance with Section 4.1, Section 10.2, 10.5 or Article VIII. Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Guarantor Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer or otherwise.
(f) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Holder has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Issuer to pay any of the Guarantor Obligations when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, each Guarantor hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Trustee or the Trustee on behalf of the Holders an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid amount of such Guarantor Obligations then due and owing and (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such Guarantor Obligations then due and owing (but only to the extent not prohibited by law) (including interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding relating to the Issuer or any Guarantor whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding).
(g) Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the Guarantor Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in this Indenture for the purposes of its Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guarantor Obligations guaranteed hereby and (y) in the event of any such declaration of acceleration of such Guarantor Obligations, such Guarantor Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purposes of this Guarantee.
(h) Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or the Holders in enforcing any rights under this Section.
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(i) Neither the Issuer nor the Guarantors shall be required to make a notation on the Notes to reflect any Guarantee or any release, termination or discharge thereof and any such notation shall not be a condition to the validity of any Guarantee.
SECTION 10.2. Limitation on Liability; Termination, Release and Discharge.
(a) Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the maximum amount as shall, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law and not otherwise being void or voidable under any similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
(b) A Guarantee by a Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and each Guarantor and its obligations under the Guarantee and this Indenture shall be released and discharged upon:
(1) the sale, exchange, disposition or other transfer (including through merger, consolidation or dissolution) of the Capital Stock (including any sale, disposition or other transfer following which the applicable Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary), or all or substantially all the assets, of the applicable Guarantor if such sale, exchange, disposition or other transfer (including through merger, consolidation or dissolution) is made in compliance with this Indenture;
(2) the Issuer designating such Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 3.4 and the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”;
(3) in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary that after the Issue Date is required to guarantee the Notes pursuant to Section 3.11, the release or discharge of the obligation by such Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary or the repayment of the Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, in each case, which resulted in the obligation to guarantee the Notes, except if a release or discharge is by or as a result of payment in connection with the enforcement of remedies in bankruptcy under such other obligation;
(4) the Issuer’s exercise of its legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option as described under Article VIII or if the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture are discharged (including through a satisfaction and discharge of the Notes, a redemption or repurchase of all the Notes or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
(5) the release or discharge of the Guarantee by, or direct obligation of, such Guarantor of the obligations under both the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the ABL Credit Agreement, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment in
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connection with the enforcement of remedies in bankruptcy under such Guarantee or direct obligation; or
(6) such Guarantor ceasing to be a Domestic Subsidiary.
A Guarantee also will be automatically released upon the applicable Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary as a result of any foreclosure of any pledge or security interest securing both the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the ABL Credit Agreement or other exercise of remedies in respect thereof.
(c) If any Guarantor is released from its Guarantee, any of its Subsidiaries that are Guarantors will be released from their Guarantees, if any.
(d) In the case of Section 10.2(b), to the extent the Issuer is not otherwise specifically required to evidence the release of a Guarantor through a supplemental indenture or amendment to this Indenture or other documentation, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.
(e) The release of a Guarantor from its Guarantee and its obligations under this Indenture in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.2 shall not preclude the future applications of Section 3.11 to such Person.
SECTION 10.3. Right of Contribution. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that to the extent that any such Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made on the obligations under its Guarantee, such Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against the Issuer or any other Guarantor who has not paid its proportionate share of such payment. The provisions of this Section 10.3 shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of each Guarantor to the Trustee and the Holders and each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Trustee and the Holders for the full amount guaranteed by such Guarantor hereunder.
SECTION 10.4. No Subrogation. Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by each Guarantor hereunder, no Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Trustee or any Holder against the Issuer or any other Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Trustee or any Holder for the payment of the Guarantor Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Issuer or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder, until all amounts owing to the Trustee and the Holders by the Issuer on account of the Guarantor Obligations are paid in full. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Guarantor Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Trustee and the Holders, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Trustee in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such Guarantor to the Trustee, if required), to be applied against the Guarantor Obligations.
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SECTION 10.5. Limitations on Merger. A Guarantor will not, and the Issuer shall not permit any Guarantor to, consolidate, merge or amalgamate with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:
(a) such Guarantor is the surviving Person; or
(1) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or winding up (if other than such Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation, limited partnership, partnership or limited liability company or trust organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States (such Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Guarantor”) and;
(2) the Successor Guarantor (if other than such Guarantor) expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture and such Guarantor’s Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture;
(3) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Successor Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Guarantor or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(4) the Successor Guarantor shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture;
(5) to the extent any assets or property of the Successor Guarantor, or the Person that is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Successor Guarantor, are property or assets of the type that would constitute Collateral under the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, the Successor Guarantor shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary or required to cause such property and assets to be made subject to a Lien securing the Notes pursuant to this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement in the manner and to the extent required by this Indenture or any of the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, and shall take all reasonably necessary action so that such Lien is perfected, preserved and protected to the extent required by this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement;
(6) the Collateral owned by or sold, assigned, conveyed, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of to the Successor Guarantor shall (a) continue to constitute Collateral under this Indenture and the Security Documents, (b) be subject to the Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of itself, the Trustee and the Holders of the
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Notes and (c) not be subject to any Lien other than Permitted Liens and other Liens permitted under Section 3.5; and
(7) the Successor Guarantor shall become a party to the Intercreditor Agreement by joinder or supplement; or
(b) such sale or disposition or consolidation, amalgamation or merger is not in violation of Section 3.7.
The Successor Guarantor will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under this Indenture and such Guarantor’s Guarantee, and such Guarantor will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture, such Guarantor’s Guarantee and the Security Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Guarantor may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with an Affiliate incorporated or organized solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing such Guarantor in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States, so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Guarantor is not increased thereby (unless such increase is permitted by this Indenture), (2) a Guarantor may (a) consolidate, merge or amalgamate with or into or wind up into, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, the Issuer or another Guarantor or (b) dissolve if such Guarantor sells, assigns, transfers, leases, conveys or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to another Person in compliance with Section 3.7 and after giving effect to such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or disposition such Guarantor has no or a de minimis amount of assets, (3) a Guarantor may convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor or the laws of the United States, any state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia, (4) a Guarantor may change its name and (5) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, amalgamate or consolidate into any Guarantor; provided, in the case of this clause (5), that the surviving Person (i) is a corporation, partnership, limited partnership or limited liability company or trust organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia and (ii) is or becomes a Guarantor upon consummation of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation.
ARTICLE XI
COLLATERAL
SECTION 11.1. Security Documents and Intercreditor Agreement.
(a) To secure the full and punctual payment when due, and the full and punctual performance of the Obligations of the parties hereto, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Collateral Agent shall, on the Issue Date, enter into certain Security Documents and may enter into additional Security Documents and take or cause to be taken all such actions as may be required to create, perfect and maintain, as security for the Obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors to the Notes Secured Parties under this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees and the Security Documents, a valid and enforceable perfected third-priority Lien and security interest in all of the Collateral (subject to Permitted Liens) in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of
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the Notes Secured Parties. Each Holder, by accepting a Note, consents and agrees to the terms of the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement (including the provisions providing for the possession, use, release and foreclosure of Collateral) as each may be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and this Indenture and the Intercreditor Agreement.
(b) On the Issue Date, the Notes Collateral Agent and the collateral agents under the Credit Agreements will enter into the Intercreditor Agreement with respect to the Collateral, which may be amended from time to time without the consent of the Holders to add other parties holding Additional Fixed Asset Obligations (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement).
SECTION 11.2. [Reserved].
SECTION 11.3. Release of Collateral.
(a) The Liens on the Collateral securing the Notes will be automatically released:
(i) in whole, upon a legal defeasance or a covenant defeasance of the Notes pursuant to Section 8.1;
(ii) in whole, upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as set forth under Section 8.1 or through the redemption or repurchase of all Notes;
(iii) in whole, upon payment in full of principal, interest and all other Obligations on the Notes issued under this Indenture;
(iv) in whole or in part, with the consent of the requisite Holders of the Notes in accordance with the provisions under Section 9.2(d); and
(v) in part, as to any asset constituting Collateral:
(A) that is sold or otherwise disposed of;
(1) by the Issuer or any of the Guarantors to any Person that is not an Issuer or a Guarantor organized in the same jurisdiction in a transaction permitted by Section 3.7 and by the Security Documents (to the extent of the interest sold or disposed of) or otherwise permitted by this Indenture and the Security Documents;
(2) if all other Liens on that asset securing the Priority Lien Obligations then secured by that asset are released; or
(3) in connection with the taking of an enforcement action by the applicable administrative agent in respect of the Priority Lien Obligations in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreement.
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(B) that is held by a Guarantor that ceases to be a Guarantor;
(C) that becomes Excluded Property; or
(D) that is otherwise released in accordance with, and as expressly provided for by the terms of, this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents.
(b) In connection with a release of Liens on the Collateral, only an Officer’s Certificate to the Collateral Agent will be required.
SECTION 11.4. [Reserved].
SECTION 11.5. After Acquired Collateral. From and after the Issue Date and subject to the terms of the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, if the Issuer or any Guarantor acquires any property or rights which are of a type constituting Collateral under any Security Document (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Excluded Property), it will execute and deliver such security instruments, financing statements and such certificates and opinions of counsel to the extent required by this Indenture or any Security Documents (in each case, in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreement) to vest in the Collateral Agent a perfected security interest (subject only to Permitted Liens) in such after-acquired collateral and to take such actions to add such after-acquired collateral to the Collateral, and thereupon all provisions of this Indenture and the Security Documents relating to the Collateral shall be deemed to relate to such after-acquired collateral to the same extent and with the same force and effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, opinions of counsel will not be required in connection with the addition of new Guarantors or in connection with such Guarantors entering into the Security Documents or to vest in the Collateral Agent a perfected security interest in such after-acquired collateral.
SECTION 11.6. Impairment of Collateral; Impairment of Security Interests.
(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of any senior Liens and to the provisions governing the release of Collateral as described under Section 11.3, the Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to grant any Person, or permit any Person to retain (other than the Collateral Agent or any other applicable Agent), any Liens on the Collateral, other than Permitted Liens.
(b) The Issuer and each Guarantor shall, at its sole cost and expense, execute and deliver all such agreements and instruments as necessary, or as the Trustee or the Collateral Agent reasonably requests, to more fully or accurately describe the assets and property intended to be Collateral or the obligations intended to be secured by the Security Documents.
SECTION 11.7. Real Estate Mortgages and Filings. With respect to any fee interest in any real property owned by the Issuer or a Guarantor on the Issue Date or acquired by the Issuer or a Guarantor after the Issue Date, in each case, that forms a part of the Collateral, within 90 days of the Issue Date or the date of acquisition for any Material Real Property acquired after the Issue Date, as applicable (or, in each case, such later date as any collateral agent under the Credit Agreements may have agreed to under the applicable Credit Agreement):
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(a) the Issuer or such Guarantor shall deliver to the Collateral Agent fully executed counterparts of mortgages, deeds of trust, security deeds or deeds to secure debt (each, a “Mortgage”) in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture and/or the Security Documents, duly executed and acknowledged by the Issuer or such Guarantor and any related fixture filings, in form and substance substantially similar to the comparable mortgages delivered under the Credit Agreements, which Mortgages and any related fixture filings shall cover each Mortgaged Property, together with evidence that counterparts of such Mortgages and fixture filings (if required) have been delivered to the title insurance company insuring the Lien of such Mortgage for recording;
(b) the Collateral Agent shall have received title insurance policies relating to each Mortgage referred to above, issued by a title insurer as required under the Credit Agreements, with such endorsements and in an insured amount as is consistent with the endorsements and insured amounts delivered under the Credit Agreements (the “Mortgage Policy”) and insuring the Collateral Agent that the Mortgage on each such Mortgaged Property is a valid and enforceable third priority mortgage lien on such Mortgaged Property, free and clear of all defects and encumbrances except Permitted Liens, with each such Mortgage Policy to be in form and substance required under the Credit Agreements;
(c) to induce the title company to issue the endorsements with respect to the Mortgage Policies referred to in Section 11.6(b), such affidavits, certificates, information and instruments of indemnification as shall be reasonably required by the respective title company, together with payment by the Issuer of all Mortgage Policy premiums, search and examination charges, mortgage recording taxes, fees, charges, costs and expenses required for the recording of such Mortgages and issuance of such Mortgage Policies;
(d) the Collateral Agent shall have received a copy of all recorded documents referred to, or listed as exceptions to title in, the title policy or policies referred to in clause (b) above and a copy of all other material documents affecting the Material Real Property;
(e) if requested by any collateral agent under any Credit Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall have received an American Land Title Association/American Congress on Surveying and Mapping form surveys or affidavits of “no change” with respect to each Mortgaged Property (and all improvements thereon), such surveys or affidavits to be sufficient to issue Mortgage Policies to the Collateral Agent providing all reasonably required survey coverage and survey endorsements;
(f) in each case with respect to any Material Real Property (and any other Mortgaged Properties located in the same state as any such Material Real Property), the Issuer or the Guarantors shall deliver to the Collateral Agent customary local counsel opinions in the jurisdictions in which the Mortgaged Property is located, with respect to the enforceability and perfection of the Mortgages and, if applicable any related fixture filings;
(g) in each case with respect to any Material Real Property (and any other Mortgaged Properties located in the same state as any such Material Real Property), the Issuer or the Guarantors shall deliver to the Collateral Agent, customary opinions of local counsel in the states in which the Issuer or any Guarantor that is party to the Mortgages are organized or formed, with
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respect to the valid existence, corporate power and authority of the Issuer or such Guarantor in the granting of the Mortgages; and
(h) the Collateral Agent shall have received with respect to each improved Mortgaged Property, (i) a “life-of-loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination and (ii) if the area in which any improvements located on any Mortgaged Property is designated a “special flood hazard area” by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency), evidence of flood insurance in form and substance required under the Credit Agreements.
SECTION 11.8. Further Assurances.
(a) Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all further action that may be required under applicable law, or that the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, in order to effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Indenture and to grant, preserve, protect and perfect the validity and third priority of the security interests and Liens created or intended to be created by the Security Documents in the Collateral. Such security interests and Liens shall be created under the Security Documents and, to the extent necessary, other security agreements and other instruments and documents in form substantially similar to the Security Documents entered into on the Issue Date.
ARTICLE XII
Miscellaneous
SECTION 12.1. Notices. Notices given by publication shall be deemed given on the first date on which publication is made, and notices given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, shall be deemed given five calendar days after mailing. Notices personally delivered will be deemed given at the time delivered by hand. Notices given by facsimile will be deemed given when receipt is acknowledged. Notices given by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery will be deemed given the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier and notices given to DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, as applicable, shall be sufficiently given if given according to the applicable procedures of DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, as applicable. Any notice or communication shall be in writing and delivered in person, by facsimile or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:
if to the Issuer or any Guarantor:
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
if to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent:
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Wilmington Trust, National Association
000 Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: Zekelman Industries, Inc. Administrator
The Issuer or the Trustee or the Collateral Agent by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to the Holder at the Holder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
The Trustee and the Collateral Agent agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee or the Collateral Agent e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee or the Collateral Agent in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s or the Collateral Agent’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee or the Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s or the Collateral Agent’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or purchase) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to DTC (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from DTC or its designee.
SECTION 12.2. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Issuer to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture (except in connection with (x) the issuance of the Initial Notes on the Issue Date and (y) with respect to clause (ii) below, to the extent not otherwise required by the terms of this Indenture, the execution of any amendment or supplement adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture or the release of a Guarantor pursuant to Section 10.2(b), the entry into the Security Documents and the release of Liens on the Collateral pursuant to Section 11.3, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable:
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(i) an Officer’s Certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(ii) an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
SECTION 12.3. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(i) a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(iii) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.
In giving such Opinion of Counsel, counsel may rely as to factual matters on an Officer’s Certificate or on certificates of public officials.
SECTION 12.4. [Reserved].
SECTION 12.5. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by, or a meeting of, Holders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.
SECTION 12.6. Days Other than Business Days. If a payment date, Redemption Date or purchase date is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular Record Date is not a Business Day, the Record Date shall not be affected.
SECTION 12.7. Governing Law. This Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. The Security Documents will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the applicable local laws; however, the Mortgages will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state in which the applicable Material Real Property is located.
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SECTION 12.8. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS, THE TRUSTEE AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
SECTION 12.9. No Recourse Against Others. An incorporator, director, officer, employee, stockholder or controlling person, as such, of the Issuer or any Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder shall waive and release all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.
SECTION 12.10. Successors. All agreements of the Issuer and each Guarantor in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.
SECTION 12.11. Multiple Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Indenture by telecopier, facsimile or other electronic transmission (i.e. a “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture.
SECTION 12.12. Variable Provisions. The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent and Registrar and custodian with respect to any Global Notes.
SECTION 12.13. Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
SECTION 12.14. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee or the Collateral Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
SECTION 12.15. USA Patriot Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act the Trustee and the Trust Officers, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, are required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity
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that establishes a relationship or opens an account. The parties to this agreement agree that they shall provide the Trustee and the Trust Officers with such information as they may request in order to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.
SECTION 12.16. [Reserved].
SECTION 12.17. Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes. Holders of the Notes may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders of Notes with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).
[Signature Pages Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
ZEKELMAN INDUSTRIES, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx, Xx. | |
Name: Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx, Xx. Title: Executive Vice President and Secretary |
[Signature Page to the Indenture]
WHEATLAND TUBE, LLC ATLAS TUBE (CHICAGO), LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx, Xx. | |
Name: Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx, Xx. Title: President and Secretary | ||
ATLAS (USA) HOLDINGS INC. ATLAS TUBE (PLYMOUTH) INC. M.O.S. INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx, Xx. | |
Name: Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx, Xx. Title: Vice President and Secretary |
[Signature Page to the Indenture]
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee |
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. X’Xxxxxxx |
Name: | Xxxxxx X. X’Xxxxxxx | |
Title: | Vice President | |
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Collateral Agent |
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. X’Xxxxxxx |
Name: | Xxxxxx X. X’Xxxxxxx | |
Title: | Vice President |
[Signature Page to the Indenture]
EXECUTION VERSION
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]
Global Note Legend, if applicable
Private Placement Legend, if applicable
Temporary Regulation S Legend, if applicable
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No. [____] |
Principal Amount $[_________________], | |
as revised by the Schedule of Increases | ||
or Decreases in the Global Note attached hereto | ||
CUSIP NO. |
9.875% Senior Secured Note due 2023
Zekelman Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to [ ], or registered assigns, the initial principal amount set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in the Global Note attached hereto, as revised by the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in the Global Note attached hereto, on June 15, 2023.
Interest Payment Dates: June 15 and December 15.
Record Dates: June 1 and December 1.
Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.
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ZEKELMAN INDUSTRIES, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF |
||||
AUTHENTICATION |
||||
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the |
||||
Notes referred to in the Indenture. |
By: | ||||||
Authorized Signatory |
Date: |
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[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]
9.875% Senior Secured Note due 2023
1. | Interest |
Zekelman Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Issuer”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above.
The Issuer shall pay interest semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, with the first interest payment to be made on December 15, 2016.1 Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the Notes or, if no interest has been paid, from June 14, 2016. The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal or premium, if any (plus interest on such interest to the extent lawful), at the rate borne by the Notes to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal at 2% per annum in excess of the above rate and shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at such higher rate to the extent lawful.
2. | Method of Payment |
By no later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date on which any principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note is due and payable, the Issuer shall irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and/or interest. The Issuer shall pay interest (except Defaulted Interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the June 1 and December 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Issuer shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) shall be made by the transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Depositary. The Issuer shall make all payments in respect of a Definitive Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof.
3. | Paying Agent and Registrar |
Initially, Wilmington Trust, National Association, duly organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America and having a corporate trust office at Wilmington Trust, National Association, 000 Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000, Facsimile: 000-000-0000, Attention: Zekelman Industries, Inc. Administrator (“Trustee”), shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or
1 | With respect to the Initial Notes. |
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coregistrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuer or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.
4. | Indenture |
The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of June 14, 2016 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Indenture”), among the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Securities Act for a statement of those terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
The Notes are senior secured obligations of the Issuer. This Note is one of the 9.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 referred to in the Indenture. The Notes include (i) $375,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 9.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 issued under the Indenture on June 14, 2016 (herein called “Initial Notes”) and (ii) if and when issued, additional 9 Notes of the Issuer that may be issued from time to time under the Indenture subsequent to June 14, 2016 (herein called “Additional Notes”). The Indenture contains the terms and restrictions set forth in the Indenture or made a part of the Indenture by reference to the TIA.
5. | Guarantee |
To guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest (including post-filing or post-petition interest) on the Notes and all other amounts payable by the Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, the Guarantors have unconditionally Guaranteed (and future guarantors shall unconditionally Guarantee), jointly and severally, such obligations on a senior secured basis.
6. | Security |
From the Issue Date, the Notes and the Guarantees will be secured by the Collateral, pursuant to the Security Documents. Reference is made to the Indenture and the Security Documents for terms relating to such security, including the release, termination and discharge thereof. Enforcement of the Security Documents is subject to the Intercreditor Agreement. The Issuer shall not be required to make any notation on this Note to reflect any grant of such security or any such release, termination or discharge.
7. | Redemption |
(a) On and after June 15, 2019, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon notice as described under Section 5.4 of the Indenture, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on
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the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on June 15 of the years set forth below:
Year | Percentage | |||
2019 |
104.938 | % | ||
2020 |
102.469 | % | ||
2021 and thereafter |
100.000 | % |
(b) At any time prior to June 15, 2019, the Issuer may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon notice as described under Section 5.4 of the Indenture , at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of the date of the redemption notice, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date falling prior to or on the redemption date).
(c) At any time and from time to time prior to June 15, 2019, upon notice as described under Section 5.4 of the Indenture, the Issuer may redeem in the aggregate up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) with an amount equal to the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (1) by the Issuer or (2) by any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are contributed to the common equity capital of the Issuer or used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer from it, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) equal to 109.875% plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date falling prior to or on the redemption date); provided, however, that at least 65% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) must remain outstanding after each such redemption; provided, further, that for purposes of calculating the principal amount of the Notes able to be redeemed with the net cash proceeds of such Equity Offering or Equity Offerings, such amount shall include only the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus the premium on such Notes to be redeemed); and provided, further, that such redemption shall occur within 120 days after the date on which any such Equity Offering is consummated.
(d) At any time, the Issuer or a third party will have the right to redeem the Notes at 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date falling prior to or on the purchase date) following the consummation of a Change of Control if at least 90% of the Notes outstanding prior to such date of purchase are purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer (as defined below) with respect to such Change of Control Offer.
(e) In connection with any tender offer for the Notes, including a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, if Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in such tender offer and the Issuer, or any third party making such tender offer in lieu of the Issuer, purchases all of the
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Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Issuer or such third party shall have the right upon not less than ten nor more than 60 days’ prior notice to the Holders (with a copy to the Trustee), given not more than ten days following such purchase date with respect to such tendered Notes, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the price offered to each other Holder in such tender offer or Change of Control Offer plus, to the extent not included in the tender offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to, but not including, the date of such redemption.
(f) Unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.
(g) Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 7 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Article V of the Indenture.
8. | Change of Control; Asset Sales |
(a) If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder shall have the right to require the Issuer to repurchase all or any part (in integral multiples of $1,000 except that no Note may be tendered in part if the remaining principal amount would be less than $2,000) of such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), except to the extent the Issuer has previously elected to issue a notice of full redemption as described in Article V, as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.
(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control, except to the extent that the Issuer has exercised its right to redeem the Notes as described in Section 5.1 of the Indenture, the Issuer shall deliver a notice (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee and the Paying Agent, or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC, describing:
(i) that a Change of Control has occurred or, if the Change of Control Offer is being made in advance of a Change of Control, that a Change of Control is expected to occur, and that such holder has, or upon such occurrence will have, the right to require the Issuer to purchase such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date);
(ii) the transaction or transactions that constitute, or are expected to constitute, such Change of Control;
(iii) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than ten days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent) (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);
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(iv) that any Note not properly tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;
(v) that unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;
(vi) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed, to the paying agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;
(vii) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Issuer to purchase such Notes; provided that the paying agent receives, not later than the expiration time of the Change of Control Offer, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder of the Notes, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes and its election to have such Notes purchased;
(viii) that if a Holder (other than a holder of a Global Note) is tendering for purchase less than all of its Notes, the Issuer will issue new Notes and such new Notes will be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered and the unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;
(ix) if such notice is delivered prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control; and
(x) the other instructions determined by the Issuer, consistent with this covenant, that a holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.
(c) Any Change of Control Offer may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent. If such Change of Control Offer or notice is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the purchase date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion, or such purchase may not occur and such notice may be modified or rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion) by the purchase date, or by the purchase date so delayed.
(d) In the event of an Asset Sale Offer that requires the purchase of Notes pursuant to Section 3.7(c) of the Indenture, the Issuer shall be required to make an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes in accordance with Section 3.7 and 5.8 of the Indenture at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of purchase (subject to the rights of Holders of record on any Record Date to receive payments of interest on the related Interest Payment Date).
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Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase shall receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Issuer prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Note purchased pursuant to such offer by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder To Elect Purchase” attached hereto, or transferring its interest in such Note by book-entry transfer, to the Issuer, a Depositary or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days before the Purchase Date.
9. | Denominations; Transfer; Exchange |
The Notes are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of principal amount of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Notes for a period beginning 15 Business Days before an Interest Payment Date and ending on such Interest Payment Date.
10. | Persons Deemed Owners |
The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.
11. | Unclaimed Money |
If money for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Issuer at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Issuer and not to the Trustee for payment.
12. | Discharge and Defeasance |
Subject to certain conditions set forth in the Indenture, the Issuer at any time may terminate some or all of its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Issuer irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee cash, Cash Equivalents or U.S. Government Obligations (sufficient, without reinvestment, in the opinion of a nationally-recognized certified public accounting firm) for the payment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.
13. | Amendment, Waiver |
The Indenture and the Notes may be amended or waived as set forth in Article IX of the Indenture.
14. | Defaults and Remedies |
Events of Default shall be as set forth in Article VI of the Indenture.
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If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.1(v) or (vi) in the Indenture with respect to the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding Notes by written notice to the Issuer (and the Trustee, if given by the Holders) may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default arising from Sections 6.1(v) or (vi) with respect to the Issuer occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes shall become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders. Under certain circumstances, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.
Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes, the Intercreditor Agreement or the Security Documents except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Notes unless each receives indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.
15. | Trustee Dealings with the Issuer |
Subject to certain limitations set forth in the Indenture, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Issuer or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.
16. | No Recourse Against Others |
A director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or controlling person, as such, of the Issuer or any Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture or the Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.
17. | Authentication |
This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent acting on its behalf) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.
18. | Abbreviations |
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entirety), JT TEN (=joint
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tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian) and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).
19. | CUSIP Numbers |
Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Note Identification Procedures the Issuer has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers as printed on the Notes and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
20. | Successor Entity |
When a successor entity assumes, in accordance with the Indenture, all the obligations of its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture, and immediately before and thereafter no Default or Event of Default exists and all other conditions of the Indenture are satisfied, the predecessor entity shall be released from those obligations.
21. | Governing Law |
This Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
The Issuer shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge to the Holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note in larger type. Requests may be made to:
Zekelman Industries, Inc.
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
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ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Note to
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)
and irrevocably appoint agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date: | Your Signature: |
Signature Guarantee: | ||||
(Signature must be guaranteed) |
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.
The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-15.
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[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE
The initial principal amount of the Note shall be $ [ ]. The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:
Date of Exchange |
Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Principal Amount of |
Signature of |
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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 3.7 or 3.9 of the Indenture, check the box:
☐ | ☐ | |
3.7 | 3.9 |
If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 3.7 or 3.9 of the Indenture, state the amount in principal amount (must be in denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof): $
Date: |
Your Signature: |
|||||
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of the Note) |
Signature Guarantee: | ||||
(Signature must be guaranteed) |
The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-15.
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EXECUTION VERSION
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Zekelman Industries, Inc.
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
Wilmington Trust, National Association
000 Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: Zekelman Industries, Inc. Administrator
Re: 9.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2023
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of June 14, 2016 (the “Indenture”), among Zekelman Industries, Inc., as Issuer (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
(the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
1. | ☐ | Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act. |
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2. | ☐ | Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act. | ||||||
3. | ☐ | Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one): | ||||||
(a) | ☐ | such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act; | ||||||
or | ||||||||
(b) | ☐ | or such Transfer is being effected to the Issuer or a subsidiary thereof; | ||||||
or | ||||||||
(c) | ☐ | such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. |
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4. | ☐ | Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. | ||||||
(a) | ☐ | Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture. | ||||||
(b) | ☐ | Check if Transfer is pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture. | ||||||
(a) | ☐ | Check if Transfer is pursuant to other exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture. |
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This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer.
[Insert Name of Transferor] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Dated:
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ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
1. | The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following: | |||||||
[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)] | ||||||||
(a) | ☐ | a beneficial interest in the: | ||||||
(i) | ☐ | 144A Global Note (CUSIP [ ]), or | ||||||
(ii) | ☐ | Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP [ ]), or | ||||||
(b) | ☐ | a Restricted Definitive Note. | ||||||
2. | After the Transfer the Transferee shall hold: | |||||||
[CHECK ONE] | ||||||||
(a) | ☐ | a beneficial interest in the: | ||||||
(i) | ☐ | 144A Global Note (CUSIP [ ]), or | ||||||
(ii) | ☐ | Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP [ ]), or | ||||||
(iii) | ☐ | Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP [ ]), or | ||||||
(b) | ☐ | a Restricted Definitive Note; or | ||||||
(c) | ☐ | an Unrestricted Definitive Note, | ||||||
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. |
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EXECUTION VERSION
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Zekelman Industries, Inc.
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
Wilmington Trust, National Association
000 Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attention: Zekelman Industries, Inc. Administrator
Re: 9.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2023
(CUSIP [ ])
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of June 14, 2016 (the “Indenture”), among Zekelman Industries, Inc., as Issuer (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
(the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:
1. ☐ Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note.
(a) ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
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(b) ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
(c) ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
(d) ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
2. ☐ Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes.
(a) ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
(b) ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s
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Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] _ 144A Global Note, _ Regulation S Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer.
[Insert Name of Transferor] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Dated:
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