Exhibit 10.9
MASTER PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
THIS MASTER PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is entered into as
of November 17, 2000, by and among MS Acquisition Limited, a Delaware limited
partnership ("Participant'), and the banks or other lending institutions who
are parties to that certain Credit Agreement defined below and who are
parties to this Agreement below (each individually a "Seller" and
collectively the "Sellers").
R E C I T A L S
A. Marketing Specialists Corporation, Xxxx Xxxxx Associates, Inc.,
Marketing Specialists Sales Company, Bromar, Inc. and The Sales Force
Companies, Inc. (collectively the "Borrowers" and individually a "Borrower")
are parties to that certain Credit Agreement dated March 30, 2000 among the
Borrowers, the banks or other lending institutions named therein and The
Chase Manhattan Bank as agent for such banks or other lending institutions
(as modified by the following, herein the "Credit Agreement": that certain
First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated April 13, 2000, that certain
Joinder Agreement dated as of April 14, 2000, that certain Consent and
Forbearance Letter dated as of August 30, 2000 and that certain Second
Amendment to Credit Agreement dated November 17, 2000). Capitalized terms not
otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning as set forth in the
Credit Agreement.
B. Participant desires to participate in the Tranche B Loans by
purchasing from the Sellers, and Sellers have agreed to sell to Participant,
an undivided ownership interest in all the Tranche B Loans held by each
Seller, all upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for the cause and in consideration of the matters
recited above and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. SALE OF PARTICIPATION.
(a) PARTICIPANT'S PARTICIPATION. WITHOUT RECOURSE TO ANY
SELLER, OR REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY BY ANY SELLER EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY
SET FORTH HEREIN, each Seller hereby sells, assigns, transfers and delivers
to Participant and Participant hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees
to purchase, accept and assume from each Seller, a continuing 100%
participation interest in and to all of each Seller's right, title and
interest in the Seller's Tranche B Loans together with its rights and
obligations under the Loan Documents relating thereto, which include the
following: (i) a percentage share determined as set forth below (the
"Participant's Share") in all of each Seller's right, title and interest in
and to the Loan Documents and the Collateral; PROVIDED THAT (A) THE
PARTICIPANT SHALL HAVE NO RIGHT TO ANY LETTER OF CREDIT FEES, COMMITMENT
FEES, ANY OTHER FEES, ANY EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT OR INDEMNIFICATION PAYMENTS
MADE UNDER THE TERMS OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS (except, with respect to expense
reimbursement and indemnity payments, as specifically set forth in Section
7(c)) AND (B) THE PARTICIPANT SHALL NOT BE OBLIGATED TO PARTICIPATE IN
LETTERS OF CREDIT UNDER THE Credit Agreement; and (ii) subject to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, all amounts of principal and interest
received by each Seller on account of and to be applied to the Tranche B
Loans in accordance with the Credit Agreement and the Intercreditor
Agreement, whether from a Borrower, from the sale or other disposition of the
Collateral, from others who are now or may in the future become obligated to
the Agent or any Seller with respect to some or all of the amount owing on
the Tranche B Loans (hereinafter collectively with the Borrowers referred to
as the "Obligated Parties"), or from any other source, including, without
limitation, any net recovery from
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litigation (all amounts described in this clause (ii) herein referred to as
the "Payments" and the Payments, together with Participant's interest in the
other property described above in this Section l(a) herein called the
"Participation"). Except for the obligations of a Seller to account for
Payments received by it and except as otherwise specifically provided herein,
the sale and purchase by the Participant of its Participation is without
recourse to any Seller (not even for return of the amounts paid to purchase
the Participation) and without representation or warranty by any Seller. The
term "Participant's Share" shall, with respect to each Seller, be determined
by multiplying by 100 the amount determined by dividing the then outstanding
principal amount of the portion of the Loans of such Seller in which
Participant has participated at the time of determination by the sum of the
Tranche B Loans of such Seller plus (i) if the Commitments are in effect, the
Commitment of the Seller or (ii) if the Commitment of the Seller has been
terminated, the then Outstanding Revolving Credit of such Seller.
Participant's Share, the remaining percentage interest of Seller in the
Obligations ("Seller's Share") and the percentage interests of any other
Person who has purchased an undivided interest in the Obligations from Seller
(herein the "Other Purchasers") may be referred to from time to time herein
individually as a "Share" and collectively as the "Shares" and any Person's
Share shall be determined in the same manner as Participant's Share is
determined. Participant's Participation shall be evidenced by this Agreement.
Participant acknowledges that its interest in and Share of the Collateral is
subject and subordinate to the interest of (i) the Sellers in the collateral
as provided in Section 4.6 of the Credit Agreement and (ii) the interests of
First Union National Bank as provided in the Intercreditor Agreement.
(b) PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE. As of November 20, 2000 (the
"Effective Date"), the principal amount of the Tranche B Loans owing to each
Seller are set forth on Schedule 1 hereto in the column entitled "Tranche B
Loans as of the Effective Date" and with respect to each Seller, Participant
has advanced to such Seller the principal amount of the Tranche B Loans owing
to such Seller as the purchase price for the purchase of Participant's
Participation from the Seller. Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement,
the amounts of the Tranche A Loans of each Seller reflected on Schedule 1
hereto in the column entitled "Amount of Tranche A Loans to be Converted"
shall be reallocated to and will become Tranche B Loans on December 13, 2000.
In furtherance of the participation purchased under Section 1(a), Participant
unconditionally and irrevocably agrees to advance to each Seller on December
13, 2000, an amount equal to the amount reflected on Schedule 1 in the column
entitled "Amount of Tranche A Loans to be Converted" and opposite the
applicable Seller as the purchase price for the purchase of Participant's
Participation from Seller in the Tranche B Loans resulting from such
reallocation (as applicable to each Seller, the "December 13 Purchase
Price"). After giving effect to the payment of the December 13 Purchase Price
and the reallocation of the Loans in accordance with this Section 1(b), the
aggregate amount of the Tranche B Loans of each Seller as of December 13,
2000 equals the amount set forth on Schedule 1 hereto in the column entitled
"Tranche B Loans as of December 13, 2000" and opposite the applicable
Seller's name.
(c) REALLOCATION OF TRANCHE B LOANS. Under the terms of
Section 2.2 of the Credit Agreement and in addition to the reallocation
contemplated by Section 1(b) above, the Sellers have the right to reallocate
the principal amounts of the Loans from Tranche A Loans to Tranche B Loans.
No such reallocation shall be effective for purposes of the Participant's
purchase of its interests in the Tranche B Loans hereunder unless the
Participant shall have executed the Reallocation Notice delivered under the
terms of Section 2.2 of the Credit Agreement; PROVIDED THAT, with respect to
the reallocation of Tranche A Loans on December 13, 2000, pursuant to the
terms of Section 1(b) above, Participant's signature will not be necessary.
If Participant shall execute a Reallocation Notice, Participant shall advance
to each Seller on such effective date of reallocation the principal amount of
the Loans then being allocated as Tranche B Loans, such Loans shall be
Tranche B Loans for all purposes of this Agreement
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(including without limitation, the provisions of Section 1 and the
calculation of Participant's Share) and Schedule 1 shall be deemed to have
been amended to add such Tranche B Loans thereto.
(d) RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANT IN THE LOAN DOCUMENTS. Except as
specifically provided in this Agreement, the Participant shall have no direct
or indirect rights in any Loan Documents or the Collateral.
(e) OWNERSHIP INTEREST. This Agreement constitutes a sale
of a participation interest in the Tranche B Loans to Participant and shall
in no way be construed as a loan by Participant to any Seller or as creating
any other relationship. Each Seller shall hold possession of the Loan
Documents in its name but will xxxx its records to show the Participant's
interest in the Tranche B Loans. This Agreement is not intended to
constitute, and shall not be construed to establish a partnership or joint
venture between any Seller and the Participant. No Seller will have any
obligation or responsibility to the Participant except to the extent
specifically stated herein. No Seller shall have any fiduciary, agency or
trust relationship of any kind with the Participant, and nothing in this
Agreement, whether express or implied, is intended nor shall be construed to
impose upon any Seller any obligations with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby, except as expressly set forth herein. Neither the
execution of this Agreement, nor the performance of any of the terms or
provisions hereof or the performance or exercise of any obligations or rights
pursuant hereto, shall have the effect of constituting the Participant an
owner, holder, purchaser, or seller of any security (as that term is defined
in the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any
other applicable securities statutes) issued, owned, purchased, or sold by
any Seller, either as principal or as agent for any Borrower. Participant
acknowledges that its purchase of its Participation hereunder constitutes a
commercial loan by Participant to the Borrowers and does not constitute an
"investment" in any Borrower as that term is commonly understood. Participant
has no expectation that it will derive profits from the efforts of any Seller
or any third party in respect of the acquisition of Participant's
Participation hereunder.
Section 2. DISTRIBUTION OF PAYMENTS; RESPONSIBILITY EACH SELLER.
(a) APPLICATION OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENTS.
Whenever a Seller receives a Payment to be applied to the Tranche B Loans, as
determined by such Seller in accordance with the applicable provisions of the
Credit Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, it will, within one
Business Day, pay over to the Participant, in like funds, subject to the
other provisions of this Agreement, the following: (i) in the case of any
Payment of or to be applied to interest, the portion of such Payment accruing
from the Effective Date or the date of last payment, whichever is later,
until the date on which the Payment is made to the Seller (to the extent
received by the Seller); and (ii) in the case of a Payment to the Seller of
or to be applied to principal on the Tranche B Loans, an amount equal to the
Payment so received. Payments received by a Seller on the Tranche B Loans,
while in the possession of a Seller, shall be held for the benefit of
Participant. Participant acknowledges and agrees that: (i) under the terms of
the Credit Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement no payments (whether
from the proceeds of Collateral or otherwise) are required to be made on or
applied to the principal or interest owing in respect of Tranche B Loans
unless and until all Tranche A Obligations are paid in full in cash (or cash
collateralized in a manner satisfactory to all of the Sellers and the Agent)
and the Commitments have been irrevocably terminated and all Term Loan
Obligations (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) are paid in full in
cash; (ii) the Tranche A Obligations include contingent reimbursement
obligations arising in connection with outstanding Letters of Credit and
indemnification and expense reimbursement obligations which may be cash
collateralized in such amounts as the Agent and the Sellers may determine;
(iii) the Agent and the Sellers may, in their discretion and pursuant to the
terms of the Credit Agreement but without obligation to do so, make
over-advances in excess of the Borrowing Availability,
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whether or not the aggregate liquidation value of the Collateral equals or
exceeds the resulting aggregate unpaid balance of the Tranche A Obligations;
(iv) the provisions of this Agreement are intended to and shall be
enforceable at all times, notwithstanding the commencement or continuation of
any case or proceeding under the United States Bankruptcy Code (a "Bankruptcy
Case"). In the event of any Bankruptcy Case involving the Obligated Parties,
or any of them, the Agent and the Sellers, or any of them, may consent to the
use of cash collateral or the use or sale of other Collateral pursuant to
Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, extend credit to the Borrowers, or any of
them, pursuant to Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code and/or take any other
action in connection with such Bankruptcy Case as the Agent or any such
Sellers may deem appropriate in their sole discretion. Any credit extended to
the Borrowers after the commencement of a Bankruptcy Case relating to a
Borrower shall constitute Tranche A Obligations for all purposes of this
Agreement and the Loan Documents. In any such Bankruptcy Case, claims in
respect of Tranche A Obligations shall be filed by the Agent as a separate
proof of claim, separate and distinct from any proof of claim filed with
respect to principal and accrued interest under the Tranche B Loans.
(b) RECOVERIES BY BORROWERS. If at any time any Payment is
returned to a Borrower or paid to any other Person as a result of any demand
or litigation, pursuant to any insolvency law, any sharing clause in any Loan
Document or otherwise, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, no Seller shall be required to distribute any portion thereof to
Participant, and Participant will within one Business Day of demand by a
Seller repay any portion thereof that shall have been distributed to it,
together with interest thereon at such rate, if any, the applicable Seller
shall pay to the applicable Borrower or such other Person. Each Seller shall
have the sole right to settle, negotiate, litigate, or compromise any such
demand or litigation and a Seller's decisions regarding the same shall be
binding on Participant.
(c) UNCOLLECTED PAYMENT. If a Seller shall pay any amount
to Participant pursuant to this Agreement in the belief or expectation that a
Payment has been made or will be received or collected and such Payment is
not received or collected by Seller within five (5) Business Days of payment
by the Seller to Participant, then Participant will, within one Business Day
of demand by such Seller, return such amount to such Seller, together with
interest thereon at the same non-default interest rate that is charged on the
Tranche B Loans.
(d) ACQUISITION OF COLLATERAL. If a Seller or the Agent
shall ever acquire any Collateral through foreclosure or by a conveyance in
lieu of foreclosure or by retaining any of the Collateral in satisfaction of
all or any part of the Tranche B Loans, Seller shall not be required to remit
to Participant any portion thereof that has been satisfied and Participant
shall only be entitled to its interests in the Collateral so acquired and
shall remain obligated to pay its Share of all reasonable attorneys' fees and
other expenses incurred by such Seller in connection with the enforcement of
the Loan Documents as set forth in Section 7 hereof. Participant shall
receive the portion of the amounts described in this clause (d) to which it
is entitled only if, as, and when such amounts are paid to a Seller and no
Seller shall incur any liability to Participant for any sums not received by
it.
(e) NOTICE OF PAYMENT DEFAULT. No Seller shall have any
obligation to notify Participant of any Default. No Seller shall have any
responsibility to make any determination, from any information in its
possession or by making inquiries, as to the existence of a default in
payment by any Borrower under the Loan Documents or the occurrence and
existence of any Default.
(f) NOTICE. No failure by a Seller to give any notice of
anything contemplated by this Agreement shall result in any liability of such
Seller to Participant.
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(g) INQUIRY OF THE BORROWERS. No Seller shall be required
to make any inquiry concerning the performance by any Obligated Party of any
of its obligations and liabilities under or with respect to the Loans, any
Loan Document, or Collateral. No Seller shall have any obligation to provide
Participant with any information relating to the Tranche B Loans or the
Participant's Participation. Participant agrees that it will continue to
conduct its own investigations and analysis as described in Section 5 of this
Agreement.
Section 3. STANDARD OF CARE.
No Seller shall have any liabilities or obligations or
responsibilities of any kind whatsoever to the Participant except for its
obligations and responsibilities specifically set forth herein and with
respect to the performance of such obligations and responsibilities shall
have no liability with respect to any action, omission or error of judgment
in connection therewith, except for its own gross negligence or willful
misconduct.
Section 4. DECISIONS REGARDING LOANS.
(a) SELLERS' SOLE DISCRETION. Except as otherwise
specifically provided herein, Participant agrees that the Sellers, in their
own sole and absolute discretion and without prior notice to Participant, may
make all decisions and exercise, or refrain from exercising, all rights and
powers granted to a Seller under this Agreement and the Loan Documents,
whether or not there shall have occurred a default under this Agreement or
any Default under any of the Loan Documents, including, without limitation,
the right to (i) negotiate, control, manage, service and administer the
Loans, (ii) agree to any amendment, modification, restructure, waiver,
substitution, or release of any of the terms of any portion of the Loan
Documents, (iii) consent to any action or failure to act by any Obligated
Party, (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any powers, rights, or
remedies which a Seller may have under or in respect of the Loans, including
without limitation, enforcement of the obligations of the Obligated Parties
in any fashion including declaring the Loans in default, accelerating
maturity thereof or instituting any proceedings or exercising any right or
remedy that a Seller chooses to institute or exercise to collect from any
Obligated Party or the Collateral any and all amounts due on or in connection
with the Loans including any right or remedy relating to seizure, set-off,
deed in lieu, foreclosure, or attachment of the Collateral or any other
property of any Obligated Party, the right to bid on the Collateral at public
or private sale, to manage the Collateral after taking title thereto, to
determine the price bid, and to determine a sales price after foreclosure
without regard to the amount of the Loans, (v) protect the Collateral or to
expend funds for same, (vi) allocate any amount received to the Tranche A
Obligations in such order and manner as a Seller may determine in its
discretion but subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement and the
Intercreditor Agreement, and (vii) exercise all such powers as are incidental
to any of the foregoing.
A Seller may execute any of its duties hereunder by or through
agents, employees, or attorneys. In this regard, although not required to do
so, each Seller and its officers, directors, employees, attorneys and agents
may consult with and rely upon the advice of legal counsel, independent
public accountants and other experts selected by such Seller, any Obligated
Party or any other Person. Each Seller, its officers, directors, employees
and agents, shall not be liable for any action taken, omitted, or suffered by
a Seller in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or
experts. Neither any Seller nor their respective officers, directors,
employees, attorneys and agents shall incur any liability by acting on or
relying upon any note, notice, order, consent, warrant or other instrument or
writing (which may be by telegram, e-mail, telex, telecopy or comparable
transmission) or telephone conversation believed by them
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to be genuine or authentic or signed or sent or made by the proper person. No
Seller shall be compelled to do any act hereunder or under any Loan Document
or to take any action towards execution or enforcement of the powers created
under this Agreement or under any Loan Document, or to prosecute or defend
any suit in respect hereof or thereof, unless indemnified to its satisfaction
by Participant against loss, costs, liability and expense. No Seller shall
have any liability to Participant for failure or delay in exercising any
rights or powers afforded to or possessed by it pursuant to the Loan
Documents or otherwise.
(b) CONSENT NEEDED. Notwithstanding Section 4(a), so long
as Participant has not breached this Agreement, no Seller shall do any of the
following without the prior approval of Participant, which approval shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed:
(i) Reduce or, except as contemplated by
Section 1(b), increase the principal amount of the Tranche B Loans or
extend or postpone any date fixed for Payment to be made on Tranche B Loans
or reduce the rate of interest payable on the Tranche B Loans; or
(ii) release a substantial portion of
Collateral or agree to or accept any other collateral in substitution for
Collateral (except as contemplated by the Loan Documents, except in
connection with the sale or other disposition thereof after default or except
in the normal course of business).
(c) CONSENT DEEMED GIVEN. If a Seller shall request consent
from Participant and shall not have received an express written denial
thereof from Participant within ten (10) Business Days of the request, then
the consent shall be deemed given.
Section 5. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND FURTHER AGREEMENTS.
(a) PARTICIPANT'S WARRANTIES. Participant represents
and warrants to each Seller and agrees with each Seller that:
(i) it has become a party hereto solely
in reliance upon its own independent investigation and analysis of the
financial and other circumstances surrounding the Obligated Parties, the
Collateral, the Loan Documents and all aspects of the transactions evidenced
thereby or referred thereto or has otherwise satisfied itself thereto;
(ii) it had access to and has received from
the Obligated Parties and reviewed (and has had sufficient time to review)
true and complete copies of all Loan Documents, Collateral, and all other
documents related to the Loans requested by Participant, including such
financial or non-financial information it deemed necessary to make a complete
and accurate credit analysis and decision so as to purchase the Loans;
(iii) it has experience and expertise in the
making of loans such as the Tranche B Loans and in making decisions to make
loans such as the Tranche B Loans; that it has acquired its Participation for
its own account solely for the purpose of participating in the Tranche B
Loans and not with any present intention of selling all or any portion of
such interest;
(iv) it is not relying upon any
representation, warranty or statement of any Seller in acquiring its
Participation and has not received any information from any Seller in making
its decision to enter into this Agreement and purchase its Participation;
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(v) it has read and understands this
Agreement and confirms that no Seller has approached the Participant to
offer to Participant its Participation but that Participant, based on the
investigation described above and communications with Obligated Parties, has
determined to purchase it Participation and approached the Sellers with the
offer to purchase its Participation;
(vi) as contemplated by Section l(e)
hereof, no Seller has any obligation or responsibility to the Participant
except to the extent specifically stated herein and Participant understands
that no Seller has any fiduciary, agency, trust, confidential or other
relationship of any kind with Participant and has no obligation to disclose
to Participant any information which it presently has or may hereafter
acquire relating to the Loans, the Obligated Parties, the Collateral or the
Loan Documents, whether adverse or beneficial, except as specifically set
forth herein;
(vii) Participant understands that it could lose
all of the amounts advanced to purchase its Participation as a result of the
insolvency of any Obligated Party or the Banks or as a result of any defense
to payment that any Obligated Party may have, that the sale by each Seller to
Participant of its Participation is without recourse to such Seller and
therefore any such loss cannot be recovered from any Seller;
(viii) Participant will, independently and without
reliance upon any Seller and based upon Participant's review of such
documents and information as Participant deems appropriate at the time,
continue to make and rely upon its own credit decisions and analysis in
taking or not taking any action which it may be permitted to take in
connection with any matters which relate to this Agreement and the
Participation;
(ix) Participant's execution, delivery, and
performance of this Agreement is authorized under, does not conflict
with, and will not result in a violation of any agreement, covenant, law or
governmental regulation or consent decree or order applicable to Participant
or its property, and all necessary consents, licenses, approvals and
authorizations of, and registrations and declarations with, any governmental
or regulatory authority or body (collectively the "CONSENTS" and individually
a "CONSENT") presently required in connection with its execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement or for the enforcement of this Agreement
against it have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, and
it shall: (A) make reasonable efforts to maintain the same and promptly
obtain and maintain any additional Consents that become necessary for such
execution, delivery, performance and enforcement, (B) comply in all material
respects with the terms of each such Consent, and (C) notify the Sellers
promptly upon its becoming aware of any such Consent being withdrawn,
suspended or otherwise limited in effect or ceasing to be in full force and
effect or of any such additional Consent becoming necessary; and
(x) Participant has the financial resources
sufficient to fulfill its obligations hereunder.
(b) RISKS ACCEPTED. Participant agrees to bear the risks
inherent in the Participation and to be bound by all of the terms and subject
to all of the conditions set forth in the Loan Documents and Collateral in
the same manner and to the same extent as if Participant were an original
lender under the Credit Agreement.
(c) NO IMPAIRMENT OF OBLIGATIONS. The rights of Sellers as
against Participant, and the rights and obligations of Participant, in each
case as provided by the terms of this Agreement, shall
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remain in full force and effect without regard to, and shall not be impaired
by, any circumstance, including without limitation: (i) any act or failure to
act on the part of the Agent or any Seller; (ii) any indulgence in respect of
the Loan Documents granted by the Agent or any Seller pursuant to the Loan
Documents or otherwise; (iii) any increase or decrease in the maximum amount
of the Commitments, or the provision of additional credit facilities under
the Loan Documents; (iv) except as set forth in Section 4(b), any change in
the manner, place or terms of payment of all or any part of the Obligations
or renewal, extension, modification, rearrangement, refinancing or refunding
of all or any part of the Obligations, or any amendment, modification or
restatement, or waiver of, or addition or supplement to, or deletion from, or
compromise, release, consent or other action in respect of the Loan Documents
which may be made by the Agent and the Sellers, or any of them; (v) any
exercise or non-exercise by the Agent and the Sellers of any right, power,
privilege or remedy under or in respect of the Loan Documents or any waiver
of any such right, power, privilege or remedy or of any default in respect
thereof, or any neglect, delay, omission, failure or refusal to take or
prosecute any action for the collection of all or any part of the Obligations
or to take or prosecute any action in connection with any of the Loan
Documents; (vi) any receipt by the Agent or any Seller of any security, or
any failure by the Agent or the Sellers to perfect or maintain perfection of
any security interest in any property; (vii) any merger or consolidation of
any Obligated Party, the Agent or any Seller or any of their respective
subsidiaries into or with any other Person, or any sale, lease or transfer of
any or all of the assets of any such Person or any of their respective
subsidiaries to any other Person; (viii) any sale, exchange, release,
surrender, or realization upon, in any order, any Collateral or Lien securing
all or any part of the Obligations; (ix) except as set forth in Section 4(b),
any settlement or compromise of the Obligations or any portion thereof, (x)
subordination of the payment of all or any part of the Obligations to the
payment of any obligations, indebtedness or liabilities which may be due or
become due to the Agent or the Sellers; (xi) release of all or any one or
more of the Obligated Parties, (xii) the absence of any notice to, or
knowledge by, Participant of the existence or occurrence of any of the
matters or events set forth in the foregoing SUBSECTIONS (i) through (xi)
preceding.
(d) SELLERS' DISCLAIMER. Each Seller: (i) makes no warranty
or representation, express or implied, whatsoever unto Participant except as
set forth below and shall not be responsible for any statement, warranty or
representation made in or in connection with the Loan Documents or for the
financial information or other documents furnished to Participant or for the
financial condition, solvency, or business affairs of any Obligated Party;
(ii) shall not be responsible for the performance or observance of any term,
covenant or condition of the Loan Documents or the Collateral on the part of
any Obligated Party and shall not have any duty to inspect the property or
books and records of any Obligated Party; and (iii) makes no warranty or
representation as to and shall not be responsible for, the due execution,
legality, accuracy, completeness, legal effect, validity, enforceability,
genuineness, authenticity, value, sufficiency or collectibility of the Loans
or any of the Loan Documents (including the Collateral) or any other matter
or the priority or perfection of any interest in the Collateral.
(e) JOINT REPRESENTATIONS. Each party to this Agreement
represents and warrants to all other parties to this Agreement that it has
full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its
obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement, that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by such party and that this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid
and binding obligation of such party, enforceable in accordance with its
terms.
Section 6. SALE OR ASSIGNMENT.
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(a) PARTICIPANT. Participant may not sell, pledge, assign,
convey, transfer, or otherwise encumber or dispose of (collectively,
"Transfer") all or any part of its Participation without the prior written
consent of the Sellers.
(b) SELLER. A Seller may Transfer all or any portion of its
Tranche B. Loans, subject to the Participation and any other right, title and
interest the Seller has in and to the Obligations and the Loan Documents. A
Seller may at any time and from time to time grant one or more participations
in the Loans on such terms as such Seller may determine.
(c) SELLER'S RIGHT TO RE-PURCHASE PARTICIPANT'S
PARTICIPATION. Each Seller shall have the right, but not the obligation, on
five (5) Business Days prior written notice to Participant, to purchase the
Participant's Participation at a price agreed between the parties or for a
purchase price equal to the outstanding principal amount of and all unpaid
interest accrued on Participant's Participation, which in no event will be
greater than the then principal balance of Participant's Participation on the
date of such purchase plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the
date of such purchase less any amounts Participant owes such Seller pursuant
to this Agreement. This Agreement shall thereupon terminate; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the provisions of Section 7 hereof shall remain in full force
and effect.
(d) PROCEDURE FOR RE-PURCHASE. If a Seller shall elect to
purchase the Participant's Participation pursuant to this Agreement, the
following terms and conditions shall apply to such purchase:
(i) DATE. The closing of the sale shall
occur at such Seller's address set forth herein, or such other place as
such Seller and Participant may agree, within five Business Days of the
Seller's notice.
(ii) PRICE. The purchase price shall be paid
in cash by wire transfer to an account specified by Participant.
(iii) TERMS. The sale shall be made without
recourse except that Participant shall warrant that it has good title to the
Participation it is transferring, that such Participation is free from all
privileges, liens, encumbrances and other claims of third parties, and that
such Participation is not subject to any claims, defenses, offsets,
counterclaims or demands of any kind whatsoever.
(iv) DOCUMENTS. Participant shall take such
additional actions and execute and deliver such additional documents and
instruments as may be necessary to effect the transaction contemplated by,
and carry out the intent of, this Section.
Section 7. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) PARTICIPANT'S SHARE. In addition to any other
obligations owed by Participant to a Seller hereunder, Participant hereby
undertakes that it shall at all times hereafter hold each Seller, its
officers, directors, employees and agents completely harmless from and
indemnify and keep each Seller, its officers, directors, employees and agents
fully and effectively indemnified against and shall within one Business Day
of a Seller's demand, immediately deliver to such Seller, Participant's Share
of all claims, demands, actions, proceedings, judgments, damages, penalties,
experts' or attorneys' fees, losses, liabilities, costs, charges and expenses
of whatsoever kind and without any exception, which such Seller, its
officers, directors, employees and agents may at any time or times suffer,
pay, sustain, incur or discharge by reason of or in consequence of such
Seller performing its obligations or enforcing rights under the Loan
Documents or Collateral or under this Agreement or taken for the protection
and
Page 9
preservation of the Collateral, or in the defense of any claim, actual or
threatened, by any Obligated Party, a receiver or trustee for any Obligated
Party, or any third party, for, or on account of, or with respect to the
Loans ("Costs").
(b) FULL INDEMNITY. In addition to any other obligations
owed by Participant to each Seller hereunder, Participant hereby undertakes
that it shall at all times hereafter hold each Seller, its officers,
directors, employees and agents completely harmless from and indemnify and
keep each Seller, its officers, directors, employees and agents fully and
effectively indemnified against and shall, within one Business Day of demand,
immediately deliver to each Seller, the full amount of all Costs caused by or
arising from any act or omission of Participant. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY
PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT, IT IS THE EXPRESS INTENTION OF THE PARTIES
HERETO THAT EACH PERSON TO BE INDEMNIFIED UNDER THIS SECTION 7 SHALL BE
INDEMNIFIED FROM AND HELD HARMLESS AGAINST ANY AND ALL LOSSES, LIABILITIES,
CLAIMS, DAMAGES, COSTS AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS' FEES) ARISING OUT
OF OR RESULTING FROM THE SOLE OR CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE OF THE PERSON TO BE
INDEMNIFIED.
(c) COSTS REIMBURSEMENT. A Seller shall remit to
Participant any recovery or reimbursal from any Obligated Party of Costs
which were previously paid by Participant and which such Person was legally
obligated to reimburse to the Seller pursuant to the Loan Documents.
(d) INTEREST DUE BY PARTICIPANT. If Participant does not
provide the amount of Costs due to a Seller on the Business Day such amount
is to be delivered, such Seller shall be entitled to recover such amount
together with interest thereon, at the same default interest rate charged on
the Tranche B Loans, for the period from the date such amount was expended by
such Seller to the date such Seller recovers such amount from the Participant.
(e) SURVIVAL. Notwithstanding anything else set forth in
this Agreement, the obligations and indemnities under this Section 7 shall
survive the payment in full of the Loans and the termination of the Loan
Documents and this Agreement.
Section 8. REMEDIES.
Participant agrees that a Seller may deduct and set-off from any
amount otherwise due Participant or debit Participant's account in an amount
equal to any amounts owed to such Seller by Participant pursuant to this
Agreement or the Loan Documents. In the event that Participant fails or
refuses to make an advance to fund its participation under Section 1(b) or
1(c) of this Agreement, the applicable Seller may make the related Tranche B
Loan and will be entitled to all interest attributable thereto until
reimbursed therefor. Further, a Seller shall be entitled to off-set against
the amount Participant is entitled to receive hereunder the amount of such
advances made on behalf of the Participant until such amounts are reimbursed.
Nothing in this Section 8 shall be construed as releasing, modifying or
waiving the obligations of the Participant to fund its participation under
Sections 1(b) and 1(c).
Section 9. NOTICES.
Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other
communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in
writing, addressed to the parties at their addresses set forth below and
shall be deemed to have been properly given only if hand-delivered, set by an
overnight mail or messenger service, sent by telecopier, or sent by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the party to be notified at
the address for such party set forth below, and shall be deemed to have been
given
Page 10
on the day it is hand-delivered (if hand delivered), on the Business Day it
is sent (if by telecopier), on the first Business Day after it is sent (if
sent by overnight mail or messenger service), or the third Business Day after
it is sent (if sent by first-class mail); by giving notice as provided above,
any party may designate a different address for notices, statements, demands,
consents, approvals or other communications intended for it:
(a) Notices to Participant: MS Acquisition Limited
00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
(b) Notices to Sellers: At the address determined in
accordance with the Loan Documents
Section 10. OTHER LOANS; OTHER SECURITY.
Each Seller may make other extensions of credit or extend any
existing extensions of credit to a Borrower or have other relationships with
any Obligated Party. Each Seller shall have the right to exercise any right
of compensation or setoff it may have, at its sole discretion. Except with
respect to Collateral directly securing the Tranche B Loans, the Participant
shall have no interest in any property taken as collateral for, or any
guaranty benefiting, any other loans or extensions of credit made to or for
any Obligated Party by a Seller, or in any property in such Seller's
possession or control, or in any deposit held or other indebtedness owing by
a Seller, that may be or become Collateral for or otherwise available for
Payment of the Tranche B Loans by the inclusion of "cross-collateralization"
provisions in the loan documents or in the collateral or security agreements
executed in connection with any other loan in favor of a Seller or by reason
of the general description of secured obligations or guaranteed obligations
contained in any security agreement, guaranty or other agreement or
instrument or by reason of the right of compensation, set-off, privilege,
pledge, counterclaim or otherwise, except that if such property shall be
applied as a Payment on the Tranche B Loans, then the Participant shall be
entitled to such application. Each Seller shall have the sole discretion to
determine the allocation of any amount or Payment received from any Obligated
Party.
Section 11. SET-OFF BY PARTICIPANT.
Participant agrees that it shall not accept, receive, or apply
against the amounts due it with respect to the Tranche B Loans, under any
agreement with any Obligated Party or under any other agreement pursuant to
which Participant is entitled to receive payments to be made by any Obligated
Party any amounts obtained in any manner, voluntarily or involuntarily,
whether by counterclaim, set off, compensation, pledge, bankers' privilege or
lien or any rights under the Uniform Commercial Code ("UCC") or otherwise,
without the prior written consent of each Seller, which consent may be
withheld or granted in a Seller's sole discretion. Upon written or telephonic
request by a Seller to Participant, Participant shall exercise all of its
rights of setoff, compensation, pledge, counterclaim and banker's privilege
or lien and all of its rights under the UCC against any Obligated Party to
the extent permitted by law. Any amounts realized by Participant pursuant to
the exercise of such rights shall be shared with the Sellers in proportion to
their respective Shares.
Section 12. TAXES.
(a) PARTICIPANT. All taxes due and payable on any payments
to be made by a Seller to Participant under this Agreement shall be the sole
responsibility of Participant.
Page 11
(b) IRS FORMS. Participant agrees to provide to each
Seller, from time to time upon a Seller's request, completed and signed
copies of any forms that may be required by the United States Internal
Revenue Service in order to certify Participant's exemption from United
States withholding taxes with respect to Payments to be made to evidence
satisfactory to each Seller that Participant is exempt from United States
income tax withholding with respect to such income. Participant shall amend
or supplement such forms or evidence as required to insure that it is
accurate, complete and non-misleading at all times. Promptly upon notice from
each Seller of any determination by the Internal Revenue Service that any
Payments previously made to Participant hereunder were subject to United
States income tax withholding when made, Participant shall pay to such Seller
the excess of the aggregate amount required to be withheld from such Payments
over the aggregate amount actually withheld by such Seller.
Section 13. COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING PARTICIPATION.
Participant shall not, without the prior written consent of the
Sellers, attempt to enforce or collect any Tranche B Loans in any manner,
including institution of any legal proceeding. Participant may disclose its
Participation in the Tranche B Loans, together with the identity of any
Obligated Party, in any report, summary or other filing with any governmental
or regulatory agency or authority.
Section 14. ERISA.
Participant represents and warrants that the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by or on behalf of Participant, and the
purchase and holding of the Participation by or on behalf of Participant,
will not involve any prohibited transaction within the meaning of Section 406
of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")
or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), other than a prohibited transaction which is covered by a currently
effective class exemption granted by the U S. Department of Labor pursuant to
Section 408(a) of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code.
Section 15. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
(a) CHOICE OF LAW. This Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereunder shall be governed by and construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
(b) AMENDMENT. Neither this Agreement nor any term hereof
may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or terminated, except by an
instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of such
amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
(c) TITLES. Titles and headings of sections in this
Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be used to
define or limit the provisions hereof.
(d) NO OTHER AGREEMENT. This Agreement and all documents
incorporated herein expressly or by reference embody the entire agreement
among the Sellers and Participant with respect to the purchase of
Participant's Participation, and supersedes all prior agreements between any
Seller and Participant with respect thereto.
(e) ORIGINALS. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts and on telecopy counterparts, each of which shall
constitute an original, but all of which together shall constitute, but one
Agreement. The signature pages of all counterparts of this Agreement may be
detached and
Page 12
attached to a single counterpart of this Agreement so that all signature
pages are physically attached to the same document.
(f) SUCCESSORS. All of the terms, covenants and conditions
herein contained shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns.
(g) THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. Neither any Seller nor
Participant intends any Obligated Party or any other third party to be a
third-party beneficiary of this Agreement. Nothing contained herein shall
confer upon any Borrower, anyone claiming through any Borrower, any other
Obligated Party or any other third party any right, claim or cause of action
against a Seller or Participant, or any of their respective officers,
directors, agents, employees, representatives, divisions, subsidiaries,
affiliates, assigns, successors in interest or shareholders, to enforce this
Agreement or for damages on account of a breach of this Agreement.
(h) SEVERABILITY. Every provision of this Agreement is
severable. If any term or provision thereof is declared by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable for any reason
whatsoever, such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect
the balance of the terms and provisions hereof, which terms and provisions
shall remain binding and enforceable, and to the extent possible all of the
other provisions shall nonetheless remain in full force and effect.
(i) DETERMINATION CONCLUSIVE. Any determination by a Seller
as to the amount of Participant's Participation, any Payment or Costs shall
be final, conclusive and binding on Participant, absent manifest error.
Section 16. SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; SERVICE.
With respect to any claim or cause of action arising out of or
related to this Agreement or any transactions contemplated hereby, the
Participant (a) irrevocably submits, for itself and its property, to the
exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United
States District Court located in New York City, and (b) irrevocably waives
any objection with it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any
suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement
brought in any such court, (c) irrevocably waives any claim that any such
suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an
inconvenient forum and further (d) irrevocably waives the right to object,
with respect in such claim, suit, action or proceeding brought in any such
court, that such court does not have personal jurisdiction over it. The
Participant irrevocably and unconditionally consents to the service of
process in any such suit, action or proceeding in any of the aforesaid courts
by the mailing of copies of such process to the Participant, said service to
be effective ten (10) days after mailing.
Section 17. WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
PARTICIPANT AND EACH SELLER HEREBY EACH IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING,
ACTION, OR CONTROVERSY, INCLUDING COUNTER-CLAIMS, CROSS-CLAIMS, THIRD-PARTY
CLAIMS OR OTHERWISE, AND FOR ALL CAUSES OF ACTION ON ANY MATTER CONCERNING,
ARISING UNDER, OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH, OR RELATED TO THIS
AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, AND THE RELATIONSHIP
ESTABLISHED HEREBY.
Page 13
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.
SELLERS:
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
By:
---------------------------------------------
Xxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Senior Vice President
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
By:
---------------------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------------
FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION
By:
---------------------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------------
PARTICIPANT:
MS ACQUISITION LIMITED
By: MSSC Acquisition Corp., its
general partner
By:
-----------------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------------
Page 14
Schedule 1
to
MASTER PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
----------------------------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------------------ -----------------------
Tranche B Loans Amount of Tranche A Loans Tranche B Loans
as of to be as of
Seller Effective Date Converted December 13,2000
----------------------------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------------------ -----------------------
1. The Chase Manhattan Bank $4,666,666.67 $1,666,666.67 $6,333,333.34
----------------------------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------------------ -----------------------
2. Fleet Capital Corporation $4,666,666.67 $1,666,666.67 $6,333,333.33
----------------------------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------------------ -----------------------
3. Credit Suisse FirstBoston $4,666,666.66 $1,666,666.66 $6,333,333.33
----------------------------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------------------ -----------------------
TOTAL $14,000,000.00 $5,000,000.00 $19,000,000.00
----------------------- ------------------------------------ -----------------------
