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Exhibit 4
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THE SCOTTS COMPANY
and
THE SUBSIDIARY BORROWERS
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CREDIT AGREEMENT
dated as of December 4, 1998
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THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO,
and
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
as Administrative Agent
and
XXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX INC.,
as Syndication Agent
and
CREDIT LYONNAIS CHICAGO BRANCH,
as Co-Documentation Agent,
and
NBD BANK,
as Co-Documentation Agent
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CHASE SECURITIES INC.,
as Lead Arranger and as Book Manager
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS ................................................... 1
1.1 Defined Terms ................................................ 1
1.2 Other Definitional Provisions ................................ 34
SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF LOANS ..................................... 34
2.1 Term Commitments ............................................. 34
2.2 Procedure for Term Loan Borrowing ............................ 35
2.3 Repayment of Term Loans ...................................... 35
2.4 Revolving Credit Commitment .................................. 40
2.5 Procedure for Revolving Credit Borrowing ..................... 41
2.6 Swing Line Commitments ....................................... 42
2.7 Participation ................................................ 43
2.8 Repayment of Revolving Credit Loans; Evidence of Debt ........ 44
2.9 Facility Fee ................................................. 45
2.10 Termination or Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments .... 45
2.11 Optional Prepayments ........................................ 46
2.12 Mandatory Prepayments ....................................... 46
2.13 Cash Collateralization of Letters of Credit ................. 49
2.14 Conversion Options .......................................... 49
2.15 Interest Rate and Payment Dates ............................. 50
2.16 Computation of Interest and Fees ............................ 51
2.17 Inability to Determine Interest Rate ........................ 51
2.18 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments ............................. 52
2.19 Illegality .................................................. 54
2.20 Requirements of Law ......................................... 55
2.21 Indemnity ................................................... 56
2.22 Taxes ....................................................... 57
2.23 Intentionally Omitted ....................................... 59
2.24 Use of Proceeds ............................................. 59
2.25 Controls on Prepayment if Aggregate Revolving Extensions of
Credit Exceed Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments ........ 59
2.26 Lending Installations ....................................... 61
2.27 Notices to Lenders .......................................... 61
SECTION 3. LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITIES ................................... 61
3.1 L/C Commitment ............................................... 61
3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit .................. 62
3.3 Fees, Commissions and Other Charges .......................... 63
3.4 L/C Participation ............................................ 63
3.5 Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower ..................... 64
3.6 Obligations Absolute ......................................... 65
3.7 Increased Costs .............................................. 65
3.8 Letter of Credit Payments .................................... 66
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3.9 Application .................................................. 66
3.10 Purpose of the Letters of Credit ............................ 66
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ................................ 66
4.1 Financial Condition .......................................... 66
4.2 Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law ..................... 67
4.3 Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations ...... 67
4.4 No Legal Bar ................................................. 68
4.5 No Material Litigation ....................................... 68
4.6 No Burdensome Restrictions ................................... 68
4.7 No Default ................................................... 68
4.8 Subsidiaries ................................................. 68
4.9 Disclosure ................................................... 68
4.10 Schedules ................................................... 68
4.11 Federal Regulations ......................................... 69
4.12 Investment Company Act; Other Regulations ................... 69
4.13 Labor Matters ............................................... 69
4.14 ERISA ....................................................... 69
4.15 Title to Real Property, Etc. ................................ 69
4.16 Taxes ....................................................... 70
4.17 Environmental Matters ....................................... 70
4.18 Intellectual Property ....................................... 71
4.19 Security Documents .......................................... 71
4.20 Regulation H ................................................ 71
4.21 Solvency .................................................... 72
4.22 Senior Indebtedness ......................................... 72
4.23 Year 2000 Matters ........................................... 72
SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT .......................................... 72
5.1 Conditions to Effectiveness of this Agreement ................ 72
5.2 Conditions to All Extensions of Credit ....................... 78
5.3 Additional Conditions Applicable to Foreign Subsidiary
Borrowers .................................................... 79
SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS ......................................... 80
6.1 Financial Statements ......................................... 80
6.2 Certificates; Other Information .............................. 81
6.3 Payment of Obligations ....................................... 82
6.4 Compliance with Laws ......................................... 82
6.5 Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence ............. 82
6.6 Maintenance of Property, Insurance ........................... 83
6.7 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions ....... 83
6.8 Notices ...................................................... 83
6.9 Interest Coverage ............................................ 84
6.10 Maintenance of Leverage Ratio ............................... 85
6.11 Maintenance of Consolidated Net Worth ....................... 86
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6.12 Interest Rate Protection .................................... 86
6.13 Additional Collateral, etc .................................. 86
6.14 Environmental, Health and Safety Matters .................... 88
SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS ............................................ 89
7.1 Limitation on Liens .......................................... 89
7.2 Limitation on Contingent Obligations ......................... 91
7.3 Limitation on Fundamental Changes ............................ 91
7.4 Limitation on Capital Expenditures ........................... 92
7.5 Limitation on Acquisitions, Investments, Loans and Advances .. 92
7.6 Limitation on Indebtedness ................................... 93
7.7 Limitation on Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions ....... 94
7.8 Transactions with Affiliates and Officers .................... 95
7.9 Limitation on Sale of Assets ................................. 95
7.10 Sale and Leaseback .......................................... 95
7.11 Fiscal Year ................................................. 95
7.12 Optional Payments and Modifications of Certain Debt
Instruments ................................................. 96
7.13 Negative Pledge Clauses ..................................... 96
7.14 Lines of Business ........................................... 96
7.15 Amendments to Acquisition Documents ......................... 96
7.16 Restricted Payments ......................................... 96
SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT ............................................. 98
SECTION 9. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT ...................................... 101
9.1 Appointment .................................................. 101
9.2 Delegation of Duties ......................................... 102
9.3 Exculpatory Provisions ....................................... 102
9.4 Reliance by Administrative Agent ............................. 102
9.5 Notice of Default ............................................ 103
9.6 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent, Other Lenders and CSI .. 103
9.7 Indemnification .............................................. 103
9.8 Administrative Agent in Its Individual Capacity .............. 104
9.9 Successor Administrative Agent ............................... 104
9.10 The Syndication Agent and the Co-Documentation Agents ....... 104
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS ................................................ 105
10.1 Amendments and Waivers ...................................... 105
10.2 Notices ..................................................... 106
10.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies .............................. 107
10.4 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Indemnities ..... 107
10.5 Payment of Expenses and Taxes ............................... 108
10.6 Successors and Assigns; Participants; Agency ................ 108
10.7 Adjustments; Set-off ........................................ 112
10.8 Enforceability; Usury ....................................... 112
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10.9 Judgment .................................................... 113
10.10 Counterparts ............................................... 113
10.11 Governing Law; No Third Party Rights ....................... 114
10.12 Headings ................................................... 114
10.13 German Limitations on Liability ............................ 114
10.14 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers ........................ 115
10.15 Acknowledgments ............................................ 116
10.16 WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL ...................................... 116
10.17 Severability ............................................... 116
10.18 European Economic and Monetary Union ....................... 117
SCHEDULES
Schedule 1 Lenders; Revolving Credit Commitments; Commitment
Percentages; Lender Addresses
Schedule 1.1B Mortgaged Properties
Schedule 1.2 Non-Guarantor Domestic Subsidiaries
Schedule 4.1 Certain Financial Information
Schedule 4.5 Litigation
Schedule 4.8 Subsidiaries
Schedule 4.11 Certain Transactions
Schedule 4.19(a) Certain Filings
Schedule 4.19(b) Mortgage Filings
Schedule 5.1(b) Foreign Subsidiary Pledges
Schedule 5.1(k) Proceedings
Schedule 5.3(iii) Certain Filings
Schedule 7.1(i) Existing Liens and Encumbrances
Schedule 7.2(iii) Existing Guarantees
Schedule 7.6(c) Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 10.2 Notices
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit B Form of Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
Exhibit C-1 Form of Revolving Credit Loan Promissory Note
Exhibit C-2 Form of Swing Line Loan Promissory Note
Exhibit C-3 Form of Term Loan Note
Exhibit D Form of Swing Line Loan Participation Certificate
Exhibit E Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
Exhibit F Form of Opinion of Vorys, Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx LLP
Exhibit G Form of Borrowing Certificate
Exhibit H Form of Opinion of Counsel to Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers
Exhibit I Form of Joinder Agreement
Exhibit J Form of Mortgage
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Exhibit K Form of Intercreditor Agreement
Exhibit L Form of Prepayment Option Notice
Exhibit M Form of Domestic Subsidiary Certificate
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CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of December 4, 1998, by and among THE SCOTTS
COMPANY, an Ohio corporation (the "Borrower" or "Scotts"), XX Xxxxx
International Investments Ltd., Miracle Garden Care Limited, Scotts Holdings
Limited, Hyponex Corporation, Scotts' Miracle-Gro Products, Inc., Scotts-Sierra
Horticultural Products Company, Republic Tool & Manufacturing Corp.,
Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc., Scotts France Holdings SARL, Scotts Holding
GmbH, Scotts Celaflor GmbH & Co. KG, Scotts France SARL, Scotts Belgium 2 BVBA,
The Scotts Company (UK) Ltd. and the other subsidiaries of the Borrower who are
also borrowers from time to time hereunder (the "Subsidiary Borrowers"), the
several banks and other financial institutions from time to time parties to this
Agreement (the "Lenders"), THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a New York banking
corporation (together with its banking affiliates, "Chase"), as agent for the
Lenders hereunder (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent"), XXXXXXX XXXXX
XXXXXX, INC., as syndication agent (the "Syndication Agent"), CREDIT LYONNAIS
CHICAGO BRANCH (together with its banking affiliates, "Credit Lyonnais") and NBD
BANK, as co-documentation agents (the "Co-Documentation Agents"), and Chase
Securities Inc., as lead arranger (the "Lead Arranger") and as the book manager
(the "Book Manager").
W I T N E S S E T H :
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SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
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1.1 DEFINED TERMS. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have
the following meanings:
"ABR" shall mean for any day, a rate per annum (rounded
upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the greatest of
(a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Base CD Rate in
effect on such day plus 1% and (c) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in
effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%. For purposes hereof: "Prime Rate"
shall mean the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time
to time by the Administrative Agent as its prime rate in effect at its
principal office in New York City (the Prime Rate not being intended to
be the lowest rate of interest charged by Chase in connection with
extensions of credit to debtors); "Base CD Rate" shall mean the sum of
(a) the product of (i) the Three-Month Secondary CD Rate and (ii) a
fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is
one minus the C/D Reserve Percentage and (b) the C/D Assessment Rate;
"Three-Month Secondary CD Rate" shall mean, for any day, the secondary
market rate for three-month certificates of deposit reported as being
in effect on such day (or, if such day shall not be a Business Day, the
next preceding Business Day) by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System (the "Board") through the public information telephone
line of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (which rate will, under
the current practices of the Board, be published in Federal Reserve
Statistical Release H.15(519) during the week following such day), or,
if such rate shall not be so reported on such day or such next
preceding Business Day, the average of the secondary market quotations
for three-month certificates of deposit of major money center banks in
New York City received at approximately 10:00 A.M., New York City time,
on such day (or, if such day shall not be a Business Day, on the next
preceding Business Day) by the Administrative Agent from three New York
City negotiable certificate of deposit dealers of recognized standing
selected by it; and "Federal Funds Effective Rate" shall mean, for any
day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds
transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by
federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so
published for any day which is a Business Day, the
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average of the quotations for the day of such transactions received by
the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized
standing selected by it. Any change in the ABR due to a change in the
Prime Rate, the Three-Month Secondary CD Rate or the Federal Funds
Effective Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the
effective day of such change in the Prime Rate, the Three-Month
Secondary CD Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.
"ABR Loans" shall mean the Loans at such time as they are made
and/or being maintained at a rate of interest based upon the ABR.
"Acquired Companies" shall mean the collective reference to
the companies acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in
the Ortho Acquisition and the RPA Acquisition.
"Adjustment Date" shall be as defined in the Pricing Grid.
"Affiliate" shall mean (a) any Person (other than a Subsidiary
of the Borrower) which, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled
by or is under common control with, the Borrower or (b) any Person who
is a director or executive officer of the Borrower, any Subsidiary of
the Borrower or any Person described in clause (a) of this definition.
For purposes of this definition, "control" of a Person means the power,
direct or indirect, to vote 20% or more of the Capital Stock having
voting power for the election of directors of such Person or otherwise
to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such
Person, whether by contract or otherwise.
"Agents" shall mean the collective reference to the
Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent and the Co-Documentation
Agents.
"Aggregate Exposure" shall mean, with respect to any Lender at
any time, an amount equal to (a) until the Closing Date, the aggregate
amount of such Lender's Commitments at such time and (b) thereafter,
the sum of (i) the aggregate then unpaid principal amount of such
Lender's Term Loans and (ii) the amount of such Lender's Revolving
Credit Commitment then in effect or, if the Revolving Credit
Commitments have been terminated, the amount of such Lender's Revolving
Extensions of Credit then outstanding.
"Aggregate Exposure Percentage" shall mean, with respect to
any Lender at any time, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such
Lender's Aggregate Exposure at such time to the Aggregate Exposure of
all Lenders at such time.
"Aggregate Revolving Extensions of Credit" shall mean an
amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all
Revolving Credit Loans (including, without limitation, Swing Line
Loans) then outstanding and (b) the aggregate amount of all L/C
Obligations then outstanding.
"Agreement" shall mean this Credit Agreement, as the same may
be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
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"Applicable Margin" shall mean for each Type of Loan, the rate
per annum set forth under the relevant column heading below:
ABR Loans LIBOR, FIBOR, PIBOR Loans
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Revolving Credit Loans and
Swingline Loans 1.00% 2.25%
Tranche A Term Loans N/A 2.75%
Tranche B Term Loans 2.00% 3.25%
Tranche C Term Loans 2.25% 3.50%
; provided, that on and after the first Adjustment Date occurring after
the completion of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending March 31,
1999, the Applicable Margin with respect to Revolving Credit Loans,
Swingline Loans and Term Loans will be determined pursuant to the
Pricing Grid.
"Application" shall mean an application, in such form as the
Issuing Lender may specify from time to time, requesting such Issuing
Lender to open a Letter of Credit.
"ASEF Acquisition" shall mean an acquisition of the Capital
Stock of ASEF Holding BV, a company incorporated under the laws of The
Netherlands by Scotts-Sierra Investments Inc. and the acquisition of
the business (handelszaak) of ASEF NV and all assets and liabilities
relating thereto excluding certain assets by Scotts Belgium 2 B.V.B.A,
for approximately 44,200,000 Dutch Gilders on or prior to January 31,
1999 or such later date as agreed upon by the Lenders.
"Asset Sale" shall mean any Disposition of property or series
of related Dispositions of property that yields gross proceeds to the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (valued at the initial principal
amount thereof in the case of non-cash proceeds consisting of notes or
other debt securities and valued at fair market value in the case of
other non-cash proceeds) in excess of $5,000,000.
"Assignment and Acceptance" shall mean an Assignment and
Acceptance, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.
"Available Revolving Credit Commitment" shall mean, as to any
Lender at any time, the amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such
Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment over (b) the sum of (i) the
Revolving Credit Loans made by such Lender (including, without
limitation, such Lender's Revolving Percentage of the then outstanding
Swing Line Loans) then outstanding and (ii) such Lender's Revolving
Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding.
"Average Senior Indebtedness" shall mean the average of the
Senior Indebtedness of the Borrower at the end of each of the four most
recent consecutive fiscal quarters.
"Average Total Indebtedness" shall mean the average of the
Total Indebtedness of the Borrower at the end of each of the four most
recent consecutive fiscal quarters.
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"Borrowing Date" shall mean, as to any Lender, any Business
Day specified in a notice transmitted pursuant to subsection 2.2, 2.5
or 2.6 as a date on which such Lender has been requested by the
Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower to make Loans hereunder.
"Bridge Loan Agreement" shall mean the Bridge Loan Agreement
that may be entered into by the Borrower in connection with the
issuance of the Bridge Subordinated Debt, as the same may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with
subsection 7.12, all on terms reasonably acceptable to the Agents.
"Bridge Subordinated Debt" shall mean the subordinated bridge
loans or exchange notes of the Borrower outstanding from time to time
pursuant to the Bridge Loan Agreement contemplated thereby and used to
finance the Ortho Acquisition in the event the Senior Subordinated
Notes are not issued at closing of the Ortho Acquisition.
"Bridge Subordinated Debt Documents" shall mean the Bridge
Loan Agreement and the notes evidencing the Bridge Subordinated Debt,
as may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time.
"Bridge Telerate Page" shall mean the "British Bankers Assoc.
Interest Settlement Rates Page" display designated at Page 3750 (or
such other page on which any Optional Currency or Tranche A Subtranche
Currency then appears) on the Bridge Telerate Service (or such other
page as may replace such page on such service for the purpose of
displaying the rates at which Dollar deposits or deposits in any
Optional Currency or Tranche A Subtranche Currency are offered by
leading banks in the London (or, in the case of Sterling, Paris)
interbank deposit market).
"Business Day" shall mean a day other than a Saturday, Sunday
or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized
or required by law to close; provided, however, that when used to
describe the date of any borrowing of, or any payment or interest rate
determination in respect of, (x) a LIBOR Loan, the term "Business Day"
shall also exclude any day on which commercial banks are not open for
dealings in deposits in the relevant currency in the London Interbank
Market, (y) a PIBOR Loan funded by a Lender in France, the term
"Business Day" shall also exclude any day on which commercial banks are
not open for dealings in deposits in French Francs in the Paris
Interbank Market or (z) a FIBOR Loan funded by a Lender in Germany, the
term "Business Day" shall also exclude any day on which commercial
banks are not open for dealings in deposits in German Deutschmarks in
the Frankfurt Interbank Market; provided, further, that, on and
following the date of commencement of the third stage of EMU, with
respect to any amount denominated or to be denominated in the euro or a
national currency unit, any reference to a "Business Day" for purposes
of borrowings and payments and for purposes of determining the first
and last day of any Interest Period shall be as set forth in clause (d)
of subsection 10.18.
"Capital Expenditures" shall mean for any period, with respect
to any Person, the aggregate of all expenditures by such Person and its
Subsidiaries for the acquisition or leasing (pursuant to a capital
lease) of fixed or capital assets or additions to equipment (including
replacements, capitalized repairs and improvements during such period)
that should be capitalized under GAAP on a consolidated balance sheet
of such Person and its Subsidiaries.
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"Capital Stock" shall mean any and all shares, interests,
participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital
stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a
Person (other than a corporation) and any and all warrants or options
to purchase any of the foregoing.
"Cash Equivalents" shall mean (a) securities with maturities
of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully
guaranteed or insured by the United States Government or any agency
thereof, (b) certificates of deposit, eurodollar time deposits,
overnight bank deposits, and bankers acceptances, each with maturities
of one year or less from the date of the acquisition thereof, of any
Lender or any other commercial bank having capital and surplus in
excess of $300,000,000, and (c) commercial paper of the Lenders or any
of their affiliates or of a domestic issuer rated at least A-1 by S & P
or P-1 by Xxxxx'x.
"C/D Assessment Rate" shall mean, for any day as applied to
any ABR Loan, the annual assessment rate in effect on such day which is
payable by a member of the Bank Insurance Fund maintained by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") classified as
well-capitalized and within supervisory subgroup "B" (or a comparable
successor assessment risk classification) within the meaning of 12
C.F.R. Section 327.3(d) (or any successor provision) to the FDIC (or
any successor) for the FDIC's (or such successor's) insuring time
deposits at offices of such institution in the United States.
"C/D Reserve Percentage" shall mean, for any day as applied to
any ABR Loan, that percentage (expressed as a decimal) which is in
effect on such day, as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (or any successor) (the "Board"), for
determining the maximum reserve requirement for a Depositary
Institution (as defined in Regulation D of the Board) in respect of new
non-personal time deposits in Dollars having a maturity of 30 days or
more.
"Closing Date" shall mean the date upon which all of the
conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Credit Agreement
contained in subsection 5.1 are satisfied or waived by the
Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time.
"Commitment" shall mean as to any Lender, the sum of the
Tranche A Term Commitment, the Tranche B Term Commitment, the Tranche C
Term Commitment and the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender.
"Commonly Controlled Entity" shall mean an entity, whether or
not incorporated, which is under common control with the Borrower
within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA.
"Confidential Information Memorandum" shall mean the
confidential information memorandum distributed to the Lenders, dated
October 1998.
"Consolidated Current Assets" shall mean, at any date, all
amounts (other than cash and Cash Equivalents) that would, in
conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption "total
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current assets" (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date.
"Consolidated Current Liabilities" shall mean, at any date,
all amounts that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite
the caption "total current liabilities" (or any like caption) on a
consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such
date, but excluding (a) the current portion of any Funded Debt of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (b) without duplication of clause (a)
above, all Indebtedness consisting of Revolving Credit Loans or Swing
Line Loans to the extent otherwise included therein.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" shall mean, for any period of
determination thereof, the interest expense of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries for such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Net Income" shall mean, for any period of
determination thereof, net income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
for such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Net Worth" shall mean, in respect of any Person
at a particular date, all amounts which, in conformity with GAAP, would
be included under the caption "total shareholders' equity" (or any like
caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its
Subsidiaries at such date.
"Consolidated Working Capital" shall mean, at any date, the
excess of Consolidated Current Assets on such date over Consolidated
Current Liabilities on such date.
"Contingent Obligation" shall mean as to any Person, the
outstanding amount of letters of credit (other than the Letters of
Credit) with respect to which such Person is the account party that
have not been drawn upon and any obligation of such Person guaranteeing
or in effect guaranteeing any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other
obligations primarily to pay money ("primary obligations") of any other
Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly or
indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such
Person, whether or not contingent, (a) to purchase any such primary
obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security
therefor, (b) to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or
payment of any such primary obligation or (ii) to maintain working
capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to
maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (c) to
purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of
assuring the obligee under any such primary obligation of the ability
of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or
(d) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the obligee under such primary
obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the
term Contingent Obligation shall not include endorsements of
instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of
business.
"Contractual Obligation" shall mean, as to any Person, any
material provision of any material security issued by such Person or of
any material agreement, instrument or undertaking to which such Person
is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
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"Control Group" shall mean Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, the Xxxxxxxx
Partnership, the general partners of the Xxxxxxxx Partnership and, in
the case of such individuals, their respective executors,
administrators and heirs and their families and trusts for their
benefit.
"CSI" shall mean Chase Securities Inc.
"Default" shall mean any of the events specified in Section 8,
whether or not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of
time, or both, or any other condition, has been satisfied.
"Disposition" shall mean with respect to any property, any
sale, lease, sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or
other disposition thereof. The terms "Dispose" and "Disposed of" shall
have correlative meanings.
"DM" shall mean Deutschmarks.
"Dollar Equivalent" shall mean, on any Business Day with
respect to any amount denominated in any Optional Currency or Tranche A
Subtranche Currency, the amount of Dollars that would be required to
purchase the amount of such Optional Currency or Tranche A Subtranche
Currency, as the case may be, based upon the spot selling rate at which
Chase London offers to sell each for Dollars in the London foreign
exchange market at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such
Business Day for delivery two Business Days later.
"Dollars", "$" and "U.S.$" shall mean dollars in lawful
currency of the United States of America.
"Domestic Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary incorporated
under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision
thereof.
"Domestic Subsidiary Borrower" shall mean any Domestic
Subsidiary which (a) is a Subsidiary Borrower hereunder on the Closing
Date or (b) which is designated by the Borrower pursuant to subsection
10.1(b).
"EBITDA" shall mean without duplication, for any fiscal
period, the sum of the amounts for such fiscal period of (i)
Consolidated Net Income, (ii) provision for taxes based on income,
(iii) depreciation expense, (iv) Consolidated Interest Expense, (v)
amortization expense and (vi) other non-recurring, non-cash items
reducing Consolidated Net Income (reduced by any non-recurring,
non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income), all as determined
on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in
conformity with GAAP.
"ECF" shall mean Excess Cash Flow.
"ECF Percentage" shall mean 75%; provided, that, with respect
to any fiscal year of the Borrower, the ECF Percentage shall be reduced
to 50% if the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such fiscal year is
not greater than 3.5 to 1.0.
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"Effective Interbank Rate" shall have the meaning specified in
subsection 2.18(e).
"Eligible Belgian Bank" shall mean a credit institution having
its registered office in Belgium or acting out of a branch in Belgium
which is duly registered with the Belgian Banking and Finance
Commission; or any bank or financial institution resident (as such term
is defined in the appropriate double taxation treaty) in a country with
which Belgium has an appropriate double taxation treaty under which the
bank or financial institution is exempt from Belgian tax on interest
payable to it hereunder and which has completed all necessary forms and
filings with the revenue authority in Belgium and with the revenue
authority in its country of residence in order to enable the Subsidiary
Borrower to be able to make gross payments and is entitled to have
interest paid to its lending office without withholding or deduction
for or on account of Belgian tax, and for this purpose "double taxation
treaty" means any convention or agreement between the government of
Belgium and any other government for the avoidance of double taxation
and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income
and capital gains".
"Eligible French Bank" shall mean a Person that is both (i) a
company incorporated in France and registered as a bank (banque) in
accordance with law no 84-46 dated 24 January 1984 applicable to French
credit institutions and (ii) within the charge to French corporation
tax and receives the interest payments in a Lending Installation
situated in France; or any bank or financial institution resident (as
such term is defined in the appropriate double taxation treaty) in a
country with which France has an appropriate double taxation treaty
under which the bank or financial institution is exempt from French tax
on interest payable to it hereunder and which has completed all
necessary forms and filings with the revenue authority in France and
with the revenue authority in its country of residence in order to
enable the Subsidiary Borrower to be able to make gross payments and is
entitled to have interest paid to its lending office without
withholding or deduction for or on account of French tax, and for this
purpose "double taxation treaty" means any convention or agreement
between the government of France and any other government for the
avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with
respect to taxes on income and capital gains".
"Eligible German Bank" shall mean any Person which, if it is
subject to taxation in Germany, is (i) a bank as defined in the Act
regulating any credit business (Kreditwesengesetz) and (ii) subject to
German corporation tax and which is not entitled to exemption from tax
in respect of interest accrued under Loans made to the Borrower or a
Subsidiary Borrower which for taxation purposes is resident in the
Federal Republic of Germany.
"Eligible U.K. Bank" shall mean a Person that is both (i) a
bank as defined in Section 840A of the United Kingdom Income and
Corporation Taxes Xxx 0000, and (ii) a Person within the charge to
United Kingdom corporation tax (i.e., a United Kingdom resident company
or a non-resident company which is carrying on a trade in the United
Kingdom through a branch or agency to which the beneficial interest in
interest accrued under Loans made to the Borrower or a Subsidiary
Borrower is attributable and which is not entitled to exemption from
tax in respect of that interest).
"Environmental Laws" shall mean any and all foreign, Federal,
state, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes,
ordinances, codes, decrees, requirements of any
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9
Governmental Authority or requirements of law (including common law)
regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct
concerning protection of human health or the environment, as now or may
at any time hereafter be in effect.
"ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended from time to time.
"EURIBOR Rate" shall mean with respect to any Tranche A French
Subtranche Term Loan or Tranche A German Subtranche Term Loan funded in
France or Germany, respectively, for any Interest Period therefor, on
and after the commencement of the third stage of EMU:
(i) the rate per annum appearing on Reuters Screen
EURIBOR Page or Telerate Page 248 for euros as the Euro
Interbank Offered Rate for deposits in euros as of 11:00 a.m.
Paris time two Business Days prior to the first day of such
Interest Period as the Euro Interbank Offered Rate for euros
having a term comparable to such Interest Period.
(ii) if such rate does not appear on Reuters Screen
EURIBOR Page or the Telerate Page 248 (or if such Pages shall
cease to be publicly available or if the information contained
on such Pages, in the Administrative Agent's reasonable
judgment, shall cease accurately to reflect such EURIBOR Rate,
as reported by any publicly available source of similar market
data selected by the Administrative Agent that, in the
Administrative Agent's reasonable judgment, accurately
reflects such EURIBOR Rate), the EURIBOR Rate shall mean, with
respect to any PIBOR Loan or FIBOR Loan for any Interest
Period, the arithmetic mean, as determined by the
Administrative Agent of the rate per annum quoted by each
relevant EURIBOR Reference Lender at approximately 11:00 a.m.
Paris time two Business Days prior to the first day of the
Interest Period for such Loan for the offering by such EURIBOR
Reference Lenders to prime banks in the Paris interbank market
of deposits in euros having a term comparable to such Interest
Period and in an amount comparable to the principal amount of
the PIBOR Loan or FIBOR Loan, as the case may be, to be made
by such EURIBOR Reference Lenders for such Interest Period. If
fewer than two quotations are provided by the EURIBOR
Reference Lenders, the EURIBOR Rate will be the arithmetic
mean of the rates per annum quoted by leading European banks,
as selected by the Administrative Agent, at approximately
11:00 a.m. Paris time two Business Days prior to the first day
of the Interest Period for loans in euros to leading European
banks having a term comparable to such Interest Period and in
an amount comparable to the principal amount of the PIBOR Loan
or FIBOR Loan, as the case may be, to be made for such
Interest Period.
"EURIBOR Reference Lenders" shall mean Chase and Credit
Lyonnais.
"Event of Default" shall mean any of the events specified in
Section 8, provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the
lapse of time, or both, or any other condition, has been satisfied.
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"Excess Cash Flow" shall mean for any fiscal year of the
Borrower, the excess, if any, of (a) the sum, without duplication, of
(i) Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal year, (ii) an amount equal
to the amount of all non-cash charges (including depreciation and
amortization) deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income,
(iii) decreases in Consolidated Working Capital for such fiscal year,
and (iv) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash loss on the
Disposition of property by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during
such fiscal year (other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course
of business), to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated
Net Income over (b) the sum, without duplication, of (i) an amount
equal to the amount of all non-cash credits included in arriving at
such Consolidated Net Income, (ii) the aggregate amount actually paid
by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in cash during such fiscal year on
account of Capital Expenditures (excluding the principal amount of
Indebtedness incurred in connection with such expenditures and any such
expenditures financed with the proceeds of any Reinvestment Deferred
Amount), (iii) the aggregate amount of all prepayments of Revolving
Loans and Swing Line Loans during such fiscal year to the extent
accompanying permanent optional reductions of the Revolving Commitments
and all optional prepayments of the Term Loans during such fiscal year,
(iv) the aggregate amount of all regularly scheduled principal payments
of Funded Debt (including the Term Loans) of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries made during such fiscal year (other than in respect of any
revolving credit facility to the extent there is not an equivalent
permanent reduction in commitments thereunder), (v) increases in
Consolidated Working Capital for such fiscal year, (vi) an amount equal
to the aggregate net non-cash gain on the Disposition of property by
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such fiscal year (other than
sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business), to the extent
included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, (vii) amounts
expended in respect of Permitted Acquisitions, other than the Ortho
Acquisition and the ASEF Acquisition (excluding the amount of any
indebtedness assumed, acquired or incurred in connection with such
Permitted Acquisition and included in the acquisition consideration),
(viii) the amount of dividends actually paid in cash in respect of any
Capital Stock (including any preferred stock) of the Borrower in
accordance with subsection 7.16 to the extent not deducted from
revenues in determining Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal year
and (ix) the amount of cash actually paid to repurchase Capital Stock
of the Borrower. In determining Excess Cash Flow for its 1999 fiscal
year, if the Ortho Acquisition is consummated during such fiscal year,
the Borrower shall take into account on a pro forma basis, to the
extent it can reasonably do so, the net income and working capital
amounts of the Ortho Business for the portion of such fiscal year prior
to the Ortho Acquisition.
"Excess Cash Flow Application Date" as defined in subsection
2.12(e).
"Excluded Foreign Subsidiary" shall mean any Foreign
Subsidiary a guarantee from which under the applicable Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement would have adverse tax consequences on the
Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or such Foreign Subsidiary or would
reasonably be deemed an unlawful act of such Foreign Subsidiary or any
of its officers or directors under the laws of the applicable foreign
jurisdiction.
"Existing Credit Agreement" shall mean the Credit Agreement
dated as of February 26, 1998, as amended, among the Borrower, the
subsidiary borrowers and the lenders, parties thereto, and Chase, as
administrative agent.
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"Existing Subordinated Note Indenture" shall mean the
Indenture dated as of June 1, 1994 between the Borrower and Chemical
Bank (now known as Chase) as Trustee, as supplemented by the First
Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 12, 1994, the Second
Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 20, 1994 and the Third
Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 30, 1994, in each case as
the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified
from time to time.
"Existing Subordinated Notes" shall mean the subordinated
notes of the Borrower issued in the aggregate principal amount of
$100,000,000 pursuant to the Existing Subordinated Note Indenture, as
the same may be replaced or refinanced in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement.
"Extension of Credit" shall mean (i) all Loans or advances
made to the Borrower and the Subsidiary Borrowers hereunder and (ii)
all Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Borrower and the
Subsidiary Borrowers and any unreimbursed drawings hereunder.
"Facility" shall mean each of (a) the Tranche A Term
Commitments and the Tranche A Term Loans made thereunder (the "Tranche
A Term Facility"), (b) the Tranche B Term Commitments and the Tranche B
Term Loans made thereunder (the "Tranche B Term Facility"), (c) the
Tranche C Term Commitments and the Tranche C Term Loans made thereunder
(the "Tranche C Term Facility") and (d) the Revolving Commitments and
the extensions of credit made thereunder (the "Revolving Facility").
"Facility Fee Rate" shall mean 1/2 of 1% per annum; provided,
that on and after the first Adjustment Date occurring after the
completion of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending March 31, 1999,
the Facility Fee Rate will be determined pursuant to the Pricing Grid.
"Fee Letter" shall mean the letter, dated as of October 16,
1998, from the Agents, CSI and Salomon Brothers Holding Company to the
Borrower, as amended through the Closing Date.
"FIBOR Loans" shall mean the Tranche A Subtranche Term Loans
hereunder at such time as they are made and/or are being maintained at
a rate of interest based upon the applicable FIBOR Rate and, on and
after commencement of the third stage of EMU with respect to such Loans
funded by a Lender in Germany, the applicable EURIBOR Rate.
"FIBOR Rate" shall mean with respect to any Tranche A German
Subtranche Term Loan for any Interest Period therefor (i) in the case
of any Lender funding in Germany prior to the commencement of the third
stage of EMU:
(a) the rate per annum appearing on the Reuters
Screen FIBO Page or Telerate Page 22000 for Deutschmarks as
the Frankfurt Interbank Offered Rate for deposits in
Deutschmarks as of 11:00 a.m. Frankfurt time two Frankfurt
Banking Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period as
the Frankfurt Interbank Offered Rate for Deutschmarks having a
term comparable to such Interest Period; or
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(b) if such rate does not appear on the Reuters
Screen FIBO Page or Telerate Page 22000 (or, if such Pages
shall cease to be publicly available or if the information
contained on such Pages, in the Administrative Agent's
reasonable judgment, shall cease accurately to reflect such
FIBOR Rate, as reported by any publicly available source of
similar market data selected by the Administrative Agent that,
in the Administrative Agent's reasonable judgment, accurately
reflects such FIBOR Rate), the FIBOR Rate shall mean, with
respect to any FIBOR Loan for any Interest Period, the
arithmetic mean, as determined by the Administrative Agent, of
the rate per annum quoted by each relevant FIBOR Reference
Lender at approximately 11:00 a.m. Frankfurt time two
Frankfurt Banking Days prior to the first day of the Interest
Period for such FIBOR Loan for the offering by such FIBOR
Reference Lenders to prime banks in the Frankfurt interbank
market of deposits in Deutschmarks having a term comparable to
such Interest Period and in an amount comparable to the
principal amount of the FIBOR Loan to be made by such FIBOR
Reference Lenders for such Interest Period. If fewer than two
quotations are provided by the FIBOR Reference Lenders, the
FIBOR Rate will be the arithmetic mean of the rates per annum
quoted by major banks in Frankfurt, as selected by the
Administrative Agent, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Frankfurt
time, two Frankfurt Banking Days prior to the first day of the
Interest Period for loans in Deutschmarks to leading European
banks having a term comparable to such Interest Period and in
an amount comparable to the principal amount of the FIBOR Loan
to be made for such Interest period; and
(ii) otherwise, the LIBOR Rate.
"FF" or "FRF" shall mean French Francs.
"FIBOR Reference Lenders" shall mean Chase and Credit
Lyonnais.
"Foreign Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrower
which is organized under the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the
United States of America.
"Foreign Subsidiary Borrower" shall mean any Foreign
Subsidiary (a) which is a Subsidiary Borrower hereunder on the Closing
Date or (b) which is designated by the Borrower pursuant to subsection
10.1(b).
"Frankfurt Banking Day" shall mean any day on which commercial
banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and
foreign currency deposits) in Frankfurt, Germany.
"Funded Debt" shall mean, as to any Person, all Indebtedness
of such Person that matures more than one year from the date of its
creation or matures within one year from such date but is renewable or
extendible, at the option of such Person, to a date more than one year
from such date or arises under a revolving credit or similar agreement
that obligates the lender or lenders to extend credit during a period
of more than one year from such date, including all current maturities
and current sinking fund payments in respect of such Indebtedness
whether or
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not required to be paid within one year from the date of its creation
and, in the case of the Borrower and the Subsidiary Borrowers,
Indebtedness in respect of the Loans.
"GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in
the United States of America as in effect from time to time; provided,
however, that if any modifications in GAAP after the Closing Date
change any calculation of any financial covenants under this Agreement,
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree to amend this Agreement
to the effect that each such financial covenant is no more restrictive
than such covenant was prior to such modification in GAAP (and until
such agreement, such covenants shall be calculated in accordance with
GAAP before such modification).
"Governmental Authority" shall mean any nation or government,
any state or other political subdivision thereof and any entity
exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or
administrative functions of or pertaining to government (including the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners).
"Guarantee and Collateral Agreement" shall mean any of (a) the
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of the date hereof among
the Borrower, the Domestic Subsidiary Borrowers, certain other Domestic
Subsidiaries of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, for the
benefit of the Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit B, as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, (b) the
collateral security documents by the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers and
certain other Foreign Subsidiaries of the Borrower in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time and (c)
the other guarantees and collateral security documents in respect of
the obligations of the Borrower and the Subsidiary Borrowers hereunder
executed and delivered by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from
time to time.
"Hedging Agreements" shall mean (a) any interest rate
protection agreement, interest rate future, interest rate option,
interest rate swap, interest rate cap or other interest rate hedge or
arrangement under which the Borrower is a party or a beneficiary and
(b) any agreement or arrangement designed to limit or eliminate the
risk and/or exposure of the Borrower to fluctuations in currency
exchange rates or in commodity prices.
"Hedging Lender" shall mean any Lender or affiliate thereof
which from time to time enters into a Hedging Agreement with the
Borrower.
"Indebtedness" shall mean, as to any Person, at a particular
time, (a) indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the
deferred purchase price of property or services (including, without
limitation, any such indebtedness which is non-recourse to the credit
of such Person but is secured by assets of such Person), (b)
obligations of such Person under leases which shall have been or should
be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capitalized leases, (c)
indebtedness of such Person arising under acceptance facilities, (d)
indebtedness of such Person arising under unpaid reimbursement
obligations in respect of all drafts drawn under letters of credit
issued for the account of such Person, (e) the incurrence of withdrawal
liability under Title IV of ERISA by such Person or a Commonly
Controlled Entity to a Multi-employer Plan, (f)
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liabilities arising under Hedging Agreements of such Person and (g)
indebtedness of such Person under any synthetic lease.
"Insolvency" shall mean, with respect to any Multi-employer
Plan, the condition that such Plan is insolvent within the meaning of
such term as used in Section 4245 of ERISA.
"Intercreditor Agreement" shall mean the Intercreditor
Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit K hereto, as amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"Interest Payment Date" shall mean (a) as to any ABR Loan, the
last day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on the
first of such days to occur after such ABR Loan is made or any LIBOR
Loan is converted to such ABR Loan, (b) as to any LIBOR Loan, FIBOR
Loan or PIBOR Loan in respect of which the Borrower or applicable
Subsidiary Borrower has selected an Interest Period of one month, two
months or three months, the last day of such Interest Period and (c) as
to any LIBOR Loan, FIBOR Loan or PIBOR Loan in respect of which the
Borrower or applicable Subsidiary Borrower has selected a longer
Interest Period than the periods described in preceding clause (b), the
day three months after the commencement of such Interest Period and the
last day of such Interest Period.
"Interest Period" shall mean with respect to any LIBOR Loan,
FIBOR Loan or PIBOR Loan, respectively, (i) initially, the period
commencing on, as the case may be, the borrowing or conversion date
with respect to a LIBOR Loan, FIBOR Loan or PIBOR Loan, respectively,
and ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the
Borrower or applicable Subsidiary Borrower, as the case may be, in its
irrevocable written notice of borrowing as provided in subsection 2.2
and, in the case of LIBOR Loans, 2.5 or 2.6 or, in the case of LIBOR
Loans, its written irrevocable notice of conversion as provided in
subsection 2.14 and (ii) thereafter, each period commencing on the last
day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR
Loan, FIBOR Loan or PIBOR Loan, respectively, and ending one, two,
three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower or
applicable Subsidiary Borrower by irrevocable written notice to the
Administrative Agent (x) not less than three Business Days prior to the
last day of the then current Interest Period with respect to such Loan
other than a Loan described in the following clause (y) and (y) not
less than two Business Days prior to the last day of the then current
Interest Period with respect to such FIBOR Loan or PIBOR Loan funded by
a Lender in Germany or France, as the case may be provided that on and
after the commencement of the third stage of the EMU, such written
notice with respect to FIBOR Loans and PIBOR Loans funded by a Lender
in France or Germany, respectively, shall be not less than three
Business Days prior to such last day of the then current Interest
Period; provided, further, that all of the foregoing provisions
relating to Interest Periods are subject to the following:
(A) if any Interest Period pertaining to a LIBOR
Loan, FIBOR Loan or PIBOR Loan would otherwise end on a day
which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall be
extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result
of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into
another calendar month in which event such Interest Period
shall end on the next preceding Business Day;
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(B) (1) if the Borrower or applicable Subsidiary
Borrower shall fail to give notice as provided in clauses(i)
and (ii) in this definition with respect to a LIBOR Loan
denominated in Dollars, the Borrower or applicable Subsidiary
Borrower shall be deemed to have requested conversion of the
affected LIBOR Loan to an ABR Loan on the last day of the then
current Interest Period with respect thereto; and (2) if the
Borrower or applicable Subsidiary Borrower shall fail to give
notice as provided in clauses(i) and (ii) in this definition
with respect to a Loan denominated in a currency other than
Dollars, the Borrower or applicable Subsidiary Borrower shall
be deemed to have requested a continuation of the affected
Loan for a period commencing on the last day of the next
preceding Interest Period applicable to such Loan and ending
one month thereafter;
(C) any Interest Period that would otherwise extend
beyond the applicable Termination Date shall end on the
applicable Termination Date; and
(D) any Interest Period pertaining to a LIBOR Loan, a
FIBOR Loan or PIBOR Loan that begins on the last Business Day
of a calendar month (or on day for which there is no
numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end
of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of
a calendar month.
"Issuing Lender" shall mean, in respect of any Letter of
Credit, Chase or, at the option of Chase, any Affiliate of Chase, in
its capacity as the issuer of such Letter of Credit or any other
Lender.
"L/C Commitment" shall mean the amount of $100,000,000 .
"L/C Obligations" shall mean, at any time, an amount equal to
the sum of (a) the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of the
then outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of
drawings under Letters of Credit which have not then been reimbursed
pursuant to Section 3.
"L/C Participants" shall mean the collective reference to all
the Revolving Credit Lenders other than the Issuing Lender.
"Lending Installation" shall mean, with respect to a Lender,
the office, branch, subsidiary or affiliate of such Lender listed on
the signature pages hereof or on a Schedule or otherwise selected by
such Lender pursuant to subsection 2.26.
"Letter of Credit" shall mean any Standby L/C or Trade L/C.
"Leverage Ratio" shall mean, as at the last day of any fiscal
quarter of the Borrower, the ratio of (i) Average Total Indebtedness of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on such day to (ii) EBITDA for the
four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such day; provided that (u)
Total Indebtedness for each of the fiscal quarters ending March 31,
1998 and June 30, 1998, respectively, shall be increased by
$218,400,000 and Total Indebtedness for the fiscal quarter ending
September 30, 1998 shall be increased by $186,400,000, in each case if
the Ortho
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Acquisition shall not have occurred on or prior to such day or (v)
Total Indebtedness for each of the fiscal quarters ending March 31,
1998 and June 30, 1998 shall be increased by $574,600,000, Total
Indebtedness for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 1998 shall be
increased by $542,600,000 and Total Indebtedness for the fiscal quarter
ending December 31, 1998 shall be increased by $324,200,000, in each
case if the Ortho Acquisition shall have occurred on or prior to such
day and provided further that (w) EBITDA for each of the fiscal
quarters ending March 31, 1998, June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1998
respectively, shall be increased by $5,100,000 if the Ortho Acquisition
shall not have occurred on or prior to such day or (x) EBITDA for each
of the fiscal quarters ending March 31, 1998, June 30, 1998 and
September 30, 1998, respectively, shall be increased by $15,400,000 if
the Ortho Acquisition shall have occurred on or prior to such day and
EBITDA for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 1998 shall be
increased by $10,300,000 if the Ortho Acquisition shall have occurred
on or prior to such day; provided any calculation of the above ratio
following any acquisition made during the twelve-month period covered
by such calculation, by purchase or otherwise, of all or substantially
all of the business or assets of, any Person or of any line of business
of any Person shall be determined on a pro forma basis without
duplication, including (y) in Average Total Indebtedness and in the
amount of preferred stock accruals an annualization of the actual
indebtedness or preferred stock accruals relating to such acquisition
for the portion of such twelve-month period prior to the date of such
acquisition (or, if such acquisition occurred on the last day of a
fiscal quarter, an annualization estimate of the daily indebtedness or
preferred stock accruals relating to such acquisition based on the
indebtedness incurred and based on the current Interest Rates for such
indebtedness or preferred stock issued on such date) and (z) in EBITDA
the EBITDA of the acquired Person for any portion of such twelve-month
period prior to such acquisition.
"LIBOR Base Rate" shall mean, with respect to any LIBOR Loan
in Dollars or any Optional Currency for any Interest Period therefor:
(a) the rate per annum (rounded to the nearest 1/16
of 1%) appearing on the Screen for such currency as the London
Interbank Offered Rate for deposits in such currency at
approximately 11:00 a.m. London time (or as soon thereafter as
practicable) on (in the case of any LIBOR Loan in Sterling),
or two Business Days prior to (in the case of any LIBOR Loan
in Dollars or any other Optional Currency), the first day of
such Interest Period as the London Interbank Offered Rate for
such currency having a term comparable to such Interest Period
and in an amount of U.S.$1,000,000 or the Optional Currency
Equivalent thereof or the Tranche A Subtranche Currency
Equivalents thereof, as applicable; or
(b) if such rate does not appear on the Screen (or,
if the Screen shall cease to be publicly available or if the
information contained on the Screen, in the Administrative
Agent's reasonable judgment, shall cease accurately to reflect
such LIBOR Base Rate, as reported by any publicly available
source of similar market data selected by the Administrative
Agent that, in the Administrative Agent's reasonable judgment,
accurately reflects such LIBOR Base Rate), the LIBOR Base Rate
shall mean, with respect to any LIBOR Loan for any Interest
Period, the arithmetic mean, as determined by the
Administrative Agent, of the rate per annum (rounded to the
nearest 1/16 of 1%) quoted by each relevant Reference Lender
at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time (or
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as soon thereafter as practicable) on (in the case of any
LIBOR Loan in Sterling), or two Business Days prior to (in the
case of any LIBOR Loan in Dollars or any other Optional
Currency), the first day of the Interest Period for such Loan
for the offering by such Reference Lender to leading banks in
the London interbank market of deposits in such currency
having a term comparable to such Interest Period and in an
amount comparable to the principal amount of the LIBOR Loan to
be made by such Reference Lender (or its relevant applicable
Lending Installation, as the case may be) for such Interest
Period.
"LIBOR Loans" shall mean the Loans hereunder at such time as
they are made and/or being maintained at a rate of interest based upon
the applicable LIBOR Rate.
"LIBOR Rate" shall mean (a) with respect to a LIBOR Loan
denominated in Dollars or any Optional Currency for each day during
each Interest Period pertaining thereto, the rate per annum equal to
the LIBOR Base Rate or, to the extent such reserve requirements are
generally applicable with respect to loans to the relevant Borrower or
Subsidiary Borrower, the quotient (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100
of 1%) of (A) the LIBOR Base Rate, divided by (B) a number equal to
1.00 minus the aggregate of the rates (expressed as a decimal fraction)
of reserve requirements current on such day (including, without
limitation, basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves under
any regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect
thereto), as now and from time to time hereafter in effect, dealing
with reserve requirements prescribed for eurocurrency funding
(currently referred to as "Eurocurrency liabilities" in Regulation D of
such Board) maintained by a member of such System or (b) to the extent
applicable with respect to a LIBOR Loan denominated in Sterling for
each day during each Interest Period pertaining thereto, the sum of the
LIBOR Base Rate plus, to the extent generally applicable to loans to
the relevant Borrower or Subsidiary Borrower, the MLA Cost for such
day.
"Lien" shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge,
hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, charge, encumbrance,
lien (statutory or other), or preference, priority or other security
agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever
(including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title
retention agreement, any financing lease having substantially the same
economic effect as any of the foregoing, and the authorized filing by
or against a Person of any financing statement as debtor under the
Uniform Commercial Code or comparable law of any jurisdiction).
"Loan" shall mean any Revolving Credit Loan, Swing Line Loan
and/or Term Loan, as the context shall require; collectively, the
"Loans".
"Loan Parties" shall mean the Borrower, each Subsidiary
Borrower and each other Subsidiary of the Borrower which is a party to
any Loan Document.
"Loan Documents" shall mean, collectively, this Agreement, any
Notes, the Applications, the Letters of Credit and the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreements.
"Majority Facility Lenders" shall mean, with respect to any
Facility, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid
principal amount of the Term Loans or the Aggregate
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Revolving Extensions of Credit, as the case may be, outstanding under
such Facility (or, in the case of the Revolving Facility, prior to any
termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments, the holders of more
than 50% of the Total Revolving Credit Commitments).
"Majority Revolving Facility Lenders" shall mean the Majority
Facility Lenders in respect of the Revolving Facility.
"Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a material adverse effect
on (a) the business, operations, property, financial condition or
prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b)
the Transaction taken as a whole or (c) the validity or enforceability
of any material term of this or any of the other Loan Documents or the
rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder
or thereunder.
"Material Environmental Amount" shall mean (a) an amount
payable by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for investigative
and remedial costs, compliance costs, compensatory damages, natural
resource damages, punitive damages, fines, and penalties, in the
aggregate, that exceeds $10,000,000 (net of insurance), or (b) any
other impact on the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries arising out of
any of the Environmental Laws which, in the aggregate, could reasonably
be anticipated to exceed $10,000,000 (net of insurance).
"Material Subsidiary" shall mean at any time (a) any
Subsidiary Borrower, (b) any Subsidiary of the Borrower created or
acquired after the Closing Date which has a Total Capitalization of
more than $20,000,000, (c) any Subsidiary of the Borrower with assets
greater than or equal to 5% of all assets of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, computed and consolidated in accordance with GAAP
("Consolidated Assets"), (d) any Subsidiary with revenues greater than
or equal to 5% of the revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
computed and consolidated in accordance with GAAP ("Net Revenues") or
(e) any Subsidiary designated in writing by the Borrower as a Material
Subsidiary, which designation shall be irrevocable; provided that if at
any time (i) the aggregate Total Capitalization of all Subsidiaries
that are not Material Subsidiaries shall exceed 10% of the Total
Capitalization of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, computed and
consolidated in accordance with GAAP, (ii) the aggregate assets of all
Subsidiaries that are not Material Subsidiaries shall exceed 10% of
Consolidated Assets or (iii) the aggregate revenues of all Subsidiaries
that are not Material Subsidiaries shall exceed 10% of Net Revenues,
then, in any such case, the term Material Subsidiary shall be deemed to
include such Subsidiaries (as determined pursuant to the next following
sentence) of the Borrower as may be required so that none of preceding
clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) shall continue to be true; provided,
further, that Celaflor GmbH shall not be deemed to be a "Material
Subsidiary." For purposes of the proviso to the next preceding
sentence, the Subsidiaries which shall be deemed to be Material
Subsidiaries shall be determined based on the percentage that the
assets of each such Subsidiary are of Consolidated Assets, with the
Subsidiary with the highest such percentage being selected first, and
each other Subsidiary required to satisfy the requirements set forth in
such proviso being selected in descending order of such respective
percentages.
"Materials of Environmental Concern" shall mean: any gasoline
or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum
products or any hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes,
defined or regulated as such in or under any Environmental Law,
including,
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without limitation, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, and
urea-formaldehyde insulation; and any other substance that could give
rise to liability under any Environmental Law.
"Minimum Interest Coverage" shall mean for each fiscal quarter
of the Borrower the ratio of (a) the sum of EBITDA as of the end of
such fiscal quarter for the preceding twelve months to (b) the
Consolidated Interest Expense as of the end of such fiscal quarter for
the preceding twelve months.
"MLA Cost" shall mean:
AB + C (B-E) + F(0.01) percent per annum
----------------------
100 - (A+D)
Where on the day of application of the formula:
A. is the percentage of eligible liabilities
which each Reference Lender is from time to
time required to maintain as an interest
free cash deposit with the Bank of England
to comply with cash ratio requirements.
B. is the percentage rate per annum at which
Sterling deposits are offered by such
Reference Lender, in accordance with its
normal practice, for a period equal to (i)
the Interest Period (or, as the case may be,
remainder of such Interest Period) in
respect of the relevant Loan or (ii) three
months, whichever is the shorter, to a
leading bank in the London Interbank Market
at or about 11:00 A.M. in a sum
approximately equal to the amount of such
Loan.
C. is the percentage of eligible liabilities
which such Reference Lender is from time to
time required by the Lender of England to
maintain as secured money with members of
the London Discount Market Association
("LDMA") and/or as secured call money with
such money brokers and gilt edged market
makers.
D. is the percentage of eligible liabilities
which such Reference Lender is required from
time to time to maintain as interest bearing
special deposits with the Bank of England.
E. is the percentage rate per annum at which
members of the LDMA are offered Sterling
deposits in a sum approximately equal to the
amount of the relevant Loan as a callable
fixture from such Reference Lender for such
period as determined in accordance with B
above at or about 11:00 A.M.
F. is the rate of charge payable by such
Reference Lender to the Financial Services
Authority under it's Fees Regulation
expressed in Sterling per pound sterling
1,000,000.
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And where the following shall apply:
G. For the purposes of this definition
"Eligible Liabilities" and "Special
Deposits" shall bear the meanings ascribed
to them from time to time by the Bank of
England.
H. The percentages used in A, C and D above
shall be those required to be maintained on
the first day of the relevant period as
determined in accordance with B above.
I. In application of the above formula,
A,B,C,D,E, and F will be included in the
formula as figures and not as percentages
e.g. if A is 0.5 percent and B is 12
percent, AB will be calculated as 0.5 x 12
and not as 0.5 percent x 12 percent.
J. Calculations will be made on the basis of a
365 day year.
K. A negative result obtained from subtracting
E from B or F from B shall be zero.
L. The arithmetic mean of the resulting figures
for each Reference Lender shall be
calculated and shall be rounded upwards, to
the fourth decimal place.
M. Additional amounts calculated in accordance
with this definition are payable on the last
date of the Interest Period to which they
relate.
N. The determination of the MLA Cost in
relation to any period shall, in the absence
of manifest error, be conclusive and binding
on all parties hereto.
O. The Administrative Agent may from time to
time, after consultation with the Borrower
and the Lenders, determine and notify to all
the parties hereto any amendments or
variation which are required to be made to
the formula set out above in order to comply
with any requirements from time to time
imposed by the Bank of England in relation
to Loans denominated in Sterling (including,
without limitation, any requirements
relating to Sterling primary liquidity) and,
any such determination shall, in the absence
of manifest error, be conclusive and binding
on all the parties hereto.
"Moody's" shall mean Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc.
"Mortgaged Properties" shall mean the real properties listed
on Schedule 1.1B, as to which the Administrative Agent for the benefit
of the Lenders shall be granted a Lien pursuant to the Mortgages.
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"Mortgages" shall mean each of the mortgages and deeds of
trust made by any Loan Party in favor of, or for the benefit of, the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, substantially in
the form of Exhibit J (with such changes thereto as shall be advisable
under the law of the jurisdiction in which such mortgage or deed of
trust is to be recorded), as the same may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.
"Multi-employer Plan" shall mean a Plan which is a
multi-employer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
"Net Cash Proceeds" shall mean (a) in connection with any
Asset Sale or any Recovery Event, the proceeds thereof in the form of
cash and Cash Equivalents (including any such proceeds received by way
of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment
receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise, but
only as and when received) of such Asset Sale or Recovery Event, net of
attorneys' fees, accountants' fees, investment banking fees, amounts
required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a
Lien expressly permitted hereunder on any asset that is the subject of
such Asset Sale or Recovery Event (other than any Lien pursuant to a
Security Document) and other customary fees and expenses actually
incurred in connection therewith and net of taxes paid or reasonably
estimated to be payable as a result thereof (after taking into account
any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing
arrangements) and (b) in connection with any issuance or sale of equity
securities or debt securities or instruments or the incurrence of
loans, the cash proceeds received from such issuance or incurrence, net
of attorneys' fees, investment banking fees, accountants' fees,
underwriting discounts and commissions and other customary fees and
expenses actually incurred in connection therewith.
"Non-Excluded Taxes" shall be as defined in subsection 2.22.
"Note" shall mean (i) any Revolving Credit Note, (ii) the
Swing Line Note or (iii) any Term Note, as the context shall require;
collectively, the "Notes".
"Obligations" shall mean the unpaid principal of and interest
on (including, without limitation, interest accruing after the maturity
of the Loans and interest thereon accruing after the filing of any
petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency,
reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Borrower or any
Subsidiary Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or
post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) the Notes and all
other obligations and liabilities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary
Borrower to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, whether direct or
indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or
hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection
with, this Agreement, the Notes, the Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement, any Hedge Agreement entered into with a Lender or an
Affiliate thereof or any other document made, delivered or given in
connection herewith or therewith, whether on account of principal,
interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses
(including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel
to the Administrative Agent or any Lender) or otherwise.
"Optional Currency" shall mean Australian dollars, Austrian
Shillings, Canadian dollars, euro, German Deutschmarks or Deutschmarks,
Dutch Xxxxxx, Italian Lira, Spanish Peseta, British
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Pounds Sterling ("Sterling"), French Francs, Belgian Francs and other
readily available and freely tradeable currencies in the London
currency market that are approved by the Administrative Agent.
"Optional Currency Equivalent" shall mean, on any Business Day
with respect to any amount in Dollars, the amount of the relevant
Optional Currency that could be purchased with such amount of Dollars
using the foreign exchange rate for such Business Day specified in the
definition of "Dollar Equivalent".
"Ortho Acquisition" shall mean the purchase by the Borrower,
directly or indirectly, of the Ortho Business.
"Ortho Business" shall mean the assets of the Solaris Group,
an operating unit of Monsanto Company, producing, marketing and
distributing products under the "Ortho" and "White Swan" brands in the
United States, under the "Green Cross" brand in Canada, under the
"Phostrogen" brand in the United Kingdom, under the "Defender" brand in
Australia, and Ortho Books.
"Ortho Consent Lenders" shall mean at any time, the holders of
more than 90% of (a) until the Closing Date, the Commitments then in
effect and (b) thereafter, the sum of (i) the aggregate unpaid
principal amount of the Term Loans then outstanding and (ii) the Total
Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect or, if the Revolving Credit
Commitments have been terminated, the Aggregate Revolving Extensions of
Credit then outstanding.
"Paris Banking Day" shall mean any day on which commercial
banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and
foreign currency deposits) in Paris, France.
"Participants" shall mean one or more banks or other entities
to whom one or more Lenders have sold, in the ordinary course of
business and in accordance with applicable law, participating interests
in any Loan, Note, Revolving Credit Commitment or Term Loan Commitment
or any other interest hereunder owing to such Lender.
"PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA
"Permitted Acquisition" shall mean (a) the Ortho Acquisition,
provided that, unless the Ortho Consent Lenders otherwise consent, (i)
no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or
would result therefrom, (ii) the Borrower shall have received at least
$200,000,000 in gross cash proceeds from the issuance of the Bridge
Subordinated Debt or the Senior Subordinated Notes on terms and
conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Agents (including no
scheduled payments or prepayments of principal prior to the Tranche C
Term Loan Termination Date), (iii) the aggregate purchase consideration
shall not exceed $304,000,000 (exclusive of related premiums, fees and
expenses and subject to working capital and similar purchase price
adjustments), (iv) the Ortho Acquisition shall have been consummated
within six months of the Closing Date on terms substantially similar to
those in the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 11, 1998,
between Monsanto Company and the Borrower or
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otherwise satisfactory to the Agents, and (v) the Borrower shall be in
compliance, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Ortho
Acquisition, with the covenants contained in subsections 6.9, 6.10 and
6.11, (b) the ASEF Acquisition, provided that (i) no Default or Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result
therefrom and (ii) the Borrower shall be in compliance, on a pro forma
basis after giving effect to the ASEF Acquisition, with the covenants
contained in subsections 6.9, 6.10 and 6.11, and (c) any acquisition of
all or substantially all the assets of, or shares or other equity
interests in, a Person or division or line of business of a Person or
other significant assets of a Person (other than inventory, leases,
materials and equipment and other assets in the ordinary course of
business) if immediately after giving effect thereto: (i) no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result
therefrom, (ii) 100% of the capital stock of any acquired or newly
formed corporation, partnership, association or other business entity
is owned directly by the Borrower or a wholly-owned Subsidiary and all
actions required to be taken, if any, with respect to such acquired or
newly formed subsidiary under subsection 6.13 shall have been taken or
shall be planned to be taken in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent, (iii) no Material Adverse Effect would be likely
to result therefrom, (iv)(I) the Borrower shall be in compliance, on a
pro forma basis after giving effect to such acquisition or formation,
with the covenants contained in subsections 6.9, 6.10 and 6.11
recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter
of the Borrower as if such acquisition had occurred on the first day of
each relevant period for testing such compliance and any savings
associated with such acquisition had been achieved on the first day of
such relevant period, and the Borrower shall have delivered to the
Administrative Agent an officers' certificate to such effect, together
with all relevant financial information for such subsidiary or assets
(to the extent reasonably available), and (II) after giving effect to
such transaction, any acquired or newly formed subsidiary shall not be
liable for any Indebtedness (except for Indebtedness permitted by
subsection 7.6) and (v) after giving effect to the consummation
thereof, the aggregate amount of consideration (whether cash or
property, as valued in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
Borrower) for all Permitted Acquisitions other than the ASEF
Acquisition and the Ortho Acquisition acquired after the Closing Date
shall not exceed in the aggregate, $25,000,000 if such acquisition or
acquisitions shall occur in fiscal year 1999, $50,000,000 (representing
an incremental $25,000,000) if such acquisition or acquisitions shall
occur in fiscal year 2000, $75,000,000 (representing an incremental
$25,000,000) if such acquisition or acquisitions shall occur in fiscal
year 2001 and $100,000,000 (representing an incremental $25,000,000)
thereafter.
"Permitted Foreign Debt" shall have the meaning specified in
subsection 7.6(i).
"Person" shall mean an individual, a partnership, a
corporation, a limited liability company, a business trust, a joint
stock company, a trust, an unincorporated association, a joint venture,
a Governmental Authority or any other entity of whatever nature.
"PIBOR Loans" shall mean the Loans hereunder at such time as
they are made and/or being maintained at a rate of interest based upon
the applicable PIBOR Rate and, on and after commencement of the third
stage of EMU with respect to such Loans funded by a Lender in France,
the applicable EURIBOR Rate.
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"PIBOR Rate" shall mean with respect to any Tranche A French
Subtranche Term Loan for any Interest Period therefor (i) in the case
of any Lender funding in France prior to the commencement of the third
stage of EMU:
(a) the rate per annum appearing on the Reuters
Screen PIBOR Page or Telerate Page 20041 for French Francs as
the Paris Interbank Offered Rate for deposits in French Francs
as of 11:00 a.m. Paris time two Paris Banking Days prior to
the first day of such Interest Period as the Paris Interbank
Offered Rate for having a term comparable to such Interest
Period; or
(b) if such rate does not appear on the Reuters
Screen PIBOR Page or the Telerate Page 20041 (or, if such
Pages shall cease to be publicly available or if the
information contained on such Pages, in the Administrative
Agent's reasonable judgment, shall cease accurately to reflect
such PIBOR Rate, as reported by any publicly available source
of similar market data selected by the Administrative Agent
that, in the Administrative Agent's reasonable judgment,
accurately reflects such PIBOR Rate), the PIBOR Rate shall
mean, with respect to any PIBOR Loan for any Interest Period,
the arithmetic mean, as determined by the Administrative
Agent, of the rate per annum quoted by each relevant PIBOR
Reference Lender at approximately 11:00 a.m. Paris time two
Paris Banking Days prior to the first day of the Interest
Period for such PIBOR Loan for the offering by such PIBOR
Reference Lenders to prime banks in the Paris interbank market
of deposits in French Francs having a term comparable to such
Interest Period and in an amount comparable to the principal
amount of the PIBOR Loan to be made by such PIBOR Reference
Lenders for such Interest Period. If fewer than two quotations
are provided by the PIBOR Reference Lenders, the PIBOR Rate
will be the arithmetic mean of the rates per annum quoted by
major banks in Paris as selected by the Administrative Agent,
at approximately 11:00 a.m., Paris time, two Paris Banking
Days prior to the first day of the Interest Period for loans
in French Francs to leading European banks having a term
comparable to such Interest Period and in an amount comparable
to the principal amount of the PIBOR Loan to be made for such
Interest Period; and
(ii) otherwise, the LIBOR Rate.
"PIBOR Reference Lenders" shall mean Chase and Credit
Lyonnais.
"Plan" shall mean, at any particular time, any employee
benefit plan which is covered by ERISA and in respect of which the
Borrower or a Commonly Controlled Entity is (or if such plan were
terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to
be) an "employer" as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
"Pricing Grid" shall mean the pricing grid attached hereto as
Annex A.
"Properties" shall mean the real property listed on Schedule
4.19(b).
"Receivables" shall have the meaning specified in the
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.
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"Receivables Subsidiary" shall mean a Subsidiary of the
Borrower created to purchase and finance Sold Receivables.
"Receivables Purchase Facility" shall mean any receivables
purchase facility with terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to
the Agents and pursuant to which ownership interests in, or notes,
commercial paper, certificates or other debt instruments in respect of
which, are secured by the Sold Receivables.
"Recovery Event" shall mean any settlement of or payment in
respect of any property or casualty insurance claim or any condemnation
proceeding relating to any asset of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries (valued at the initial principal amount thereof in the
case of non-cash proceeds consisting of notes or other debt securities
and valued at fair market value in the case of other non-cash proceeds)
in excess of $1,000,000, but excluding any such settlement or payment
relating to environmental costs from, or from insurers of, ITT
Industries, Corp. attributable to periods prior to 1986.
"Reference Lenders" shall mean the Agents.
"Refinancing" shall be as defined in subsection 2.24(a).
"Refunded Swing Line Loans" shall have the meaning assigned to
such term in subsection 2.6(b).
"Register" shall have the meaning specified in subsection
10.6(d).
"Reimbursement Obligation" shall mean the Borrower's
obligation to reimburse the Administrative Agent on account of the
Letters of Credit as provided in Section 3.
"Reinvestment Deferred Amount" shall mean with respect to any
Reinvestment Event, the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection therewith that are
not applied to prepay the Term Loans or reduce the Revolving
Commitments pursuant to subsection 2.12(d) as a result of the delivery
of a Reinvestment Notice.
"Reinvestment Event" shall mean any Asset Sale (other than the
sale, transfer or discount of Sold Receivables pursuant to any
Receivables Purchase Facility) or Recovery Event in respect of which
the Borrower has delivered a Reinvestment Notice.
"Reinvestment Notice" shall mean a written notice executed by
a Responsible Officer stating that no Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing and that the Borrower (directly or indirectly through a
Subsidiary) intends and expects to use all or a specified portion of
the Net Cash Proceeds of an Asset Sale (other than the sale, transfer
or discount of Sold Receivables pursuant to any Receivables Purchase
Facility) or Recovery Event to acquire assets useful in its business.
"Reinvestment Prepayment Amount" shall mean with respect to
any Reinvestment Event, the (x) Reinvestment Deferred Amount relating
thereto less (y) any amount thereof expended prior to the relevant
Reinvestment Prepayment Date (i) to acquire assets useful in the
Borrower's
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business or (ii) to pay expenses relating to any proposed acquisition
of assets useful in such business of up to $1,000,000 in the aggregate
for any fiscal year of the Borrower.
"Reinvestment Prepayment Date" shall mean with respect to any
Reinvestment Event, the earlier of (a) the date occurring six months
after such Reinvestment Event and (b) the date on which the Borrower
shall have notified the Administrative Agent that it has determined not
to, or shall have otherwise ceased to, acquire assets useful in the
Borrower's business with all or any portion of the relevant
Reinvestment Deferred Amount.
"Reorganization" shall mean, with respect to any
Multi-employer Plan, the condition that such Plan is in reorganization
within the meaning of such term as used in Section 4241 of ERISA.
"Reportable Event" shall mean any of the events set forth in
Section 4043(b) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder (with respect to
which the PBGC has not, by regulation, waived the 30-day notice
requirement).
"Required Lenders" shall mean at any time, the holders of more
than 50% of (a) until the Closing Date, the Commitments then in effect
and (b) thereafter, the sum of (i) the aggregate unpaid principal
amount of the Term Loans then outstanding and (ii) the Total Revolving
Credit Commitments then in effect or, if the Revolving Credit
Commitments have been terminated, the Aggregate Revolving Extensions of
Credit then outstanding.
"Required Prepayment Lenders" shall mean the Majority Facility
Lenders in respect of each Facility.
"Requirement of Law" shall mean, as to any Person, the
Certificate of Incorporation or Articles of Incorporation, as the case
may be, and Code of Regulations and/or By-Laws or other organizational
or governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or
regulation, or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other
Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such
Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its
property is subject.
"Responsible Officer" shall mean, as to any Person, the
Chairman, President or an Executive, Senior or other Vice President
(or, in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, any analogous title) of
such Person and, with respect to financial matters, the Chief Financial
Officer, the Treasurer or the Controller (or, in the case of any
Foreign Subsidiary, any analogous title) of such Person.
"Revolving Credit Commitment" shall mean as to any Lender, the
obligation of such Lender, if any, to make Revolving Credit Loans and
participate in Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit in an aggregate
principal and/or face amount not to exceed the amount set forth under
the heading "Revolving Credit Commitment" opposite such Lender's name
on Schedule 1 or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which
such Lender became a party hereto, as the same may be changed from time
to time pursuant to the terms hereof. The original amount of the Total
Revolving Credit Commitments is $500,000,000.
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"Revolving Credit Commitment Period" shall mean the period
from and including the Closing Date to, but not including, the
Revolving Credit Termination Date or such earlier date as the Revolving
Credit Commitments may terminate as provided herein.
"Revolving Credit Lender" shall mean each Lender that has a
Revolving Credit Commitment or that holds Revolving Credit Loans.
"Revolving Credit Loan" shall mean any Loan made pursuant to
subsection 2.4; collectively, the "Revolving Credit Loans".
"Revolving Credit Note" shall have the meaning assigned to
such term in subsection 2.8(e).
"Revolving Credit Termination Date" shall be June 30, 2005 or
such earlier dat e on which the Revolving Credit Commitments shall be
terminated in accordance with this Agreement.
"Revolving Extensions of Credit" shall mean as to any
Revolving Credit Lender at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a)
the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans held by
such Lender then outstanding, (b) such Lender's Revolving Percentage of
the L/C Obligations then outstanding and (c) such Lender's Revolving
Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans then
outstanding.
"Revolving Percentage" shall mean as to any Revolving Credit
Lender at any time, the percentage which such Lender's Revolving Credit
Commitment then constitutes of the Total Revolving Credit Commitments
(or, at any time after the Revolving Credit Commitments shall have
expired or terminated, the percentage which the aggregate principal
amount of such Lender's Revolving Extension of Credit then outstanding
constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving
Extension of Credit then outstanding).
"Rhone Poulenc" shall mean Rhone Poulenc Agro, a corporation
organized under the laws of France.
"Roundup Agreement" shall mean the Exclusive Agency and
Marketing Agreement dated September 30, 1998 between Monsanto Company
and the Borrower, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time.
"RPA Acquisition" shall mean the acquisition by the Borrower
through certain of its indirect Subsidiaries of the Capital Stock or
assets of certain subsidiaries of Rhone Poulenc on October 7, 1998 for
a purchase price of approximately $200,000,000.
"RPA Refinancing" shall be as defined in subsection 2.24(a).
"RP Letters of Credit" shall mean the following letters of
credit, each issued by The Chase Manhattan Bank, as issuing bank under
the Existing Credit Agreement for the benefit of Xxxxx-Xxxxxxx pursuant
to the Existing Credit Agreement: (a) Letter of Credit No. P282/965
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dated October 7, 1998 in the face amount of FF 490,846,706, (b) Letter
of Credit No. P282/971 dated October 7, 1998 in the face amount of FF
337,000,000, (c) Letter of Credit No. P282/972 dated October 7, 1998 in
the face amount of FF 153,294, (d) Letter of Credit No. P282/968 dated
October 7, 1998 in the face amount of FF 36,000,000 and (e) Letter of
Credit No. P282/973 dated October 7, 1998 in the face amount of FF
16,000,000.
"S&P" shall mean Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.
"Screen" shall mean, with respect to any currency, the
relevant Bridge Telerate Page on which appears the LIBOR Base Rate for
deposits in such currency; provided that, if there is no such Bridge
Telerate Page, the relevant Reuters Screen Page will be substituted.
"Senior Indebtedness" shall mean, in respect of the Borrower
at a particular date, Total Indebtedness other than the Subordinated
Debt and any other subordinated Indebtedness of the Borrower that would
be set forth as subordinated Indebtedness on a consolidated balance
sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date
provided that, for the purpose of calculating the Senior Leverage Ratio
for any period, Senior Indebtedness shall be reduced by excess cash
balances set forth on the balance sheet of the Borrower as at such
date.
"Senior Leverage Ratio" shall mean, as at the last day of any
fiscal quarter of the Borrower, the ratio of (i) Average Senior
Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on such day to (ii)
EBITDA for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such day;
provided any calculation of the above ratio following any acquisition
made during the twelve-month period covered by such calculation, by
purchase or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business or
assets of any Person or of any line of business of any Person shall be
determined on a pro forma basis without duplication, including (x) in
Average Senior Indebtedness and in the amount of preferred stock
accruals an annualization of the actual Senior Indebtedness or
preferred stock accruals relating to such acquisition for the portion
of such twelve-month period since the date of such acquisition (or, if
such acquisition occurred on the last day of a fiscal quarter, an
annualization estimate of the daily Senior Indebtedness or preferred
stock accruals relating to such acquisition based on the indebtedness
incurred and based on the current Interest Rates for such indebtedness
or preferred stock issued on such date) and (y) in EBITDA the EBITDA of
the acquired Person for any portion of such twelve-month period prior
to such acquisition.
"Senior Subordinated Note Indenture" shall mean the Indenture
that may be entered into by the Borrower in connection with the
issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes, together with all
instruments and other agreements to be entered into by the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries in connection therewith, as the same may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with
subsection 7.12.
"Senior Subordinated Notes" shall mean senior subordinated
notes of the Borrower to be issued on or after the Closing Date and
having no scheduled principal payments prior to September 30, 2007, as
permitted under subsection 7.6(e) and to be used (i) to finance the
Ortho Acquisition or (ii) to refinance all Bridge Subordinated Debt
issued or outstanding, if any.
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"Single Employer Plan" shall mean any Plan which is covered by
Title IV of ERISA but which is not a Multi-employer Plan.
"Sold Receivables" shall mean Receivables of the Borrower in
an aggregate amount not to exceed $75,000,000 sold to the Receivables
Subsidiary or any other Person pursuant to and securing obligations
under any Receivables Purchase Facility.
"Solvent", when used with respect to any Person, shall mean
that, as of any date of determination, (a) the amount of the "present
fair saleable value" of the assets of such Person will, as of such
date, exceed the amount of all "liabilities of such Person, contingent
or otherwise", as of such date, as such quoted terms are determined in
accordance with applicable federal and state laws governing
determinations of the insolvency of debtors, (b) the present fair
saleable value of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, be
greater than the amount that will be required to pay the liability of
such Person on its debts as such debts become absolute and matured, (c)
such Person will not have, as of such date, an unreasonably small
amount of capital with which to conduct its business, and (d) such
Person will be able to pay its debts as they mature. For purposes of
this definition, (i) "debt" means liability on a "claim", and (ii)
"claim" means any (x) right to payment, whether or not such a right is
reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent,
matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or
unsecured or (y) right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance
if such breach gives rise to a right to payment, whether or not such
right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent,
matured or unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured.
"Standby L/C" and "Standby L/Cs" shall each have the meaning
specified in subsection 3.1(a).
"Subordinated Debt" shall mean the Indebtedness of the
Borrower pursuant to the Bridge Loan Agreement and Bridge Subordinated
Debt (if any), the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture and the Senior
Subordinated Notes, the Existing Subordinated Note Indenture and the
Existing Subordinated Notes and the Subordinated Debt permitted under
clause (iii) of subsection 7.6(e).
"Subsidiary" shall mean, as to any Person, a corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock
company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or the
European equivalent thereof of which shares of Capital Stock having
ordinary voting power (other than Capital Stock having such power only
by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the
board of directors or equivalent are at the time owned, or the
management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly,
through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless
otherwise qualified, all references to a "Subsidiary" or to
"Subsidiaries" in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or
Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
"Subsidiary Borrowers" shall mean XX Xxxxx International
Investments Limited, Miracle Garden Care Limited, Scotts Holdings
Limited, Hyponex Corporation, Scotts' Miracle-Gro Products, Inc.,
Scotts-Sierra Horticultural Products Company, Republic Tool &
Manufacturing Corp., Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc., Scotts France
Holdings SARL, Scotts Holding GmbH, Scotts Celaflor GmbH & Co. KG,
Scotts France SARL, Scotts Belgium 2 B.V.B.A, Scotts
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30
Company (UK) Ltd. and all existing or future, Domestic or Foreign,
Subsidiaries then designated by the Borrower pursuant to subsection
10.1(b).
"Subsidiary Guarantors" shall mean (a) each Domestic
Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than as scheduled on Schedule 1.2)
and (b) each Domestic Subsidiary acquired or organized subsequent to
the Closing Date.
"Supermajority Lenders" shall mean at any time, the holders of
more than 66 2/3% of (a) until the Closing Date, the Commitments then
in effect and (b) thereafter, the sum of (i) the aggregate unpaid
principal amount of the Term Loans then outstanding and (ii) the Total
Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect or, if the Revolving Credit
Commitments have been terminated, the Aggregate Revolving Extensions of
Credit then outstanding.
"Supported Foreign Indebtedness" shall have the meaning
specified in subsection 7.6(k).
"Swing Line Commitment" shall mean the obligation of the Swing
Line Lender, at any date, to make a Swing Line Loan pursuant to
subsection 2.6(a) in the amount referred to therein.
"Swing Line Lenders" shall mean Chase and Credit Lyonnais
Chicago Branch.
"Swing Line Loan Participation Certificate" shall mean a
certificate, substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto.
"Swing Line Loans" shall have the meaning assigned to such
term in subsection 2.6(a).
"Swing Line Note" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in subsection 2.8(e).
"Term Commitments" shall be the collective reference to the
Tranche A Term Commitments, the Tranche B Term Commitments and the
Tranche C Term Commitments.
"Term Lenders" shall be the collective reference to the
Tranche A Term Lenders, the Tranche B Term Lenders and the Tranche C
Term Lenders.
"Term Loans" shall be the collective reference to the Tranche
A Term Loans, Tranche B Term Loans and Tranche C Term Loans.
"Term Loan Notes" shall be the collective reference to any and
all Notes in respect of the Tranche A Term Loans, Tranche B Term Loans
and Tranche C Term Loans.
"Termination Date" shall be the collective reference to the
Tranche A Term Loan Termination Date, the Tranche B Term Loan
Termination Date, the Tranche C Term Loan Termination Date and the
Revolving Credit Termination Date.
"Total Capitalization" shall mean, in respect of any Person at
a particular date, the sum at such date of the Total Indebtedness of
such Person and the Consolidated Net Worth of such Person.
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31
"Total Indebtedness" shall mean, in respect of any Person at a
particular date, the sum at such date of (a) the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of all Indebtedness for borrowed money of such Person
and (b) all other items which would properly be included as
indebtedness, determined in accordance with GAAP, on a consolidated
balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries; provided that, for
the purpose of calculating the Leverage Ratio for any period, Total
Indebtedness shall be reduced by cash and Cash Equivalents set forth on
the balance sheet of such Person as at such date.
"Total Revolving Credit Commitments" shall be, at any time,
the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments then in
effect.
"Trade L/C" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
subsection 3.1(a).
"Tranche A British Subtranche" shall mean the collective
reference to all Tranche A British Subtranche Term Loans.
"Tranche A British Subtranche Term Commitment" shall mean, as
to any Tranche A Term Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make a
Tranche A British Subtranche Term Loan to the Borrower or any
Subsidiary Borrower hereunder in a principal amount denominated in
Sterling not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading "Tranche
A British Subtranche Term Commitment" opposite such Lender's name on
Schedule 1. The original aggregate amount of the Tranche A British
Subtranche Term Commitments is the Tranche A Subtranche Currency
Equivalent for Sterling of $130,000,000 on the date of notice of the
initial borrowing thereunder.
"Tranche A British Subtranche Term Loan" shall be as defined
in subsection 2.1.
"Tranche A French Subtranche" shall mean the collective
reference to all Tranche A French Subtranche Term Loans.
"Tranche A French Subtranche Term Commitment" shall mean, as
to any Tranche A Term Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make a
Tranche A French Subtranche Term Loan to the Borrower or any Subsidiary
Borrower hereunder in a principal amount denominated in French Francs
not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading "Tranche A French
Subtranche Term Commitment" opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.
The original aggregate amount of the Tranche A French Subtranche Term
Commitments is the Tranche A Subtranche Currency Equivalent for French
Francs of $80,000,000 on the date of notice of the initial borrowing
thereunder.
"Tranche A French Subtranche Term Loan" shall be as defined in
subsection 2.1.
"Tranche A German Subtranche" shall mean the collective
reference to all Tranche A German Subtranche Term Loans.
"Tranche A German Subtranche Term Commitment" shall mean, as
to any Tranche A Term Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make a
Tranche A German Subtranche Term Loan to the Borrower or any Subsidiary
Borrower hereunder in a principal amount denominated in
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32
German Deutschmarks not to exceed the amount set forth under the
heading "Tranche A German Subtranche Term Commitment" opposite such
Lender's name on Schedule 1. The original aggregate amount of the
Tranche A German Subtranche Term Commitments is the Tranche A
Subtranche Currency Equivalent for Deutschmarks of $55,000,000 on the
date of notice of the initial borrowing thereunder.
"Tranche A German Subtranche Term Loan" shall be as defined in
subsection 2.1.
"Tranche A Subtranche" shall mean the collective reference to
the Tranche A British Subtranche, the Tranche A French Subtranche and
the Tranche A German Subtranche.
"Tranche A Subtranche Currency" shall mean Sterling, French
Francs or German Deutschmarks, as applicable.
"Tranche A Subtranche Currency Equivalent" shall mean, on any
Business Day with respect to any amount in Dollars, the amount of the
relevant Tranche A Subtranche Currency that could be purchased with
such amount of Dollars using the foreign exchange rate for such
Business Day specified in the definition of "Dollar Equivalent".
"Tranche A Term Commitment" shall be the collective reference
to the Tranche A British Subtranche Term Commitment, the Tranche A
French Subtranche Term Commitment and the Tranche A German Subtranche
Term Commitment.
"Tranche A Term Lender" shall mean each Lender that has a
Tranche A Term Commitment or is the holder of a Tranche A Term Loan.
"Tranche A Term Loan" shall be as defined in subsection 2.1.
"Tranche A Term Loan Termination Date" shall mean June 30,
2005.
"Tranche A Term Percentage" shall mean, as to any Tranche A
Term Lender at any time, with respect to any Tranche A Subtranche at
such time, the percentage which such Lender's Tranche A Term Commitment
with respect to such Tranche A Subtranche then constitutes of the
aggregate Tranche A Term Commitments with respect to such Tranche A
Subtranche (or, at any time after the Closing Date, the percentage
which the aggregate principal amount of such Lender's Tranche A Term
Loans then outstanding with respect to such Tranche A Subtranche
constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Tranche A Term
Loans then outstanding with respect to such Tranche A Subtranche).
"Tranche B Term Commitment" shall mean as to any Tranche B
Term Lender, the obligation of such Lender, if any, to make a Tranche B
Term Loan to the Borrower hereunder in a principal amount not to exceed
the amount set forth under the heading "Tranche B Term Commitment"
opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1. The original aggregate
amount of the Tranche B Term Commitments is $140,000,000.
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33
"Tranche B Term Lender" shall mean each Lender that has a
Tranche B Term Commitment or that holds a Tranche B Term Loan.
"Tranche B Term Loan" shall be as defined in subsection 2.1.
"Tranche B Term Loan Termination Date" shall mean June 30,
2006.
"Tranche B Term Percentage" shall mean as to any Lender at any
time, the percentage which such Lender's Tranche B Term Commitment then
constitutes of the aggregate Tranche B Term Commitments (or, at any
time after the Closing Date, the percentage which the aggregate
principal amount of such Lender's Tranche B Term Loans then outstanding
constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Tranche B Term
Loans then outstanding).
"Tranche C Term Commitment" shall mean, as to any Tranche C
Term Lender, the obligation of such Lender, if any, to make a Tranche C
Term Loan to the Borrower hereunder in a principal amount not to exceed
the amount set forth under the heading "Tranche C Term Commitment"
opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1. The original aggregate
amount of the Tranche C Term Commitments is $120,000,000.
"Tranche C Term Lender" shall mean each Lender that has a
Tranche C Term Commitment or that holds a Tranche C Term Loan.
"Tranche C Term Loan" shall be as defined in subsection 2.1.
"Tranche C Term Loan Termination Date" shall mean June 30,
2007.
"Tranche C Term Percentage" shall mean, as to any Lender at
any time, the percentage which such Lender's Tranche C Term Commitment
then constitutes of the aggregate Tranche C Term Commitments (or, at
any time after the Closing Date, the percentage which the aggregate
principal amount of such Lender's Tranche C Term Loans then outstanding
constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Tranche C Term
Loans then outstanding).
"Transaction Agreements" shall mean the collective reference
to any and all agreements entered into by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries in respect of the Refinancing, the RPA Refinancing and the
Ortho Acquisition and all transactions related thereto.
"Transactions" shall mean the collective reference to the
Refinancing, the RPA Refinancing and the Ortho Acquisition and all
transactions related thereto.
"Transfer Closing Date", with respect to any Assignment and
Acceptance, the "Effective Date" as to such term is defined in such
Assignment and Acceptance.
"Type" shall mean as to any Loan, its nature as an ABR Loan, a
LIBOR Loan, a FIBOR Loan or a PIBOR Loan.
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34
"Uniform Customs" shall mean either the Uniform Customs and
Practice for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision), International Chamber
of Commerce Publication No. 500, as the same may be effectively
replaced in whole or in part or amended from time to time.
1.2 OTHER DEFINITIONAL PROVISIONS. (a) All terms defined in this
Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in the Notes, in any of the
other Loan Documents or in any certificate or other document made or delivered
pursuant hereto or thereto unless otherwise defined therein.
(b) As used herein, in the Notes, in any of the other Loan Documents,
or in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or
thereto, accounting terms, to the extent not otherwise defined in subsection
1.1, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP.
(c) The words "hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" and words of similar
import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and
not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and section, subsection,
schedule and exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise
specified.
(d) An "affiliate" of a Lender includes, in the case of a Lender which
is an investment fund, the investment adviser thereof and any other investment
fund having the same investment adviser.
SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF LOANS
-------------------------
2.1 Term Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, (a)
each Tranche A Term Lender severally agrees to make (x) one or more term loans
denominated in Sterling (a "Tranche A British Subtranche Term Loan") to the
Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower on the Closing Date in an aggregate amount
not to exceed the amount of the Tranche A British Subtranche Term Commitment of
such Lender, provided that the amount to be made available by a Lending
Installation of such Lender which is an Eligible U.K. Bank shall not exceed the
amount so indicated with the name of such Lender on Schedule 1, (y) a term loan
denominated in French Francs (a "Tranche A French Subtranche Term Loan") to the
Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower on the Closing Date in an amount not to
exceed the amount of the Tranche A French Subtranche Term Commitment of such
Lender and (z) a term loan denominated in German Deutschmarks (a "Tranche A
German Subtranche Term Loan"; collectively with the Tranche A British Subtranche
Term Loans and the Tranche A French Subtranche Term Loans, the "Tranche A Term
Loans") to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower on the Closing Date in an
amount not to exceed the amount of the Tranche A German Subtranche Term
Commitment of such Lender, (b) each Tranche B Term Lender severally agrees to
make a term loan (a "Tranche B Term Loan") in Dollars to the Borrower on the
Closing Date in an amount not to exceed the amount of the Tranche B Term
Commitment of such Lender and (c) each Tranche C Term Lender severally agrees to
make a term loan (a "Tranche C Term Loan") in Dollars to the Borrower on the
Closing Date in an amount not to exceed the amount of the Tranche C Term
Commitment of such Lender. The Tranche B Term Loans and Tranche C Term Loans may
from time to time be LIBOR Loans or ABR Loans, as determined by the Borrower and
notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with subsections 2.2 and
2.14. Except as otherwise provided in Schedule 1, any Tranche A Term Loan which
is made to any Subsidiary Borrower, where such Subsidiary Borrower is a resident
for taxation purposes of France, Germany or the United Kingdom, shall be made by
an Eligible French Bank, an Eligible German Bank or an Eligible U.K. Bank,
41
35
respectively, and any interest payable with respect thereto shall be
beneficially owned by such Eligible French Bank, Eligible German Bank or
Eligible U.K. Bank. A Tranche A Term Lender making a Tranche A British
Subtranche Term Loan shall be required to be an Eligible U.K. Bank and to lend
to a Subsidiary Borrower resident in the United Kingdom only to the extent
indicated on Schedule 1.
2.2 PROCEDURE FOR TERM LOAN BORROWING. (a) The Borrower and the
Subsidiary Borrowers may borrow under the Term Commitments on the Closing Date,
subject to the limitation for Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers in subsection 2.1;
provided that the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary Borrower shall give the
Administrative Agent irrevocable notice ((1) which notice must be received by
the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 A.M., New York City time on the Closing
Date, in the case of ABR Loans, (2) which notice must be received by the
Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 A.M., New York City time three Business Days
prior to the Closing Date, in the case of LIBOR Loans in Dollars, (3) which
notice must be received by 11:00 A.M. London time two Business Days prior to the
Closing Date, in the case of LIBOR Loans in Sterling, (4) which notice must be
received by 11:00 a.m. Frankfurt time two Frankfurt Banking Days prior to the
Closing Date, in the case of FIBOR Loans, (5) which notice must be received by
11:00 a.m. Paris time two Paris Banking Days prior to the Closing Date, in the
case of PIBOR Loans), specifying (i) the identity of the Borrower or Subsidiary
Borrower borrowing and the amount and currency to be borrowed, (ii) the
requested Borrowing Date, (iii) whether the borrowing is to be an ABR Loan (in
the case of Term Loans in Dollars) or a LIBOR Loan, a FIBOR Loan or a PIBOR Loan
or a combination thereof, (iv) if the borrowing is to be entirely or partly a
LIBOR Loan, the amount to be a LIBOR Loan and (v) the length of the Interest
Period for such LIBOR Loan, FIBOR Loan or PIBOR Loan, as applicable. Each ABR
borrowing by the Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary Borrower pursuant to the
Term Commitments shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal to $1,000,000
or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof. Each LIBOR borrowing in
Dollars by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower pursuant to the Term
Commitments shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal to $1,000,000 or a
whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Each LIBOR borrowing in a
Tranche A Subtranche Currency by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower
pursuant to the Term Commitments shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal
to U.S.$2,500,000 or a whole multiple of U.S.$1,000,000 in excess thereof in the
Tranche A Subtranche Currency Equivalent thereof.
(b) Upon receipt of any notice from the Borrower or a Subsidiary
Borrower pursuant to this subsection 2.2, the Administrative Agent shall
promptly notify each Lender thereof. Each Lender will make the amount of its pro
rata share of each borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the
account of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower at the office of the
Administrative Agent specified in subsection 10.2 prior to 2:00 P.M., New York
City time (or in the case of any borrowing in a Tranche A Subtranche Currency at
the place and time specified by the Administrative Agent from time to time), on
the Borrowing Date requested by the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower in
funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent. Such borrowing will
then be made available to the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower by the
Administrative Agent crediting the account of the Borrower or such Subsidiary
Borrower on the books of such office with the aggregate of the amounts made
available to the Administrative Agent by the Lenders and in like funds as
received by the Administrative Agent.
2.3 REPAYMENT OF TERM LOANS. (a)(i) The Tranche A British Subtranche
Term Loan of each Tranche A Term Lender shall mature in 25 consecutive quarterly
installments, commencing on June 30, 1999, each of which shall be in an amount
equal to the percentage set forth below of such Tranche A
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36
British Subtranche Term Loan on the Closing Date multiplied by such Lender's
applicable Tranche A Term Percentage:
Installment Percentage Amount
----------- -----------------
June 30, 1999 0.4%
September 30, 1999 0.4%
December 31, 1999 2.4%
March 31, 2000 2.4%
June 30, 2000 2.4%
September 30, 2000 2.4%
December 31, 2000 3.1%
March 31, 2001 3.1%
June 30, 2001 3.1%
September 30, 2001 3.1%
December 31, 2001 4.2%
March 31, 2002 4.2%
June 30, 2002 4.2%
September 30, 2002 4.2%
December 31, 2002 4.6%
March 31, 2003 4.6%
June 30, 2003 4.6%
September 30, 2003 4.6%
December 31, 2003 4.6%
March 31, 2004 4.6%
June 30, 2004 4.6%
September 30, 2004 4.6%
December 31, 2004 5.4%
March 31, 2005 5.4%
June 30, 2005 12.8%
(ii) The Tranche A French Subtranche Term Loan of each Tranche A Term
Lender shall mature in 25 consecutive quarterly installments, commencing on June
30, 1999, each of which shall be in an amount equal to the percentage set forth
below of such Tranche A French Subtranche Term Loan on the Closing Date
multiplied by such Lender's applicable Tranche A Term Percentage:
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37
Installment Percentage Amount
----------- -----------------
June 30, 1999 0.4%
September 30, 1999 0.4%
December 31, 1999 2.4%
March 31, 2000 2.4%
June 30, 2000 2.4%
September 30, 2000 2.4%
December 31, 2000 3.1%
March 31, 2001 3.1%
June 30, 2001 3.1%
September 30, 2001 3.1%
December 31, 2001 4.2%
March 31, 2002 4.2%
June 30, 2002 4.2%
September 30, 2002 4.2%
December 31, 2002 4.6%
March 31, 2003 4.6%
June 30, 2003 4.6%
September 30, 2003 4.6%
December 31, 2003 4.6%
March 31, 2004 4.6%
June 30, 2004 4.6%
September 30, 2004 4.6%
December 31, 2004 5.4%
March 31, 2005 5.4%
June 30, 2005 12.8%
(iii) The Tranche A German Subtranche Term Loan of each Tranche A Term
Lender shall mature in 25 consecutive quarterly installments, commencing on June
30, 1999, each of which shall be in an amount equal to the percentage set forth
below of such Tranche A German Subtranche Term Loan on the Closing Date
multiplied by such Lender's applicable Tranche A Term Percentage:
Installment Percentage Amount
----------- -----------------
June 30, 1999 0.4%
September 30, 1999 0.4%
December 31, 1999 2.4%
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March 31, 2000 2.4%
June 30, 2000 2.4%
September 30, 2000 2.4%
December 31, 2000 3.1%
March 31, 2001 3.1%
June 30, 2001 3.1%
September 30, 2001 3.1%
December 31, 2001 4.2%
March 31, 2002 4.2%
June 30, 2002 4.2%
September 30, 2002 4.2%
December 31, 2002 4.6%
March 31, 2003 4.6%
June 30, 2003 4.6%
September 30, 2003 4.6%
December 31, 2003 4.6%
March 31, 2004 4.6%
June 30, 2004 4.6%
September 30, 2004 4.6%
December 31, 2004 5.4%
March 31, 2005 5.4%
June 30, 2005 12.8%
(b) The Tranche B Term Loan of each Tranche B Term Lender shall mature
in 29 consecutive quarterly installments, commencing on June 30, 1999, each of
which shall be in an amount equal to such Lender's Tranche B Term Percentage
multiplied by the amount set forth below opposite such installment:
Installment Principal Amount
----------- ----------------
June 30, 1999 $250,000
September 30, 1999 $250,000
December 31, 1999 $250,000
March 31, 2000 $250,000
June 30, 2000 $250,000
September 30, 2000 $250,000
December 31, 2000 $250,000
March 31, 2001 $250,000
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June 30, 2001 $250,000
September 30, 2001 $250,000
December 31, 2001 $250,000
March 31, 2002 $250,000
June 30, 2002 $250,000
September 30, 2002 $250,000
December 31, 2002 $250,000
March 31, 2003 $250,000
June 30, 2003 $250,000
September 30, 2003 $250,000
December 31, 2003 $250,000
March 31, 2004 $250,000
June 30, 2004 $250,000
September 30, 2004 $250,000
December 31, 2004 $250,000
March 31, 2005 $250,000
June 30, 2005 $250,000
September 30, 2005 $250,000
December 31, 2005 $33,375,000
March 31, 2006 $33,375,000
June 30, 2006 $66,750,000
(c) The Tranche C Term Loan of each Tranche C Term Lender shall mature
in 33 consecutive quarterly installments, commencing on June 30, 1999, each of
which shall be in an amount equal to such Lender's Tranche C Term Percentage
multiplied by the amount set forth below opposite such installment:
Installment Principal Amount
----------- ----------------
June 30, 1999 $250,000
September 30, 1999 $250,000
December 31, 1999 $250,000
March 31, 2000 $250,000
June 30, 2000 $250,000
September 30, 2000 $250,000
December 31, 2000 $250,000
March 31, 2001 $250,000
June 30, 2001 $250,000
September 30, 2001 $250,000
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December 31, 2001 $250,000
March 31, 2002 $250,000
June 30, 2002 $250,000
September 30, 2002 $250,000
December 31, 2002 $250,000
March 31, 2003 $250,000
June 30, 2003 $250,000
September 30, 2003 $250,000
December 31, 2003 $250,000
March 31, 2004 $250,000
June 30, 2004 $250,000
September 30, 2004 $250,000
December 31, 2004 $250,000
March 31, 2005 $250,000
June 30, 2005 $250,000
September 30, 2005 $250,000
December 31, 2005 $250,000
March 31, 2006 $250,000
June 30, 2006 $250,000
September 30, 2006 $250,000
December 31, 2006 $28,125,000
March 31, 2007 $28,125,000
June 30, 2007 $56,250,000
2.4 REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT. Subject to and upon the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, each Revolving Credit Lender severally (but not
jointly) agrees to make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower and/or the
Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time during the Revolving Credit Commitment
Period in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Available Revolving
Credit Commitment of such Revolving Credit Lender; provided that, after giving
effect to the making of such Revolving Credit Loans, the Aggregate Revolving
Extensions of Credit will not exceed the Revolving Credit Commitments and
provided further that the Revolving Credit Lenders shall not make any Revolving
Credit Loans in Optional Currencies if, after giving effect to the making of any
such Revolving Credit Loan, (i) the sum of the Dollar Equivalent of the then
outstanding Revolving Credit Loans in Optional Currencies other than Sterling
and the then outstanding L/C Obligations in Optional Currencies other than
Sterling would exceed the Optional Currency Equivalent of $120,000,000 or (ii)
the sum of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans in Optional Currencies
including Sterling and outstanding L/C Obligations in Optional Currencies
including Sterling would exceed the Optional Currency Equivalent of $225,000,000
and provided further that no more than the Dollar Equivalent of $75,000,000 in
Revolving Credit Loans shall be made on the Closing Date. During the Revolving
Credit Commitment Period the Borrower and the Subsidiary Borrowers may use the
Revolving Credit Commitments by borrowing, repaying the Revolving Credit Loans
in whole or in part, and reborrowing,
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all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. Each Revolving Credit
Lender shall only be required to make Revolving Credit Loans (x) in Dollars (y)
in the Optional Currencies listed with its name on Schedule 1 and from the
Lending Installation outside of the United States listed with its name on
Schedule 1 and (z) in such other Optional Currencies and from such other Lending
Installations outside of the United States as it may agree from time to time by
notice to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall use
reasonable efforts in designating from time to time which of the Revolving
Credit Lenders willing to lend in the requested currency and from Lending
Installations in any requested jurisdiction shall participate in the making of
any Revolving Credit Loan requested to be made, and in the respective amounts to
be lent by them and which of the Revolving Credit Loans shall be repaid with
repayments, in order to accommodate the requests of the Borrower and the
Subsidiary Borrowers with respect to the Revolving Credit Loans and to make from
time to time the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Loans as ratable among
the Revolving Credit Lenders as reasonably practicable in the judgment of the
Administrative Agent. The Borrower and Domestic Subsidiary Borrowers may,
subject to Schedule 1, make ABR Loan and LIBOR Loan borrowings in Dollars and
may make LIBOR Loan borrowings in any Optional Currency under the Revolving
Credit Facility. Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers may, subject to Schedule 1, make
LIBOR Loan borrowings in Dollars or in any Optional Currency under the Revolving
Credit Facility. Each Lender agrees that each of its Lending Installations
listed on Schedule 1 and subsequently agreed from time to time in Belgium,
France, Germany and the United Kingdom shall be on the date hereof or the date
of such agreement an Eligible Belgian Bank, an Eligible French Bank, an Eligible
German Bank or an Eligible U.K. Bank, as the case may be.
2.5 PROCEDURE FOR REVOLVING CREDIT BORROWING. (a) The Borrower and the
Subsidiary Borrowers may borrow under the Revolving Credit Commitments during
the Revolving Credit Commitment Period on any Business Day, subject to the
limitation for Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers in subsection 2.4; provided that the
Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent
irrevocable notice (1) (which notice must be received by the Administrative
Agent prior to 11:00 A.M., New York City time) on the requested Borrowing Date,
in the case of ABR Loans, (2) (which notice must be received by the
Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 A.M., New York City time) three Business
Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of LIBOR Loans in
Dollars and (3) (which notice must be received by 11:00 A.M. London time) two
Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of LIBOR Loans
in Sterling and (4) (which notice must be received by the Administrative Agent
prior to 11:00 A.M., London time) three Business Days prior to the requested
Borrowing Date, in the case of LIBOR Loans in an Optional Currency other than
Sterling, specifying (i) identity of the Borrower or Subsidiary Borrower
borrowing and the amount and currency to be borrowed, (ii) the requested
Borrowing Date, (iii) whether the borrowing is to be an ABR Loan (in the case of
Revolving Credit Loans in Dollars) or a LIBOR Loan or a combination thereof, and
(iv) if the borrowing is to be entirely or partly a LIBOR Loan, the amount to be
a LIBOR Loan and the length of the Interest Period for such LIBOR Loan. Each ABR
borrowing by the Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary Borrower pursuant to the
Revolving Credit Commitments shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal to
$1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof. Each LIBOR
borrowing in Dollars by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower pursuant to the
Revolving Credit Commitments shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal to
$1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Each LIBOR
borrowing in an Optional Currency by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower
pursuant to the Revolving Credit Commitments shall be in an aggregate principal
amount equal to $2,500,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof
in the Optional Currency Equivalent thereof.
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(b) Upon receipt of any notice from the Borrower or a Subsidiary
Borrower pursuant to this subsection 2.5, the Administrative Agent shall
promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender thereof. To the extent available
and subject to subsection 2.4 each Revolving Credit Loan shall be made through
the applicable local Lending Installation of each Revolving Credit Lender. Each
Revolving Credit Lender will make the amount of its pro rata share (subject to
subsection 2.4) of each borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the
account of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower at the office of the
Administrative Agent specified in subsection 10.2 prior to 2:00 P.M., New York
City time (or in the case of any borrowing in an Optional Currency at the place
and time specified by the Administrative Agent from time to time), on the
Borrowing Date requested by the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower in funds
immediately available to the Administrative Agent. Such borrowing will then be
made available to the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower by the Administrative
Agent crediting the account of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower on the
books of such office with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the
Administrative Agent by the Revolving Credit Lenders and in like funds as
received by the Administrative Agent.
2.6 SWING LINE COMMITMENTS. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions
hereof, each Swing Line Lender severally (but not jointly) agrees to make swing
line loans in Dollars (individually, a "Swing Line Loan"; collectively, the
"Swing Line Loans") to the Borrower or a Subsidiary Borrower from time to time
prior to the Revolving Credit Termination Date in an aggregate principal amount
not to exceed 50% of $30,000,000 at any one time outstanding and Chase, as Swing
Line Lender, agrees to make Swing Line Loans in Sterling in an aggregate
principal amount not to exceed the Optional Currency Equivalent of $30,000,000
at any one time outstanding, provided that, after giving effect to the making of
such Swing Line Loans, the Aggregate Revolving Extensions of Credit will not
exceed the Revolving Credit Commitments and the aggregate principal amount of
Swing Line Loans at any one time outstanding shall not exceed $30,000,000 or the
Optional Currency Equivalent thereof; provided, further, that any Swing Line
Loan made to a Subsidiary Borrower which is a resident for taxation purposes in
the United Kingdom shall be repaid within 364 days and shall be made by an
Eligible UK Bank. Amounts borrowed by the Borrower under this subsection 2.6 may
be repaid and, during the Revolving Credit Commitment Period, reborrowed. All
Swing Line Loans in Dollars shall be made as ABR Loans, and Swing Line Loans in
Sterling shall be made on terms agreed upon by Chase and the Borrower. The
Borrower or applicable Subsidiary Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent
irrevocable notice (which notice must be received by the Administrative Agent,
in the case of Swing Line Loans in Dollars, at or prior to 1:00 P.M., New York
City time and, in the case of Swing Line Loans in Sterling, at or prior to 1:00
P.M., London time) on the requested Borrowing Date specifying the amount of each
requested Swing Line Loan, which shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of
$250,000 or a whole multiple thereof. Upon receipt of any such notice, the
Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Swing Line Lender thereof. Each
Swing Line Lender shall make the amount of its pro rata share of each borrowing
in Dollars available, and Chase, as Swing Line Lender, shall make the amount of
each borrowing in Sterling available, to the Borrower or applicable Subsidiary
Borrower in the manner directed by the Administrative Agent on the requested
Borrowing Date.
(b) The Swing Line Lenders, at any time and in their sole and absolute
discretion, may, on behalf of the Borrower or applicable Subsidiary Borrower
(which hereby irrevocably directs the Swing Line Lenders to act on its behalf),
request each Revolving Credit Lender, including each Swing Line Lender, to make
a Revolving Credit Loan in an amount equal to such Lender's Revolving Percentage
of the amount of the Swing Line Loans (the "Refunded Swing Line Loans")
outstanding on
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the date such notice is given. Unless any of the events described in paragraph
(f) of Section 8 shall have occurred (in which event the procedures of paragraph
(c) of this subsection 2.6 shall apply), each Revolving Credit Lender shall make
the proceeds of its Revolving Credit Loan available to the Administrative Agent
for the account of the Swing Line Lenders or for the account of Chase, as Swing
Line Lender, as applicable, at the office of the Administrative Agent prior to
12:00 Noon (New York City time) in funds immediately available on the Business
Day next succeeding the date such notice is given. The proceeds of such
Revolving Credit Loans shall be immediately applied to repay the Refunded Swing
Line Loans.
(c) If, prior to the making of a Revolving Credit Loan pursuant to
paragraph (b) of subsection 2.6, one of the events described in paragraph (f) of
Section 8 shall have occurred, each Revolving Credit Lender hereby agrees to and
will, on the date such Revolving Credit Loan was to have been made, purchase an
undivided participating interest in each Refunded Swing Line Loan in an amount
equal to its Revolving Percentage of such Refunded Swing Line Loan. Each
Revolving Credit Lender will immediately transfer to the Administrative Agent
for the account of the Swing Line Lenders or for the account of Chase, as Swing
Line Lender, as applicable, in immediately available funds, the amount of its
participations and, upon its receipt of its pro rata share thereof, each Swing
Line Lender will deliver to such Revolving Credit Lender a Swing Line Loan
Participation Certificate dated the date of receipt of such funds and in such
amount.
(d) Whenever, at any time after any Swing Line Lender has received from
any Revolving Credit Lender such Revolving Credit Lender's participating
interest in a Refunded Swing Line Loan and such Swing Line Lender receives any
payment on account thereof, such Swing Line Lender will distribute to such
Revolving Credit Lender through the Administrative Agent its participating
interest in such amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest
payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Revolving Credit
Lender's participating interest was outstanding and funded) in like funds as
received; provided, however, that in the event that such payment received by
such Swing Line Lender is required to be returned, such Revolving Credit Lender
will return to such Swing Line Lender through the Administrative Agent any
portion thereof previously distributed by such Swing Line Lender to it in like
funds as such payment is required to be returned by such Swing Line Lender.
2.7 PARTICIPATION. Each Revolving Credit Lender's obligation to
purchase participating interests pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 2.6
shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any
circumstances, including, without limitation, (a) any set-off, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense or other right which such Revolving Credit Lender may have
against the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower, any Subsidiary Borrower or any
other Person for any reason whatsoever; (b) the occurrence or continuance of an
Event of Default; (c) any adverse change in the condition (financial or
otherwise) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (d) any breach of this Agreement
by the Borrower, any Subsidiary Borrower or any other Revolving Credit Lender;
or (e) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not
similar to any of the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Revolving
Credit Lender shall have any obligation to purchase participating interests
pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 2.6 or to make any Refunded Swing Line
Loans in respect of any Swing Line Loan which was made at any time following
receipt by the Administrative Agent of a notice from any Revolving Credit Lender
specifying that (x) a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
and (y) explicitly stating that such Revolving Credit Lender will not purchase
such participating interests or make
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Refunded Swing Line Loans with respect to Swing Line Loans made after the date
of receipt of such notice.
2.8 REPAYMENT OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS; EVIDENCE OF DEBT. (a) The
Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for
the account of each Lender (i) the then unpaid principal amount of each
Revolving Credit Loan of such Lender on the Revolving Credit Termination Date
(or such earlier date on which the Loans become due and payable pursuant to
Section 8) and (ii) the then unpaid principal amount of the Swing Line Loans of
the Swing Line Lender on the Revolving Credit Termination Date (or such earlier
date on which the Swing Line Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section
8). Each of the Subsidiary Borrowers hereby unconditionally promises to pay to
the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender (i) the then unpaid
principal amount of each Loan to such Subsidiary Borrower on the Revolving
Credit Termination Date (or such earlier date on which the Revolving Credit
Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 8) and (ii) the then unpaid
principal amount of the Swing Line Loans to such Subsidiary Borrower of the
Swing Line Lender on the Revolving Credit Termination Date (or such earlier date
on which the Swing Line Loans became due and payable pursuant to Section 8).
Each of the Borrower and the relevant Subsidiary Borrowers hereby further agrees
to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of the Loans from time to time
outstanding to the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower, as applicable, from the
date hereof until payment in full thereof at the rates per annum, and on the
dates, set forth in subsection 2.15.
(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an
account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower and the Subsidiary
Borrowers to such Lender resulting from each Loan of such Lender from time to
time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such
Lender from time to time under this Agreement.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register pursuant to
subsection 10.6(d), and a subaccount therein for each Lender, in which shall be
recorded (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Type thereof and each
Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest
due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower or a Subsidiary
Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) both the amount of any sum received
by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower or such Subsidiary
Borrower and each Lender's share thereof.
(d) The entries made in the Register and the accounts of each Lender
maintained pursuant to subsection 2.8(b) shall, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the
obligations of the Borrower and each Subsidiary Borrower therein recorded;
provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to
maintain the Register or any such account, or any error therein, shall not in
any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower to
repay (with applicable interest) the Loans made to such Borrower or such
Subsidiary Borrower by such Lender in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.
(e) Each of the Borrower and each Subsidiary Borrower which is not a
resident in the U.K. for U.K. tax purposes, a resident of Germany for German tax
purposes or a resident of Belgium for Belgium tax purposes (each such Subsidiary
Borrower being referred to in this clause 2.8(e) only as an "Eligible Subsidiary
Borrower") agree that, upon the request to the Administrative Agent by any
Lender, the Borrower or any Eligible Subsidiary Borrower will execute and
deliver to such Lender (i) a promissory note of the Borrower or Eligible
Subsidiary Borrower evidencing the Revolving Credit Loans
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of such Lender made to it, substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1, with
appropriate insertions as to date and principal amount (a "Revolving Credit
Note"), (ii) in the case of the Swing Line Lender, a promissory note of the
Borrower or the relevant Eligible Subsidiary Borrower evidencing the Swing Line
Loans of the Swing Line Lender made to it, substantially in the form of Exhibit
C-2, with appropriate insertions as to date and principal amount (the "Swing
Line Note") and/or (iii) in the case of Term Loans, a promissory note of the
Borrower or the relevant Eligible Subsidiary Borrower evidencing the Term Loans
of such Lender made to it, substantially in the form of Exhibit C-3, with
appropriate insertions as to date, type and principal amount (a "Term Note").
2.9 FACILITY FEE. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative
Agent, for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender, a facility fee in
Dollars for the period from and including the Closing Date to the Revolving
Credit Termination Date, calculated as an amount equal to the product of (a) the
Facility Fee Rate and (b) the average daily amount of the Revolving Credit
Commitment of such Lender (regardless of usage) during the period for which such
facility fee is calculated, payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each
March, June, September and December and on the Revolving Credit Termination
Date. Such payments shall commence on December 31, 1998, and such first payments
shall be for the period from the Closing Date through December 31, 1998. The
Borrower also agrees to pay to the Agents the fees described in the Commitment
Letter, dated October 16, 1998, from the Agents, CSI and Salomon Brothers
Holding Company to the Borrower.
2.10 TERMINATION OR REDUCTION OF REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENTS. (a)
Optional. The Borrower shall have the right, upon not less than five Business
Days' written notice to the Administrative Agent, to terminate the Revolving
Credit Commitments or, from time to time, reduce the amount of the Revolving
Credit Commitments, provided that (i) any such reduction shall be accompanied by
prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans made hereunder by the Borrower and/or
any Subsidiary Borrower, as applicable,, together with accrued interest on the
amount so prepaid to the date of such prepayment, to the extent, if any, that
the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Extensions of Credit exceeds the amount of
the Revolving Credit Commitments as then reduced, (ii) any such termination of
the Revolving Credit Commitments shall be accompanied by (A) prepayment in full
of the Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding hereunder, (B) cash
collateralization of all L/C Obligations then outstanding in accordance with the
provisions of subsection 2.13, and (C) payment of accrued interest thereon to
the date of such prepayment and the payment of any unpaid fees then accrued
hereunder (including, without limitation, in respect of any Letters of Credit)
and (iii) any termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments while LIBOR Loans
are outstanding under the Revolving Credit Commitments and any reduction of the
aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments that reduces the amount of
the Revolving Credit Commitments below the principal amount of the LIBOR Loans
then outstanding under the Revolving Credit Commitments may be made only on the
last day of the respective Interest Periods for such LIBOR Loans. Upon receipt
of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender
thereof. Any such reduction shall be in an amount of $1,000,000 or a whole
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or in the case of a LIBOR borrowing in
an Optional Currency the Dollar Equivalent thereof) and shall reduce permanently
the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect.
(b) Mandatory. The Revolving Credit Commitments shall automatically
terminate on the Revolving Credit Termination Date and all Revolving Credit
Loans shall be repaid and to the extent any Letter of Credit remains outstanding
after the Revolving Credit Termination Date, the Borrower shall
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cash collateralize such L/C Obligations (and the fees thereon) in accordance
with the provisions of subsection 2.13. The Revolving Credit Commitments shall
also be reduced in accordance with subsection 2.12.
2.11 OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS. (a) The Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower
may, (i) at any time and from time to time prepay the ABR Loans made to it
hereunder, and (ii) on the last day of the Interest Period with respect thereto,
prepay any LIBOR Loans, FIBOR Loans or PIBOR Loans, as the case may be, made to
it hereunder, in each case in whole or in part, without premium or penalty
(subject to subsection 2.11(b)), upon at least four Business Days' irrevocable
notice to the Administrative Agent in the case of LIBOR Loans, FIBOR Loans or
PIBOR Loans, as the case may be, and two Business Days' irrevocable notice to
the Administrative Agent in the case of ABR Loans, specifying the date and
amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of LIBOR Loans, FIBOR Loans,
PIBOR Loans, ABR Loans or a combination thereof, and, if a combination thereof,
the amount of prepayment allocable to each. If such notice is given, the
Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary Borrower shall make such prepayment and the
payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date
specified therein, together with accrued interest to such date on the amount
prepaid. Partial prepayments shall be in an aggregate principal amount of
$1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof (or in the case of
a LIBOR borrowing in an Optional Currency or a FIBOR Loan or a PIBOR Loan, the
Dollar Equivalent thereof), provided that unless a LIBOR Loan, FIBOR Loan or
PIBOR Loan is prepaid in full, no prepayment shall be made, in the case of LIBOR
Loans if, after giving effect to such prepayment, the aggregate principal amount
of LIBOR Loans in Dollars outstanding with respect to which a common Interest
Period has been selected shall be less than $1,000,000 or, in the case of LIBOR
Loans in an Optional Currency or FIBOR Loans or PIBOR Loans, after giving effect
to such prepayment, the aggregate principal amount of LIBOR Loans in an Optional
Currency outstanding with respect to which a common Interest Period has been
selected or such FIBOR Loans or PIBOR Loans shall be less than $2,500,000 or the
Optional Currency Equivalent thereof or the applicable Tranche A Subtranche
Currency Equivalent thereof, as applicable.
(b) On the date of each optional prepayment of Tranche B Term Loans and
Tranche C Term Loans under subsection 2.11(a), the Borrower shall pay to the
Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Tranche B Term Lenders or
Tranche C Term Lenders, as applicable, a prepayment premium in a Dollar amount
equal to (i) for amounts prepaid on or prior to the first anniversary of the
Closing Date, 2% of the aggregate principal amount of such Loans prepaid and
(ii) for amounts prepaid after the first anniversary of the Closing Date but on
or prior to the second anniversary of the Closing Date, 1% of the aggregate
principal amount of such Loans prepaid.
2.1 MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS. (a)(i) The Borrower, without notice or
demand, shall immediately prepay the Revolving Credit Loans, or cause such Loans
to be prepaid by the Subsidiary Borrowers, to the extent, if any, that the
Aggregate Revolving Extensions of Credit exceed the Revolving Credit Commitments
then in effect, together with accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on
the amount so prepaid, provided that if the Aggregate Revolving Extensions of
Credit exceed the Revolving Credit Commitments solely as a result of a change in
the aggregate Dollar Equivalent of the Revolving Credit Loans in Optional
Currencies, no prepayment shall be made unless such prepayment is required
pursuant to subsection 2.25.
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(ii) The Borrower, without notice or demand, shall immediately prepay
the Revolving Credit Loans, or cause the Revolving Credit Loans to be prepaid by
the Subsidiary Borrowers, to the extent, if any, that the Dollar Equivalent of
the portion of the Aggregate Revolving Extensions of Credit made in Optional
Currencies exceeds $225,000,000 or the Dollar Equivalent of the portion of the
Aggregate Revolving Extensions of Credit made in Optional Currencies other than
Sterling exceed $120,000,000, provided that no prepayment shall be made unless
such prepayment is required pursuant to subsection 2.25.
(iii) The Borrower, without notice or demand, shall immediately prepay
the Revolving Credit Loan, or cause the Revolving Credit Loans to be prepaid by
the Subsidiary Borrowers, together with accrued interest to the date of such
prepayment on the amount so prepaid, such that the Dollar Equivalent of
Aggregate Revolving Extensions of Credit in at least one 30-consecutive day
period of each fiscal year of the Borrower shall not exceed $150,000,000.
(b) Unless the Required Prepayment Lenders shall otherwise agree, if
any Capital Stock or other equity shall be issued by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries (other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower), an amount
equal to 50% of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof or the equivalent thereof shall be
applied on the date of such issuance toward the prepayment of the Term Loans and
the reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments as set forth in subsection
2.12(f); provided that if the Leverage Ratio as most recently determined on or
prior to such date in accordance with this Agreement is less than 3.5 to 1.0,
such amount required to be applied shall be equal to 25% of such Net Cash
Proceeds.
(c) Unless the Required Prepayment Lenders shall otherwise agree, if
any Indebtedness shall be incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
(excluding any Indebtedness incurred in accordance with subsection 7.6 (other
than clause (e)(iii) thereof) as such subsection is in effect on the date of
this Agreement), an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof or the
equivalent thereof shall be applied on the date of such incurrence toward the
prepayment of the Term Loans and the reduction of the Revolving Credit
Commitments as set forth in subsection 2.12(f).
(d) Unless the Required Prepayment Lenders shall otherwise agree, if on
any date the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall receive Net Cash Proceeds
from any Asset Sale (including any Asset Sale permitted under clause (c) of
subsection 7.9) or Recovery Event then, unless a Reinvestment Notice shall be
delivered in respect thereof, an amount equal to such Net Cash Proceeds shall be
paid by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and shall be applied on such
date toward the prepayment of the Term Loans and the reduction of the Revolving
Credit Commitments as set forth in subsection 2.12(f); provided, that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds of Asset
Sales and Recovery Events that may be excluded from the foregoing requirement
pursuant to a Reinvestment Notice shall not exceed $25,000,000 in any fiscal
year of the Borrower or $100,000,000 in the aggregate and (ii) on each
Reinvestment Prepayment Date, an amount equal to the Reinvestment Prepayment
Amount with respect to the relevant Reinvestment Event shall be applied toward
the prepayment of the Term Loans and the reduction of the Revolving Credit
Commitments as set forth in subsection 2.12(f).
(e) Unless the Required Prepayment Lenders shall otherwise agree, if,
for any fiscal year of the Borrower commencing with the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1999, there shall be Excess Cash Flow, the Borrower shall, on the
relevant Excess Cash Flow Application Date, apply the ECF Percentage of such
Excess Cash Flow toward the prepayment of the Term Loans and the reduction of
the Revolving
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Credit Commitments as set forth in subsection 2.12(f). Each such prepayment and
commitment reduction shall be made on a date (an "Excess Cash Flow Application
Date") no later than five days after the earlier of (i) the date on which the
financial statements of the Borrower referred to in subsection 6.1 (a), for the
fiscal year with respect to which such prepayment is made, are required to be
delivered to the Lenders and (ii) the date such financial statements are
actually delivered.
(f) Unless the Required Prepayment Lenders shall otherwise agree,
amounts to be applied in connection with prepayments and Revolving Credit
Commitment reductions made pursuant to subsection 2.11 or 2.12 shall be applied,
first, to the prepayment of the Term Loans (and, except as provided in
subsections 2.12(g) and 2.18(c)) ratably as among the Term Loans and, second, to
reduce permanently the Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that amounts to be
applied pursuant to clause (d) of this subsection 2.12 in connection with Net
Proceeds from any Asset Sale under clause (c) of subsection 7.9 shall be
applied, first, to reduce permanently the Revolving Credit Commitments, and
second, to the prepayment of the Term Loans (and, except as provided in
subsections 2.12(g) and 2.18(c)) ratably as among the Term Loans. Any such
reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments shall be accompanied by prepayment
of the Revolving Credit Loans and/or Swing Line Loans to the extent, if any,
that the Aggregate Revolving Extensions of Credit exceed the amount of the
Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments as so reduced, provided that if the
aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans then
outstanding is less than the amount of such excess (because L/C Obligations
constitute a portion thereof), the Borrower or Subsidiary Borrower, as the case
may be, shall, to the extent of the balance of such excess, replace outstanding
Letters of Credit and/or deposit an amount in cash in a cash collateral account
established with the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders on
terms and conditions satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. The application
of any prepayment pursuant to subsection 2.11 or 2.12 shall be made, first, to
ABR Loans to the extent available for application and, second, to LIBOR Loans,
FIBOR Loans and PIBOR Loans, as applicable. Each prepayment of the Loans under
subsection 2.11 or 2.12 (except in the case of Revolving Credit Loans that are
ABR Loans and Swingline Loans) shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the
date of such prepayment on the amount prepaid.
(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in subsection 2.12(f) or
2.18, with respect to the amount of any optional prepayment described in
subsection 2.11 that is allocated to Tranche B Term Loans or Tranche C Term
Loans (such amounts, the "Tranche B Prepayment Amount" and the "Tranche C
Prepayment Amount", respectively), at any time when Tranche A Term Loans remain
outstanding, the Borrower or Subsidiary Borrower as the case may be, will, in
lieu of applying such amount to the prepayment of Tranche B Term Loans and
Tranche C Term Loans, respectively, as provided in paragraph (f) above, on the
date specified in subsection 2.11 for such prepayment, give the Administrative
Agent telephonic notice (promptly confirmed in writing) requesting that the
Administrative Agent prepare and provide to each Tranche B Lender and Tranche C
Lender a notice (each, a "Prepayment Option Notice") as described below. As
promptly as practicable after receiving such notice from the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent will send to each Tranche B Lender and Tranche C Lender a
Prepayment Option Notice, which shall be in the form of Exhibit L, and shall
include an offer by the Borrower to prepay on the date (each a "Prepayment
Date") that is 10 Business Days after the date of the Prepayment Option Notice,
the relevant Term Loans of such Lender by an amount equal to the portion of the
Tranche B Prepayment Amount or Tranche C Prepayment Amount indicated in such
Lender's Prepayment Option Notice as being applicable to such Lender's Tranche B
Term Loans or Tranche C Term Loans, as the case may be. On the Prepayment Date,
(i) the Borrower
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shall pay to the relevant Tranche B Lenders and Tranche C Lenders the aggregate
amount necessary to prepay that portion of the outstanding relevant Term Loans
in respect of which such Lenders have accepted prepayment as described above
(such Lenders, the "Accepting Lenders") and (ii) the Borrower shall pay to the
Tranche A Lenders an amount equal to the portion of the Tranche B Prepayment
Amount and the Tranche C Prepayment Amount not accepted by the Accepting
Lenders, and such amount shall be applied to the prepayment of the Tranche A
Term Loans; provided that each Tranche A French Subtranche Term Loan Lender and
each Tranche A German Subtranche Term Loan Lender may refuse in accordance with
a procedure adopted by the Administrative Agent similar to that set forth above
the application of any portion of such Tranche B Prepayment Amount and/or such
Tranche C Prepayment Amount to the prepayments of such Term Loans.
2.13 CASH COLLATERALIZATION OF LETTERS OF CREDIT. To the extent that at
any time and from time to time, the L/C Obligations exceed the amount of the L/C
Commitments or the Revolving Credit Commitments (whether pursuant to subsections
2.10, 2.11, 2.12 or otherwise), the Borrower shall cash collateralize (in a
manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) such portion of the
L/C Obligations (and the fees thereon through the stated expiration date of the
Letters of Credit giving rise to such L/C Obligations) which is in excess of the
L/C Commitments or Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable.
2.14 CONVERSION OPTIONS. (a) The Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower
may elect from time to time to convert LIBOR Loans in Dollars to ABR Loans, and
may elect from time to time to convert ABR Loans in Dollars to LIBOR Loans in
Dollars, by giving the Administrative Agent at least three Business Days' prior
irrevocable written notice of such election to convert (which date shall be a
Business Day and in the case of any conversion of any LIBOR Loans to ABR Loans,
the last day of an Interest Period therefor), the amount and type of conversion
and, in the case of any conversion of ABR Loans to LIBOR Loans, the Interest
Period selected with respect thereto; provided, however, that (i) the Foreign
Subsidiary Borrowers may not elect to convert LIBOR Loans in Dollars to ABR
Loans, (ii) ABR Loans may not be converted to LIBOR Loans when any Default or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing without the consent of the
Administrative Agent and (iii) Swing Line Loans may not, at any time, be
converted to LIBOR Loans. All or any part of outstanding LIBOR Loans or ABR
Loans may be converted as provided herein, provided that partial conversions of
LIBOR Loans to ABR Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $2,500,000
or a whole multiple thereof and partial conversions of ABR Loans to LIBOR Loans
with respect to which a common Interest Period has been selected shall be in an
aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $2,500,000 in
excess thereof, and provided, further, that in the case of a partial conversion
of LIBOR Loans to ABR Loans, after giving effect to such conversion, the
aggregate principal amount of the LIBOR Loans outstanding with respect to which
a common Interest Period has been selected shall be not less than $5,000,000.
(b) Any LIBOR Loans, FIBOR Loans or PIBOR Loans may be continued as
such upon the expiration of an Interest Period by compliance by the Borrower or
the Subsidiary Borrowers with the notice provisions contained in the definition
of Interest Period, provided that no LIBOR Loan in Dollars may be continued as
such when any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, but
shall be automatically converted to an ABR Loan on the last day of the last
Interest Period for which a LIBOR Rate was determined by the Administrative
Agent on or prior to the Administrative Agent's obtaining knowledge of such
Default or Event of Default.
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(c) No conversion or continuation of any Revolving Credit Loans shall
be made pursuant to this subsection 2.14 if, after giving effect to such
conversion or continuation, (i) the sum of the Dollar Equivalent of the then
outstanding Revolving Credit Loans in Optional Currencies other than Sterling
and the then outstanding L/C Obligations in Optional Currencies other than
Sterling would exceed the Optional Currency Equivalent of $120,000,000 or (ii)
the sum of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans in Optional Currencies
including Sterling and outstanding L/C Obligations in Optional Currencies
including Sterling would exceed the Optional Currency Equivalent of
$225,000,000.
(d) Conversions of Revolving Credit Loans in any currency to another
currency shall be made by repaying such Revolving Credit Loan and reborrowing in
such other currency in compliance with the provisions hereof.
2.15 INTEREST RATE AND PAYMENT DATES. (a) (i) Each LIBOR Loan shall
bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect thereto at a
rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate determined for such Interest Period plus
the Applicable Margin.
(ii) Each FIBOR Loan shall bear interest for each day during each
Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to (x) if funded
by a Lender in Germany, (A) prior to commencement of the third stage of EMU, the
FIBOR Rate determined for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin, and
(B) on and after commencement of the third stage of EMU, the EURIBOR Rate
determined for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin and (y)
otherwise, the FIBOR Rate determined for such Interest Period plus the
Applicable Margin.
(iii) Each PIBOR Loan shall bear interest for each day during each
Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to (x) if funded
by a Lender in France, (A) prior to commencement of the third stage of EMU, the
PIBOR Rate determined for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin and
(B) on and after commencement of the third stage of EMU, the EURIBOR Rate
determined for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin and (y)
otherwise, the PIBOR Rate determined for such Interest Period plus the
Applicable Margin.
(b) Each ABR Loan shall bear interest for the period from and including
the date thereof until maturity at a rate per annum equal to the ABR plus the
Applicable Margin.
(c) If all or a portion of (i) the principal amount of any Loan or any
reimbursement obligation, (ii) any interest payable thereon or (iii) any
facility fee, commission or other amount payable hereunder shall not be paid
when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such
overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum which is (A) the rate
pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection plus 2% or (B) in the case of
amounts in Dollars, if higher, the rate described in paragraph (b) of this
subsection 2.15 plus 2%, or in each case from the date of such non-payment until
such amount is paid in full (as well after as before judgment). The
Administrative Agent may choose any Interest Period from time to time (including
one Interest Period of shorter than one month) with respect to any overdue
amount bearing interest based upon paragraph (a) of this subsection.
(d) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date,
except that interest payable pursuant to subsection 2.15(c) shall be payable
upon demand.
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2.16 COMPUTATION OF INTEREST AND FEES. (a) Intentionally Omitted.
(b) Each determination of an interest rate by the Administrative Agent
pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on
the Borrower and the Subsidiary Borrowers absent manifest error.
(c) Interest (other than interest based on the Prime Rate) shall be
calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed (subject,
in the case of any LIBOR Loan in an Optional Currency or a Tranche A Subtranche
Currency, to any market convention for a different basis as determined by the
Administrative Agent); and facility fees and interest based on the Prime Rate
shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (366-, as the case may be) day year
for the actual days elapsed. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as
practicable notify the Borrower and the affected Lenders of each determination
of a LIBOR Rate, FIBOR Rate, PIBOR Rate or EURIBOR Rate, as applicable. Any
change in the interest rate on a Loan resulting from a change in the ABR, any
LIBOR reserve requirements, the MLA Costs, the C/D Assessment Rate or the C/D
Reserve Percentage shall become effective as of the opening of business on the
day on which such change becomes effective. The Administrative Agent shall as
soon as practicable notify the Borrower and the affected Lenders of the Closing
Date and the amount of such change in interest rate.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Borrower or a
Subsidiary Borrower or any Lender, deliver to the Borrower or a Subsidiary
Borrower or such Lender a statement showing in reasonable detail the
calculations used by the Administrative Agent in determining any interest rate
pursuant to subsection 2.15, excluding any LIBOR Base Rate which is based upon
the British Bankers Assoc. Interest Settlement Rates Page, any FIBOR Rate or
EURIBOR Rate which is based upon the Reuters Screen FIBOR Page or Telerate Page
22000 and any PIBOR Rate or EURIBOR Rate which is based upon Reuters Screen
PIBOR Page or Telerate Page 20041.
2.17 INABILITY TO DETERMINE INTEREST RATE. In the event that the
Reference Lenders shall have reasonably determined (which determination shall be
conclusive and binding upon the Borrower and the Subsidiary Borrowers absent
manifest error) that by reason of circumstances affecting the interbank
eurocurrency market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining
the LIBOR Rate applicable pursuant to subsection 2.15(a) for any Interest Period
with respect to (a) a proposed Loan that has been requested be made as a LIBOR
Loan, (b) a LIBOR Loan that will result from the requested conversion of an ABR
Loan into a LIBOR Loan or (c) the continuation of LIBOR Loans beyond the
expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, the
Administrative Agent shall forthwith give telecopy or telephonic notice of such
determination, confirmed in writing, to the Borrower and the Lenders at least
one Business Day prior to, as the case may be, the requested Borrowing Date for
such LIBOR Loan, the conversion date of such ABR Loan or the last day of such
Interest Period. If such notice is given (i) any requested LIBOR Loan in Dollars
shall be made as an ABR Loan, (ii) any ABR Loan that was to have been converted
to a LIBOR Loan shall be continued as an ABR Loan, (iii) any outstanding LIBOR
Loan in Dollars shall be converted, on the last day of the then current Interest
Period with respect thereto, to an ABR Loan and (iv) the LIBOR Rate for such
Interest Period for any affected LIBOR Loans in any Optional Currency shall bear
interest for such Interest Period at a rate reasonably determined by the
Administrative Agent as representing the cost to Lenders generally holding such
LIBOR Loans of funding such LIBOR Loans for such Interest Period plus the
Applicable Margin. Until such notice has been withdrawn by the Administrative
Agent, no further LIBOR Loans in Dollars shall
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be made nor shall the Borrower have the right to convert an ABR Loan to a LIBOR
Loan. Such notice shall be withdrawn by the Administrative Agent when the
Administrative Agent shall reasonably determine that adequate and reasonable
means exist for ascertaining the LIBOR Rate.
2.18 PRO RATA TREATMENT AND PAYMENTS. (a) Each borrowing from the
Revolving Credit Lenders hereunder shall be made as among the Revolving Credit
Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall designate in accordance with
subsection 2.4. Each other borrowing of Loans hereunder and any reduction of the
Revolving Credit Commitments of the Lenders shall be made pro rata according to
the respective Tranche A Term Percentages, Tranche B Term Percentages, Tranche C
Term Percentages or Revolving Percentages, as the case may be, of the relevant
Lenders.
(b) Each payment (including each prepayment) on account of principal of
and interest on the Revolving Credit Loans in any currency shall be made pro
rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of such Loans
then held by the Revolving Credit Lenders, subject in the case of prepayments of
principal to any designation of the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection
2.4. The Borrower or a Subsidiary Borrower may select the currency or currencies
of any optional or mandatory prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans.
(c) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower and the
Subsidiary Borrowers on account of principal of and interest on each Tranche A
Subtranche of the Tranche A Term Loans and on the Tranche B Term Loans and the
Tranche C Term Loans shall be made pro rata according to the Dollar Equivalent
of the respective outstanding principal amounts of such Term Loans (except as
otherwise provided in subsection 2.12(g)) and, among each Tranche A Subtranche
of the Tranche A Term Loans, pro rata based upon the Dollar Equivalent of the
then remaining principal amount of each such Tranche A Subtranche. The amount of
each principal prepayment of the Term Loans shall be applied pro rata to the
Tranche A Term Loans, the Tranche B Term Loans and the Tranche C Term Loans and
to reduce the then remaining installments thereof, pro rata based upon the
Dollar Equivalent of the then remaining principal amount thereof; provided,
however, that:
(i) in the case of a mandatory prepayment of the Term Loans resulting
from an Asset Sale, such mandatory prepayment may, at the option of the Borrower
so long as no Event of Default (other than an Event of Default under subsection
8(b)) has occurred and is continuing, be applied as follows:
(A) if such Asset Sale is of the Capital Stock of a Subsidiary
Borrower that is the borrower of the Tranche A British Subtranche Term
Loans made by Eligible U.K. Banks or of the Tranche A French Subtranche
Term Loans or the Tranche A German Subtranche Term Loans or of any
assets of such Subsidiary Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, to the
extent that such subtranche of Tranche A Term Loans are then
outstanding, to such Tranche A British Subtranche Term Loan or such
Tranche A French Subtranche Term Loans or such Tranche A German
Subtranche Term Loans, as the case may be, in each case pro rata to the
remaining installments thereof, and thereafter as provided above; and
(B) if such Asset Sale is of any other assets to the extent
that such Term Loans are then outstanding, pro rata to the other
Tranche A British Subtranche Term Loans and the
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Tranche B Term Loans and the Tranche C Term Loans, in each case pro
rata to the remaining installments thereof and thereafter as provided
above;
(ii) in the case of a mandatory prepayment of the Term Loans under
subsection 2.12(e) as a result of there being Excess Cash Flow in respect of any
fiscal year, such mandatory prepayment may, at the option of the Borrower so
long as no Event of Default (other than an Event of Default under subsection
8(b) has occurred and is continuing), be applied as follows:
(A) in the case of the portion of such mandatory prepayment
equal to the ECF Percentage of the portion of such Excess Cash Flow
attributable, in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower, to the
Subsidiary Borrower of the Tranche A British Subtranche Term Loans made
by Eligible U.K. Banks or of the Tranche A French Subtranche Term Loans
or the Tranche A German Subtranche Term Loans and its Subsidiaries, to
the extent that such subtranche of Tranche A Term Loans are then
outstanding, to such Tranche A British Subtranche Term Loans or to such
Tranche A French Subtranche Term Loans or such Tranche A German
Subtranche Term Loans, as the case may be, in each case pro rata to the
remaining installments thereof, and thereafter as provided above; and
(B) in the case of the remaining portion of such mandatory
prepayment after subtracting therefrom the portions attributable to
such Subsidiary Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries as
contemplated in the foregoing clause (ii)(A), or to the extent that no
such subtranche of Tranche A Term Loans in respect of such Subsidiary
Borrowers are then outstanding, pro rata to the other Tranche A British
Subtranche Term Loans and the Tranche B Term Loans and the Tranche C
Term Loans in each case pro rata to the remaining installments thereof.
Amounts prepaid on account of the Term Loans may not be reborrowed.
(d) All payments (including prepayments) to be made by the Borrower or
any Subsidiary Borrower hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest,
fees or otherwise, shall be made without set off or counterclaim and shall be
made prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the due date thereof to the
Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, at the Administrative
Agent's office specified in subsection 10.2, in Dollars and in immediately
available funds (or in the case of any payment in an Optional Currency or
Tranche A Subtranche Currency, in the relevant Optional Currency or Tranche A
Subtranche Currency and at the place and time specified by the Administrative
Agent from time to time). The Administrative Agent shall distribute such
payments to the Lenders promptly upon receipt in like funds as received. If any
payment hereunder (other than payments on the LIBOR Loans, the FIBOR Loans or
the PIBOR Loans) becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day,
such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and such
extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of the
amount payable hereunder. If any payment on a LIBOR Loan, a FIBOR Loan or a
PIBOR Loan, as the case may be, becomes due and payable on a day other than a
Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment
into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the
immediately preceding Business Day.
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(e) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing
by any Lender prior to a Borrowing Date that such Lender will not make the
amount that would constitute its Revolving Percentage or Term Loan Percentage,
as the case may be, of the borrowing on such date available to the
Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has
made such amount available to the Administrative Agent on such Borrowing Date,
and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make
available to the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary Borrower a corresponding
amount. If such amount is made available to the Administrative Agent on a date
after such Borrowing Date, such Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent on
demand an amount equal to the product of (i) the daily average Federal funds
rate (or, in the case of any borrowing in an Optional Currency or a Tranche A
Subtranche Currency, the customary rate as selected by the Administrative Agent
for the settlement of obligations between banks) during such period as quoted by
the Administrative Agent, times (ii) the amount of such Lender's Revolving
Percentage or Term Percentage, as applicable of such borrowing, times (iii) a
fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse from and
including such Borrowing Date to the date on which such Lender's Revolving
Percentage or Term Percentage of such borrowing shall have become immediately
available to the Administrative Agent and the denominator of which is 360 (the
"Effective Interbank Rate"). A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted
to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this subsection shall be
conclusive in the absence of manifest error. If such amount is so made
available, such payment to the Administrative Agent shall constitute such
Lender's Loan on such Borrowing Date for all purposes of this Agreement. If such
amount is not so made available to the Administrative Agent, then the
Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary
Borrower of such failure and on the fourth Business Day following such Borrowing
Date, the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower shall pay to the Administrative
Agent such ratable portion, together with interest thereon for each day that the
Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower had the use of such ratable portion, at the
Effective Interbank Rate. Nothing contained in this subsection 2.18(e) shall
relieve any Lender which has failed to make available its ratable portion of any
borrowing hereunder from its obligation to do so in accordance with the terms
hereof.
(f) The failure of any Lender to make the Loan to be made by it on any
Borrowing Date shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation, if any,
hereunder to make its Loan on such Borrowing Date, but no Lender shall be
responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make the Loan to be made by
such other Lender on such Borrowing Date.
2.19 ILLEGALITY. Notwithstanding any other provisions herein, if any
introduction of or change in any law, regulation, treaty or directive or in the
interpretation or application thereof occurring after the date hereof shall make
it unlawful for any Lender to make or maintain LIBOR Loans, FIBOR Loans or PIBOR
Loans as contemplated by this Agreement, (a) such Lender shall forthwith give
telecopy or telephonic notice of such circumstances, confirmed in writing, to
the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary Borrower (which notice shall be
withdrawn by such Lender when such Lender shall reasonably determine that it
shall no longer be illegal for such Lender to make or maintain LIBOR Loans,
FIBOR Loans or PIBOR Loans or to convert ABR Loans to LIBOR Loans), (b) the
commitment of such Lender hereunder to make LIBOR Loans, FIBOR Loans or PIBOR
Loans or to convert ABR Loans to LIBOR Loans shall forthwith be canceled and (c)
such Lender's Loans then outstanding as LIBOR Loans, if any, shall be, in the
case of Loans in Dollars, converted automatically to ABR Loans based upon the
ABR on the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect to such
Loans or within such earlier period as may be required by law and in the case of
Loans in any Optional Currency or in
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any Tranche A Subtranche Currency, shall be prepaid on the last day of the then
current Interest Period with respect to such Loans or within such earlier period
as may be required by law. The Borrower and each Subsidiary Borrower hereby
agrees promptly to pay the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender,
upon demand by the Administrative Agent, any additional amounts necessary to
compensate the Lenders for any costs incurred by the Lenders in making any
conversion in accordance with this subsection 2.19, including, but not limited
to, any interest or fees payable by the Lenders to lenders of funds obtained by
them in order to make or maintain their LIBOR Loans, FIBOR Loans or PIBOR Loans
hereunder (the Administrative Agent's notice of such costs, as certified to the
Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower, to be conclusive, absent manifest error).
2.20 REQUIREMENTS OF LAW. (a) In the event that any introduction of or
change in any law, regulation, treaty or directive or in the interpretation or
application thereof occurring after the date hereof or compliance by any Lender
with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any
central bank or other governmental authority, agency or instrumentality
(including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners):
(i) shall subject such Lender to any tax of any kind,
whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Note, any Letter of
Credit, any Application, any Loan or any LIBOR Loans, FIBOR Loans or
PIBOR Loans made by it or its obligation to make LIBOR Loans, FIBOR
Loans or PIBOR Loans, or change the basis of taxation of payments to
such Lender of principal, facility fee, interest or any other amount
payable hereunder (other than Non-Excluded Taxes or changes in the rate
of tax on the overall net income of such Lender)
(ii) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve,
special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets
held by, or deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of,
advances or loans by, or other credit extended by, or any other
acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender which are not
otherwise included in the determination of the LIBOR Rate, FIBOR Rate,
PIBOR Rate or EURIBOR Rate hereunder, or
(iii) shall impose on such Lender or the eurocurrency market
any other condition;
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender
(which increase in cost shall be the result of such Lender's reasonable
allocation of the aggregate of such cost increases resulting from such events),
of making, renewing or maintaining LIBOR Loans, FIBOR Loans or PIBOR Loans or
issuing or participating in Letters of Credit or to reduce any amount receivable
thereunder then, in any such case, the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary
Borrower shall, upon notice to it from such Lender (with a copy to the
Administrative Agent) certifying that (x) one of the events described in this
subsection 2.20(a) has occurred and the nature of such event, (y) the increased
cost or reduced amount resulting from such event and (z) the additional amounts
demanded by such Lender and a reasonably detailed explanation of the calculation
thereof, promptly pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the
applicable Lender, upon demand by the Administrative Agent, without duplication,
any additional amounts necessary to compensate such Lender for such increased
cost or reduced amount receivable which such Lender deems to be material as
determined in good faith by such Lender with respect to this Agreement or the
Loans made hereunder, provided that, in any such case, the Borrower or the
relevant Subsidiary Borrower (if otherwise not prohibited hereunder) may elect
to convert the LIBOR Loans in Dollars made hereunder to ABR Loans by giving such
Lender and the Administrative Agent at least one
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Business Day's prior irrevocable notice of such election in which case the
Borrower or relevant Subsidiary Borrower shall promptly pay the Administrative
Agent for the account of the applicable Lender, upon demand by the
Administrative Agent, without duplication, any loss or expense incurred by such
Lender in liquidating or re-employing the deposits from which the funds were
obtained by such Lender for the purpose of making and/or maintaining such LIBOR
Loans, FIBOR Loans or PIBOR Loans, together with any amount due under this
subsection 2.20(a) in respect of the period prior to such conversion. If such
Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this
subsection, it shall promptly notify the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary
Borrower of the event by reason of which it has become so entitled.
(b) In the event that any Lender shall have determined that any change
in any Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or in the interpretation or
application thereof or compliance by such Lender or any corporation controlling
such Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or
not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority made subsequent to
the date hereof does or shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on
such Lender's or such corporation's capital as a consequence of its obligations
hereunder or under any Letters of Credit to a level below that which such Lender
or such corporation could have achieved but for such change or compliance
(taking into consideration such Lender's or such corporation's policies with
respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material,
then from time to time, within 15 days after submission by such Lender to the
Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of a written request therefor
certifying that (x) one of the events described in this subsection 2.20(b) has
occurred and the nature of such event, (y) the increased cost or reduced amount
resulting from such event and (z) the additional amounts demanded by such Lender
and a reasonably detailed explanation of the calculation thereof, the Borrower
shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate
such Lender for such reduction.
(c) A certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to
paragraphs (a) and (b) above submitted by any Lender to the Borrower or a
Subsidiary Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
2.21 INDEMNITY. The Borrower and each Subsidiary Borrower agrees to
indemnify each Lender and to hold each Lender harmless from any loss or expense
which such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the
Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower in payment of the principal amount of or
interest on any LIBOR Loans, FIBOR Loans or PIBOR Loans, including, but not
limited to, any such loss or expense arising from interest or fees payable by
such Lender to lenders of funds obtained by them in order to maintain their
LIBOR Loans, FIBOR Loans or PIBOR Loans hereunder, (b) default by the Borrower
or such Subsidiary Borrower in making LIBOR Loans, FIBOR Loans or PIBOR Loans or
conversion after the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower has given a notice in
accordance with subsection 2.5 or 2.14, (c) default by the Borrower or such
Subsidiary Borrower in making any prepayment of a LIBOR Loan after the Borrower
or such Subsidiary Borrower has given a notice in accordance with subsection
2.11, and (d) the making of any payment or conversion of LIBOR Loans, FIBOR
Loans or PIBOR Loans on a day which is not the last day of the applicable
Interest Period with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, any such
loss or expense arising from interest or fees payable by the Lenders to lenders
of funds obtained by them in order to maintain their LIBOR Loans, FIBOR Loans or
PIBOR Loans hereunder. This covenant shall survive termination of this Agreement
and payment of the outstanding Notes. The obligations of indemnity of each of
the respective Subsidiary
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Borrowers hereunder are limited only to the loss and expense described herein
arising from or as a result of any act or omission by such Subsidiary Borrower,
and are not, and shall not be deemed to be, the joint and several obligations of
each such Subsidiary Borrower as to any loss or expense arising from or as a
result of any act or omission by the Borrower or the other Subsidiary Borrower.
2.22 TAXES. (a) Except as provided below in this subsection, all
payments made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower under this Agreement
and any Notes shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or
withholding for or on account of, any present or future income, stamp or other
taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, now
or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any
Governmental Authority, excluding the following taxes ("Excluded Taxes") (x)
taxes measured by or imposed upon the overall net income of any Lender or its
applicable lending office, or any branch or affiliate thereof, and (y) all
franchise taxes or branch taxes imposed upon any Lender or its applicable
lending office, or any branch or affiliate thereof, in each case imposed: (i) by
the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Lender, applicable lending office,
branch or affiliate is organized or is located, or in which its principal
executive office is located, or any nation within which such jurisdiction is
located or any political subdivision thereof; or (ii) by reason of any
connection between the jurisdiction imposing such tax and such Lender,
applicable lending office, branch or affiliate other than a connection arising
solely from such Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations
under, or received payment under or enforced, this Agreement or any Notes. If
any such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions
or withholdings ("Non-Excluded Taxes") are required to be withheld from any
amounts payable to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder or under any
Notes, the amounts so payable to the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall
be increased to the extent necessary to yield to the Administrative Agent or
such Lender (after payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes) interest or any such other
amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this
Agreement and any Notes, provided, however, that the Borrower and/or such
Subsidiary Borrower shall be entitled to deduct and withhold any Non-Excluded
Taxes and shall not be required to increase any such amounts payable to any
Lender that are attributable to (i) such Lender's failure to comply with the
requirements of paragraph (b) of this subsection or (ii) the Lender's failure at
all times during which it is a party to this Agreement to comply with the
requirements of subsection 2.1, 2.4 or 2.6 unless such failure is due to a
change in treaty, law or regulation or any application or interpretation
thereof. Whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes are payable by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary Borrower, as promptly as possible thereafter the applicable Borrower
or Subsidiary Borrower shall send to the Administrative Agent for its own
account or for the account of such Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy
of an original official receipt received by such Borrower or such Subsidiary
Borrower showing payment thereof. If the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower
fails to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority
or fails to remit to the Administrative Agent the required receipts or other
required documentary evidence, such Borrower or Subsidiary Borrower shall
indemnify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for any incremental taxes,
interest or penalties that may become payable by the Administrative Agent or any
Lender as a result of any such failure. The agreements in this subsection shall
survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all
other amounts payable hereunder.
(b)(1) Each Lender that is not incorporated under the laws of the
United States of America or a state thereof shall:
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(X)(i) on or before the date of any payment by the Borrower or
the relevant Subsidiary Borrower under this Agreement or any Notes to
such Lender, deliver to the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary
Borrower, and the Administrative Agent (A) two duly completed copies of
United States Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or 4224, or successor
applicable form, statement or certificate, as the case may be,
certifying that it is entitled to receive payments under this Agreement
and any Notes without deduction or withholding or at a reduced rate of
withholding of any United States federal income taxes and (B) an
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9, or successor applicable form,
statement or certificate, as the case may be, certifying that it is
entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding tax;
(ii) deliver to the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary
Borrower, and the Administrative Agent two further copies of any such
form or certification on or before the date that any such form or
certification expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of
any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously
delivered by it to the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower; and
(iii) obtain such extensions of time for filing and complete
such forms or certifications as may reasonably be requested by the
Borrower, Subsidiary Borrower or the Administrative Agent;
(Y) in the case of any such Lender that is not a "bank" within
the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (i) represent to the
Borrower (for the benefit of each of the Borrower, the relevant
Subsidiary Borrowers and the Administrative Agent) that it is not a
bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (ii) agree
to furnish to the Borrower on or before the date of any payment by the
Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower, with a copy to the Administrative
Agent, (A) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E (any
such certificate a "U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate") and (B) two
accurate and complete original signed copies of Internal Revenue
Service Form W-8, or successor applicable form certifying to such
Lender's legal entitlement at the date of such certificate to an
exemption from U.S. withholding tax under the provisions of Section
881(c) of the Code with respect to payments to be made under this
Agreement and any Notes (and to deliver to the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent two further copies of such form on or before the
date it expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any
event requiring a change in the most recently provided form and, if
necessary, obtain any extensions of time reasonably requested by the
Borrower or the Administrative Agent for filing and completing such
forms), and (iii) agree, to the extent legally entitled to do so, upon
reasonable request by the Borrower, to provide to the Borrower (for the
benefit of each of the Borrower, the Subsidiary Borrowers and the
Administrative Agent) such other forms as may be reasonably required in
order to establish the legal entitlement of such lender to an exemption
from withholding with respect to payments under this Agreement and any
Notes, provided that in determining the reasonableness of a request
under this clause (iii) such Lender shall be entitled to consider the
cost (to the extent unreimbursed by the Borrower) which would be
imposed on such Lender of complying with such request;
unless in any such case any change in treaty, law or regulation has occurred
after the date such Person becomes a Lender hereunder which renders all such
forms inapplicable or which would prevent such
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Lender from duly completing and delivering any such form with respect to it and
such Lender so advises the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
(2) Each Lender that is not incorporated or organized under
the laws of the jurisdiction under which a Foreign Subsidiary Borrower
is incorporated or organized or is not a resident for taxation purposes
of such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower's country of tax residence, shall
upon written request by such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower, deliver to
such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower or the applicable Governmental
Authority or taxing authority, as the case may be, any form or
certificate required in order that any payment by such Foreign
Subsidiary Borrower under this Agreement or any Notes to such Lender
may be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for
or on account of any tax (or to allow any such deduction or withholding
to be at a reduced rate) imposed on such payment under the laws of the
jurisdiction under which such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower is
incorporated or organized or is otherwise a resident for taxation
purposes, provided that such Lender is legally entitled to complete,
execute and deliver such form or certificate and such completion,
execution or submission would not materially prejudice the legal
position of such Lender.
(c) Each Lender confirms in favor of the Administrative Agent, the
Borrower and the Subsidiary Borrowers other than with respect to Tranche B Term
Loans and Tranche C Term Loans (on the date hereof or, in the case of a Lender
which becomes a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance, or the
date on which the relevant Assignment and Acceptance becomes effective) that it
is beneficially entitled to its share of the Loan and the interest thereon
subject to its assignment of any participating interests pursuant to Section
10.6(b) and it is and will remain either (A) not a resident for tax purposes of
the United Kingdom or (B) an Eligible UK Bank; and any Participants under
Section 10.6(b) are beneficially entitled to such Participants' share of the
Loan and the interest thereon and that each such Participant is and will remain
either (X) not a resident for tax purposes of the United Kingdom or (Y) an
Eligible UK Bank.
2.23 Intentionally Omitted.
2.24 USE OF PROCEEDS. (a) The proceeds of the Loans on the Closing Date
shall be used by the Borrower and (with respect to Tranche A Term Loans and
Revolving Credit Loans) the Subsidiary Borrowers (i) for the repayment in full
of the loans under the Existing Credit Agreement and the payment in full of any
and all other amounts owing to the lenders under the Existing Credit Agreement
(the "Refinancing") and (ii) to refinance the RPA Acquisition (the "RPA
Refinancing").
(b) The Revolving Credit Facility and the proceeds of the Revolving
Credit Loans shall be used by the Borrower and the Subsidiary Borrowers for the
issuance of Letters of Credit, for working capital and other general corporate
purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, for acquisitions in accordance
with the terms of subsection 7.3 and to finance up to $100,000,000 of the Ortho
Acquisition.
2.25 CONTROLS ON PREPAYMENT IF AGGREGATE REVOLVING EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT
EXCEED AGGREGATE REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENTS. (a) The Borrower will implement
and maintain internal controls to monitor the borrowings and repayments of
Revolving Credit Loans by both the Borrower and the relevant Subsidiary
Borrowers and the issuance of and drawings under Letters of Credit, with the
object of preventing any request for an Extension of Credit that would result in
(i) the Aggregate
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Revolving Extensions of Credit with respect to all of the Lenders being in
excess of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect, (ii) the
sum of the Dollar Equivalent of the then outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and
outstanding L/C Obligations in Optional Currencies other than Sterling with
respect to all the Lenders being in excess of the Optional Currency Equivalent
of $120,000,000 or (iii) the sum of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and
outstanding L/C Obligations in Optional Currencies including Sterling with
respect to all the Lenders being in excess of the Optional Currency Equivalent
of $225,000,000 and of promptly identifying and remedying any circumstance
where, by reason of changes in exchange rates, (x) the Aggregate Revolving
Extensions of Credit (made in Dollars or any Optional Currency) with respect to
all of the Lenders exceeds the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments then in
effect, (y) the sum of the Dollar Equivalent of the then outstanding Revolving
Credit Loans and outstanding L/C Obligations in Optional Currencies other than
Sterling with respect to all the Lenders exceeds the Optional Currency
Equivalent of $120,000,000 or (z) the sum of the outstanding Revolving Credit
Loans and Letters of Credit in Optional Currencies including Sterling with
respect to all the Lenders exceeds the Optional Currency Equivalent of
$225,000,000. In the event that at any time the Borrower determines that (i) the
Aggregate Revolving Extensions of Credit (made in Dollars or any Optional
Currency) with respect to all of the Lenders exceeds the aggregate Revolving
Credit Commitments then in effect, (ii) the sum of the Dollar Equivalent of the
then outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and L/C Obligations in Optional
Currencies other than Sterling with respect to all the Lenders exceeds the
Optional Currency Equivalent of $120,000,000 or (iii) the sum of the outstanding
Revolving Credit Loans and L/C Obligations in Optional Currencies including
Sterling with respect to all the Lenders exceeds the Optional Currency
Equivalent of $225,000,000, in any of the foregoing cases solely as a result of
a change in the aggregate Dollar Equivalent of the Revolving Credit Loan in
Optional Currencies, by more than 5%, the Borrower will promptly notify the
Administrative Agent.
(b) The Administrative Agent will calculate the Aggregate Revolving
Extensions of Credit (including any portion made in any Optional Currency) with
respect to all of the Lenders from time to time, and in any event not less
frequently than once during each calendar quarter. In making such calculations,
the Administrative Agent will rely on the information most recently received by
it from the Swing Line Lender in respect of outstanding Swing Line Loans and
from the Issuing Lender in respect of outstanding L/C Obligations.
(c) In the event that on any date the Administrative Agent calculates
that (i) the Aggregate Revolving Extensions of Credit (made in Dollars or any
Optional Currency) with respect to all of the Lenders (including the Swing Line
Lender) exceeds the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect, (ii)
the sum of the Dollar Equivalent of the then outstanding Revolving Credit Loans
and L/C Obligations in Optional Currencies other than Sterling with respect to
all the Lenders exceeds the Optional Currency Equivalent of $120,000,000 or
(iii) the sum of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans in Optional Currencies
and L/C Obligations including Sterling with respect to all the Lenders exceeds
the Optional Currency Equivalent of $225,000,000, in any of the foregoing cases
solely as a result of a change in the aggregate Dollar Equivalent of the
Revolving Credit Loan in Optional Currencies, by more than 5%, the
Administrative Agent will give notice to such effect to the Borrower or any such
Subsidiary Borrower and the Lenders. Within five Business Days of receipt of any
such notice, the Borrower or any such Subsidiary Borrower will, as soon as
practicable but in any event within five Business Days of receipt of such
notice, first, make such repayments or prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans
(together with interest accrued to the date of such repayment or prepayment),
second, pay any
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Reimbursement Obligations then outstanding and, third, cash collateralize any
outstanding L/C Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent as shall be necessary to cause (x) the Aggregate Revolving
Extensions of Credit (made in Dollars or any Optional Currency) with respect to
all of the Lenders (including the Swing Line Lenders) to no longer exceed the
aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect, (y) the sum of the Dollar
Equivalent of the then outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and L/C Obligations in
Optional Currencies other than Sterling with respect to all the Lenders to no
longer exceed the Optional Currency Equivalent of $120,000,000 and/or (z) the
sum of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and L/C Obligations in Optional
Currencies including Sterling with respect to all the Lenders to no longer
exceed the Optional Currency Equivalent of $225,000,000. If any such repayment
or prepayment of a LIBOR Loan pursuant to this subsection occurs on a day which
is not the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto,
the Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such amounts, if any, as may be required
pursuant to subsection 2.21.
2.26 LENDING INSTALLATIONS. (a) Subject to subsection 2.1, 2.4 and 2.6
each Lender may book its Loans at any Lending Installation selected by such
Lender and may change its Lending Installation from time to time. All terms of
this Agreement shall apply to any such Lending Installation and the Loans and
Notes issued hereunder shall be deemed held by each Lender for the benefit of
such Lending Installation. Each Lender may, by written notice to the
Administrative Agent and the Borrower in accordance with subsection 10.2 and
subject always to subsection 2.1, 2.4 and 2.6 designate replacement or
additional Lending Installations through which Loans will be made by it and for
whose account Loan payments are to be made.
(b) Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving
rise to the operation of subsection 2.20 or 2.22(a) with respect to such Lender,
it will, if requested by the Borrower, use reasonable efforts (subject to
overall policy considerations of such Lender) to designate another Lending
Installation for any Loans affected by such event with the object of avoiding
the consequences of such event; provided, that such designation is made on terms
that, in the sole judgment of such Lender, cause such Lender and any of its
Lending Installations to suffer no economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage,
and provided, further, that nothing in this subsection 2.26(b) shall affect or
postpone any of the obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower or
the rights of any Lender pursuant to subsection 2.20 or 2.22(a).
2.27 NOTICES TO LENDERS. All notices under this Section 2 to Lenders by
the Borrower, any Subsidiary Borrower or the Administrative Agent, and all
payments by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders, shall be made to the
respective Lending Installations of the Lenders maintaining the relevant Loans
or Commitments.
SECTION 3. LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITIES
---------------------------
3.1 L/C COMMITMENT. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the
Issuing Lender, in reliance on the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in
subsection 3.4(a), agrees to issue letters of credit ("Letters of Credit") for
the account of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower on any Business Day
during the Revolving Credit Commitment Period in such form as may be approved
from time to time by the Issuing Lender; provided that the Issuing Lender shall
not have any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to
such issuance, (i) the L/C Obligations would exceed the L/C
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Commitment or (ii) the Aggregate Revolving Extensions of Credit would exceed the
Revolving Credit Commitments. Each Letter of Credit shall (i) be denominated in
Dollars or any Optional Currency; provided that, except as the Majority
Revolving Facility Lenders otherwise agree, (A) the sum of the Dollar Equivalent
of the then outstanding Revolving Credit Loans in Optional Currencies other than
Sterling and the then outstanding L/C Obligations in Optional Currencies other
than Sterling would exceed the Optional Currency Equivalent of $120,000,000 and
(B) the sum of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans in Optional Currencies
including Sterling and outstanding L/C Obligations in Optional Currencies
including Sterling would exceed the Optional Currency Equivalent of
$225,000,000, (ii) be either (x) a standby letter of credit (a "Standby L/C")
issued to support obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower,
contingent or otherwise, with an expiry date occurring not later than one year
after such standby L/C was issued (which expiry date may be subject to one or
more automatic extensions of one year or less unless 60-day notice, or such
other notice as is satisfactory to the Borrower and the Issuing Lender, is given
that any such extension shall not be effective) or (y) a documentary letter of
credit in respect of the purchase of goods or services by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business with an expiry date occurring
not later than one year after such documentary letter of credit was issued and,
in the case of any such documentary letter of credit which is to be accepted by
the Issuing Lender pending payment at a date after presentation of sight drafts,
with a payment date no more than one year after such drafts were presented for
acceptance (a "Trade L/C") and (iii) expire no later than five days before the
Revolving Credit Termination Date.
(b) Each Letter of Credit shall be subject to the Uniform Customs and,
to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the laws of the State of New York.
(c) The Issuing Lender shall at no time be obligated to issue any
Letter of Credit hereunder if such issuance would conflict with, or cause the
Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by, any
applicable Requirement of Law.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, each
Letter of Credit outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement on the Closing
Date shall be deemed to be issued and outstanding under this Agreement as of the
Closing Date.
3.2 PROCEDURE FOR ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT. The Borrower or any
Subsidiary Borrower may from time to time request that the Issuing Lender issue
a Letter of Credit by delivering to the Issuing Lender (with a copy to the
Administrative Agent) at its address for notices specified herein an Application
therefor, completed to the satisfaction of the Issuing Lender, and such other
certificates, documents and other papers and information as the Issuing Lender
may reasonably request. Upon receipt of any Application, the Issuing Lender will
process such Application and the certificates, documents and other papers and
information delivered to it in connection therewith in accordance with its
customary procedures and shall promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested
thereby (but in no event shall the Issuing Lender be required to issue any
Letter of Credit earlier than four Business Days after its receipt of the
Application therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other papers
and information relating thereto) by issuing the original of such Letter of
Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed by the Issuing
Lender and the Borrower or any relevant Subsidiary Borrower. The Issuing Lender
shall furnish a copy of such Letter of Credit to the Borrower, to the
Administrative Agent and to any relevant Subsidiary Borrower promptly following
the issuance thereof.
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3.3 FEES, COMMISSIONS AND OTHER CHARGES. (a) The Borrower or the
relevant Subsidiary Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the
ratable account of the Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants, a letter of
credit commission in Dollars with respect to each Trade L/C issued by the
Issuing Lender in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of such issuance and
payment fees as have been agreed upon by the Borrower and the Issuing Lender and
in an amount equal to the product of, on the date on which such commission is
calculated, (A) the rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin in respect of
LIBOR Loans that are Revolving Credit Loans and (B) the Dollar Equivalent of the
aggregate amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit (plus an
additional 1/4 of 1% per annum which shall be payable for the account of the
Issuing Lender). Such letter of credit commissions shall be payable in arrears
on the last day of each March, June, September and December and shall be
nonrefundable.
(b) The Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary Borrower shall pay to the
Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of the Issuing Lender and the L/C
Participants, a letter of credit commission in Dollars with respect to each
Standby L/C issued by the Issuing Lender, computed for the period from the date
of such payment to the date upon which the next such payment is due hereunder in
an amount equal to the product of (i) the rate equal to the Applicable Margin in
respect of LIBOR Loans that are Revolving Credit Loans in effect on the date on
which such commission is calculated and (ii) the Dollar Equivalent of the
aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Standby L/C on the date on
which such commission is calculated (plus an additional 1/4 of 1% per annum
which shall be payable for the account of the Issuing Lender). The Borrower or
the relevant Subsidiary Borrower shall also pay to the Administrative Agent, for
the account of the Issuing Lender, such issuance fees as have been agreed upon
by the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary Borrower and the Issuing Lender. Such
letter of credit commissions shall be payable in arrears on the last day of each
March, June, September and December and shall be nonrefundable.
(c) In addition to the foregoing fees and commissions, the Borrower or
the relevant Subsidiary Borrower shall pay or reimburse the Issuing Lender for
such normal and customary costs and expenses as are incurred or charged by the
Issuing Lender in issuing, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise
administering any Letter of Credit issued by it.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall, promptly following its receipt
thereof, distribute to the Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants all fees and
commissions received by the Administrative Agent for their respective accounts
pursuant to this subsection 3.3.
3.4 L/C PARTICIPATION. (a) The Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to
grant and hereby grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce the Issuing
Lender to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, each L/C Participant irrevocably
agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from the Issuing
Lender, on the terms and conditions hereinafter stated, for such L/C
Participant's own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such L/C
Participant's Revolving Percentage or in such other percentage as the
Administrative Agent may from time to time determine in order to make from time
to time the respective portions of the Aggregate Revolving Extensions of Credit
held by the Revolving Credit Lenders as ratable among them as reasonably
practicable in the judgment of the Administrative Agent in the Issuing Lender's
obligations and rights under each Letter of Credit issued hereunder and the
amount of each draft paid by the Issuing Lender thereunder. Each L/C Participant
unconditionally and irrevocably agrees with the Issuing Lender that, if a draft
is paid under any Letter of Credit for which the Issuing Lender is not
reimbursed in full by the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary Borrower in
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accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such L/C Participant shall pay to
the Issuing Lender upon demand at the Issuing Lender's address for notices
specified herein an amount equal to such L/C Participant's Revolving Percentage
of the amount of such draft, or any part thereof, which is not so reimbursed.
Unless all of the Revolving Credit Lenders have agreed to make Revolving Credit
Loans in the currency of such Letter of Credit, no such demand shall be made by
the Issuing Lender prior to its electing to convert the reimbursement payment to
Dollars as contemplated by subsection 3.5.
(b) If any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant to the
Issuing Lender pursuant to subsection 3.4(a) in respect of any unreimbursed
portion of any payment made by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit is
not paid to the Issuing Lender within three Business Days after the date such
payment is due, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Lender on demand
an amount equal to the product of such amount, times the daily average Federal
funds rate, as quoted by the Issuing Lender, during the period from and
including the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is
immediately available to the Issuing Lender, times a fraction the numerator of
which is the number of days that elapse during such period and the denominator
of which is 360. If any such amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant
pursuant to subsection 3.4(a) is not in fact made available to the Issuing
Lender by such L/C Participant within three Business Days after the date such
payment is due, the Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover from such L/C
Participant, on demand, such amount with interest thereon calculated from such
due date at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans that are Revolving Credit
Loans hereunder. A certificate of the Issuing Lender submitted to any L/C
Participant with respect to any amounts owing under this subsection shall be
conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
(c) Whenever, at any time after the Issuing Lender has made payment
under any Letter of Credit and has received from any L/C Participant its pro
rata share of such payment in accordance with subsection 3.4(a), the Issuing
Lender receives any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly
from the Borrower, the relevant Subsidiary Borrower or otherwise), or any
payment of interest on account thereof, the Issuing Lender will distribute to
such L/C Participant its pro rata share thereof; provided, however, that in the
event that any such payment received by the Issuing Lender shall be required to
be returned by the Issuing Lender, such L/C Participant shall return to the
Issuing Lender the portion thereof previously distributed by the Issuing Lender
to it.
3.5 REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION OF THE BORROWER. The Borrower or the
relevant Subsidiary Borrower agrees to reimburse the Issuing Lender on each date
on which the Issuing Lender notifies the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary
Borrower of the date and amount of a draft presented under any Letter of Credit
and paid by the Issuing Lender for the amount of (a) such draft so paid and (b)
any taxes (other than Excluded Taxes), fees, charges or other costs or expenses
incurred by the Issuing Lender in connection with such payment; provided that
upon the acceleration of such reimbursement obligations in accordance with
Section 8, the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary Borrower agrees to reimburse
the Issuing Lender for the amount equal to the then maximum liability (whether
direct or contingent) of the Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants under each
Letter of Credit. Each such payment shall be made to the Issuing Lender, at its
address for notices specified herein in the currency in which such Letter of
Credit is denominated (except that, in the case of any Letter of Credit
denominated in any Optional Currency, in the event that such payment is not made
to the Issuing Lender within three Business Days of the date of receipt by the
Borrower or any relevant Subsidiary Borrower of such notice, upon notice by the
Issuing Lender to the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary Borrower, such payment
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shall be made in Dollars, in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the
amount of such payment converted on the date of such notice into Dollars at the
spot rate of exchange on such date) and in immediately available funds, on the
date on which the Borrower or any relevant Subsidiary Borrower (on behalf of
itself or such Subsidiary Borrower, as the case may be) receives such notice, if
received prior to 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on a Business Day and
otherwise on the next succeeding Business Day. Any conversion by the Issuing
Lender of any payment to be made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower in
respect of any Letter of Credit denominated in any Optional Currency into
Dollars in accordance with this subsection 3.5 shall be conclusive and binding
upon such Borrower or such relevant Subsidiary Borrower and the Lenders in the
absence of manifest error; provided that upon the request of any Lender, the
Issuing Lender shall provide to such Lender a certificate including reasonably
detailed information as to the calculation of such conversion.
3.6 OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. The Borrower's and any relevant Subsidiary
Borrower's obligations under this Section 3 shall be absolute and unconditional
under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any set-off, counterclaim or
defense to payment which the Borrower or any relevant Subsidiary Borrower may
have or have had against the Issuing Lender or any beneficiary of a Letter of
Credit. The Borrower also agrees with the Issuing Lender that the Issuing Lender
shall not be responsible for, and the Borrower's or such relevant Subsidiary
Borrower's Reimbursement Obligations under subsection 3.5 shall not be affected
by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of any
endorsements thereon, even though such documents shall in fact prove to be
invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among the Borrower, any
relevant Subsidiary Borrower and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any
other party to which such Letter of Credit may be transferred or any claims
whatsoever of the Borrower or relevant Subsidiary Borrower against any
beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or any such transferee. The Issuing Lender
shall not be liable for any error, omission, interruption or delay in
transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however
transmitted, in connection with any Letter of Credit issued by it, except for
errors or omissions caused by the Issuing Lender's gross negligence or willful
misconduct. The Borrower and any relevant Subsidiary Borrower agrees that any
action taken or omitted by the Issuing Lender under or in connection with any
Letter of Credit issued by it or the related drafts or documents, if done in the
absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct and in accordance with the
standards of care specified in the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New
York, shall be binding on the Borrower or any relevant Subsidiary Borrower and
shall not result in any liability of the Issuing Lender to the Borrower or any
relevant Subsidiary Borrower.
3.7 INCREASED COSTS. If the adoption of or any change in any law or
regulation or in the interpretation thereof after the date hereof by any court
or administrative or Governmental Authority charged with the administration
thereof shall either (i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special
deposit or similar requirement against Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing
Lender or participated in by the Lenders or (ii) impose on any Lender any other
condition regarding any Letter of Credit, and the result of any event referred
to in clauses (i) or (ii) above shall be to increase the cost to the Issuing
Lender or any Lender of issuing or maintaining such Letter of Credit (or its
participation therein, as the case may be) (which increase in cost shall be the
result of the Issuing Lender's or such Lender's reasonable allocation of the
aggregate of such cost increases resulting from such events), then, upon notice
to it from the Issuing Lender or such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent) certifying that (x) one of the events herein above described has occurred
and the nature of such event, (y) the increased cost or reduced amount resulting
from such event and (z) the additional amounts demanded
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by the Issuing Lender or such Lender, as the case may be, and a reasonably
detailed explanation of the calculation thereof, the Borrower shall immediately
pay to such Issuing Lender or such Lender, as the case may be, from time to time
as specified by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, additional amounts
which shall be sufficient to compensate such Issuing Lender or such Lender for
such increased cost, together with interest on each such amount from the date
demanded until payment in full thereof at the rate provided in subsection 3.3. A
certificate as to the fact and amount of such increased cost incurred by the
Issuing Lender or such Lender as a result of any event mentioned in clauses (i)
or (ii) above, submitted by the Issuing Lender or such Lender to the Borrower,
shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
3.8 LETTER OF CREDIT PAYMENTS. If any draft in Dollars or any Optional
Currency shall be presented for payment under any Letter of Credit, the Issuing
Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of the
date and amount of the Dollars or the Optional Currency thereof. The
responsibility of the Issuing Lender to the Borrower in connection with any
draft presented for payment under any Letter of Credit shall, in addition to any
payment obligation expressly provided for in such Letter of Credit, be limited
to determining that the documents (including each draft) delivered under such
Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment are in conformity with such
Letter of Credit.
3.9 APPLICATION. To the extent that any provision of any Application
related to any Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions of this
Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall apply.
3.10 PURPOSE OF THE LETTERS OF CREDIT. The Letters of Credit shall be
used for any lawful purposes requested by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
Borrower.
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
------------------------------
In order to induce the Lenders and the Administrative Agent to enter
into this Agreement and to make the Loans and issue or participate in the
Letters of Credit herein provided for, the Borrower hereby represents and
warrants to the Administrative Agent and to each Lender that:
4.1 FINANCIAL CONDITION. (a) The unaudited pro forma consolidated
balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at September
30, 1998 (including the notes thereto) (the "Pro Forma Balance Sheet"), copies
of which have heretofore been furnished to each Lender, has been prepared giving
effect (as if such events had occurred on such date) to (i) the consummation of
the Transactions, (ii) the Loans to be made and, if the Ortho Acquisition is
being consummated on the Closing Date, the Bridge Subordinated Debt or the
Senior Subordinated Notes to be issued on the Closing Date (or, if the Bridge
Subordinated Debt is issued on the Closing Date, the Senior Subordinated Notes
to be issued on the date of refinancing of the Bridge Subordinated Debt) and the
use of proceeds thereof and (iii) the payment of fees and expenses in connection
with the foregoing. The Pro Forma Balance Sheet has been prepared based on the
best information available to the Borrower as of the date of delivery thereof,
and presents fairly on a pro forma basis the estimated financial position of
Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at September 30, 1998, assuming
that the events specified in the preceding sentence had actually occurred at
such date.
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(b) The consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as at September 30, 1997 and the related consolidated statements of
income and of cash flows for the fiscal year ended on such date, reported on by
Price Waterhouse Coopers L.L.P. and the unaudited consolidated statements of
income and of cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1998, copies of
which have heretofore been delivered to each of the Lenders, are complete and
correct and present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial
condition of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at such
respective dates, and the consolidated results of their operations and their
consolidated cash flows for the fiscal year or fiscal period then ended. All
such financial statements, including the related schedules and notes thereto,
have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the
periods involved (except as approved by such accountants and as disclosed
therein). Neither the Borrower nor any of its consolidated Subsidiaries had, at
the date of the balance sheet referred to above, any material obligation,
contingent liability or liability for taxes, or any long-term lease or unusual
forward or long-term commitment, including without limitation, any interest rate
or foreign currency swap or exchange transaction, which is not reflected in the
foregoing statements or in Schedule 4.1. Since September 30, 1998, there has
been no development or event which has had or could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.2 CORPORATE EXISTENCE; COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. Each of the Borrower and
its Material Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, (b) has the
corporate or other power and authority and the legal right to own and operate
its property, to lease the property it leases and to conduct the business in
which it is currently engaged, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation or
other applicable entity and in good standing under the laws of any jurisdiction
where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct or proposed
conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to
so qualify would not, in any instance or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (d) is in compliance with all
material Requirements of Law applicable to it or its business, provided that the
provisions of this clause (d) do not restrict or limit the applicability of any
knowledge or other qualification which is given in this Agreement in any other
matter which constitutes a "Requirement of Law".
4.3 CORPORATE POWER; AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEABLE OBLIGATIONS. Each of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has the corporate or other power and authority
and the legal right to make, deliver and perform this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents to which it is a party and to borrow hereunder (in the case of
the Borrower and any Subsidiary Borrower) and has taken all corporate or other
action necessary to be taken by it to authorize such actions. No consent, waiver
or authorization of, filing with, or other act by or in respect of, any
Governmental Authority or any other Person is required to be made or obtained by
the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection with the borrowings hereunder or
the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party. This Agreement
constitutes, and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower or any
Subsidiary is a party when executed and delivered hereunder will constitute, a
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower and such Subsidiary,
enforceable against the Borrower and such Subsidiary in accordance with their
respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles
(whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).
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4.4 NO LEGAL BAR. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowings hereunder and the use of
the proceeds thereof or of any Subordinated Debt do not violate any usury law
applicable to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower or any other Requirement
of Law or Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Material
Subsidiaries and do not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any
Lien on any of its or their respective properties or revenues pursuant to any
such Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect except for Liens which may be
required by the Existing Subordinated Note Indenture.
4.5 NO MATERIAL LITIGATION. No litigation, investigation or proceeding
of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the best
knowledge of the Borrower, threatened by or against the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or against any of its or their respective properties or revenues
(a) with respect to this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any of
the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby except as set forth on Schedule
4.5 or (b) which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.6 NO BURDENSOME RESTRICTIONS. No Requirement of Law or Contractual
Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries could reasonably expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.7 NO DEFAULT. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in
default under or with respect to any of its Contractual Obligations in any
respect which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Neither the Borrower
nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under any order, award or decree of
any arbitrator or Governmental Authority binding upon or affecting it or by
which any of its properties or assets may be bound or affected, where such
default would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.8 SUBSIDIARIES. The Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 4.8 constitute
all of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower in existence on the date hereof.
Celaflor GmbH, a company incorporated under the laws of Germany, will be
liquidated within 270 days of the Closing Date.
4.9 DISCLOSURE. No representations or warranties made by, or
information supplied by, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in this
Agreement, any other Loan Document or in any other document, including without
limitation the Confidential Information Memorandum and the Transaction
Agreements and any other document in connection with the Transactions, furnished
to the Lenders from time to time in connection herewith or therewith (as such
other documents may be supplemented from time to time) contains or will contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or will omit to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements herein or therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Except as
disclosed in the Loan Documents or as otherwise disclosed in writing to the
Lenders, there is no fact known to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which
has, or which would reasonably be expected to have, in the Borrower's or such
Subsidiary's reasonable judgment, a Material Adverse Effect.
4.10 SCHEDULES. Each of the Schedules to this Agreement contains true,
complete and correct information in all material respects.
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4.11 FEDERAL REGULATIONS. No part of the proceeds of any Loans will be
used for (i) any purpose which violates, or which would be inconsistent with,
the provisions of the Regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System as now and from time to time hereafter in effect, and if deemed
necessary in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent or its counsel,
the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a
statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form
U-1 referred to in Regulation U of said Board or (ii) except as set forth on
Schedule 4.11, purchasing any security in any transaction which is subject to
Sections 13 and 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
4.12 INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT; OTHER REGULATIONS. Neither the Borrower
nor any of its Subsidiaries is an "investment company", or a company
"controlled" by an "investment company", within the meaning of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended. Neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under any U.S. federal or state statute or
regulation which limits its ability to incur indebtedness.
4.13 LABOR MATTERS. Except as, in the aggregate, could not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) there are no strikes or other
labor disputes against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pending or, to
the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened; (b) hours worked by and payment made
to employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have not been in violation of
the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Requirement of Law dealing
with such matters; and (c) all payments due from the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries on account of employee health and welfare insurance have been paid
or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower or the relevant
Subsidiary.
4.14 ERISA. No "prohibited transaction" or "accumulated funding
deficiency" (each as defined in Section 8 hereof) or Reportable Event has
occurred since July 1, 1974 which has not been cured with respect to any Single
Employer Plan. The present value of all benefits vested under all Single
Employer Plans maintained by the Borrower or a Commonly Controlled Entity (based
on those assumptions used to fund such Plans in accordance with Section 412 of
the Code) did not, as of the last annual valuation date, exceed the value of the
assets of such Plan determined in accordance with Section 412 of the Code
allocable to such vested benefits. The liability to which the Borrower or any
Commonly Controlled Entity would become subject under ERISA if the Borrower or
any such Commonly Controlled Entity were to withdraw completely (as defined in
Section 4203 of ERISA) from all Multi-employer Plans as of the valuation date
most closely preceding the date hereof is not in excess of $3,000,000. The
Borrower does not currently participate in any Multi-employer Plans.
4.15 TITLE TO REAL PROPERTY, ETC. Each of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries has good and marketable title in fee simple to, or a valid and
subsisting leasehold interest in, all its real property and good title to all
its other property, except where the failure to have such good and marketable
title would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and
none of such property is subject to any Lien, except (a) as permitted by
subsection 7.1 of this Agreement , (b) Liens granted to the Administrative Agent
and the Lenders pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement and (c) as disclosed
in a mortgagee's title insurance policy in respect of any Mortgaged Property
under clause (iii) of subsection 5.1(s) herein.
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4.16 TAXES. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has filed or
caused to be filed all tax returns which are required to be filed and has paid
all taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns or on any assessments made
against it or any of its property and all other taxes, fees or other charges
imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than
any the amount or validity of which are currently being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with
GAAP have been provided on the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as the
case may be) except where the failure to file such returns or pay such taxes
and/or assessments would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect; no tax Lien has been filed, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, no
claim is being asserted, with respect to any such tax, fee or other charge.
4.17 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Each of the following is true and correct
as of the date hereof, other than exceptions to any of the following that, in
the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected by the Borrower to have a
Material Adverse Effect:
(a) Each of the properties owned or operated by the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries does not contain, and has not previously
contained, any Materials of Environmental Concern in amounts or
concentrations which (i) constitute or constituted a violation of, or
(ii) could reasonably give rise to liability under, Environmental Laws.
(b) The Borrower and its Subsidiaries are and have been in
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, and there is no
contamination or violation of any Environmental Law which, in the
aggregate with all other contaminations and violations, would interfere
with the continued operations or the business of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, in each case taken as a whole or impair the fair saleable
value thereof.
(c) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received any notice of violation, alleged violation, non-compliance,
liability or potential liability regarding environmental matters or
compliance with Environmental Laws nor does the Borrower have knowledge
or reason to believe that any such notice will be received or is being
threatened.
(d) With respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
Materials of Environmental Concern have not been transported or
disposed of in violation of, or in a manner or to a location which
would reasonably give rise to liability under, Environmental Laws, nor
have any Materials of Environmental Concern been generated, treated,
stored or disposed of at, on or under any of the Properties in
violation of, or in a manner that would reasonably give rise to
liability under, any applicable Environmental Laws.
(e) No judicial proceedings or governmental or administrative
action is pending, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened,
under any Environmental Law to which the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries is or will be named as a party or which will adversely
affect the ability of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to
conduct any part of their business nor are there any consent decrees or
other decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other orders,
or other administrative or judicial requirements outstanding under any
Environmental Law with respect to the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries.
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(f) There has been no release or threat of release of
Materials of Environmental Concern at any location for which the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is liable by contract or operation
of law, in violation of or in amounts or in a manner that would
reasonably give rise to liability under Environmental Laws.
4.18 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries
owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, technology,
know-how and processes necessary for the conduct of its business as currently
conducted except for those the failure of which to own or license would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (the "Intellectual
Property"). No claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person challenging
or questioning the use of any such Intellectual Property or the validity or
effectiveness of any such Intellectual Property, and the Borrower does not know
of any valid basis for any such claim, except for such claims which have
previously been disclosed to the Lenders and would not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect. The use of such Intellectual Property by the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries does not infringe on the rights of any Person,
except for such claims and infringements that, in the aggregate, would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.19 SECURITY DOCUMENTS. (a) Except to the extent otherwise noted
therein, each Guarantee and Collateral Agreement is effective to create in favor
of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders (or, where required
by law, in favor of each Lender), a legal, valid and enforceable security
interest in the Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof. In the case
of the Pledged Stock described and defined in each Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement, except to the extent otherwise noted therein, when stock certificates
representing such Pledged Stock are delivered to the Administrative Agent, and
in the case of the other Collateral described and defined in each Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement, except to the extent otherwise noted therein, when
financing statements and other filings specified on Schedule 4.19(a) in
appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 4.19(a), each
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on,
and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in
such Collateral and the proceeds thereof, as security for the Obligations (as
defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreements), in each case prior and
superior in right to any other Person (except, in the case of Collateral other
than Pledged Stock, Liens permitted by subsection 7.1).
(b) Each of the Mortgages is effective to create in favor of the
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and
enforceable Lien on the Mortgaged Properties described therein and proceeds
thereof, and when the Mortgages are filed in the offices specified on Schedule
4.19(b), each such Mortgage shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and
security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in the
Mortgaged Properties and the proceeds thereof, as security for the Obligations
(as defined in the relevant Mortgage).
4.20 REGULATION H. No Mortgage encumbers improved real property that is
located in an area that has been identified by the Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development as an area having special flood hazards and in which flood
insurance has been made available under the National Flood Insurance Act of
1968.
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4.21 SOLVENCY. (a) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is, and
after giving effect to the Transactions and the incurrence of all Indebtedness
and obligations being incurred in connection herewith and therewith will be and
will continue to be, Solvent.
(b) Each Subsidiary Borrower is in compliance with all material
Requirements of Law applicable to it with respect to capitalization and, to the
knowledge of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower, has sufficient capital
with which to conduct its business in accordance with past practice. No
Subsidiary Borrower is undercapitalized to such an extent that, solely as a
result of such undercapitalization, any Lender would be deemed under the laws of
the relevant jurisdiction to owe a fiduciary duty to any other creditor of such
Subsidiary Borrower or the Loans made by relevant Lenders to such Subsidiary
Borrower would be subordinated to any obligations of such Subsidiary Borrower
owing to any other Person.
4.22 SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS. The Obligations constitute "Senior
Indebtedness" or "Senior Debt" of the Borrower and each Subsidiary Borrower
under and as defined in the Existing Subordinated Note Indenture, the Bridge
Loan Agreement (if any) and the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture (if any). The
obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under the applicable Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement constitute "Guarantor Senior Indebtedness" of such
Subsidiary Guarantor under and as defined in the Existing Subordinated Note
Indenture, the Bridge Loan Agreement (if any) and the Senior Subordinated Note
Indenture (if any).
4.23 YEAR 2000 MATTERS. Any reprogramming, replacement or other
renovation required to permit the proper functioning (but only to the extent
that such proper functioning would otherwise be impaired by the use of date data
from and after January 1, 2000) from and after January 1, 2000 of information
technology and other equipment containing embedded microchips which process date
data, in either case both (i) owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries and (ii) in the custody of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
is scheduled for completion before December 31, 1999 and the testing of all such
systems and other equipment, as so reprogrammed, replaced or renovated, will be
completed by December 31, 1999 except where the failure to so complete such
testing will not have a Material Adverse Effect. Excluding such costs as may be
related to the RPA Acquisition, the Roundup Agreement, Subsidiaries acquired
after July 31, 1998 and other pending acquisitions, the costs to the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries that have not been incurred as of the date hereof for
such reprogramming, replacement or other renovation could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Default or Event of Default or have a Material Adverse
Effect.
SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
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5.1 CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall
become effective on the date upon which the conditions set forth in this Section
5 shall have been satisfied (the "Closing Date") and the obligation of each
Lender to make its initial Loan and of the Issuing Lender to issue any Letter of
Credit requested to be issued by it hereunder is subject to the satisfaction or
waiver by the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders of the following
conditions precedent on or prior to December 10, 1998:
(a) EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT. The Administrative Agent shall
have received this Agreement, executed and delivered by the Borrower
and each of the Subsidiary Borrowers party
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to this Agreement as of the Closing Date and by Lenders having
Commitments in the aggregate as contemplated by Schedule 1.
(b) Guarantee and Collateral Agreements. The Administrative
Agent shall have received the Guarantee and Collateral Agreements, duly
executed and delivered by duly authorized officers of the parties
thereto and each relevant Foreign Subsidiary shall have duly executed
and delivered pledges as more particularly described on Schedule 5.1(b)
hereto.
(c) Notes. Each requesting Lender shall have received a
Revolving Credit Note or a Term Loan Note, as the case may be, each
duly executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the
Borrower and each applicable Subsidiary Borrower.
(d) Acquisition, etc. The following transactions shall have
been consummated on or before the Closing Date, in each case on terms
and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders:
(i)(A) the RPA Acquisition and, in the event the
Bridge Subordinated Debt or the Senior Subordinated Notes are
issued on the Closing Date, the Ortho Acquisition, shall have
been consummated in accordance with applicable law on terms
satisfactory to the Lenders, (B) the Transaction Agreements
shall have satisfactory terms and conditions and no provision
of such documentation shall have been waived, amended,
supplemented, or otherwise modified in any material respect
and (C) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates shall
not be in Default under any Transaction Agreement or in
connection with the financing thereof and shall not be subject
to Contractual Obligations or other restrictions which would
be violated by consummation of the Transactions;
(ii) the deferred payment obligations of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries (including guarantees) given as partial
consideration for the RPA Acquisition shall be in the
aggregate amount of FF 240,000,000 and shall be payable in
four annual installments of FF 60,000,000 each; and
(iii) The Administrative Agent shall have received
satisfactory evidence that the Existing Credit Agreement has
been terminated and that all amounts outstanding thereunder
shall have been paid in full and all Obligations of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries under the Existing Credit
Agreement, the Notes (as defined in the Existing Credit
Agreement) and the Loan Documents (as defined in the Existing
Credit Agreement) shall have been discharged, except in
respect of the letters of credit, other than the RP Letters of
Credit, issued thereunder.
(e) Pro Forma Balance Sheet; Financial Statements. The Lenders
shall have received (i) the Pro Forma Balance Sheet of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries as of September 30, 1998, adjusted to reflect the
consummation of the Transactions and the financings contemplated
thereby as if such Transactions had occurred on such date, and (ii)
audited financial statements of (A) each of the Acquired Companies for
the 1997 fiscal year, excepting the audited consolidated financial
statement in respect of the Ortho Acquisition which financial statement
is to be
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delivered to the Administrative Agent at least 30 Business Days prior
to the consummation of the Ortho Acquisition, and (B) of the Borrower
for the 1997 fiscal year, and such financial statements shall not, in
the reasonable judgment of the Lenders, reflect any material adverse
change in the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower, its
Subsidiaries or the Acquired Companies, as reflected in the financial
statements or projections contained in the Confidential Information
Memorandum.
(f) Fees. The Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the
Lenders each shall have received for its own account all fees and any
other amounts payable on the Closing Date pursuant to the Fee Letter or
pursuant to this Agreement and all expenses for which invoices have
been presented on or before the Closing Date.
(g) Legal Opinion of Counsel to the Borrower and the
Subsidiary Borrowers. The Administrative Agent and each Lender shall
have received an executed legal opinion of Vorys, Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx and
Xxxxx LLP, special counsel to the Borrower, dated the Closing Date and
addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders substantially in
the form of Exhibit F. The Administrative Agent and each Lender shall
have received an executed legal opinion of Vorys, Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx and
Xxxxx LLP, or such other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent, as counsel to each Domestic Subsidiary Borrower,
dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders. The Administrative Agent and each Lender shall have
received an executed legal opinion of Xxxxxxxx Chance, as counsel to
each Foreign Subsidiary Borrower, dated the Closing Date and addressed
to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders substantially in the form
required by subsection 5.3. Such legal opinions shall cover such other
matters incident to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as
the Lenders may reasonably require in form and substance satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and each Lender
shall have received, if available, an executed legal opinion of counsel
delivered pursuant to the Transaction Agreements, accompanied by a
reliance letter, if available, in favor of the Lenders. The
Administrative Agent and each Lender shall have received an executed
legal opinion from such special or local counsel as the Administrative
Agent shall reasonably request.
(h) Solvency Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have
received a solvency certificate, satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent, duly authorized and executed by the Chief Financial Officer of
the Borrower; documenting the solvency of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries after giving effect to the Transactions and the other
transactions contemplated thereby.
(i) Environmental Assessment. The Administrative Agent shall
have received an environmental assessment, satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent in all respects, with respect to the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries.
(j) Corporate Proceedings of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries. The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of
the resolutions (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent and its counsel) of the Board of Directors of each
of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries executing any Loan
Document authorizing on or within 30 days prior to the Closing Date (i)
the execution, delivery and performance of each of the Loan
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Documents to which it is a party, (ii) the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and (iii) the borrowings
herein provided for, all certified by the Secretary or the Assistant
Secretary (or equivalent Person for Subsidiaries which are not
corporations) of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.
Each such certificate shall (A) state that the resolutions set forth
therein have not been amended, modified, revoked or rescinded as of the
date of such certificate, (B) specify the names and titles of the
officers of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be,
authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which it is a party and (C)
contain specimens of the signatures of such officers.
(k) No Proceeding or Litigation; No Injunctive Relief. No
action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including, without
limitation, the enactment or promulgation of a statute or rule) by or
before any arbitrator or any Governmental Authority shall be threatened
or pending and no preliminary or permanent injunction or order by a
state or federal court shall have been entered (i) in connection with
this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby except as set
forth in Schedule 5.1(k) or (ii) which, in any case, in the reasonable
judgment of the Administrative Agent, could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
(l) Consents, Licenses, Approvals, etc. The Administrative
Agent shall have received true copies (certified to be such by the
Borrower or other appropriate party) of all material consents, licenses
and approvals required in accordance with applicable law in connection
with the execution, delivery, performance, validity and enforceability
of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Transaction
Agreements (exclusive of the Ortho Acquisition) to be delivered on or
before the Closing Date, and the Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries
shall have all such material consents, licenses and approvals required
in connection with the continued operation of the Borrower and its
Material Subsidiaries, and such approvals shall be in full force and
effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without
any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority which
would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose adverse conditions on this
Agreement and the actions contemplated hereby.
(m) Representations and Warranties. Each of the
representations and warranties made by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries in or pursuant to this Agreement, any other Loan Document
or the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party and the
representations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which are
contained in any certificate, document or financial or other statement
furnished pursuant hereto or thereto on or before the Closing Date
shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the
Closing Date as if made on and as of such date both before and after
giving effect to the making of the Loans hereunder.
(n) No Default or Event of Default. No Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing hereunder after giving
effect to the making of any Extension of Credit hereunder.
(o) Borrowing Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have
received, with a counterpart for each Lender, a Borrowing Certificate,
dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto,
with appropriate insertions, executed by a duly authorized Responsible
Officer of the Borrower.
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(p) Lien Searches. The Administrative Agent shall have
received the results of a recent lien search (or, where not available,
such other equivalent information available and reasonably satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent) in each of the material domestic
jurisdictions where assets of the Loan Parties are located, and such
search (or equivalent information) shall reveal no liens on any of the
assets of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries except for liens permitted
by subsection 7.1 or discharged on or prior to the Closing Date
pursuant to documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(q) Pledged Stock; Stock Powers; Pledged Notes. Except as set
forth on Schedule 5.1(b), the Administrative Agent shall have received
(i) the certificates representing the shares of Capital Stock pledged
pursuant to each Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or any other pledge
agreement, charge or foreign equivalent in respect of any Foreign
Subsidiary, together with an undated stock power for each such
certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the
pledgor thereof or, if no such certificates exist in respect of any
Foreign Subsidiary, evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent
that such shares have been pledged and such pledge has been perfected
and (ii) each promissory note (if any) pledged to the Administrative
Agent pursuant to each Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or any other
pledge agreement, charge or foreign equivalent in respect of any
Foreign Subsidiary, endorsed (without recourse) in blank (or
accompanied by an executed transfer form in blank) by the pledgor
thereof.
(r) Filings, Registrations and Recordings. Each document
(including any Uniform Commercial Code financing statement or foreign
equivalent) required by the Loan Documents or under law or reasonably
requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, registered or
recorded in order to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for
the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected Lien on the Collateral
described therein, prior and superior in right to any other Person
(other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by subsection
7.1), shall be in proper form for filing, registration or recordation
in the applicable jurisdiction.
(s) Mortgages, etc. (i) The Administrative Agent shall have
received a Mortgage with respect to each Mortgaged Property, executed
and delivered by a duly authorized officer of each party thereto.
(ii) If requested by the Administrative Agent, the
Administrative Agent shall have received, and the title insurance
company issuing the policy referred to in clause (iii) below (the
"Title Insurance Company") shall have received, maps or plats of an
as-built survey of the sites of the Mortgaged Properties certified to
the Administrative Agent and the Title Insurance Company in a manner
satisfactory to them, dated a date satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent and the Title Insurance Company by an independent professional
licensed land surveyor satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the
Title Insurance Company, which maps or plats and the surveys on which
they are based shall be made in accordance with the Minimum Standard
Detail Requirements for Land Title Surveys jointly established and
adopted by the American Land Title Association and the American
Congress on Surveying and Mapping in 1992, and, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, there shall be surveyed and shown on such
maps, plats or surveys the following: (A) the locations on such sites
of all the buildings, structures and other improvements and the
established building setback lines; (B) the lines of streets abutting
the sites and width thereof; (C) all access and other easements
appurtenant to the
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sites; (D) all roadways, paths, driveways, easements, encroachments and
overhanging projections and similar encumbrances affecting the site,
whether recorded, apparent from a physical inspection of the sites or
otherwise known to the surveyor; (E) any encroachments on any adjoining
property by the building structures and improvements on the sites; (F)
if the site is described as being on a filed map, a legend relating the
survey to said map; and (G) the flood zone designations, if any, in
which the Mortgaged Properties are located.
(iii) The Administrative Agent shall have received in respect
of each Mortgaged Property a mortgagee's title insurance policy (or
policies) or marked up unconditional binder for such insurance. Each
such policy shall (A) be in an amount satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent; (B) be issued at ordinary rates; (C) insure that
the Mortgage insured thereby creates a valid first Lien on such
Mortgaged Property free and clear of all defects and encumbrances,
except as disclosed therein; (D) name the Administrative Agent for the
benefit of the Lenders as the insured thereunder; (E) be in the form of
ALTA Loan Policy - 1970 (Amended 10/17/70 and 10/17/84) (or equivalent
policies); (F) contain such endorsements and affirmative coverage as
the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (G) be issued by
title companies satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including any
such title companies acting as co-insurers or reinsurers, at the option
of the Administrative Agent). The Administrative Agent shall have
received evidence satisfactory to it that all premiums in respect of
each such policy, all charges for mortgage recording tax, and all
related expenses, if any, have been paid.
(iv) If requested by the Administrative Agent, the
Administrative Agent shall have received (A) a policy of flood
insurance that (1) covers any parcel of improved real property that is
encumbered by any Mortgage (2) is written in an amount not less than
the outstanding principal amount of the indebtedness secured by such
Mortgage that is reasonably allocable to such real property or the
maximum limit of coverage made available with respect to the particular
type of property under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968,
whichever is less, and (3) has a term ending not later than the
maturity of the Indebtedness secured by such Mortgage and (B)
confirmation that the Borrower has received the notice required
pursuant to Section 208(e)(3) of Regulation H of the Board.
(v) The Administrative 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 (iii) above and a
copy of all other material documents affecting the Mortgaged
Properties.
(t) Insurance. The Administrative Agent shall have received
insurance certificates satisfying the requirements of subsection 5.2(b)
of each Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.
(u) Repayment and Termination of Existing Credit Agreement.
The loans under the Existing Credit Agreement shall have been repaid,
or arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent for the
repayment thereof, the letters of credit outstanding thereunder shall
have been returned or shall be deemed to be outstanding hereunder
pursuant to subsection 3.1(d), the commitments under the Existing
Credit Agreement shall have been terminated and all accrued interest
and fees thereunder shall have been paid.
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(v) Additional Matters. All corporate and other proceedings
and all other documents and legal matters in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, including, without limitation, documentation concerning the
status of all labor, tax, employee benefit and health and safety
matters involving the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent and its
counsel.
(w) Additional Information. The Administrative Agent shall
have received such additional information which the Administrative
Agent shall have reasonably requested, including, without limitation,
copies of any debt agreements, security agreements, tax sharing
agreements, employment agreements, management compensation
arrangements, financing arrangements and other material contracts, and
such agreements or arrangements shall be reasonably satisfactory in
form and substance to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.
5.2 CONDITIONS TO ALL EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT. The obligation of each
Lender to make any Loan (other than any Loan the proceeds of which are to be
used exclusively to repay Refunded Swing Line Loans) or of the Issuing Lender to
issue, increase or extend any Letter of Credit requested to be issued, increased
or extended by it hereunder on any date (including, without limitation, the
Closing Date) is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions
precedent as of such date:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the Loan
Documents to which it is a party and any representations and warranties
made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which are contained in
any certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished at
any time pursuant hereto or thereto shall be true and correct in all
material respects on and as of the date thereof as if made on and as of
such date unless stated to relate to a specific earlier date (in which
case the same shall be true and correct in all material respects on and
as of such specific earlier date).
(b) No Default or Event of Default. No Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or after
giving effect to the Extension of Credit to be made on such date.
(c) Subsidiary Borrower Borrowing. With respect to any
borrowing made by any Subsidiary Borrower, a certificate of the
Borrower to the effect that such borrowing will not give rise to an
Event of Default under the Bridge Loan Agreement (if any) or the Senior
Subordinated Note Indenture or under any other Subordinated Debt
permitted hereunder and dated as of the date of such borrowing shall
have been delivered to the Administrative Agent.
Each borrowing by the Borrower under this Agreement, each conversion of
any Loan pursuant to subsection 2.14 of this Agreement and each issuance,
increase or extension of any Letter of Credit hereunder shall constitute a
representation and warranty by the Borrower as of the date of such borrowing,
conversion or issuance, increase or extension that the conditions contained in
the foregoing paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection 5.2 have been satisfied.
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5.3 ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO FOREIGN SUBSIDIARY BORROWERS.
The agreement of each Lender to make any Extension of Credit requested to be
made by it to any Foreign Subsidiary Borrower on any date (including, without
limitation, the initial Extension of Credit and each Swing Line Loan, if
requested to be made to any Foreign Subsidiary Borrower) is subject to
satisfaction or waiver of, in addition to the conditions precedent set forth in
subsections 5.1 (in the case of the initial Extension of Credit) and 5.2, the
following conditions precedent: (a) in the case of the making of any Extension
of Credit to any Foreign Subsidiary Borrower for the first time, the delivery to
the Administrative Agent, with a copy for each Lender, of the executed legal
opinion of counsel to such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower addressed to the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, as to the matters set forth in Exhibit H
and otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent and (b) the truthfulness and correctness in all material
respects on and as of such date of the following additional representations and
warranties:
(i) Pari Passu. The obligations of such Foreign Subsidiary
Borrower under this Agreement and any Note, when executed and delivered
by such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower, will rank at least pari passu with
all unsecured Indebtedness of such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower.
(ii) No Immunities, etc. Such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower is
subject to civil and commercial law with respect to its obligations
under this Agreement and any Note, and the execution, delivery and
performance by such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower of this Agreement
constitute and will constitute private and commercial acts and not
public or governmental acts. Neither such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower
nor any of its property, whether or not held for its own account, has
any immunity (sovereign or other similar immunity) from any suit or
proceeding, from jurisdiction of any court or from set-off or any legal
process (whether service or notice, attachment prior to judgment,
attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or
other similar immunity) under laws of the jurisdiction in which such
Foreign Subsidiary Borrower is organized and existing in respect of its
obligations under this Agreement or any Note. Such Foreign Subsidiary
Borrower has waived every immunity (sovereign or otherwise) to which it
or any of its properties would otherwise be entitled from any legal
action, suit or proceeding, from jurisdiction of any court and from
set-off or any legal process (whether service or notice, attachment
prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment,
execution of judgment or otherwise) under the laws of the jurisdiction
in which such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower is organized and existing in
respect of its obligations under this Agreement and any Note. The
waiver by such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower described in the immediately
preceding sentence is the legal, valid and binding obligation of such
Foreign Subsidiary Borrower.
(iii) No Recordation Necessary. Except as otherwise noted on
Schedule 5.3(iii), this Agreement and each Note, if any, is in proper
legal form under the law of the jurisdiction in which such Foreign
Subsidiary Borrower is organized and existing for the enforcement
hereof or thereof against such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower under the
law of such jurisdiction, and to ensure the legality, validity,
enforceability, priority or admissibility in evidence of this Agreement
and any such Note. It is not necessary to ensure the legality,
validity, enforceability, priority or admissibility in evidence of this
Agreement and any such Note that this Agreement, any Note or any other
document be filed, registered or recorded with, or executed or
notarized
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before, any court or other authority in the jurisdiction in which such
Foreign Subsidiary Borrower is organized and existing or that any
registration charge or stamp or similar tax be paid on or in respect of
this Agreement, any Note or any other document, except for any such
filing, registration or recording, or execution or notarization, as has
been made or is not required to be made until this Agreement, any Note
or any other document is sought to be enforced and for any charge or
tax as has been timely paid.
(iv) Exchange Controls. The execution, delivery and
performance by such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower of this Agreement, any
Note or the other Loan Documents is, under applicable foreign exchange
control regulations of the jurisdiction in which such Foreign
Subsidiary Borrower is organized and existing, not subject to any
notification or authorization except (i) such as have been made or
obtained or (ii) such as cannot be made or obtained until a later date
(provided any notification or authorization described in immediately
preceding clause (ii) shall be made or obtained as soon as is
reasonably practicable).
Each borrowing by, and Letter of Credit issued for the account of, any
Foreign Subsidiary Borrower hereunder shall constitute a representation and
warranty by each of the Borrower and such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower as of the
date of such borrowing or such issuance that the conditions contained in this
subsection 5.3 have been satisfied.
SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
---------------------
The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as the Revolving Credit
Commitments remain in effect, any Letter of Credit is outstanding or any amount
is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other
Loan Document, the Borrower shall, and in the case of the agreements set forth
in subsections 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.13 and 6.14, shall cause each of its
Material Subsidiaries to:
6.1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Furnish to the Administrative Agent and each
Lender:
(a) as soon as available, but in any event within ninety days
after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the
consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at
the end of such year and the related statements of consolidated income
and retained earnings and of cash flows for such year, setting forth in
each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year;
provided that the consolidated statements shall be certified without a
"going concern" or like qualification or exception or qualification
arising out of the scope of the audit by independent certified public
accountants of nationally recognized standing; and
(b) as soon as available, but in any event not later than
forty-five days after the end of each of the first three quarterly
periods of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the unaudited
consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at
the end of each such quarter and the related unaudited statements of
consolidated income and retained earnings and of cash flows for such
quarter and the portion of the fiscal year through such date setting
forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous
year, certified by a Responsible Officer as being fairly stated in all
material respects;
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all such financial statements to be complete and correct in all material
respects and prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP (except,
in the case of the financial statements referred to in subparagraph (b), such
financial statements need not contain notes and shall be prepared substantially
in accordance with GAAP) applied consistently throughout the periods reflected
therein, except as otherwise disclosed in the notes thereto.
6.2 CERTIFICATES; OTHER INFORMATION. Furnish to the Administrative
Agent and each Lender:
(a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements
referred to in subsection 6.1(a) above, a certificate of the
independent certified public accountants certifying such financial
statements (i) stating that in making the examination necessary
therefor no knowledge was obtained of any Default or Event of Default,
except as specified in such certificate, (ii) showing in detail the
calculations supporting such statement in respect of subsections 6.9,
6.10, 6.11, 7.4, 7.5 and 7.6 and (iii) to the extent not previously
disclosed to the Administrative Agent, a listing of any county or state
within the United States where any Loan Party keeps inventory or
equipment and of any Intellectual Property (as defined in the Guarantee
and Collateral Agreement referred to in clause (a) of the definition of
"Guarantee and Collateral Agreement" in subsection 1.1) acquired by any
Loan Party since the date of the most recent list delivered pursuant to
this clause (iii) (or, in the case of the first such list so delivered,
since the Closing Date);
(b) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements
referred to above, a certificate from the auditing accountants (for the
year-end statements) or a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (for all
statements) stating that, to the best of such Responsible Officer's
knowledge, the Borrower and each of its Material Subsidiaries during
such period has observed or performed in all material respects all of
its material covenants and other agreements, and satisfied every
condition contained in this Agreement, any Notes and the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreements to be observed, performed or satisfied by it, and
that such Officer has obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of
Default except as specified in such certificate, and showing in detail
the calculations supporting such statement in respect of subsections
6.9, 6.10, 6.11, 7.4, 7.5 and 7.6;
(c) as soon as available, and in any event no later than 60
days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a detailed
consolidated budget for the following fiscal year (including a
projected consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as of the end of the following fiscal year, the related
consolidated statements of projected cash flow, projected changes in
financial position and projected income and a description of the
underlying assumptions applicable thereto), and, as soon as available,
significant revisions, if any, of such budget and projections with
respect to such fiscal year (collectively, the "Projections"), which
Projections shall in each case be accompanied by a certificate of a
Responsible Officer stating that such Projections are based on
reasonable estimates, information and assumptions and that such
Responsible Officer has no reason to believe that such Projections are
incorrect or misleading in any material respect;
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(d) no later than 5 Business Days prior to the effectiveness
thereof, copies of substantially final drafts of any proposed
amendment, supplement, waiver or other modification with respect to the
Existing Subordinated Note Indenture, the Bridge Loan Agreements (if
any) or the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture or the Transaction
Agreements for the Ortho Acquisition or RPA Acquisition;
(e) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements
referred to in subsection 6.1(a) and (b) above, a written discussion
and analysis (in a form and detail substantially similar to that
contained in the Form 10-K or Form 10-Q filed by the Borrower with the
Securities and Exchange Commission for the period covered by such
financial statements) by the Borrower with respect to the period
covered by such financial statements;
(f) promptly after the same are sent and received, copies of
all financial statements, reports and notices which the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries sends to its shareholders and promptly after the
same are filed and received, copies of all financial statements and
reports which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may make to, or
file with, and copies of all material notices the Borrower or any such
Subsidiary receives from, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
public body succeeding to any or all of the functions of the Securities
and Exchange Commission;
(g) promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of all final reports
submitted to the Borrower by independent certified public accountants
in connection with each annual, interim or special audit of the books
of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries made by such accountants,
including, without limitation, any final comment letter submitted by
such accountants to management in connection with their annual audit;
and
(h) promptly, on reasonable notice to the Borrower, such
additional financial and other information as the Administrative Agent
or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.
6.3 PAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS. Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or
before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all its
Indebtedness and other material obligations of whatever nature, except, without
prejudice to the effectiveness of paragraph (e) of Section 8 hereof for any
Indebtedness or other obligations (including any obligations for taxes), when
the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect
thereto have been provided on the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as
the case may be, and except for trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary
course of business which are paid in accordance with normal industry practice.
6.4 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Comply with all laws, rules, regulations and
orders of any Governmental Authority and any Contractual Obligations applicable
to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the
aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
6.5 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS AND MAINTENANCE OF EXISTENCE. Continue to
engage in business of the same general type as now conducted by it and, except
as may be permitted under subsection 7.3,
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preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and
take all reasonable action to maintain all material rights, privileges,
contracts, copyrights, patents, trademarks, tradenames and franchises necessary
or desirable in the normal conduct of its business; and comply with all of its
Contractual Obligations and Requirements of Law except to the extent that the
failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.6 MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY, INSURANCE. Keep all property useful and
necessary in its business in good working order and condition; maintain with
financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance on all its
property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (but including
in any event public liability, product liability and business interruption
insurance) as are usually insured against in the same general area by companies
engaged in the same or a similar business; and furnish to each Lender, upon
written request, reasonable information as to the insurance carried.
6.7 INSPECTION OF PROPERTY; BOOKS AND RECORDS; DISCUSSIONS. Keep
proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries in
conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all dealings
and transactions in relation to its business and activities; and permit
representatives of the Administrative Agent or upon the occurrence and during
the continuance of an Event of Default, the Lenders to visit and inspect any of
its properties, and examine and make abstracts from any of its books and records
at the Borrower's expense, at any reasonable time and as often as may reasonably
be requested, and to discuss the business, operations, properties and financial
and other condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with officers and
employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and with its independent
certified public accountants.
6.8 NOTICES. Promptly give notice to the Administrative Agent and each
Lender (and, in the case of clauses (a), (b) and (c), in any event within five
Business Days after learning thereof):
(a) of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;
(b) of any (i) default or event of default under any material
Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Material
Subsidiaries or (ii) litigation, investigation or proceeding which may
exist at any time between the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and
any Governmental Authority, which, if adversely determined, would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) of any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries (i) (A) in which the amount of liability
asserted against the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is $5,000,000 or
more and not covered by insurance and (B) which, in the reasonable
opinion of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, if adversely
determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect or (ii) in which injunctive or similar relief is sought and
which, in the reasonable opinion of a Responsible Officer of the
Borrower, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) of the following events, as soon as possible and in any
event within 30 days after the Borrower knows or has reason to know
thereof: (i) the occurrence of any Reportable Event with respect to any
Plan, or (ii) the institution of proceedings or the taking or expected
taking of any other action by PBGC or the Borrower or any Commonly
Controlled Entity to terminate or
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withdraw or partially withdraw from any Plan under circumstances which
could lead to material liability to the PBGC or, with respect to a
Multi-employer Plan, the Reorganization or Insolvency (as each such
term is defined in ERISA) of the Plan and in addition to such notice,
deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender whichever of the
following may be applicable: (A) a certificate of a Responsible Officer
of the Borrower setting forth details as to such Reportable Event and
the action that the Borrower or a Commonly Controlled Entity proposes
to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of any notice of
such Reportable Event that may be required to be filed with PBGC, or
(B) any notice delivered by PBGC evidencing its intent to institute
such proceedings or any notice to PBGC that such Plan is to be
terminated, as the case may be; and
(e) any decision or other action of any Governmental Authority
which cancels, limits, or otherwise restricts the use or sale of any of
the products (including any of the material active ingredients in any
of the products) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; and
(f) of any event, act or omission which would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Each notice pursuant to subsections (a) through (e) of this subsection 6.7 shall
be accompanied by a statement of the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial
Officer or other Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of
the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower proposes
to take with respect thereto. For all purposes of clause (d) of this subsection
6.7, the Borrower shall be deemed to have knowledge of all facts attributable to
the administrator of such Plan.
6.9 INTEREST COVERAGE. At each quarterly date set forth below with
respect to the fiscal quarter of the Borrower then ending maintain the Minimum
Interest Coverage of the Borrower at not less than the applicable ratio set
forth opposite each such date:
Date Ratio Ratio
---- ----- -----
(no Ortho Acquisition) (including Ortho Acquisition)
December 31, 1998 2.75 to 1 2.00 to 1
March 31, 1999 2.75 to 1 2.00 to 1
June 30, 1999 2.75 to 1 2.00 to 1
September 30, 1999 2.75 to 1 2.00 to 1
December 31, 1999 3.00 to 1 2.25 to 1
March 31, 2000 3.00 to 1 2.25 to 1
June 30, 2000 3.00 to 1 2.25 to 1
September 30, 2000 3.00 to 1 2.25 to 1
December 31, 2000 3.25 to 1 2.50 to 1
March 31, 2001 3.25 to 1 2.50 to 1
June 30, 2001 3.25 to 1 2.50 to 1
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September 30, 2001 3.25 to 1 2.50 to 1
December 31, 2001 3.75 to 1 2.75 to 1
March 31, 2002 3.75 to 1 2.75 to 1
June 30, 2002 3.75 to 1 2.75 to 1
September 30, 2002 3.75 to 1 2.75 to 1
December 30, 2002 3.75 to 1 3.25 to 1
March 31, 2003 3.75 to 1 3.25 to 1
June 30, 2003 3.75 to 1 3.25 to 1
September 30, 2003 3.75 to 1 3.25 to 1
December 31, 2003 4.00 to 1 4.00 to 1
March 31, 2004 4.00 to 1 4.00 to 1
June 30, 2004 4.00 to 1 4.00 to 1
September 30, 2004 4.00 to 1 4.00 to 1
December 30, 2004 4.00 to 1 4.00 to 1
March 31, 2005 4.00 to 1 4.00 to 1
June 30, 2005 4.00 to 1 4.00 to 1
September 30, 2005 4.00 to 1 4.00 to 1
December 31, 2005 4.00 to 1 4.00 to 1
March 31, 2006 4.00 to 1 4.00 to 1
September 30, 2006 4.00 to 1 4.00 to 1
December 31, 2006 and
thereafter 4.00 to 1 4.00 to 1
6.10 MAINTENANCE OF LEVERAGE RATIO. At each quarterly date set forth
below with respect to the fiscal quarter of the Borrower then ending maintain
the Leverage Ratio of the Borrower at not greater than the applicable ratio set
forth opposite each such date:
Date Ratio Ratio
---- ----- -----
(no Ortho Acquisition) (including Ortho Acquisition)
December 31, 1998 4.25 to 1 5.50 to 1
March 31, 1999 4.25 to 1 5.50 to 1
June 30, 1999 4.00 to 1 5.25 to 1
September 30, 1999 4.00 to 1 5.25 to 1
December 31, 1999 3.75 to 1 4.75 to 1
March 31, 2000 3.75 to 1 4.75 to 1
June 30, 2000 3.75 to 1 4.75 to 1
September 30, 2000 3.75 to 1 4.75 to 1
December 31, 2000 3.50 to 1 4.25 to 1
March 31, 2001 3.50 to 1 4.25 to 1
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June 30, 2001 3.50 to 1 4.25 to 1
September 30, 2001 3.50 to 1 4.25 to 1
December 31, 2001 3.25 to 1 4.00 to 1
March 31, 2002 3.25 to 1 4.00 to 1
June 30, 2002 3.25 to 1 4.00 to 1
September 30, 2002 3.25 to 1 4.00 to 1
December 30, 2002 2.75 to 1 3.50 to 1
March 31, 2003 2.75 to 1 3.50 to 1
June 30, 2003 2.75 to 1 3.50 to 1
September 30, 2003 2.75 to 1 3.50 to 1
December 31, 2003 2.00 to 1 2.50 to 1
March 31, 2004 2.00 to 1 2.50 to 1
June 30, 2004 2.00 to 1 2.50 to 1
September 30, 2004 2.00 to 1 2.50 to 1
December 30, 2004 2.00 to 1 2.00 to 1
March 31, 2005 2.00 to 1 2.00 to 1
June 30, 2005 2.00 to 1 2.00 to 1
September 30, 2005 2.00 to 1 2.00 to 1
December 31, 2005 2.00 to 1 2.00 to 1
March 31, 2006 2.00 to 1 2.00 to 1
June 30, 2006 2.00 to 1 2.00 to 1
September 30, 2006 2.00 to 1 2.00 to 1
December 31, 2006 and
thereafter 2.00 to 1 2.00 to 1
6.11 MAINTENANCE OF CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH. Maintain Consolidated Net
Worth on the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower at a minimum of the
sum of (i) $340,000,000, (ii) 50% of cumulative Consolidated Net Income for each
fiscal quarter of the Borrower (beginning with the fiscal quarter ending
December 31, 1998) for which Consolidated Net Income is positive, (iii) 100% of
the Net Cash Proceeds of any offering by the Borrower of common equity
consummated after the Closing Date and (iv) 100% of any capital contribution
made to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after the Closing Date by any
holder of the Borrower's Capital Stock.
6.12 INTEREST RATE PROTECTION. Within 60 days after the Closing Date,
enter into Hedge Agreements to the extent necessary to provide that at least 50%
of the aggregate principal amount of the Existing Subordinated Notes, the Bridge
Debt (if any), the Senior Subordinated Notes and the Term Loans is subject to
either a fixed interest rate or interest rate protection for a period of not
less than three years, which Hedge Agreements shall have terms and conditions
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
6.13 ADDITIONAL COLLATERAL, ETC. (a) With respect to any property
acquired after the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
(other than (x) any property described in
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paragraph (b), (c), (d) or (e) below, (y) any property subject to a Lien
expressly permitted by subsection 7.1(a) or 7.1(l) and (z) property acquired by
any Excluded Foreign Subsidiary or by any other Foreign Subsidiary other than
Capital Stock of, or acquired by, any Foreign Subsidiary Borrower) as to which
the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, does not have a
perfected Lien, promptly (i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent
such amendments to the applicable Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or such
other documents as the Administrative Agent deems necessary or advisable to
grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a security
interest in such property and (ii) take all actions necessary or advisable to
grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected
first priority security interest in such property, including the filing of
Uniform Commercial Code financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be
required by the applicable Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law or as
may be requested by the Administrative Agent.
(b) With respect to any fee interest in any real property having a
value (together with improvements thereof) of at least $500,000 acquired after
the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries (other than
any such real property subject to a Lien expressly permitted by subsection 7.1(a
)), promptly (i) execute and deliver a first priority Mortgage, in favor of the
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, covering such real
property, (ii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, provide the Lenders
with (x) title and extended coverage insurance covering such real property in an
amount at least equal to the purchase price of such real property (or such other
amount as shall be reasonably specified by the Administrative Agent) as well as
a current ALTA survey thereof, together with a surveyor's certificate and (y)
any consents or estoppels reasonably deemed necessary or advisable by the
Administrative Agent in connection with such mortgage or deed of trust, each of
the foregoing in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent and (iii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, deliver
to the Administrative Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described
above, which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel,
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(c) With respect to any new Domestic Subsidiary created or acquired
after the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, promptly (i)
execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to the
applicable Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as the Administrative Agent deems
necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of
the Lenders, a perfected first priority security interest in the Capital Stock
of such new Domestic Subsidiary that is owned by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent the certificates
representing such Capital Stock, together with undated stock powers, in blank,
executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower or such
Subsidiary, as the case may be, (iii) cause such new Domestic Subsidiary (A) to
become a party to the applicable Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, (B) to take
such actions necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent for the
benefit of the Lenders a perfected first priority security interest in the
Collateral described in the applicable Guarantee and Collateral Agreement with
respect to such new Domestic Subsidiary (however, in the case of a pledge by the
new Domestic Subsidiary of Capital Stock of an Excluded Foreign Subsidiary, such
pledge shall be limited to 65% of voting Capital Stock), including the filing of
Uniform Commercial Code financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be
required by the applicable Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law or as
may be requested by the Administrative Agent and (C) to deliver to the
Administrative Agent a certificate of such new Domestic Subsidiary,
substantially in the form of Exhibit M, with appropriate insertions and
attachments, and (iv) if requested by the Administrative Agent, deliver to the
Administrative Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described above,
which
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opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(d) With respect to any new Foreign Subsidiary (other than an Excluded
Foreign Subsidiary) created or acquired after the Closing Date by the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries and with respect to each new Foreign Subsidiary
Borrower, promptly (i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such
amendments to the applicable Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or execute such
additional Guarantee and Collateral Agreements as the Administrative Agent deems
necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of
the Lenders, a perfected first priority security interest in the Capital Stock
of such new Foreign Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary Borrower that is owned by
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (in the case of such Foreign Subsidiary
Borrower to secure its own obligations hereunder), (ii) deliver to the
Administrative Agent the certificates representing such Capital Stock, together
with undated stock powers, in blank, executed and delivered by a duly authorized
officer of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, (iii) in the
case of a new Foreign Subsidiary Borrower, cause such new Foreign Subsidiary
Borrower (A) to become a party to the applicable Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement, and (B) to take such actions necessary or advisable to grant to the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders a perfected first priority
security interest in the Capital Stock of its Subsidiaries (other than Excluded
Foreign Subsidiaries) if such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower is a check the box
entity or a similar pass through entity, and (iv) if requested by the
Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent legal opinions
relating to the matters described above, which opinions shall be in form and
substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent. For purposes of this Agreement, (i) a check the box entity shall mean an
entity that has elected to be, or is by default, an entity that is disregarded
as a separate entity from its U.S. parent or owner for U.S. federal income tax
consequences, and (ii) a "pass through entity" shall mean an entity that has
elected to be, or is by default, treated as a partnership for U.S. federal
income tax consequences.
(e) With respect to any new Excluded Foreign Subsidiary owned by the
Borrower or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries or by any Foreign Subsidiary
Borrower that is a check the box entity or a pass through entity created or
acquired after the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
promptly (i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to
the applicable Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as the Administrative Agent
deems necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the
benefit of the Lenders, a perfected first priority security interest in the
Capital Stock of such new Subsidiary that is owned by the Borrower or any of its
Domestic Subsidiaries or by such a Foreign Subsidiary Borrower (provided that in
no event shall more than 65% of the total outstanding voting Capital Stock of
any such new Subsidiary be required to be so pledged), (ii) deliver to the
Administrative Agent the certificates representing such voting Capital Stock,
together with undated stock powers, in blank, executed and delivered by a duly
authorized officer of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, and
take such other action as may be necessary or, in the opinion of the
Administrative Agent, desirable to perfect the Administrative Agent's security
interest therein, and (iii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, deliver to
the Administrative Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described above,
which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
6.14 ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY MATTERS. (a) Comply with, and
ensure compliance by all tenants and subtenants, if any, with, all applicable
Environmental Laws, including,
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without limitation, obtaining and complying with and maintaining, and ensuring
that all tenants and subtenants obtain and comply with and maintain, any and all
licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by
applicable Environmental Laws. For purposes of this 6.14 (a), noncompliance by
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with any applicable Environmental Law
shall be deemed not to constitute a breach of this covenant provided that, upon
learning of any actual or suspected noncompliance, the Borrower and the relevant
Subsidiaries shall promptly undertake all reasonable efforts to achieve
compliance (or contest in good faith by appropriate proceedings the applicable
Environmental Law at issue and (to the extent required by GAAP) provide on the
books of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, reserves
in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto), and provided further that, in any
case, such non-compliance, and any other noncompliance with Environmental Law,
individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in
a Material Environmental Amount.
(b) Conduct and complete all investigations, studies, sampling and
testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under
Environmental Laws and promptly comply with all lawful orders and directives of
all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental Laws, except to the extent
that the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings and (to the extent required by GAAP) reserves in
conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on the books of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be.
(c) Defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees,
agents, officers and directors, from and against any claims, demands, penalties,
fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses of whatever kind or
nature known or unknown, contingent or otherwise, arising out of, or in any way
relating to the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under any
Environmental Laws applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any
of their respective operations or Properties, or any orders, requirements or
demands of Governmental Authorities related thereto, including, without
limitation, attorney's and consultant's fees, investigation and laboratory fees,
response costs, court costs and litigation expenses, except to the extent that
any of the foregoing arise out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
the party seeking indemnification therefor. This indemnity shall continue in
full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement.
SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
------------------
The Borrower hereby agrees that, from the Closing Date and so long as
the Revolving Credit Commitments remain in effect, any Letter of Credit is
outstanding or any amount is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent
hereunder or under any other Loan Document, the Borrower shall not, nor shall it
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
7.1 LIMITATION ON LIENS. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any
Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, except:
(a) Liens securing Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not exceeding
$40,000,000 at any time outstanding in respect of capitalized lease obligations
and purchase money obligations for fixed or capital assets; provided that (i)
such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property
financed by such Indebtedness and (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby
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shall not exceed the cost or fair market value, whichever is lower, of the
property being acquired on the date of acquisition;
(b) Liens on assets of a Foreign Subsidiary which is not a Foreign
Subsidiary Borrower to secure Permitted Foreign Debt of such Foreign Subsidiary
provided that such Permitted Foreign Debt is not guaranteed by Scotts;
(c) Liens for taxes and special assessments not yet due or which are
being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if adequate
reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP;
(d) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's, repairmen's,
or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which are not
overdue for a period of more than 30 days or which are being contested in good
faith and by appropriate proceedings;
(e) pledges or deposits in connection with workmen's compensation,
unemployment insurance and other social security legislation;
(f) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other
than for borrowed money), leases, statutory and other obligations required by
law, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like
nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(g) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar
encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business and other Liens
incurred in the ordinary course of business which, in the aggregate, are not
substantial in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from the
value of the property subject thereto or interfere with the ordinary conduct of
the business of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries;
(h) Liens resulting from judgments of any court or governmental
proceeding, provided such Liens in the aggregate do not constitute an Event of
Default under subsection 8(h);
(i) Liens in existence on the Closing Date described in Schedule
7.1(i);
(j) Liens of landlords or of mortgagees of landlords, arising solely by
operation of law, on fixtures located on premises leased in the ordinary course
of business, provided that the rental payments secured thereby are not yet due;
(k) Liens contemplated under Section 1009(v) of the Existing
Subordinated Note Indenture;
(l) Liens on Sold Receivables created under any Receivables Purchase
Facility;
(m) Liens created by or pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents; and
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(n) Liens on assets of Foreign Subsidiaries arising by operation of law
or pursuant to customary business practice and not known to the Borrower to
materially affect the value of such assets.
7.2 LIMITATION ON CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS. Agree to or assume,
guarantee, indorse or otherwise in any way be or become responsible or liable
for, directly or indirectly, any Contingent Obligation except for (i) the
guarantees contemplated by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreements, (ii)(x)
guarantees by the Borrower of Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $20,000,000 at any one time outstanding or (y)
guarantees by the Borrower of Permitted Foreign Debt of any Foreign Subsidiary
provided that such Permitted Foreign Debt is not secured by any Liens, (iii)
guarantees in existence on the Closing Date as described in Schedule 7.2(iii),
(iv) Contingent Obligations in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at
any one time outstanding, (v) Contingent Obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor
in respect of Indebtedness permitted under subsection 7.6(e), provided that such
Contingent Obligations are subordinated to the same extent as the obligations of
the Borrower in respect of the related Indebtedness, (vi) to the extent that any
of the obligations of the Borrower under the Roundup Agreement may constitute
Contingent Obligations, such obligations, (vii) any guarantees of the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries under clause (ii) of subsection 5.1(d) or (viii) any
guarantee of the obligations of the Borrower by its Subsidiaries of Indebtedness
under the Senior Subordinated Notes and the Bridge Subordinated Debt Documents
(if any) provided that such Contingent Obligations are subordinated to the same
extent as the obligations of the Borrower in respect of the related
Indebtedness.
7.3 LIMITATION ON FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES. Except as permitted or
contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, enter into any
transaction of merger or consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or
dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), convey, sell, lease,
transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of
transactions, all or any material part of its business or assets, whether now
owned or hereafter acquired, or acquire by purchase or otherwise all or
substantially all the business or assets of, or stock or other evidence of
beneficial ownership of, any Person, or make any material change in the method
by which it conducts business, except that:
(a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may be merged, amalgamated or
consolidated with or into the Borrower or any wholly owned Subsidiary of the
Borrower (provided that in the case of each such merger or consolidation, the
Borrower or such wholly owned Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be the
continuing or surviving corporation);
(b) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may be liquidated, wound up or
dissolved into, or all or substantially all, or such lesser amount thereof as
the Borrower shall determine, of its business, property or assets may be
conveyed, sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of, in one transaction
or a series of transactions, to, (i) the Borrower or any wholly owned Subsidiary
of the Borrower (provided that such wholly owned Subsidiary shall be a
Subsidiary Guarantor) or (ii) to any other Person in compliance with subsection
7.9; and
(c) the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower may acquire by
purchase or otherwise all or substantially all the business or assets of, or
stock or other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person (including,
without limitation, any Affiliate of the Borrower), in the same or
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similar line of business as the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be
provided that such acquisition shall be a Permitted Acquisition.
7.4 LIMITATION ON CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Directly or indirectly (by way
of the acquisition of the securities of a Person or otherwise) make any
expenditure in respect of the purchase or other acquisition of any fixed or
capital asset (excluding normal replacements and maintenance which are properly
charged to current operations or replacements and maintenance which are payable
from the proceeds of insurance received by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries) by the expenditure of cash or the incurrence of Indebtedness,
except for the purchase or other acquisition in any fiscal year of any such
asset the cost of which (or, in the case of any acquisition not in the nature of
an ordinary purchase, the book value of the consideration given for which), when
aggregated with the costs of all other such assets purchased or otherwise
acquired by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole during such
fiscal year, does not exceed $70,000,000 provided that (i) if such $70,000,000
is not so utilized during any fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal year
ending September 30, 1999), up to $35,000,000 of the unutilized amount may be
utilized in the next succeeding fiscal year, but not in any subsequent fiscal
year.
7.5 LIMITATION ON ACQUISITIONS, INVESTMENTS, LOANS AND ADVANCES. Make
or commit to make any advance, loan, extension of credit or capital contribution
to, or purchase of stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities of any
Person, or make any other investment in any Person, except:
(a) investments in Cash Equivalents;
(b) loans and advances to officers and directors of the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries (or employees thereof or manufacturers' representatives
provided such loans and advances are approved by an officer of the Borrower) for
travel, entertainment and relocation expenses in the ordinary course of business
which do not exceed at any time outstanding an aggregate amount in excess of
$5,000,000;
(c) loans and advances to and investments in the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries, provided that (i) such loans, advances and investments in the
aggregate by the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors to any Foreign
Subsidiary which is not a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary Borrower
shall not exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding (after giving effect to
returns on investments since the Closing Date) and (ii) the loans, advances and
investments in the aggregate by the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors to
all Foreign Subsidiaries which are not Subsidiary Guarantors or Foreign
Subsidiary Borrowers shall not exceed $60,000,000 at any time outstanding (after
giving effect to returns on investments since the Closing Date);
(d) investments in notes and other securities received in the
settlement of overdue debts and accounts payable in the ordinary course of
business and for amounts which, individually or in the aggregate, are not
material to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(e) as otherwise provided pursuant to subsection 7.4;
(f) Permitted Acquisitions;
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(g) insofar as not otherwise permitted pursuant to preceding clauses
(a) through (f), loans to or investments in Affiliates in an aggregate amount
not in excess of $10,000,000;
(h) investments in the nature of seller financing of or other
consideration received in any Disposition by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries of any assets, provided that the aggregate value of such
investments at any time (based upon the value at the time of the acquisition
thereof but reduced by payments or other realizations thereon) shall not exceed
$10,000,000; and
(i) loans and advances to and investments in the Borrower or any
Subsidiary Borrower to the extent required to facilitate the making of mandatory
prepayments under subsection 2.12.
7.6 LIMITATION ON INDEBTEDNESS. Create, incur, assume or suffer to
exist any Indebtedness except:
(a) Indebtedness of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document;
(b) Indebtedness of the Borrower to any Subsidiary and of any
Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary;
(c) Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule
7.6(c) and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof (without
increasing, or shortening the maturity of, the principal amount thereof);
(d) Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Capital Lease
Obligations) secured by Liens permitted by subsection 7.1(a) in an aggregate
principal amount not to exceed $40,000,000 at any one time outstanding;
(e) (i) Unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower in respect of the
Existing Subordinated Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
$100,000,000 and in respect of any refinancing of all or any portion thereof
under a subordinated note indenture having subordination provisions as favorable
to the Lenders as those in the Existing Subordinated Indenture and no scheduled
principal payments or prepayments prior to the scheduled maturity date of the
Existing Subordinated Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the
aggregate principal amount of the Existing Subordinated Notes so refinanced and
any premiums, fees and expenses paid in connection with such refinancing, (ii)
unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower in respect of the Bridge Subordinated
Debt or the Senior Subordinated Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to
exceed $200,000,000 and on terms reasonably acceptable to the Agents, and (iii)
unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower under subordinated notes in an aggregate
principal amount of up to $100,000,000 pursuant to a subordinated note indenture
having subordination provisions as favorable to the Lenders as those in the
Existing Subordinated Indenture and having no scheduled principal payments or
prepayments prior to September 30, 2007 and any refinancing of any such
Indebtedness pursuant to such a subordinated note indenture, provided that the
Net Cash Proceeds of such subordinated notes (but not any refinancing
thereof)are applied as contemplated by subsection 2.12(c);
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(f) additional Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
in an aggregate principal amount (for the Borrower and all Subsidiaries) not to
exceed $10,000,000 at any one time outstanding;
(g) Indebtedness under Hedging Agreements entered into with any Hedging
Lender in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Hedging Agreements
are entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks
as to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries reasonably believes it is
exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities;
(h) Indebtedness contemplated by subsection 7.5(c);
(i) Indebtedness incurred by any Foreign Subsidiary, provided that (i)
the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness of any Foreign
Subsidiary which is not a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary Borrower
shall not exceed $10,000,000 or the equivalent thereof at any one time
outstanding and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness of
all Foreign Subsidiaries which are not Subsidiary Guarantors or Foreign
Subsidiary Borrowers shall not exceed $60,000,000 or the equivalent thereof at
any one time outstanding (any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this subsection
7.6(i), "Permitted Foreign Debt"); and
(j) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the
Borrower in a Permitted Acquisition or Indebtedness otherwise assumed by the
Borrower or any of its subsidiaries in connection with a Permitted Acquisition
in an aggregate principal amount for all such Indebtedness at any time
outstanding of up to $10,000,000;
(k) Indebtedness incurred by any Foreign Subsidiary supported by a
Letter of Credit ("Supported Foreign Indebtedness"), provided that the aggregate
principal amount of all such Indebtedness shall not exceed $100,000,000 at any
one time outstanding; and
(l) to the extent that the Receivables Subsidiary's or any other
Person's obligation to purchase or acquire Sold Receivables under the
Receivables Purchase Facility is deemed to be an obligation to lend money to the
Borrower, any Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Receivables Purchase
Facility.
7.7 LIMITATION ON RESTRICTIONS ON SUBSIDIARY DISTRIBUTIONS. Enter into
or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction
on the ability of any Subsidiary of the Borrower which is not a Subsidiary
Guarantor to (a) pay dividends or make any other distributions in respect of any
Capital Stock of such Subsidiary held by, or pay any Indebtedness owed to, the
Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower, (b) pay dividends or make any
other distributions from a Foreign Subsidiary which is not a Subsidiary
Guarantor or a Subsidiary Borrower except in agreements governing Permitted
Foreign Debt, (c) make loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary
of the Borrower or (d) transfer any of its assets to the Borrower or any other
Subsidiary of the Borrower, except for such encumbrances or restrictions
existing under or by reason of any restrictions with respect to such Subsidiary
imposed pursuant to an agreement which has been entered into in connection with
the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or
assets of such Subsidiary.
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7.8 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OFFICERS. Except for transactions
associated with the relocation expenses of officers of the Borrower in the
ordinary course of business, (a) enter into any transaction, including, without
limitation, the purchase, sale or exchange of property or the rendering of any
services, with any Affiliate or any executive officer or director thereof, or
enter into, assume or suffer to exist any employment or consulting contract with
any Affiliate or any executive officer or director thereof, except any
transaction or contract which is in the ordinary course of the Borrower's or
such Subsidiary's business and which is upon fair and reasonable terms no less
favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than it would obtain in a
comparable arm's length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate, (b) make any
advance or loan to any Affiliate (except as otherwise made pursuant to
subsection 7.5) or any director or executive officer thereof or to any trust of
which any of the foregoing is a beneficiary, or to any Person on the guarantee
of any of the foregoing or (c) pay any fees (other than reasonable directors'
fees or expenses) or expenses to, or reimburse or assume any obligation for the
reimbursement of any expenses incurred by, any Affiliate or any executive
officer or director thereof; provided that, nothing contained in this subsection
7.8 shall be deemed to prohibit the transactions contemplated by the Ortho
Acquisition.
7.9 LIMITATION ON SALE OF ASSETS. Except as permitted or contemplated
by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, Dispose of any of its assets
(including, without limitation, receivables and leasehold interests, but
excluding obsolete or worn out property or property (including inventory)
Disposed of in the ordinary course of business), whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, except that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may Dispose of:
(a) assets in a single transaction or series of related
transactions, provided that the aggregate fair market value of all such
assets in all such transactions shall not exceed $100,000,000;
(b) other assets provided that (i) the fair market value of
all such other assets disposed of in any fiscal year shall not exceed
$25,000,000 in the aggregate (which amount shall be inclusive of
amounts in respect of transactions pursuant to subsection 7.3(b)(ii),
but exclusive of transactions permitted under 7.10) and (ii) if such
$25,000,000 is not so utilized during any fiscal year, the unutilized
amount for such fiscal year may be utilized in the succeeding fiscal
year, but not in any subsequent fiscal year; and
(c) the sale, transfer or discount of Sold Receivables
pursuant to any Receivables Purchase Facility.
7.10 SALE AND LEASEBACK. Enter into any arrangement with any Person
providing for the leasing by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of real or
personal property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Borrower
or any such Subsidiary to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have
been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or
rental obligations of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary, except with respect
to any such transactions which in any fiscal year shall not have an aggregate
fair market value in excess of $10,000,000.
7.11 FISCAL YEAR. Permit the fiscal year of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries to end on a day other than September 30.
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7.12 OPTIONAL PAYMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS OF CERTAIN DEBT INSTRUMENTS.
Without the consent of the Ortho Consent Lenders (a) make or offer to make any
optional or voluntary payment, prepayment, repurchase or redemption of or
otherwise optionally or voluntarily defease or segregate funds with respect to
the Existing Subordinated Notes, the Bridge Subordinated Debt (if any), the
Senior Subordinated Notes or any other subordinated notes issued pursuant to
subsection 7.6(e), in each case other than in connection with a refinancing
thereof contemplated by subsection 7.6(e), (b) amend, modify, waive or otherwise
change, or consent or agree to any amendment, modification, waiver or other
change to, any of the terms of the Existing Subordinated Notes, the Bridge
Subordinated Debt (if any), the Senior Subordinated Notes or any other
subordinated notes (or any refinancing thereof) issued pursuant to subsection
7.6(e) (other than any such amendment, modification, waiver or other change that
(i)(x) would extend the maturity or reduce the amount of any payment of
principal thereof or reduce the rate or extend any date for payment of interest
thereon and (y) does not involve the payment of a consent fee material in
proportion to the outstanding principal amount thereof or (ii) provides for
actions which (x) are expressly permitted under this Agreement and (y) do not
require the consent of any of the holders of the applicable Existing
Subordinated Notes, Bridge Subordinated Debt (if any), Senior Subordinated Notes
or subordinated notes (or refinancing thereof) issued pursuant to subsection
7.6(e)(iii)), or (c) designate any Indebtedness (other than obligations of the
Loan Parties pursuant to the Loan Documents) as "Designated Senior Indebtedness"
for the purposes of the Bridge Loan Agreement or the Senior Subordinated Note
Indenture.
7.13 NEGATIVE PLEDGE CLAUSES. Enter into or suffer to exist or become
effective any agreement that prohibits or limits the ability of the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien
upon any of its property or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired,
to secure its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party other
than (a) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (b) any agreements
governing any purchase money Liens or Capital Lease Obligations otherwise
permitted hereby (in which case, any prohibition or limitation shall only be
effective against the assets financed thereby) and (c) any agreements governing
any Receivables Purchase Facility provided that such limitation shall only be
effective against the Sold Receivables.
7.14 LINES OF BUSINESS. Enter into any business, either directly or
through any Subsidiary, except for those businesses in which the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries are engaged on the date of this Agreement or that are
reasonably related thereto.
7.15 AMENDMENTS TO ACQUISITION DOCMENTS. (a) Amend, supplement or
otherwise modify (pursuant to a waiver or otherwise) the terms and conditions of
the indemnities and licenses furnished to the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries pursuant to the Transaction Agreements for the RPA Acquisition or
Ortho Acquisition or any other document delivered in connection therewith such
that after giving effect thereto such indemnities or licenses shall be
materially less favorable to the interests of the Loan Parties or the Lenders
with respect thereto or (b) otherwise amend, supplement or otherwise modify the
terms and conditions of such Transaction Agreements or any such other documents
except for any such amendment, supplement or modification that (i) becomes
effective after the Closing Date and (ii) could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.16 RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. Declare or pay any dividend (other than
dividends payable solely in common stock of the Person making such dividend) on,
or make any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other
analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, defeasance,
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retirement or other acquisition of, any of its Capital Stock, whether now or
hereafter outstanding, or make any other distribution in respect thereof, either
directly or indirectly, whether in cash or property or in obligations
(collectively, "Restricted Payments"), except that any Subsidiary may make
Restricted Payments to the Borrower or any Subsidiary and that, so long as no
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result
therefrom:
(a) the Borrower may declare and pay dividends on its Capital
Stock (including its preferred stock) in an aggregate amount of up to
$10,000,000 in any fiscal year of the Borrower; and
(b) the Borrower may make a repurchase or redemption of shares
of its Capital Stock:
(i) in the event that any of the Existing
Subordinated Notes has not been refinanced in the manner
contemplated by subsection 7.6(e)(i) on a basis that includes
no scheduled principal payments prior to September 30, 2007,
so long as after giving effect to such repurchase or
redemption (x) the Borrower shall be in compliance, on a pro
forma basis after so giving effect thereto, with the covenants
contained in --- ----- subsections 6.9, 6.10 and 6.11 and (y)
the aggregate cost of all such repurchases and redemptions
from the date hereof is not greater than the amount set forth
below opposite the fiscal year during which such purchase or
redemption is to occur:
Fiscal Year Aggregate Amount
----------- ----------------
1999 $ 8,333,333
2000 $25,000,000
2001 and thereafter $50,000,000
provided that no such purchase or redemption shall be made if such
aggregate cost is more than $25,000,000 unless the Senior Leverage
Ratio for the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter of
the Borrower (as such Senior Leverage Ratio shall be adjusted to
include any borrowings required to finance such purchase or redemption)
is less than 2.75 to 1.0; and
(ii) in the event that all of the Existing
Subordinated Notes have been refinanced in the manner
contemplated by subsection 7.6(e) (i) on a basis that includes
no scheduled principal payments prior to September 30, 2007,
so long as after giving effect to such repurchase or
redemption the aggregate cost of all such repurchases and
redemptions from the date hereof is not greater than the
amount set forth below opposite the fiscal year during which
such purchase or redemption is to occur:
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Fiscal Year Aggregate Amount
----------- ----------------
1999 $ 16,666,667
2000 $ 50,000,000
2001 and thereafter $100,000,000
SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT
-----------------
Upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) Payments. The Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary Borrower shall
fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any Reimbursement Obligation when any
such amount becomes due in accordance with the terms thereof or hereof
(including, without limitation, all amounts of L/C Obligations, whether or not
the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented
the documents required thereunder); or the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary
Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount
payable hereunder, within five days after any such interest, fee or amount
becomes due in accordance with the terms thereof or hereof (including, without
limitation, all amounts of L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of
the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the documents
required thereunder); or
(b) Representations and Warranties. Any representation or warranty made
or deemed made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in any of the Loan
Documents to which it is a party or which is contained in any certificate,
document or financial or other statement furnished at any time under or in
connection herewith or therewith shall prove to have been incorrect in any
material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made; or
(c) Certain Covenants. The Borrower shall default in the observance or
performance of any covenant or agreement contained in subsection 6.9, 6.10 or
6.11; or
(d) Other Covenants. The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall
default in the observance or performance of any covenant or agreement (i)
contained in subsections 7.3, 7.4, 7.6, 7.9, 7.10 or 7.16 and such default shall
continue unremedied for a period of 10 days or (ii) contained in this Agreement
or in any other Loan Document not referred to in preceding clause (i) or
subsection 8(c) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30
days; or
(e) Cross-Default. The Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries
shall (i) default in any payment of principal of or interest on any Indebtedness
(other than the Loans) or in the payment of any Contingent Obligation, the
aggregate principal amount of which exceeds $5,000,000, beyond the period of
grace (not to exceed 30 days), if any, provided in the instrument or agreement
under which such Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation was created; or (ii)
default in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition
relating to
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any such Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation or contained in any
instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or
any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which
default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the
holder or holders of such Indebtedness or beneficiary or beneficiaries
of such Contingent Obligation (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such
holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the
giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to become due prior to
its stated maturity or such Contingent Obligation to become payable; or
(iii) any such Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation shall be declared
to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid (other than by a
regularly scheduled required prepayment) prior to the stated maturity
thereof; or
(f) Commencement of Bankruptcy or Reorganization Proceedings.
(i) The Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries shall commence any
case, proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future law
of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an
order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate
it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement,
adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other
relief with respect to it or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a
receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for
all or any substantial part of its assets, or the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its
creditors; or (ii) there shall be commenced against the Borrower or any
of its Material Subsidiaries any case, proceeding or other action of a
nature referred to in clause (i) above which (A) results in the entry
of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (B)
remains undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of 60 days;
or (iii) there shall be commenced against the Borrower or any of its
Material Subsidiaries any case, proceeding or other action seeking
issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar
process against all or any substantial part of its assets which results
in the entry of an order for any such relief which shall not have been
vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days
from the entry thereof; or (iv) the Borrower or any of its Material
Subsidiaries shall take any action in furtherance of, or indicating its
consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth
in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above; or (v) the Borrower or any of its
Material Subsidiaries shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or
shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they become
due; or
(g) ERISA. (i) Any Person shall engage in any "prohibited
transaction" (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
Code) involving any Plan, (ii) any "accumulated funding deficiency" (as
defined in Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived, shall exist
with respect to any Plan, (iii) a Reportable Event shall occur with
respect to, or proceedings shall commence to have a trustee appointed,
or a trustee shall be appointed, to administer or to terminate, any
Single Employer Plan, which Reportable Event or institution of
proceedings is, in the reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders,
likely to result in the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title
IV of ERISA in a "distress termination" (within the meaning of Section
4041(c) of ERISA), and, in the case of a Reportable Event, the
continuance of such Reportable Event unremedied for ten days after
notice of such Reportable Event pursuant to Section 4043(a), (c) or (d)
of ERISA is given or, in the case of institution of proceedings, the
continuance of such proceedings for ten days after commencement
thereof, (iv) any Single Employer Plan shall terminate for purposes of
Title IV of ERISA in a "distress termination" (within the meaning of
Section 4041(c) of ERISA), (v) the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled
Entity shall, or is, in
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the reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders, likely to, incur any
liability in connection with a withdrawal from, or the Insolvency or
Reorganization of, a Multiemployer Plan or (vi) any other event or
condition shall occur or exist with respect to a Single Employer Plan;
and in each case in clauses (i) through (vi) above, such event or
condition, together with all other such events or conditions, if any,
is reasonably likely to subject the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
to any tax, penalty or other liabilities in the aggregate material in
relation to the business, operations, property or financial or other
condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; or
(h) Material Judgments. One or more judgments or decrees shall
be entered against the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries
involving in the aggregate a liability (not covered by insurance) of
$5,000,000 or more and all such judgments or decrees shall not have
been vacated, satisfied, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal
within 60 days from the entry thereof; or
(i) Change in Control. (i) Any Person (other than one or more
members of the Control Group) shall at any time own, directly or
indirectly shares representing more than 30% of the aggregate ordinary
voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of
the Borrower or (ii) a "Change of Control" as defined in Section 1008
of the Existing Subordinated Note Indenture or any "Change of Control"
as defined in the Bridge Subordinated Debt, the Senior Subordinated
Notes or any other subordinated note indenture or any event described
with similar terminology thereunder shall occur; or
(j) Effectiveness of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreements.
Any Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall cease for any reason
(other than pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement or
the other Loan Documents) to be in full force and effect in accordance
with its terms or any party thereto shall so assert in writing or any
Lien on any material Collateral created by any of the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreements shall cease to be enforceable and of the same
effect and priority purported to be created thereby; or
then, and in any such event, (a) if such event is an Event of Default specified
in paragraph (f) above with respect to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower,
automatically the Revolving Credit Commitments, the Term Loan Commitments (if
any), the Swing Line Commitment and the L/C Commitment shall immediately
terminate and the Term Loans, the Swing Line Loans, the Revolving Credit Loans
and the Reimbursement Obligations hereunder (with accrued interest thereon), the
maximum amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit and
all other amounts owing by the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower, as the case
may be, under this Agreement shall immediately become due and payable, and (b)
if such event is any Event of Default and is continuing, either or both of the
following actions may be taken (to the extent not already automatically taken
pursuant to the foregoing clause (a)): (i) with the consent of the Required
Lenders, the Administrative Agent may or upon the request of the Required
Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower, declare the
Revolving Credit Commitments, the Term Loan Commitments (if any), the Swing Line
Commitment and the L/C Commitment to be terminated forthwith, whereupon the
Revolving Credit Commitments, the Term Loan Commitments (if any), the Swing Line
Commitment and the L/C Commitment shall immediately terminate; and (ii) with the
consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may or upon the
request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice of
default to the Borrower, declare the Term Loans, the Swing Line Loans, the
Revolving Credit Loans and the Reimbursement
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Obligations hereunder (with accrued interest thereon), the maximum amount
available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit and all other
amounts owing under this Agreement to be due and payable forthwith, whereupon
the same shall immediately become due and payable. Any amounts paid by the
Borrower in respect of such undrawn Letters of Credit shall be returned to the
Borrower after the last expiry date of the Letters of Credit and after all
Obligations under the Loan Documents have been paid in full.
With respect to all Letters of Credit for which presentment for honor
shall not have occurred at the time of an acceleration pursuant to the preceding
paragraph, the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary Borrower, as the case may be,
shall at such time deposit in a cash collateral account opened by the
Administrative Agent an amount equal to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired
amount of such Letters of Credit. Amounts held in such cash collateral account
shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the payments of drafts drawn
under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after all such
Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be
applied to repay other Obligations. After all such Letters of Credit shall have
expired or been fully drawn upon, all Reimbursement Obligations shall have been
satisfied and all other Obligations shall have been paid in full, the balance,
if any, in such cash collateral account shall be returned to the Borrower or
such Subsidiary Borrower, as the case may be.
Except as expressly provided above in this Section 8, presentment,
demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived.
SECTION 9. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
------------------------
9.1 APPOINTMENT. (a) Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and
appoints Chase as the Administrative Agent of such Lender under this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents, and each such Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes
Chase, as the Administrative Agent for such Lender, to take such action on its
behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and
to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to
the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement or the
other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or
responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary
relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions,
responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents or otherwise exist against the
Administrative Agent.
(b) Any proceeds received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the
terms of any Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall be applied as provided in
the Intercreditor Agreement. Each Hedging Lender agrees that (i) if at any time
it shall receive any proceeds pursuant to the terms of either Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement (other than through application by the Administrative Agent
in accordance with this subsection 9.1(b)), it shall promptly turn the same over
to the Administrative Agent for application in accordance with the provisions
hereof and (ii) it will not take or cause to be taken any action, including,
without limitation, the commencement of any legal or equitable proceedings, the
purpose of which is or could be to give such Hedging Lender any preference or
priority against the other Lenders with respect to such proceeds.
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9.2 DELEGATION OF DUTIES. The Administrative Agent may execute any of
its duties under this Agreement by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and
shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such
duties. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, Chase, New York
branch, shall at all times act as Administrative Agent in respect of the Tranche
B Term Loans and the Tranche C Term Loans. The Administrative Agent shall not be
responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact
selected by it with reasonable care. Without limiting the foregoing, the
Administrative Agent may appoint CSI as its agent to perform the functions of
the Administrative Agent hereunder relating to the advancing of funds to the
Borrower or any relevant Subsidiary Borrower and distribution of funds to the
Lenders and to perform such other related functions of the Administrative Agent
hereunder as are reasonably incidental to such functions.
9.3 EXCULPATORY PROVISIONS. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any
of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates
(including, without limitation, CSI) shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully
taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection with
this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (except for its or such Person's own
gross negligence or wilful misconduct) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any
of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made
by the Borrower or any relevant Subsidiary Borrower or any officer thereof
contained in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or in any certificate,
report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received
by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or the
other Loan Documents or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness,
enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement, any Notes or the other Loan
Documents or for any failure of the Borrower or any relevant Subsidiary Borrower
to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. Neither the Administrative
Agent nor CSI shall be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to
inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained
in, or conditions of, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or to inspect
the properties, books or records of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower.
9.4 RELIANCE BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. Each of the Administrative Agent
and CSI shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon
any Note, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter,
cablegram, telegram, telecopy or teletype message, statement, order or other
document or conversation reasonably believed by it to be genuine and correct and
to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon
advice and statements of legal counsel (including, without limitation, counsel
to the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by the
Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and CSI may deem and treat the
payee of any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes unless (a) a written
notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with
the Administrative Agent and (b) the Administrative Agent shall have received
the written agreement of such assignee that such assignee is bound hereby as it
would have been had it been an original Lender party hereto, in each case in
form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative
Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under
this Agreement or the other Loan Documents unless it shall first receive such
advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders as it deems appropriate or it
shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and
all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or
continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases
be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the Required
Lenders (or, as appropriate, the Supermajority Lenders, Ortho Consent Lenders,
Required Prepayment Lenders or Majority Facility Lenders), and such request and
any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all
the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans. The Administrative Agent and
the Issuing Lender shall not be required to
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give any notice to any Person other than the Borrower or the applicable
Subsidiary Borrower that an automatic extension of a Letter of Credit shall not
be effective, unless the Required Lenders (or, as appropriate, the Supermajority
Lenders, Ortho Consent Lenders, Required Prepayment Lenders or Majority Facility
Lenders) otherwise direct.
9.5 NOTICE OF DEFAULT. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to
have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default
hereunder unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a Lender or
the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing
such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a "notice of
default". In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the
Administrative Agent promptly shall give notice thereof to the Lenders. The
Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or
Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, as
appropriate, the Supermajority Lenders, Ortho Consent Lenders, Required
Prepayment Lenders or Majority Facility Lenders); provided that, unless and
until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the
Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or
refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of
Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders.
9.6 NON-RELIANCE ON ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, OTHER LENDERS AND CSI. Each
Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent nor any of
its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates
(including, without limitation, CSI) has made any representations or warranties
to it and that no act by the Administrative Agent hereinafter taken, including
any review of the affairs of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower, shall be
deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent
to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Administrative Agent and CSI that
it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any
other Lender or CSI, and based on such documents and information as it has
deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the
business, operations, property, financial and other condition and
creditworthiness of the Borrower and made its own decision to make its
extensions of credit hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also
represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative Agent, CSI or any other Lender, and based on such documents and
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own
credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under
this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it
deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property,
financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower. Except for
notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the
Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall
not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or
other information concerning the business, operations, property, financial and
other condition or creditworthiness of the Borrower which may come into the
possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors,
employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.
9.7 INDEMNIFICATION. The Lenders agree to indemnify each of the
Administrative Agent and CSI in its capacity as such (to the extent not
reimbursed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower and without limiting the
obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower to do so), ratably
according to the respective amounts of their Aggregate Exposure in effect on the
date on which indemnification is sought (or, if indemnification is sought after
the date upon which the Revolving Credit
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Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full,
ratably according to their Aggregate Exposure Percentage immediately prior to
such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
of any kind whatsoever which may at any time (including, without limitation, at
any time following the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or
asserted against the Administrative Agent or CSI in any way relating to or
arising out of this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents, or any documents
contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by the
Administrative Agent or CSI under or in connection with any of the foregoing;
provided that no Lender shall be liable for any payment of any such liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
expenses or disbursements to the extent that they result from the Administrative
Agent's or CSI's gross negligence or wilful misconduct. The agreements in this
subsection shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable
hereunder.
9.8 ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY. The
Administrative Agent and its Affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from
and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary
Borrower as though the Administrative Agent were not the Administrative Agent
hereunder. With respect to its Loans made or renewed by it and any Note issued
to it and with respect to any Letter of Credit issued or participated in by it,
the Administrative Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this
Agreement as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the
Administrative Agent, and the terms "Lender" and "Lenders" shall include the
Administrative Agent in its individual capacity.
9.9 SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. The Administrative Agent may
resign as Administrative Agent upon 30 days' notice to the Lenders. If the
Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under this Agreement,
then the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent
for the Lenders (with, as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the approval of the Borrower, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld), whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the
rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent, and the term
"Administrative Agent" shall mean such successor agent effective upon its
appointment, and the former Administrative Agent's rights, powers and duties as
Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or
deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to
this Agreement or any holders of the Loans. Any appointed successor agent shall
act as Administrative Agent only through a branch in the United States in
respect of the Tranche B Term Loans and the Tranche C Term Loans. After any
retiring Administrative Agent's resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent,
the provisions of this Section 9 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions
taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this
Agreement.
9.10 THE SYNDICATION AGENT AND THE CO-DOCUMENTATION AGENTS. The
Syndication Agent and the Co-Documentation Agents do not assume any
responsibility or obligation under this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents or any duties as agents for the Lenders. The titles "Syndication
Agent" and "Co-Documentation Agent" imply no fiduciary responsibility on the
part of either of the Syndication Agent or the Co-Documentation Agents to any
Person and the use of such title does not impose on the Syndication Agent or the
Co-Documentation Agents any duties or obligations under this Agreement or any of
the other Loan Documents.
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SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS
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10.1 AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. (a) The Administrative Agent, the Borrower
and the Subsidiary Borrowers may, from time to time, with the written consent of
the Required Lenders, enter into written amendments, supplements or
modifications for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement, the
Guarantee and Collateral Agreements or any other Loan Document or changing in
any manner the rights of the Lenders or the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower
hereunder or thereunder, and, with the consent of the Required Lenders, the
Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, may execute and deliver to the
Borrower a written instrument waiving, on such terms and conditions as the
Administrative Agent may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of
this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any Default or Event of Default and
its consequences; provided, however, that no such waiver and no such amendment,
supplement or modification shall (i) extend the final maturity of any Loan or
reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest or fees thereon, or
reduce the principal amount thereof, or extend the scheduled date of or reduce
the amount of any amortization payment in respect of any Term Loan, or change
the amount or terms of any Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment (including the
Optional Currencies applicable to such Lender) or reduce any outstanding L/C
Obligation, or amend, modify or waive any provision of this subsection, or
reduce the percentage specified in the definitions of Required Lenders, Ortho
Consent Lenders, Majority Facility Lenders, Required Prepayment Lenders or
Supermajority Lenders, respectively, or consent to the assignment or transfer by
the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower of any of its rights and obligations
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except to the extent otherwise
provided therein), or release the guarantee obligations of any significant
Guarantor (including, without limitation, the Borrower) or all or substantially
all of the collateral under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreements, in each
case without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (ii) amend,
modify or waive (A) any provision of subsection 2.12 requiring by its terms the
agreement of the Required Prepayment Lenders or any related definition as used
therein or subsection 2.18 or (B) any other provision hereof if the effect is to
subordinate one of the Facilities in right of payment to any other of the
Facilities in either case without the consent of the Required Prepayment
Lenders, (iii) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 9 without the
written consent of the then Administrative Agent, (iv) amend, modify or waive
the provisions of any Letters of Credit or Reimbursement Obligation, without the
written consent of the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary Borrower and the
Issuing Lender, or the provisions applicable to the Swing Line Loans without the
consent of each Swing Loan Lender , (v) amend, modify or waive the provisions of
subsection 7.12 or clause (a) of the definition of "Permitted Acquisition" in
subsection 1.1 without the consent of the Ortho Consent Lenders or (vi) amend,
modify or waive any provision of the Intercreditor Agreement except in
accordance with the terms therein. Any such waiver and any such amendment,
supplement or modification shall be binding upon the Borrower, the Subsidiary
Borrowers, the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans. In the case of any
waiver, the Borrower and the Lenders shall be restored to their former position
and rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and any Default or
Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no
such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default
or impair any right consequent thereon. It is agreed that any amendment,
modification or waiver increasing any of the Optional Currency limits set forth
in subsection 2.4 and in subsection 3.1(a) requires the consent of the Required
Facility Lenders.
(b) This Agreement may be amended without consent of the Lenders, so
long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, as
follows:
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(i) This Agreement will be amended to add Subsidiaries as
additional Subsidiary Borrowers upon (x) execution and delivery by the
Borrower, such additional Subsidiary Borrowers and the Administrative
Agent, of a Joinder Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit I
(a "Joinder Agreement"), providing for such Subsidiaries to become
Subsidiary Borrowers, (y) agreement and acknowledgment by The Scotts
Company and such additional Subsidiaries that the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement covers the obligations of such additional
Subsidiaries and (z) delivery to the Administrative Agent of (1)
corporate or other applicable resolutions, other corporate or other
applicable documents, certificates and legal opinions in respect of
such additional Subsidiary Borrowers substantially equivalent to
comparable documents delivered on the Closing Date and (2) such other
documents with respect thereto as the Administrative Agent shall
reasonably request.
(ii) This Agreement will be amended to remove any Subsidiary
as a Subsidiary Borrower upon execution and delivery by the Borrower to
the Administrative Agent of a written notification to such effect and
repayment in full of all Loans made to such Subsidiary Borrower, cash
collateralization of all L/C Obligations in respect of Letters of
Credit issued for the account of such Subsidiary Borrower and repayment
in full of all other amounts owing by such Subsidiary Borrower under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (it being agreed that any
such repayment shall be in accordance with the other terms of this
Agreement).
(c) The Lenders (and each of their respective successors, assigns and
transferees) hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to release any Collateral
or the obligations of any Subsidiary under any Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement on their behalf in the event of a sale or other transfer of such
Collateral or such Subsidiary permitted under this Agreement.
10.2 NOTICES. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.2(a), all
notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be
effective shall be in writing or by telecopy and, unless otherwise expressly
provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered
by hand, or when deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of
telecopy notice, when received, addressed as follows in the case of the Borrower
and each of the Subsidiary Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, and as set
forth in Schedule 10.2 in the case of the Lenders, or to such address or other
address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto and any
future holders of the Loans:
The Borrower and
each Subsidiary Borrower: The Scotts Company
00000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Attn.: Xx. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
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With a copy sent to:
Vorys, Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx and
Xxxxx LLP
00 Xxxx Xxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Ruby, Esq. and
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
The Administrative Agent: The Chase Manhattan Bank
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn.:Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
With a copy sent to:
Chase Manhattan International
Limited
0 Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X0 0XX
Attn: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Telecopy: 00-000-000-0000/2085
CSI: Chase Securities Incorporated
Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, 0xx Xx.
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Loan and Agencies Group/Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Administrative Agent
or the Lenders shall not be effective until received.
10.3 NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. No failure to exercise and no
delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any
right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof;
nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or
privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies,
powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any
rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.
10.4 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND INDEMNITIES. All
representations and warranties made hereunder and in any document, certificate
or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive
the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans
hereunder. The obligation of the Borrower to make payments or to provide
indemnities as
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provided for in this Agreement shall survive payment in full of the Loans,
expiration of all Letters of Credit and termination of the Revolving Credit
Commitments and this Agreement.
10.5 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES AND TAXES. The Borrower agrees (a) to pay or
reimburse the Administrative Agent for all its reasonable out-of-pocket costs
and expenses incurred in connection with the development, preparation and
execution of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to, this Agreement,
the Notes, the other Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in
connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the reasonable
fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent, (b) to pay or
reimburse each Lender and the Administrative Agent for all its costs and
expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any
rights under this Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan Documents and any such
other documents, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel (including, without limitation, in-house counsel) to
the Administrative Agent and to the several Lenders, (c) to pay, indemnify and
hold each Lender and the Administrative Agent harmless from any and all
recording and filing fees and any and all liabilities with respect to, or
resulting from any delay in paying, stamp, excise and other similar non-income
taxes (and, for the avoidance of doubt, other than Excluded Taxes), if any,
which may be payable or determined to be payable in connection with the
execution and delivery of, or consummation of any of the transactions
contemplated by, or any amendment, supplement or modification of, or any waiver
or consent under or in respect of, this Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan
Documents and any such other documents provided that and notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Borrower and/or any
Subsidiary Borrower shall only be liable to make any payment to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender regarding any UK stamp duty or SDRT in
respect of any transfer if such transfer is affected by an Assignment and
Acceptance which operates as a novation, i.e., if the original rights and
obligations as between the relevant Borrower and the transferor Lender are
extinguished and new rights and obligations between the relevant Borrower and
the transferee Lender are created, and (d) to pay, indemnify, and hold each
Lender and the Administrative Agent and their respective officers, directors,
trustees, employees, advisers and agents harmless from and against any and all
other liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments,
suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with
respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration
of this Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan Documents and any such other
documents; provided, however, that with respect to subparagraphs (c) and (d),
the Borrower shall not be liable for the payment of any losses, costs,
penalties, judgments, suits, liabilities, damages, penalties, actions, expenses
or disbursements resulting solely from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct
of any such Lender. The agreements in this subsection shall survive repayment of
the Loans, the Reimbursement Obligations and all other amounts payable
hereunder.
10.6 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS; PARTICIPANTS; AGENCY. (a) This Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Lenders, the
Administrative Agent, all future holders of the Loans and their respective
successors and assigns, except that the Borrower may not assign or transfer any
of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents
without the prior written consent of each Lender.
(b) Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of its commercial banking
business and in accordance with applicable law, at any time sell to one or more
banks or other financial institutions ("Participants") participating interests
in any Loan owing to such Lender, any Reimbursement Obligation
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with respect to such Lender, any Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender or
any other interest of such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents,
provided, however, that any sale of a participating interest in any Loan (i)(x)
which is a Term Loan which is made to any Subsidiary Borrower which is resident
for taxation purposes in the United Kingdom or (y) which is attributable to a
branch or an agency of any Subsidiary Borrower which branch or agency is
carrying on a trade in the United Kingdom to which the interest in question is
attributable (1) if made by an Eligible U.K. Bank shall be made to an Eligible
U.K. Bank and (2) any interest payable in respect of such advance shall be
beneficially owned by such Eligible U.K. Bank or another Person within the
charge of United Kingdom corporation tax and not exempt from corporation tax in
respect of that interest or (ii) which is a Tranche A French Subtranche Term
Loan which is made to any Subsidiary Borrower which is resident for taxation
purposes of France if made by an Eligible French Bank shall be made to an
Eligible French Bank or (iii) which is a Tranche A German Subtranche Term Loan
which is made to any Subsidiary Borrower which is resident for taxation purposes
of Germany if made by an Eligible German Bank shall be made to an Eligible
German Bank or (iv) which is made to any Subsidiary Borrower which is resident
for taxation purposes in Belgium (1) if made by an Eligible Belgian Bank shall
be made to an Eligible Belgian Bank and (2) any interest payable in respect of
such advance shall be beneficially owned by such Eligible Belgian Bank. In the
event of any such sale by a Lender of participating interests to a Participant,
such Lender's obligations under this Agreement to the other parties to this
Agreement shall remain unchanged, such Lender shall remain solely responsible
for the performance thereof, and such Lender shall remain the holder of any such
Loan or Swing Line Participation Certificate for all purposes under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection
with such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents. The Borrower agrees that if amounts outstanding under this
Agreement are due and unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall have become
due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant
shall be deemed to have the right of set-off in respect of its participating
interest in amounts owing under this Agreement to the same extent as if the
amount of its participating interests were owing directly to it as a Lender
under this Agreement; provided that such right of set-off shall be subject to
the obligation of such Participant to share with the Lenders, and the Lenders
agree to share with such Participant, as provided in subsection 10.7. The
Borrower also agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of
subsections 2.18, 2.19, 2.20, 2.21, 2.22 and 3.7 as if it were a Lender;
provided, that, no Participant shall be entitled to receive any greater amount
pursuant to any such subsection than the transferor Lender would have been
entitled to receive in respect of the amount of the participation transferred by
such transferor Lender to such Participant had no such transfer occurred.
(c) Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of its commercial lending
business and in accordance with applicable law, at any time sell to any Lender
or any affiliate thereof and, with the consent of the Administrative Agent and,
so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under subsection
8(a) or 8(f), the Borrower (which in each case shall not be unreasonably
withheld), to one or more additional banks or financial institutions (including,
without limitation, "prime rate" funds, insurance companies and other
institutions or entities which purchase performing bank loans in the ordinary
course of business) ("Purchasing Lenders") all or any part of its rights and
obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents pursuant to an
Assignment and Acceptance, executed by such Purchasing Lender, such transferor
Lender (and, in the case of a Purchasing Lender that is not then a Lender or an
affiliate thereof, by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) and delivered
to the Administrative Agent for its acceptance and recording in the Register;
provided (i) that any sale by any
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Lender of all or any part of its Revolving Credit Commitment and/or any Loans
need not be made ratably in accordance with the respective amounts of such
Revolving Credit Commitment or such Loans, if any, held by such Lender
immediately prior to such sale and (ii) that any sale in respect of Loans in
Sterling by an Eligible U.K. Bank shall be made only to an Eligible U.K. Bank,
any sale in respect of Loans in French Francs made by an Eligible French Bank
shall be made only to an Eligible French Bank, any sale in respect of Loans in
Deutschmarks made by an Eligible German Bank shall be made only to an Eligible
German Bank and any sale made in respect of Loans in Belgian Francs by an
Eligible Belgian Bank shall be made only to an Eligible Belgian Bank. Upon such
execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and after the Transfer
Closing Date determined pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, (x) the
Purchasing Lender thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent provided
in such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender
hereunder with a Revolving Credit Commitment and/or Loans as set forth therein,
and (y) the transferor Lender thereunder shall, to the extent provided in such
Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement
(and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining
portion of a transferor Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement,
such transferor Lender shall cease to be a party hereto). Such Assignment and
Acceptance shall be deemed to amend this Agreement to the extent, and only to
the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of such Purchasing Lender and the
resulting adjustment of Commitment Percentages and amounts of affected Revolving
Credit Commitments arising from the purchase by such Purchasing Lender of all or
a portion of the rights and obligations of such transferor Lender under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Anything in this subsection 10.6(c) to
the contrary notwithstanding, (i) no transfer to any Lender party to this
Agreement on the Closing Date or within five Business Days thereafter (an
"Original Lender") shall require any consent of the Administrative Agent or the
Borrower, (ii) except as provided in preceding clause (i), no transfer to a
Purchasing Lender shall be made pursuant to this subsection 10.6(c) (x) if such
transfer is in respect of less than $5,000,000, or the Optional Currency
Equivalent thereof, as the case may be, in the aggregate of the Revolving Credit
Commitment or the Tranche A Term Commitment of such transferor Lender, as the
case may be unless such transfer is of all such Lender's Revolving Credit
Commitment and/or Loans outstanding, or (y) if such transfer is in respect of
less than $2,000,000, in the aggregate of the Tranche B Term Commitment or the
Tranche C Term Commitment of such transferor Lender unless such transfer is of
all such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment and/or Loans outstanding, (iii) no
transfer to a Purchasing Lender of less than all of the transferor Lender's
Revolving Credit Commitment shall be made pursuant to this subsection 10.6(c) if
such transfer shall reduce the transferor Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment
to less than $5,000,000 or the Optional Currency Equivalent thereof or such
other amount as agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, (iv)
no transfer to a Purchasing Lender of less than all of the transferor Lender's
Tranche A Term Loans then outstanding shall be made pursuant to this subsection
10.6(c) if such transfer shall reduce the transferor Lender's Tranche A Term
Loans then outstanding to less than the Tranche A Subtranche Currency Equivalent
of $5,000,000 or such other amount as agreed upon by the Administrative Agent
and the Borrower, (v) no transfer to a Purchasing Lender of less than all of the
transferor Lender's Tranche B Term Loans or Tranche C Term Loans then
outstanding shall be made pursuant to this subsection 10.6(c) if such transfer
shall reduce the Transferor Lender's Tranche B Term Loans or Tranche C Term
Loans, as the case may be, then outstanding to less than $2,000,000 or the
Optional Currency Equivalent thereof or such other amount as agreed upon by the
Administrative Agent and the Borrower, and (vi) the consent of the Borrower
shall not be required, and, unless requested by the Purchasing Lender and/or the
transferor Lender, new Notes shall not be required to be executed and delivered
by the Borrower, for any assignment which occurs at any time when any of the
events
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described in subsection 8(f) shall have occurred and be continuing.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection 10.6(c), with the
consent of the Borrower, any applicable Subsidiary Borrower of Tranche A British
Subtranche Term Loans which is a resident for taxation purposes of the United
Kingdom and the Administrative Agent, any Lender of Tranche A British Subtranche
Term Loans to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary Borrower may exchange such
Loans for Tranche A British Subtranche Term Loans of such Subsidiary Borrower if
such Lender or Lending Installation thereof is an Eligible U.K. Bank.
(d) The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Borrower, shall maintain
at its address referred to in subsection 10.2 a copy of each Assignment and
Acceptance delivered to it and a register (the "Register") for the recordation
of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Revolving Credit Commitments
of, and principal amount and types of Loans (whether or not evidenced by a Note)
owing to, each Lender from time to time. The entries in the Register shall be
conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is
recorded in the Register as the owner of a Loan or other obligation hereunder as
the owner thereof for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. Any assignment of any
Loan or other obligation hereunder shall be effective only upon appropriate
entries with respect thereto being made in the Register. Any assignment or
transfer of all or part of a Loan evidenced by a Note shall be registered on the
Register only upon surrender for registration of assignment or transfer of the
Note evidencing such Loan, accompanied by a duly executed Assignment and
Acceptance, and thereupon one or more new Notes in the same aggregate principal
amount shall be issued to the designated Assignee and the old Notes shall be
returned by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower marked "canceled." The
Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower or any Lender at any
reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(e) Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed by a
transferor Lender and a Purchasing Lender together with payment to the
Administrative Agent (by the transferor Lender or the Purchasing Lender, as
agreed between them) of a registration and processing fee of $3,000 for each
Purchasing Lender listed in such Assignment and Acceptance, the Administrative
Agent shall (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) record the
information contained therein in the Register and (iii) give prompt notice of
such acceptance and recordation to the Lenders and the Borrower.
(f) The Borrower authorizes each Lender to disclose to any Participant
or Purchasing Lender (each a "Transferee") and any prospective Transferee any
and all financial information in such Lender's possession concerning the
Borrower which has been delivered to such Lender by the Borrower pursuant to
this Agreement or which has been delivered to such Lender by the Borrower in
connection with such Lender's credit evaluation of the Borrower prior to
entering into this Agreement.
(g) For avoidance of doubt, the parties to this Agreement acknowledge
that the provisions of this subsection concerning assignments of Loans and Notes
relate only to absolute assignments and that such provisions do not prohibit
assignments creating security interests, including, without limitation, (i) any
pledge or assignment by a Lender of any Loan or Note to any Federal Reserve Bank
in accordance with applicable law or (ii) any pledge or assignment by a Lender
of any Loan or Note to an asset securitization trust or vehicle created by such
Lender or an affiliate thereof provided that such Lender shall retain all voting
rights and obligations and duties under this Agreement and the other Loan
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Documents with respect to any Loans or Notes so pledged or assigned under this
clause (ii) of this subsection 10.6(g).
10.7 ADJUSTMENTS; SET-OFF. (a) Each Lender (including each Assignee)
hereby agrees to be bound by the terms and provisions of the Intercreditor
Agreement fully as though it were a direct signatory thereto.
(b) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by
law, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and acceleration of the
obligations owing in connection with this Agreement, each Lender shall have the
right, without prior notice to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower, any such
notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by
applicable law, to set off, appropriate and apply against any indebtedness,
whether matured or unmatured, of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower to
such Lender, any amount held by or owing from such Lender to or for the credit
or the account of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower at, or at any time
after, the happening of any of the above mentioned events, and the aforesaid
right of set-off may be exercised by such Lender against the Borrower or such
Subsidiary Borrower or against any trustee in bankruptcy, debtor in possession,
assignee for the benefit of creditors, receiver, custodian or execution,
judgment or attachment creditor of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower, or
against anyone else claiming through or against the Borrower or such Subsidiary
Borrower or such trustee in bankruptcy, debtor in possession, assignee for the
benefit of creditors, receiver, custodian or execution, judgment or attachment
creditor, notwithstanding the fact that such right of set-off shall not have
been exercised by such Lender prior to the making, filing or issuance of, or
service upon such Lender of, or of notice of, any such petition, assignment for
the benefit of creditors, appointment or application for the appointment of a
receiver, or issuance of execution, subpoena, order or warrant. Each Lender
agrees promptly to notify the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower after any
such set-off and application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to
give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.
Any set-off pursuant to this paragraph may be effected notwithstanding that the
currencies of the offsetting indebtedness may be different, and any such set-off
shall be done by reference to the spot exchange rate for such currencies on the
date of such set-off. Each Lender agrees that it will promptly pay to the
Administrative Agent the amount of any set-off by it against the obligations
hereunder as contemplated above for distribution by the Administrative Agent in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Intercreditor
Agreement.
(c) In calculating the amount of Commitments, Loans or Obligations for
any purpose under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including,
without limitation, voting or distribution purposes, the amount of any thereof
which is denominated in a currency other than Dollars shall be converted into
Dollars at the Dollar Equivalent thereof on the date on which such calculation
is to be made.
10.8 ENFORCEABILITY; USURY. In no event shall any provision of this
Agreement or any other instrument evidencing or securing the indebtedness of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower hereunder ever obligate the Borrower or any
of the Subsidiary Borrowers to pay or allow any Lender to collect interest on
the Loans or any other indebtedness of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary
Borrowers hereunder at a rate greater than the maximum non-usurious rate
permitted by applicable law (herein referred to as the "Highest Lawful Rate"),
or obligate the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Borrowers to pay any taxes,
assessments, charges, insurance premiums or other amounts to the extent
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that such payments, when added to the interest payable on the Loans or any other
indebtedness hereunder, would be held to constitute the payment by the Borrower
or such Subsidiary Borrower of interest at a rate greater than the Highest
Lawful Rate; and this provision shall control over any provision to the
contrary.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event the
maturity of all or any part of the principal amount of the indebtedness of the
Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Borrowers hereunder shall be accelerated for
any reason, then such principal amount so accelerated shall be credited with any
interest theretofore paid thereon in advance and remaining unearned at the time
of such acceleration. If, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, any funds are
applied to the payment of any part of the principal amount of the indebtedness
of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Borrowers hereunder prior to the
maturity thereof, then (a) any interest which would otherwise thereafter accrue
on the principal amount so paid by such application shall be canceled, and (b)
the indebtedness of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower hereunder remaining
unpaid after such application shall be credited with the amount of all interest,
if any, theretofore collected on the principal amount so paid by such
application and remaining unearned at the date of said application; and if the
funds so applied shall be sufficient to pay in full all the indebtedness of the
Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower hereunder, then the Lenders shall refund to
the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower all interest theretofore paid thereon
in advance and remaining unearned at the time of such acceleration. Regardless
of any other provision in this Agreement, or in any of the written evidences of
the indebtedness of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Borrowers hereunder,
neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiary Borrowers shall be required to
pay any unearned interest on such indebtedness or any portion thereof, or be
required to pay interest thereon at a rate in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate
construed by courts having competent jurisdiction thereof.
10.9 JUDGMENT. The obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary
Borrower in respect of this Agreement and any Note due to any party hereto or
any holder of any bond shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the
"judgment currency") other than the currency in which the sum originally due to
such party or such holder is denominated (the "original currency"), be
discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such
party or such holder (as the case may be) of any sum adjudged to be so due in
the judgment currency such party or such holder (as the case may be) may in
accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the original currency with
the judgment currency; if the amount of the original currency so purchased is
less than the sum originally due to such party or such holder (as the case may
be) in the original currency, the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower, as the
case may be, agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such
judgment, to indemnify such party or such holder (as the case may be) against
such loss, and if the amount of the original currency so purchased exceeds the
sum originally due to any party to this Agreement or any holder of Notes (as the
case may be), such party or such holder (as the case may be), agrees to remit to
the Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower, as the case may be, such excess. This
covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and payment of the
Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
10.10 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of
the parties hereto on any number of separate counterparts and all of said
counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same
instrument. A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all the parties
hereto shall be delivered to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. Delivery
of an executed
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counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective
as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
10.11 GOVERNING LAW; NO THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. This Agreement and the
Notes and the rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement and the
Notes shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with,
the law of the State of New York. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of
the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, and no other
Person shall have any right, benefit, priority or interest under, or because of
the existence of, this Agreement. If any amendment to this Agreement provides
for (a) the payment in full of all the Loans of a Lender outstanding under this
Agreement, together with any accrued interest thereon and any accrued fees
payable to such Lender under this Agreement, and (b) the termination of all
Commitments of such Lender under this Agreement, then (i) such amendment shall
not require the consent of such Lender (but shall in any event require the
consent of each continuing Lender with Loans or a Commitment under the same
Facility), and (ii) concurrently with the effectiveness of such amendment, such
Lender shall cease to be a party to this Agreement and shall cease to have any
rights under this Agreement (other than rights hereunder expressly stated to
survive the termination of this Agreement and any rights hereunder and under the
other Loan Documents with respect to any Hedge Agreement entered into by such
Lender or any of its Affiliates prior to the date such amendment becomes
effective).
10.12 HEADINGS. The headings of the Sections and subsections of this
Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to
constitute a part hereof.
10.13 GERMAN LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document:
(a) the obligations hereunder with respect to each Subsidiary
Borrower which is or the general partner (Komplementarin) of which is a
Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung organized under the laws of the
Federal Republic of Germany (each, a "German Limited Borrower") shall
at all times be limited so that its liability as a Subsidiary Borrower
under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall at no time
require its payment of any moneys which are required to maintain its
registered share capital (Stammkapital) to the extent solely that such
share capital is protected by Sections 30 and 31 of the German Limited
Liabilities Companies Act (the "GmbH-Gesetz"); and
(b) Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of the Lenders
shall be entitled to enforce the obligations of any guarantor which is
or the general partner (Komplementarin) of which is a Gesellschaft mit
beschrankter Haftung organized under the laws of the Federal Republic
of Germany (each, a "German Limited Guarantor") under Section 10 for so
long as, and solely to the extent that, such enforcement would cause
such German Limited Guarantor's net assets (Reinvermogen) to be reduced
below the amount of its registered share capital which is protected by
Sections 30 and 31 of the GmbH-Gesetz;
provided each guarantee provided by a Guarantor hereunder on account of the
obligations of the German Limited Borrowers shall be unimpaired by the
provisions of this subsection 10.13, such that each such Guarantor shall remain
liable under the relevant Guarantees hereof for the obligations of the German
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Limited Borrowers to the same extent as it would have been liable in the absence
of this subsection 10.13.
10.14 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVERS. Each of the Borrower and
the Subsidiary Borrowers hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:
(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or
proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to
which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment
in respect thereof, to the non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the
Courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States of
America for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts
from any thereof;
(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought
in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter
have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or
that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and
agrees not to plead or claim the same;
(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or
proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or
certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage
prepaid, to the Borrower and the Subsidiary Borrowers at their
respective addresses set forth in subsection 10.2 or at such other
address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified
pursuant thereto;
(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to
effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall
limit the right to xxx in any other jurisdiction; and
(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any
right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding
referred to in this subsection any special, exemplary, punitive or
consequential damages.
(f) Upon any Foreign Subsidiary becoming a Foreign Subsidiary
Borrower, such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower hereby agrees to irrevocably
and unconditionally appoint the Borrower or an agent for service of
process located in The City of New York (the "New York Process
Administrative Agent"), reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent, as its agent to receive on behalf of such Foreign Subsidiary
Borrower and its property service of copies of the summons and
complaint and any other process which may be served in any action or
proceeding in any such New York State or Federal court described in
paragraph (a) of this subsection and agrees promptly to appoint a
successor New York Process Administrative Agent in The City of New York
(which successor New York Process Administrative Agent shall accept
such appointment in a writing reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent) prior to the termination for any reason of the
appointment of the initial New York Process Administrative Agent. In
any such action or proceeding in such New York State or Federal court,
such service may be made on such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower by
delivering a copy of such process to such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower
in care of the New York Process Administrative Agent at the New York
Process Administrative Agent's address and by depositing a copy of such
process in the mails by certified or registered air mail, addressed to
such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower at its
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address specified in subsection 10.2 (such service to be effective upon
such receipt by the New York Process Administrative Agent and the
depositing of such process in the mails as aforesaid). Each of the
Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
authorizes and directs the New York Process Administrative Agent to
accept such service on its behalf. As an alternate method of service,
each of the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers irrevocably and
unconditionally consents to the service of any and all process in any
such action or proceeding in such New York State or Federal court by
mailing of copies of such process to such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower
by certified or registered air mail at its address specified in
subsection 10.2. Each of the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers agrees that,
to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, a final judgment in
any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced
in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner
provided by law.
(g) To the extent that any Foreign Subsidiary Borrower has or
hereafter may acquire any immunity (sovereign or otherwise) from any
legal action, suit or proceeding, from jurisdiction of any court or
from set-off or any legal process (whether service or notice,
attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of
judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) with respect to itself or
any of its property, such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower hereby
irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim such immunity in
respect of its obligations under this Agreement and any Note.
10.15 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiary
Borrowers hereby acknowledges that:
(a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation,
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Notes and the other
Loan Documents;
(b) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any
fiduciary relationship to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower, and
the relationship between Administrative Agent and Lenders, on one hand,
and the Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower, on the other hand, is
solely that of debtor and creditor; and
(c) no joint venture exists among the Lenders or among the
Borrower or any Subsidiary Borrower and the Lenders.
10.16 WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL. THE BORROWER, THE SUBSIDIARY BORROWERS,
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT
OR THE NOTES OR ANY LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.
10.17 SEVERABILITY. Any provision of this Agreement which is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
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10.18 EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION. Definitions. In this
subsection 10.18 and in each other provision of this Agreement to which
reference is made in this subsection 10.18 expressly or impliedly, the following
terms have the meanings given to them in this subsection 10.18:
"commencement of the third stage of EMU" means the date of
commencement of the third stage of EMU (at the date of this Agreement
expected to be January 1, 1999) or the date on which circumstances
arise which (in the opinion of the Administrative Agent) have
substantially the same effect and result in substantially the same
consequences as commencement of the third stage of EMU as contemplated
by the Treaty on European Union.
"EMU" means economic and monetary union as contemplated in the
Treaty on European Union.
"EMU legislation" means legislative measures of the European
Council for the introduction of, changeover to or operation of a single
or unified European currency (whether known as the euro or otherwise),
being in part the implementation of the third stage of EMU;
"euro" means the single currency of participating member
states of the European Union;
"euro unit" means the currency unit of the euro;
"national currency unit" means the unit of currency (other
than a euro unit) of a participating member state;
"participating member state" means each state so described in
any EMU legislation;
"Target Operating Day" means any day that is not (i) a
Saturday or Sunday, (ii) Christmas Day or New Year's Day or (iii) any
other day on which the Trans-European Real-time Gross Settlement
Operating System (or any successor settlement system) is not operating
(as determined by the Administrative Agent); and
"Treaty on European Union" means the Treaty of Rome of March
25, 1957, as amended by the Single Xxxxxxxx Xxx 0000 and the Maastricht
Treaty (which was signed at Maastricht on February 7, 1992, and came
into force on November 1, 1993), as amended from time to time.
(b) Effectiveness of Provisions. The provisions of paragraphs (c) to
(j) below (inclusive) shall be effective at and from the commencement of the
third stage of EMU, provided, that if and to the extent that any such provision
relates to any state (or the currency of such state) that is not a participating
member state on the commencement of the third stage of EMU, such provision shall
become effective in relation to such state (and the currency of such state) at
and from the date on which such state becomes a participating member state.
(c) Redenomination and Alternative Currencies. Each obligation under
this Agreement of a party to this Agreement which has been denominated in the
national currency unit of a participating member state shall be redenominated
into the euro unit in accordance with EMU legislation, provided, that if and to
the extent that any EMU legislation provides that following the commencement of
the third
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stage of EMU an amount denominated either in the euro or in the national
currency unit of a participating member state and payable within that
participating member state by crediting an account of the creditor can be paid
by the debtor either in the euro unit or in the national currency unit, each
party to this Agreement shall be entitled to pay or repay any such amount either
in the euro unit or in such national currency unit.
(d) Business Days. (i) With respect to any amount denominated
or to be denominated in the euro or a national currency unit, any
reference to a "Business Day" for purposes of borrowings and payments
and for purposes of determining the first and last day of any Interest
Period shall be construed as a reference to a day (other than a
Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are generally open for business in
London and New York City and Frankfurt am Main, Germany (or such
principal financial center or centers in such participating member
state or states as the Administrative Agent may from time to time
nominate for this purpose).
(ii) For purposes of determining the date on which the LIBOR
Base Rate, or the EURIBOR Rate, as applicable, is determined under this
Agreement for any Loan denominated in the euro (or any national
currency unit) for any Interest Period therefor, references in this
Agreement to "Business Days" shall be deemed to be references to Target
Operating Days. In addition, if the Administrative Agent determines
that there is no LIBOR Base Rate or EURIBOR Rate, as applicable,
displayed on the Screen or applicable Reuters or Telerate Page for
deposits denominated in the national currency unit in which any Loans
are denominated, the LIBOR Base Rate or EURIBOR Rate, as applicable,
for such Loans shall be based upon the rate displayed on the Screen or
applicable Reuters or Telerate Page for the offering of deposits
denominated in the euro.
(e) Payments to the Administrative Agent. Subsection 2.15 shall be
construed so that, in relation to the payment of any amount of euro units or
national currency units, such amount shall be made available to the
Administrative Agent in immediately available, freely transferable, cleared
funds to such account with such bank in London (or such other principal
financial center in such participating member state as the Administrative Agent
may from time to time nominate for this purpose) as the Administrative Agent
shall from time to time nominate for this purpose.
(f) Payments by the Administrative Agent. Any amount payable by the
Administrative Agent to the Lenders under this Agreement in the currency of a
participating member state shall be paid in the euro unit.
(g) Payments by the Administrative Agent Generally. With respect to the
payment of any amount denominated in the euro or in a national currency unit,
the Administrative Agent shall not be liable to the Borrower or any Subsidiary
Borrower or any of the Lenders in any way whatsoever for any delay, or the
consequences of any delay, in the crediting to any account of any amount
required by this Agreement to be paid by the Administrative Agent if the
Administrative Agent shall have taken all relevant steps to achieve, on the date
required by this Agreement, the payment of such amount is immediately available,
freely transferable, cleared funds (in the euro unit or, as the case may be, in
a national currency unit) (to the account with the bank in the principal
financial center in the participating member state which the Borrower or such
Subsidiary Borrower or, as the case may be, any Lender shall have specified for
such purpose. In this paragraph (g), "all relevant steps" means all such steps
as may
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be prescribed from time to time by the regulations or operating procedures of
such clearing or settlement system as the Administrative Agent may from time to
time determine for the purpose of clearing or settling payments of the euro.
(h) Basis of Accrual. If the basis of accrual of interest or fees
expressed in this Agreement with respect to the currency of any state that
becomes a participating state shall be inconsistent with any convention or
practice in the London Interbank Market, the Frankfurt Interbank Market or the
Paris Interbank Market, as applicable, for the basis of accrual of interest or
fees in respect of the euro, such convention or practice shall replace such
expressed basis effective as of and from the date on which payments under this
Agreement are to be made in euro; provided, that if any Loan in the currency of
such state is outstanding immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall
take effect, with respect to such Loan, at the end of the then current Interest
Period.
(i) Rounding and Other Consequential Changes. Without prejudice and in
addition to any method of conversion or rounding prescribed by any EMU
legislation and without prejudice to the respective liabilities for indebtedness
of the Borrower to the Lenders and the Lenders to the Borrower under or pursuant
to this Agreement:
(i) each reference in this Agreement to a minimum amount (or
an integral multiple thereof) in a national currency unit to be paid to
or by the Administrative Agent shall be replaced by a reference to such
reasonably comparable and convenient amount (or an integral multiple
thereof) in the euro unit as the Administrative Agent and the Borrower
may from time to time agree; and
(ii) except as expressly provided in this subsection 10.18,
each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable
changes of construction as the Administrative Agent and the Borrower
may from time to time agree to be necessary or appropriate to reflect
the introduction of or changeover to the euro in participating member
states.
(j) Increased Costs. The Borrower shall from time to time, at the
request of the Administrative Agent, pay to the Administrative Agent for the
account of each Lender the amount of any cost or increased cost incurred by, or
of any reduction in any amount payable to or in the effective return on its
capital to, or of interest or other return foregone by, such Lender or any
holding company of such Lender as a result of the introduction of, changeover to
or operation of the euro in any participating member state, other than any such
cost or reduction or amount foregoing reflected in the LIBOR Rate, the FIBOR
Rate, the PIBOR Rate or the EURIBOR Rate, as applicable.
(k) Continuity of Contract. The Borrower, the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders agree that the occurrence or non-occurrence of EMU, any event or
events associated with EMU and/or the introduction of the euro in all or any
part of the European Union will not result in the discharge, cancellation,
recision or termination in whole or in part of any agreement between the
Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, or give the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent or the Lenders the right to cancel, rescind, terminate or
vary any agreement, other than as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered in New York, New York by their proper and duly
authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
THE SCOTTS COMPANY
By: /s/ G. Xxxxxx Xxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary
XX XXXXX INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS LTD.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: POA
MIRACLE GARDEN CARE LIMITED
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: POA
SCOTTS HOLDINGS LIMITED
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: POA
HYPONEX CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: Vice President, Treasurer
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121
SCOTTS' MIRACLE-GRO PRODUCTS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: Vice President, Treasurer
SCOTTS-SIERRA HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: Vice President, Treasurer
REPUBLIC TOOL & MANUFACTURING CORP.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: Vice President, Treasurer
SCOTTS-SIERRA INVESTMENTS, INC..
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: Vice President, Treasurer
SCOTTS FRANCE HOLDINGS SARL
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: POA
SCOTTS FRANCE SARL
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: POA
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122
SCOTTS HOLDING GMBH
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: POA
SCOTTS CELAFLOR GMBH & CO. KG
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: POA
SCOTTS BELGIUM 2 BVBA
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: Vice President of Scotts-Sierra
Investments, Inc. as shareholder
THE SCOTTS COMPANY (UK) LTD.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: POA
XXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX INC., as Syndication
Agent and as a Lender
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Managing Director
CREDIT LYONNAIS CHICAGO BRANCH, as
Co-Documentation Agent and as a Lender
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxx Xxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: Xxxx Xxx Xxxxx
Vice President
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123
NBD BANK, as Co-Documentation Agent and as
a Lender
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Vice President
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Administrative
Agent and as a Lender
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
CHASE SECURITIES INC., as Lead Arranger
and as Book Manager
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
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124
XXXXXX TRUST & SAVINGS BANK
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
By: /s/ F.C. H. Xxxxx
-----------------------------------
Senior Manager Loan Operations
BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ (Chicago)
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
First Vice President
By: /s/ W. Xxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
First Vice President
BHF-BANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Asst. Vice President
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
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125
THE CIT GROUP/EQUIPMENT FINANCING, INC.
By: /s/ X.X. Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Assistant Vice President
NATIONAL CITY BANK (Columbus)
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
COMERICA BANK (Detroit)
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
-----------------------------------
Account Officer
ERSTE BANK (New York)
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
First Vice President
PARIBAS (Chicago)
By: /s/ Xxx X. XxXxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxx
-----------------------------------
Asst. Vice President
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126
MONUMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President and Assistant Secretary
FLEET NATIONAL BANK
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Commercial Lending Officer
COOPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-
BORENLEENBANK B.A., "Rabobank Nederland",
New York Branch
By: /s/ W. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Senior Credit Officer/Senior Vice
President
By: /s/ M. Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
COOPERATIVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-
BOERENLEENBANK B.A., ZWEIGNIEDERLASSUNG
FRANKFURT a.M.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Senior Vice President
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127
TORONTO DOMINION (Texas), INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Senior Portfolio Manager
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Assistant Vice President
BOEING CAPITAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Senior Documentation Officer
CYPRESSTREE INSTITUTIONAL FUND, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
-----------------------------------
Managing Director
CYPRESSTREE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
-----------------------------------
Managing Director
NORTH AMERICAN SENIOR FLOATING RATE FUND
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
-----------------------------------
Managing Director
KZH CYPRESSTREE-1 LLC
c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Authorized Agent
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128
OSPREY INVESTMENTS PORTFOLIO
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
FRANKLIN FLOATING RATE TRUST
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Duly Authorized Signatory
KZH CNC LLC x/x Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Bank
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Authorized Agent
FOOTHILL INCOME TRUST, L.P.
By F.I.T.G.P., L.L.C., its General
Partner
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Managing Member
XXXXXX FINANCIAL, INC.
By: /s/ K. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
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129
XXXXXXX XXXXX SENIOR FLOATING RATE
FUND, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
CFA
METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Director
OAK HILL SECURITIES FUND, L.P.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
XXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXX PRIME INCOME
TRUST
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
ORIX USA CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Executive Vice President
KZH ING-3 LLC
c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Authorized Agent
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130
KZH ING-2 LLC
x/x Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Bank
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Authorized Agent
KZH SOLEIL-2 LLC
x/x Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Bank
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Authorized Agent
KZH RIVERSIDE LLC
c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Authorized Agent
KZH CRESCENT-3 LLC
c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Authorized Agent
OCTAGON LOAN TRUST
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Managing Director
PINEHURST TRADING INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
President
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131
THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Investment Officer
NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK
PLC c/o Greenwich Capital
Markets, Inc.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
BANK OF HAWAII
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
DRESDNER BANK AG, NEW YORK AND GRAND
CAYMAN BRANCHES
By: /s/ Xxx Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Senior Vice President
By: /s/ R. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
LANDESBANK RHEINLAND-PFALZ
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Assistant Vice President
By: /s/ Detlef Krejei
-----------------------------------
Manager
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132
BANK AUSTRIA CREDITANSTALT CORPORATE
FINANCE FNC
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxx
-----------------------------------
Senior Vice President
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
FIFTH THIRD BANK OF COLUMBUS
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
SUNTRUST BANK, CENTRAL FLORIDA, N.A.
By:
-----------------------------------
ABN AMRO BANK N.V. (Pittsburgh)
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. XxXxxxxx, Xx.
-----------------------------------
Vice President
BANQUE NATIONALE DE PARIS (Chicago)
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx du Bocage
-----------------------------------
Executive Vice President and
General Manager
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President and Manager
139
133
BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND
SAVINGS ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
-----------------------------------
Vice President
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Assistant Vice President
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx
-----------------------------------
Corporate Banking Officer
140
ANNEX A
PRICING GRID FOR REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS, TERM LOANS AND FACILITY FEE
Applicable Applicable Applicable Applicable
Margin Margin Margin Margin
Revolving Credit Loan Tranche A Tranche B Tranche C
Loans Term Loans Term Loans Term Loans
---------------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Leverage Facility
Ratio Eurocurrency ABR Eurocurrency ABR Eurocurrency ABR Eurocurrency ABR Fee
------------ ------------ --- ------------ --- ------------ --- ------------ --- --------
greater than or equal to 4.00 to 1.0 2.25% 1.00% 2.75% N/A 3.25% 2.00% 3.50% 2.25% 0.500%
greater than or equal to 3.75 to 1.0 2.00% 0.75% 2.50% N/A 3.25% 2.00% 3.50% 2.25% 0.500%
greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.0 1.75% 0.50% 2.25% N/A 3.25% 2.00% 3.50% 2.25% 0.500%
greater than or equal to 2.50 to 1.0 1.625% 0.375% 2.00% N/A 3.25% 2.00% 3.50% 2.25% 0.375%
greater than or equal to 2.25 to 1.0 1.45% 0.20% 1.75% N/A 3.25% 2.00% 3.50% 2.25% 0.300%
less than 2.25 to 1.0 1.20% 0.00% 1.50% N/A 3.25% 2.00% 3.50% 2.25% 0.300%
================================================================================================================================
Changes in the Applicable Margin or in the Facility Fee Rate resulting
from changes in the Leverage Ratio shall become effective on the date
(the "Adjustment Date") on which financial statements are delivered to
the Lenders pursuant to subsection 6.1 (but in any event not later than
the 45th day after the end of each of the first three quarterly periods
of each fiscal year of the Borrower or the 90th day after the end of
each fiscal year of the Borrower, as the case may be) and shall remain
in effect until the next change to be effected pursuant to this
paragraph. If any financial statements referred to above are not
delivered within the time periods specified above, then, until such
financial statements are delivered, the Leverage Ratio as at the end of
the fiscal period that would have been covered thereby shall for the
purposes of this definition be deemed to be greater than or equal to
4.00 to 1.0. In addition, at all times (a) until the Adjustment Date in
respect of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending Xxxxx 00, 0000,
(x) on and following the Adjustment Date in clause (a) and until but
excluding the Adjustment Date in respect of the fiscal quarter ending
June 30, 1999 and (c) while an Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing, the Leverage Ratio shall for the purposes of this
definition be deemed to be greater than 4.0 to 1.0; provided that in
the
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2
case of clause (b), if the actual Leverage Ratio on the Adjustment Date
in clause (a) is less than 4.00 to 1.0, the Leverage Ratio for the
period set forth in clause (b) shall for the purposes of this
definition be deemed to be greater than or equal to 3.75 to 1.0. Each
determination of the Leverage Ratio pursuant to this pricing grid shall
be made with respect to (or, in the case of Average Total Indebtedness,
as at the end of) the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the
Borrower ending at the end of the period covered by the relevant
financial statements.
For purposes of calculating the Leverage Ratio for this
Pricing Grid, during the first four fiscal quarters of the Borrower
after the Closing Date, Total Indebtedness in respect of applicable
fiscal periods ending prior to the Closing Date and EBITDA for
applicable fiscal periods ending prior to the Closing Date will be
calculated on a pro forma basis to include the Subsidiaries of Rhone
Poulenc.
The first Adjustment Date shall follow the fiscal quarter of
the Borrower ending March 31, 1999.
