Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement Dated as of September 10, 2008 By and Among Bank of America, N.A., as Collateral Agent, And Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders The Noteholders Party Hereto, And The...
Exhibit 10.11
Dated as of September 10, 2008
By and Among
Bank of America, N.A.,
as Collateral Agent,
as Collateral Agent,
And
Bank of America, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders
as Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders
The Noteholders Party Hereto,
And
The Term Loan Lender Party Hereto,
as Creditors
as Creditors
Table of Contents
Section | Heading | Page | ||||||
SECTION 1. |
Definitions |
3 | ||||||
Section 1.1. | Definitions |
3 | ||||||
Section 1.2. | Other Interpretive Provisions |
11 | ||||||
Section 1.3. | Effectiveness of this Agreement |
12 | ||||||
SECTION 2. |
Relationships Among Secured Parties |
12 | ||||||
Section 2.1. | Restrictions on Actions |
12 | ||||||
Section 2.2. | Representations and Warranties |
13 | ||||||
Section 2.3. | Cooperation; Accountings |
13 | ||||||
Section 2.4. | Termination of Bank Credit Agreement, the Term
Loan Agreement or the
Note Agreements |
13 | ||||||
Section 2.5. | Application of Mandatory Prepayments, Proceeds of
Disposition of Collateral, other Property and Insurance
Proceeds |
13 | ||||||
Section 2.6. | Priority of Liens |
13 | ||||||
Section 2.7. | Prohibition on Contesting Liens |
14 | ||||||
Section 2.8. | Restrictions on Material Amendments |
14 | ||||||
SECTION 3. |
Appointment and Authorization of Collateral Agent;
Appointment of Co-Agents |
15 | ||||||
Section 3.1. | Appointment and Authorization of Collateral Agent |
15 | ||||||
Section 3.2. | Appointment of Co-Agents |
15 | ||||||
Section 3.3. | Collateral Agent’s Fees and Expenses |
15 | ||||||
Section 3.4. | Indemnification by Borrower |
16 | ||||||
SECTION 4. |
Agency Provisions |
16 | ||||||
Section 4.1. | Delegation of Duties |
16 | ||||||
Section 4.2. | Exculpatory Provisions |
16 | ||||||
Section 4.3. | Reliance by Collateral Agent |
16 | ||||||
Section 4.4. | Knowledge or Notice of Default, Event of Default,
Bankruptcy Event of
Default or Acceleration |
17 | ||||||
Section 4.5. | Non-Reliance on Collateral Agent and Other Creditors |
17 | ||||||
Section 4.6. | INDEMNIFICATION |
18 | ||||||
Section 4.7. | Collateral Agent in Its Individual Capacity |
18 | ||||||
Section 4.8. | Successor Collateral Agent |
19 | ||||||
Section 4.9. | Determination of Amounts of Senior Secured Obligations |
20 | ||||||
SECTION 5. |
Actions by the Collateral Agent |
20 | ||||||
Section 5.1. | Duties and Obligations |
20 | ||||||
Section 5.2. | Notification of Default or Acceleration |
20 | ||||||
Section 5.3. | Actions of Collateral Agent; Exercise of Remedies |
21 | ||||||
Section 5.4. | Instructions from Creditors |
21 | ||||||
Section 5.5. | Protective Advances |
21 | ||||||
Section 5.6. | Changes to Security Documents |
00 |
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Xxxxxxx | Xxxxxxx | Page | ||||||
Section 5.7. | Release of Collateral |
22 | ||||||
Section 5.8. | Other Actions |
22 | ||||||
Section 5.9. | Cooperation |
22 | ||||||
Section 5.10. | Distribution of Proceeds |
22 | ||||||
Section 5.11. | Senior Preferential Payments and Special Collateral Account |
24 | ||||||
Section 5.12. | Authorized Investments |
24 | ||||||
Section 5.13. | Restoration of Obligations |
24 | ||||||
Section 5.14. | Bankruptcy Preferences |
25 | ||||||
SECTION 6. |
Bankruptcy Proceedings |
25 | ||||||
SECTION 7. |
Miscellaneous |
26 | ||||||
Section 7.1. | Creditors; Other Collateral |
26 | ||||||
Section 7.2. | Marshalling |
26 | ||||||
Section 7.3. | Consents, Amendments, Waivers |
27 | ||||||
Section 7.4. | Governing Law: Jurisdiction, etc. |
27 | ||||||
Section 7.5. | Waiver of Jury Trial |
28 | ||||||
Section 7.6. | Parties in Interest |
28 | ||||||
Section 7.7. | Counterparts |
29 | ||||||
Section 7.8. | Termination |
29 | ||||||
Section 7.9. | Notices |
29 |
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Attachments to Intercreditor and Collateral agency agreement:
Exhibit A – Addresses of Creditors
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This Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement dated as of September 10, 2008
(this “Agreement”), is entered into by and among Bank of America, N.A., a national
banking association, in its capacity as collateral agent pursuant to Section 3.1(a) of this
Agreement (the “Collateral Agent”), Bank of America, N.A., a national banking
association, in its capacity as Administrative Agent (as hereinafter defined) on behalf of each of
the Lenders (as hereinafter defined), each of the Noteholders (as hereinafter defined) and the Term
Loan Lender (as hereinafter defined).
Recitals:
A. Spartech Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”) is a party to that
certain Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 2, 2006 (as it has been and
may be amended, restated, replaced, modified and supplemented from time to time, the “Bank
Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “Administrative
Agent”) and L/C Issuer, the other agents party thereto, and the other Lenders from time to time
party thereto (collectively, the “Lenders”) pursuant to which the Lenders are providing,
among other things, for revolving credit loans in an aggregate amount not to exceed $175,000,000,
which revolving credit loans may be evidenced by notes (as may be amended, restated, replaced,
modified, supplemented, extended and increased from time to time, the “Bank Notes”, and all
revolving credit loans, whether or not represented by Bank Notes shall be referred to as the
“Bank Loans”). The Lenders and/or certain of their Affiliates (as hereinafter defined) may
from time to time enter into Swap Contracts (as hereinafter defined) and/or Cash Management
Documents (as hereinafter defined).
B. The Borrower has entered into (i) a Note Purchase Agreement dated as of September 15, 2004
(as amended, restated, replaced, modified and supplemented from time to time, the “2004 Note
Agreement”) in respect of Borrower’s 5.54% Senior Notes due 2016 with each of the purchasers
party thereto (the “2004 Noteholders”), and (ii) a Note Purchase Agreement dated as of
June 5, 2006 (as amended, restated, replaced, modified and supplemented from time to time, the
“2006 Note Agreement”, and, together with the 2004 Note Agreement, the “Note
Agreements”) in respect of Borrower’s 5.78% Senior Notes due 2011 with each of the purchasers
party thereto, (the “2006 Noteholders”; and together with the 2004 Noteholders,
collectively, the “Noteholders”) pursuant to which (1) the 2004 Noteholders have purchased
$150,000,000 in 5.54% Senior Notes, due on September 15, 2016 (the “2004 Senior Notes”) and
(2) the 2006 Noteholders have purchased $50,000,000 in 5.78% Senior Notes, due on June 5, 2011 (the
“2006 Senior Notes”, and together with the 5.54% Senior Notes, collectively, as may be
amended, restated, replaced, modified, supplemented, extended and increased from time to time, the
“Senior Notes”).
C. The Borrower has entered into that certain Term Loan Agreement dated as of February 16,
2005 (as it has been and may be amended, restated, replaced, modified and supplemented from time to
time, the “Term Loan Agreement”) with Calyon New York Branch (the “Term Loan
Lender”) pursuant to which the Term Loan Lender extended a term loan in the amount of Twenty
Million Euro (€ 20,000,000) (the “Term Loan”) which term loan may be
evidenced by a note (as may be amended, restated, replaced, modified, supplemented, extended
and increased from time to time, the “Term Loan Note”).
D. The Bank Obligations (as hereinafter defined) under the Bank Credit Agreement and the other
Bank Loan Documents (as hereinafter defined), have been absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably
guaranteed by certain Subsidiaries (each a “Subsidiary Guarantor” and collectively, the
“Subsidiary Guarantors”) pursuant to one or more Guaranties (as may be amended, restated,
replaced, modified, and supplemented from time to time and including all joinders thereto,
collectively, the “Lender Guaranty Agreements”).
E. The Noteholders’ Obligations (as hereinafter defined) under the Note Agreements and the
other Senior Note Documents (as hereinafter defined), have been absolutely, unconditionally and
irrevocably guaranteed by certain Subsidiaries (the “Noteholder Subsidiary Guarantors”)
pursuant to one or more Guaranties (as may be amended, restated, replaced, modified, and
supplemented from time to time and including all joinders thereto, collectively, the
“Noteholder Guaranty Agreements”).
F. The Term Loan Obligations (as hereinafter defined) under the Term Loan Agreement and the
other Term Loan Documents (as hereinafter defined) have been absolutely, unconditionally and
irrevocably guaranteed by certain Subsidiaries (the “Term Loan Guarantors”) pursuant to a
Guaranty dated March 7, 2008 (as may be amended, restated, replaced, modified, and supplemented
from time to time and including all joinders thereto, the “Term Loan Guaranty Agreement”).
G. The parties to the Bank Credit Agreement have amended the Bank Credit Agreement by entering
into that certain Third Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of
September 10, 2008 (the “Third Amendment to Credit Agreement”), the parties to the 2004
Note Agreement have amended the 2004 Note Agreement by entering into that certain Amended and
Restated Note Purchase Agreement (initially dated as of September 15, 2004) dated as of September
10, 2008 (the “Amendment to 2004 Note Agreement”), the parties to the 2006 Note Agreement
have amended the 2006 Note Agreement by entering into that certain Amended and Restated Note
Purchase Agreement (initially dated as of June 5, 2006) dated as of September 10, 2008 (the
“Amendment to 2006 Note Agreement”, and, together with the Amendment to 2004 Note
Agreement, the “Amendments to Note Agreements”) and the parties to the Term Loan Agreement
have amended the Term Loan Agreement by entering into that certain Third Amendment to Term Loan
Agreement dated as of September 10, 2008 (the “Third Amendment to Term Loan Agreement”).
H. In connection with the Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, the Amendments to Note
Agreements and the Third Amendment to Term Loan Agreement, the Bank Obligations, the Noteholders’
Obligations under the Note Agreements and the other Senior Note Documents and the Term Loan
Obligations under the Term Loan Agreement and the other Term Loan Documents are to be secured
equally and ratably, subject to distribution of proceeds as provided in Section 5.10
hereof, by the Collateral (as hereinafter defined) pursuant to that certain Security Agreement
dated as of September 10, 2008 by and between the Borrower, each of the Debtors (as hereinafter
defined) party thereto and the Collateral Agent (the “Security Agreement”), along with the
other Security Documents (as hereinafter defined). The Lenders, the Noteholders and
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the Term Loan Lender desire to appoint Bank of America, N.A. as the Collateral Agent to act on
behalf of the Creditors (as hereinafter defined) regarding the Collateral, all as more fully
provided herein. The parties hereto have entered into this Agreement to, among other things,
define the rights, duties, authority and responsibilities of the Collateral Agent and the
relationship between the Creditors regarding their pari passu, subject to
distribution of proceeds as provided in Section 5.10 hereof, interests in the Collateral.
Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable
consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Definitions.
Section 1.1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the meanings assigned to
them in this Section 1.1 or in the provisions of this Agreement referred to below:
“2004 Required Holders” shall have the meaning assigned to the term “Required Holders”
in the 2004 Note Agreement, as in effect on the date hereof.
“2004 Senior Notes” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof.
“2006 Required Holders” shall have the meaning assigned to the term “Required Holders”
in the 2006 Note Agreement, as in effect on the date hereof.
“2006 Senior Notes” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof.
“Actual Outstanding Percentage” shall mean, as of any date of determination, with
respect to any Creditor, an amount equal to (a) (i) with respect to each Lender, the principal
amount of such Lender’s outstanding Bank Obligations (other than Cash Management Obligations and
Swap Obligations), (ii) with respect to the Term Loan Lender, the principal amount of the
outstanding Term Loan Obligations and (iii) with respect to the Noteholders, the principal amount
of all outstanding Noteholders’ Obligations, divided, in each case, by (b) the aggregate amounts
determined pursuant to clauses (a)(i) through (a)(iii), inclusive, with respect to all Creditors.
“Administrative Agent” shall mean the party identified as such in the Recitals hereof,
and its successors and permitted assigns.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common
Control with the Person specified. “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether
through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and
“Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, a Person shall be deemed to be Controlled by another Person if such other Person
possesses, directly or indirectly, power to vote 10% or more of the Voting Equity Interests of such
Person.
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“Agent-Related Person” means the Collateral Agent, together with its Affiliates, and
the officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, co-trustees or separate trustees of
the Collateral Agent and its Affiliates.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Preamble hereof, and shall
include such agreement as amended, supplemented, replaced, restated or otherwise modified in
accordance with its terms.
“Aggregate Commitments” shall have the meaning set forth in the Bank Credit Agreement
as in effect on the date hereof.
“Bank Credit Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals
hereof, and shall include such agreement as amended, supplemented, replaced, restated or otherwise
modified in accordance with its terms.
“Bank Loan Documents” shall mean the Bank Credit Agreement, the Bank Notes, the Lender
Guaranty Agreements and all other agreements, documents, certificates and instruments relating to,
arising out of, or in any way connected therewith or any of the transactions contemplated thereby,
as each may be amended, supplemented, replaced, restated, increased, extended or otherwise modified
from time to time.
“Bank Loans” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof.
“Bank Notes” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof.
“Bank Obligations” shall mean and include (a) all “Obligations” as defined in the Bank
Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof, including all L/C Exposure, (b) all Swap
Obligations owed to a Lender or a Lender Affiliate, and (c) all Cash Management Obligations owed to
a Lender or a Lender Affiliate.
“Bankruptcy Event of Default” shall mean the commencement of a Bankruptcy Proceeding
with respect to the Borrower or any Guarantor.
“Bankruptcy Proceeding” shall mean, with respect to any Person, a general assignment
by such Person for the benefit of its creditors, or the institution by or against such Person of
any proceeding seeking relief as debtor, or seeking to adjudicate such Person as bankrupt or
insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of such Person or its
debts, under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, or
seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for such Person or
for any substantial part of its property.
“Borrower” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereof, and its successors
and permitted assigns.
“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which
commercial banks are authorized to close under the laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state
where the Collateral Agent’s office is located.
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“Cash Equivalent Investments” shall mean: (a) direct obligations of the United States
government or any agencies thereof and obligations guaranteed by the United States government, in
each case having remaining terms to maturity of not more than 30 days; and (b) certificates of
deposit, time deposits and acceptances, having remaining terms to maturity of not more than 30 days
issued by United States banks which have a combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000
and having an “A” rating or better assigned thereto by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a Division
of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. or Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc.
“Cash Management Document” shall mean any agreement between or among the Borrower or
any Subsidiary and any Lender or any Lender Affiliate related to treasury management, deposit
accounts, cash management, collection, custodial services, automated clearinghouse or funds
transfer services or arrangements or similar services or arrangements.
“Cash Management Obligations” shall mean, with respect to any Lender or any Lender
Affiliate, any obligations owed to such Lender or Lender Affiliate by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary arising under or in connection with any Cash Management Document.
“Collateral” shall mean (a) all collateral under, and cash received in respect of, the
Security Documents, (b) all collateral held by the Collateral Agent or any other Creditor under the
Bank Loan Documents, the Senior Note Documents or the Term Loan Documents, in each case as security
for the Senior Secured Obligations and (c) all cash received in payment of the Senior Secured
Obligations as a result of the exercise of any setoff rights of any Creditor.
“Collateral Agent” shall mean the party identified as such in the Preamble hereof, and
its successors and permitted assigns in such capacity.
“Commitment” shall mean the commitment of the Lenders to fund further borrowing
requests by the Borrower, participate in L/C Exposure and otherwise extend credit, in each case, in
accordance with the Bank Credit Agreement.
“Creditor” shall mean any one of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the
Noteholders, the Term Loan Lender, and any successors and permitted assigns to the interests in the
Senior Secured Obligations owing to any such Persons.
“Debtor” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Security Agreement.
“Default” shall mean any event or condition, the occurrence of which would, with the
lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, constitute an Event of Default.
“EMU Legislation” means the legislation measures of the European Union for the
introduction of, change over to, or operation of the Euro in one or more member states.
“Equity Interest” means shares of capital stock (whether denominated as common stock
or preferred stock), beneficial, partnership or membership interests, participations or other
equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a corporation, partnership, limited liability
company or equivalent entity, whether voting or non-voting.
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“Euro” or “€” means the single currency of the participating member states of
the European Union as constituted by the Treaty on European Union and as referred to in the EMU
Legislation.
“Event of Default” shall mean any event or occurrence which would constitute an “Event
of Default” under the terms of the Bank Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement, or the Note
Agreements, or an event of default under the terms of any Security Document or any Guaranty
Agreement.
“Governmental Authority” shall mean the government of the United States or any other
nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority,
instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive,
legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to
government (including any supra national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central
Bank).
“Guarantors” shall mean the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Term Loan Guarantors and the
Noteholder Subsidiary Guarantors and their successors and permitted assigns.
“Guaranty Agreements” shall mean the Lender Guaranty Agreements, the Term Loan
Guaranty Agreement, and the Noteholder Guaranty Agreements, as each may be amended, supplemented,
replaced, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.
“L/C Exposure” shall mean, as of any date of determination and without duplication,
the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn portion of all uncancelled and unexpired Letters of Credit and
(b) the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts (as such term is defined in the Bank Credit Agreement
as in effect on the date hereof) including all L/C Borrowings (as such term is defined in the Bank
Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof).
“L/C Issuer” shall mean Bank of America, N.A., and its successors and permitted
assigns, as “L/C Issuer” under the Bank Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof.
“Lender Affiliate” shall mean any Affiliate of any Lender that is a party to any
Lender Swap Contract or any Cash Management Document.
“Lender Exposure” shall mean, as of any date of determination, for any Lender, the
sum, without duplication, of such Lender’s pro rata portion of the Aggregate Commitments; provided
that if a Liquidity Event shall exist or the Commitments under the Bank Credit Agreement shall have
expired or been terminated or, as of such date, the Lenders are currently refusing to make any
advance requested under the Bank Loan Documents (or any notice has been given and has not been
withdrawn or revoked by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders that any request for such an
advance will not be honored), then “Lender Exposure” shall mean for any Lender such Lender’s pro
rata portion of the outstanding Bank Obligations (including L/C Exposure) under the Bank Credit
Agreement.
“Lender Guaranty Agreements” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals
hereof, and shall include each additional guaranty and joinder thereof.
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“Lender Sharing Exposure” shall mean, as of any date of determination for any Lender,
the dollar amount of such Lender’s pro rata portion of the Outstanding Threshold Amount.
“Lender Swap Contract” shall mean any Swap Contract between or among the Borrower or
any Subsidiary and any Lender or Lender Affiliate (provided the Lender was a party to the Bank
Credit Agreement at the time such Swap Contract was entered into).
“Lenders” shall mean those parties identified as such in the Recitals hereof, and
their successors and permitted assigns.
“Letters of Credit” shall mean all letters of credit issued under or pursuant to the
Bank Credit Agreement.
“Letters of Credit Collateral Account” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 5.10 hereof.
“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement,
encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest
or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever
(including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or other encumbrance on title to
real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the
foregoing).
“Liquidity Event” shall mean (a) the occurrence of an Event of Default which shall
continue unwaived or uncured for a period of thirty consecutive days following the occurrence
thereof, (b) the acceleration of (i) the 2004 Senior Notes by the 2004 Required Holders, (ii) the
2006 Senior Notes by the 2006 Required Holders, (iii) the Bank Notes and/or Bank Loans by the
Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders or (iv) the Term Loan Note and/or
Term Loan by the Term Loan Lender, (c) the termination of the Aggregate Commitments under the Bank
Credit Agreement for any reason (other than a reduction resulting from the application of Net
Proceeds in which each Noteholder, each Lender and the Term Loan Lender received a payment in an
amount equal to its pro rata share of Net Proceeds as determined under this Agreement), (d) a
Bankruptcy Event of Default or (e) the exercise of any right under the Guaranty Agreements or the
exercise of any right of setoff, recoupment or similar right by any Creditor; in each case as to
which written notice shall have been provided to the Collateral Agent
“Majority Creditors” means, each of (a) the Required Bank Lenders and (b) the Required
Noteholders, each voting as a separate class.
“Make-Whole Amount” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Note Agreements as
in effect on the date hereof.
“Net Proceeds” means, as to any property disposition by a Person, proceeds in cash,
checks or other cash equivalent financial instruments as and when received by such Person, net of:
(a) the direct costs relating to such disposition excluding amounts payable to such Person or any
Affiliate of such Person, (b) sale, use or other transaction taxes paid or payable by such Person
as a direct result thereof, and (c) amounts required to be applied to repay principal,
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interest and prepayment premiums and penalties on indebtedness secured by a Lien on the asset
which is the subject of such disposition (other than the Lien of the Security Documents).
“Note Agreements” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof.
“Noteholder Guaranty Agreements” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the
Recitals hereof, and shall include each additional guaranty and joinder thereof.
“Noteholder Subsidiary Guarantors” shall mean those parties identified as such in the
Recitals hereof, each other Person that shall become obligated under the Noteholder Guaranty
Agreements, and their successors and permitted assigns.
“Noteholders” shall mean those parties identified as such in the Recitals hereof, and
their successors and permitted assigns.
“Noteholders’ Obligations” shall mean all advances to, and debt, liabilities,
obligations, covenants and duties of the Borrower and any Noteholder Subsidiary Guarantor under the
Senior Note Documents, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption),
absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including
interest pursuant to the Senior Note Documents that accrues after the commencement by or against
the Borrower, any Noteholder Subsidiary Guarantor or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under
any Bankruptcy Proceeding naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, and any and all
Make-Whole Amounts.
“Notice of Default” shall mean a notice pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof from
the Collateral Agent to the Creditors of the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default.
“Notice of Special Default” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 5.11(a).
“Outstanding Threshold Amount” shall mean $115,000,000, to be reduced dollar for
dollar by the amount of any reduction in the commitment under the Bank Credit Agreement.
“Parity Sharing Percentage” shall mean, with respect to any Creditor, such Creditor’s
Sharing Percentage as of the date of this Agreement.
“Person” shall mean any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust,
joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
“Required Bank Lenders” means Creditors, other than the Noteholders, considered as a
single class, holding more than 50% of the aggregate of (a) the Lender Exposure of all Lenders and
(b) the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan.
“Required Noteholders” means Noteholders, considered as a single class, holding more
than 50% of the aggregate of (a) the 2004 Senior Notes and (b) the 2006 Senior Notes.
“Required Lenders” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Bank Credit
Agreement as in effect on the date hereof.
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“Security Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof.
“Security Documents” shall mean the Security Agreement and all other agreements,
documents and instruments relating to or arising out of any of the foregoing or granting to the
Collateral Agent Liens to secure the Senior Secured Obligations, whether now or hereafter executed,
as may be amended, supplemented, replaced, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Senior Note Documents” shall mean the Note Agreements, the Senior Notes, the
Noteholder Guaranty Agreements and all other agreements, documents, certificates and instruments
relating to, arising out of, or in any way connected therewith or any of the transactions
contemplated thereby, as each may be amended, supplemented, replaced, restated, increased, extended
or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Senior Notes” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof.
“Senior Preferential Payment” shall mean any payments, property constituting
Collateral, or proceeds of the Collateral, from the Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Subsidiary
with respect to the Senior Secured Obligations (including, without limitation, any payments from
the exercise of any setoff, recoupment or similar right) which are received by a Creditor after the
occurrence of a Liquidity Event or an action described in clause (e) of the definition thereof
(except as provided in Section 5.11(c)) and such payment reduces the amount of the Senior
Secured Obligations owed to such Creditor as of the date of the occurrence of such Liquidity Event
or action, as the case may be.
“Senior Secured Documents” shall mean the Senior Note Documents, the Bank Loan
Documents and the Term Loan Documents.
“Senior Secured Obligations” shall mean collectively (a) the Bank Obligations, (b) the
Noteholders’ Obligations, (c) the Term Loan Obligations, (d) the obligations and liabilities of the
Borrower or any of the Guarantors to the Collateral Agent under this Agreement, the Security
Documents and the Guaranty Agreements, in each case whether now existing or hereafter arising,
joint or several, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, matured or
unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, and
(e) all obligations of the Borrower or any of the Guarantors to the Creditors, arising out of any
extension, refinancing or refunding of any of the foregoing obligations.
“Sharing Percentage” shall mean, as of any date of determination with respect to any
Creditor, an amount equal to (a) (i) with respect to each Lender, the principal amount of such
Lender’s Lender Sharing Exposure, (ii) with respect to the Term Loan Lender, the principal amount
of the outstanding Term Loan Obligations and (iii) with respect to the Noteholders, the principal
amount of all outstanding Noteholders’ Obligations, divided, in each case, by (b) the aggregate
amounts determined pursuant to clauses (a)(i) through (a)(iii), inclusive, with respect to all
Creditors.
“Special Collateral Account” shall mean that certain interest bearing restricted
account maintained by the Collateral Agent for the purpose of receiving and holding Senior
Preferential Payments.
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“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited
liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the Voting Equity Interests
(other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a
contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise
controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.
Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to
“Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
“Subsidiary Guarantors” shall mean those parties identified as such in the Recitals
hereof, each other Person that shall become obligated under the Lender Guaranty Agreements, and
their successors and permitted assigns.
“Superpriority Amount” shall mean, as of any date, the amount in dollars by which the
principal amount of Bank Loans and L/C Exposure outstanding on such date under the Bank Credit
Agreement shall exceed the Outstanding Threshold Amount, but in no event shall the Superpriority
Amount exceed $30,000,000.
“Swap Contract” shall mean (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit
derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward
commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index
swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest
rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar
transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options,
spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing
(including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is
governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and
the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any
form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.,
any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master
agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such
obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
“Swap Obligations” shall mean, with respect to any Lender or any Lender Affiliate, any
and all obligations under or in connection with or otherwise owed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
in respect of a Swap Contract.
“Term Loan Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof,
and shall include such agreement as amended, supplemented, replaced, restated or otherwise modified
in accordance with its terms.
“Term Loan Documents” shall mean the Term Loan Agreement, the Term Loan Note, the Term
Loan Guaranty Agreement and all other agreements, documents, certificates and instruments relating
to, arising out of, or in any way connected therewith or any transactions contemplated thereby, as
each may be amended, supplemented, replaced, restated, increased, extended or otherwise modified
from time to time.
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“Term Loan Guarantors” shall mean those parties identified as such in the Recitals
hereof, each other Person that shall become obligated under the Term Loan Guaranty Agreement, and
their successors and permitted assigns.
“Term Loan Guaranty Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals
hereof, and shall include each additional guaranty and joinder thereof.
“Term Loan Lender” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof.
“Term Loan Note” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof.
“Term Loan Obligations” shall mean all advances to, and debt, liabilities,
obligations, covenants and duties of the Borrower and any Term Loan Guarantor under the Term Loan
Documents, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or
contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest pursuant
to the Term Loan Documents that accrues after the commencement by or against the Borrower, any Term
Loan Guarantor or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Proceeding naming
such Person as the debtor in such proceeding.
“Voting Equity Interests” of any Person means any Equity Interests of any class or
classes having ordinary voting power for the election of at least a majority of the members of the
board of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent governing body of such Person,
irrespective of whether, at the time, any Equity Interests of any other class or classes or such
entity shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency.
Section 1.2. Other Interpretive Provisions. With reference to this Agreement, unless
otherwise specified herein:
(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural
forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the
corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and
“including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word
“will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless
the context requires otherwise, (i) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to
include such Person’s successors and assigns, (ii) the words “herein,” “hereof” and
“hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement, shall be construed to
refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, and
(iii) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions
consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or
regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time.
(b) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified
date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to
but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including.”
(c) Section headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall
not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
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Section 1.3. Effectiveness of this Agreement. The effectiveness of this Agreement is
conditioned upon (a) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Collateral Agent, the
Lenders, the Term Loan Lender and the Noteholders, (b) the execution, delivery and effectiveness of
the Security Documents by each of the parties thereto and (c) the execution and delivery by the
Borrower of each of the (i) Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, (ii) Amendment to 2004 Note
Agreement, (iii) Amendment to 2006 Note Agreement, and (iv) Third Amendment to Term Loan Agreement.
SECTION 2. Relationships Among Secured Parties.
Section 2.1. Restrictions on Actions. Each Creditor agrees that, so long as any
Senior Secured Obligations are outstanding, the provisions of this Agreement shall provide the
exclusive method by which any Creditor may exercise rights and remedies under the Security
Documents. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement shall have no effect whatsoever on the
rights or remedies of any Creditor under any credit document relating to the Senior Secured
Obligations to which it is party other than a Security Document. Therefore, each Creditor shall,
for the mutual benefit of all Creditors, except as permitted under this Agreement:
(a) Refrain from taking or filing any action, judicial or otherwise, to enforce any
rights or pursue any remedy under the Security Documents, except for delivering notices
hereunder;
(b) Refrain from (1) selling any Senior Secured Obligations to the Borrower, any
Guarantor, or any of their Affiliates and (2) accepting any guaranty of, or any other
security for, the Senior Secured Obligations from the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of
their Affiliates, except for (A) the Guaranty Agreements, (B) any cash collateral received
by the Administrative Agent or any other Creditor pursuant to the requirements of the Bank
Loan Documents, the Term Loan Documents or the Senior Note Documents (which cash collateral
shall constitute Collateral for purposes of this Agreement) and (C) any guaranty or security
granted to the Collateral Agent for the equal and ratable benefit of all Creditors; and
(c) Refrain from exercising any rights or remedies with respect to the Senior Secured
Obligations under the Security Documents which have or may have arisen or which may arise as
a result of a Default or Event of Default;
provided, however, that nothing contained in subsections (a) through (c) above,
shall prevent any Creditor from (1) imposing a default rate of interest in accordance with the Bank
Credit Agreement, Term Loan Agreement or the Note Agreements, as applicable, (2) raising any
defenses in any action in which it has been made a party defendant or has been joined as a third
party, except that the Collateral Agent may direct and control any defense directly relating solely
to the Collateral or any one or more of the Security Documents but not relating to any Creditor,
which shall be governed by the provisions of this Agreement or (3) exercising any right under the
Guaranty Agreements or any right of setoff, recoupment or similar right; provided that the
amounts received pursuant to enforcement of the Guaranty Agreements, or so setoff or recouped shall
constitute Collateral for purposes of this Agreement and such Creditor shall promptly cause such
amounts to be delivered to the Collateral Agent to be distributed pursuant to Section 5.10.
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Section 2.2. Representations and Warranties. Each of the Creditors represents and
warrants to the other parties hereto that:
(a) the execution, delivery and performance by such Creditor of this Agreement has been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate or similar proceedings and does not and will not
contravene any provision of law, its charter or by-laws or any amendment thereof, or of any
indenture, agreement, instrument or undertaking binding upon such Creditor; and
(b) the execution, delivery and performance by such Creditor of this Agreement will
result in a valid and legally binding obligation of such Creditor enforceable in accordance
with its terms.
Section 2.3. Cooperation; Accountings. Each of the Creditors will, upon the
reasonable request of the Collateral Agent, from time to time execute and deliver or cause to be
executed and delivered such further instruments, and do and cause to be done such further acts as
may be necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the provisions of this Agreement. Each
Creditor agrees to provide the Collateral Agent upon reasonable request a statement of all payments
received by it in respect of Senior Secured Obligations.
Section 2.4. Termination of Bank Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or the Note
Agreements. Upon (a) the indefeasible payment in full of all Senior Secured Obligations owing
to any Creditor in accordance with the terms hereof and (b) in the case of any Lender, the
termination of such Lender’s Commitment and the cancellation or expiration of all Letters of
Credit; provided, however, if all or any part of any payments to such Creditor are
thereafter invalidated or set aside or required to be repaid to any Person in any Bankruptcy
Proceeding, then this Agreement in respect of such Creditor shall be renewed as of such date and
shall thereafter continue in full force and effect to the extent of the Senior Secured Obligations
so invalidated, set aside or repaid.
Section 2.5. Application of Mandatory Prepayments, Proceeds of Disposition of Collateral,
other Property and Insurance Proceeds. Prior to a Liquidity Event, (a) any Net Proceeds of any
mandatory prepayment required to be made (including mandatory prepayments based on a calculation of
excess cash flow, mandatory prepayments from sales of assets, or mandatory prepayments from
issuance of indebtedness or equity) pursuant to any of the Bank Credit Agreement, the Note
Agreements or the Term Loan Agreement and (b) any insurance proceeds paid to the Collateral Agent,
shall, in each case, be applied equally and ratably, based on each Creditor’s Sharing Percentage,
to the payment of the principal amounts outstanding, whether or not then due, under the Senior
Secured Obligations and interest accrued with respect to such amounts so paid. After a Liquidity
Event, any such Net Proceeds or other proceeds or insurance proceeds shall be held by the
Collateral Agent and applied in accordance with the terms of Section 5.10 of this
Agreement.
Section 2.6. Priority of Liens. Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in
any Security Document or in the Uniform Commercial Code, any applicable law or judicial decision,
or whether any Creditor has possession of all or any part of the Collateral, as among the Creditors
the respective rights of each Creditor in respect of the Collateral shall at all times
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remain on a parity with one another without preference, priority or distinction and shall be
shared as provided herein.
Section 2.7. Prohibition on Contesting Liens. Each Creditor agrees that it will not
(and hereby waives any right to) at any time institute, encourage or join in as a party in the
institution of, or assist in the prosecution of, any action, suit or proceeding (including any
Bankruptcy Proceeding) (a) contesting or challenging the validity, perfection, priority or
enforceability of any Security Document, any Guaranty Agreement, or any Lien held by or for the
benefit of any Creditor to secure the Senior Secured Obligations, or otherwise seeking a
determination that any such Liens are invalid, unperfected or avoidable or are or should be
subordinated to the interests of any Person, (b) contesting or challenging any collection,
enforcement, disposition or acceptance of, or other remedial action with respect to, the Collateral
by any Creditor to the extent related to satisfying Senior Secured Obligations and permitted by
this Agreement or (c) contesting or challenging the validity or enforceability of this Agreement.
Section 2.8. Restrictions on Material Amendments. Each of the Bank Loan Documents,
the Senior Note Documents and the Term Loan Documents may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified in accordance with their respective terms; provided, however, no such
amendment, supplement or modification shall:
(a) provide for an increase in (i) the principal amount owing in respect of the Senior
Note Documents in excess of the amount outstanding on the date of this Agreement, (ii) the
principal amount owing in respect of the Term Loan Documents in excess of the amount
outstanding on the date of this Agreement and (iii) the Aggregate Commitments in effect on
the date of this Agreement,
(b) increase the interest rate or yield provisions applicable to any of the Bank
Obligations, the Noteholders’ Obligations or the Term Loan Obligations by more than 2.0% per
annum in the aggregate (excluding increases (i) resulting from increases in any underlying
reference rate or as a result of a change in the Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Bank
Credit Agreement) or (ii) resulting from the accrual of interest at a default rate),
(c) increase (or have the effect of increasing) the amount of any mandatory prepayment
that is required to be made under the Bank Loan Documents, the Senior Note Documents or the
Term Loan Documents or adding any additional events or conditions thereto which require
mandatory prepayments as a result thereof,
(d) change to earlier dates the dates upon which payments of principal and/or interest
on any of the Bank Obligations, the Noteholders’ Obligations or the Term Loan Obligations
are due, or
(e) change any terms or provisions of the Bank Loan Documents, the Senior Note
Documents or the Term Loan Documents, including covenants and events of default, in any
manner that makes such terms or provisions more restrictive, in any material respect, than
the terms and provisions set forth in the Bank Loan Documents, the Senior Note Documents or
the Term Loan Documents.
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SECTION 3. Appointment and Authorization of Collateral Agent; Appointment of Co-Agents.
Section 3.1. Appointment and Authorization of Collateral Agent.
(a) Each Creditor hereby designates and appoints Bank of America, N.A. as the
Collateral Agent of such Creditor under this Agreement and the Security Documents and Bank
of America, N.A. hereby accepts such designation and appointment. The appointment made by
this Section 3.1(a) is given for valuable consideration and coupled with an interest
and is irrevocable so long as (i) the Senior Secured Obligations, or any part thereof, shall
remain unpaid or (ii) any Lender is obligated to fund any borrowing under the Bank Loan
Documents.
(b) Each Creditor has reviewed the Security Documents in effect as of the date of this
Agreement and hereby irrevocably authorizes Bank of America, N.A. as the Collateral Agent
for such Creditor to (1) execute and enter into each of the Security Documents and all other
instruments relating to said Security Documents, (2) to take action on its behalf expressly
permitted to perfect, maintain and preserve the Liens granted thereby, (3) to execute
instruments of release or to take such other action necessary to release Liens upon the
Collateral to the extent authorized by this Agreement, the relevant Security Documents or
the requisite Creditors and (4) to exercise such other powers and perform such other duties
as are, in each case, expressly delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms hereof.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement or the
Security Documents, the Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities
except those expressly set forth herein or therein or any trust or fiduciary relationship
with any Creditor, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties,
obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any Security Document or
otherwise exist against the Collateral Agent.
Section 3.2. Appointment of Co-Agents. At any time or times, in order to comply with
any legal requirement in any jurisdiction, the Collateral Agent may appoint a bank or trust company
or one or more other Persons reasonably acceptable to the Majority Creditors, either to act as
co-agent or co-agents, jointly with the Collateral Agent, or to act as separate agent or agents on
behalf of the Creditors with such power and authority as may be necessary for the effectual
operation of the provisions hereof and of the Security Documents and as may be specified in the
instrument of appointment.
Section 3.3. Collateral Agent’s Fees and Expenses. By its execution of this
Agreement, Borrower agrees to, and shall, pay the Collateral Agent the agency fees set forth in the
schedule of fees executed by Borrower and the Collateral Agent. The Borrower agrees to reimburse
the Collateral Agent for reasonable costs and expenses (including the reasonable fees, expenses and
disbursements of counsel to the Collateral Agent) incurred by the Collateral Agent including, but
not limited to, those costs and expenses incurred in connection with: (i) the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Security Documents
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and (ii) the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement and all other documents,
instruments and certificates executed in connection therewith.
Section 3.4. Indemnification by Borrower. By its execution of this Agreement, the
Borrower agrees to indemnify the Collateral Agent and its affiliates, partners, directors,
officers, employees, agents and advisors (each such person being called an “Indemnitee”) against
and to hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
related expenses, including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Indemnitees, incurred
by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of
the execution, performance or delivery of this Agreement, the performance by the parties hereto of
their respective obligations hereunder and any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding
relating specifically to the foregoing; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any
Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related
expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment
to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.
SECTION 4. Agency Provisions.
Section 4.1. Delegation of Duties. The Collateral Agent may exercise its powers and
execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the Security Documents jointly with any
co-trustee or co-trustees appointed pursuant to Section 3.2 or by or through employees,
agents, attorneys-in-fact or separate trustees appointed pursuant to Section 3.2 and shall
be entitled to take and to rely on advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such
powers and duties. The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct
of any agents, attorneys-in-fact, co-trustees or separate trustees selected by it with reasonable
care. Subject to Section 3.2, the Collateral Agent may utilize the services of such
Persons as the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion may determine, and all reasonable fees and
expenses of such Persons shall be borne by the Borrower.
Section 4.2. Exculpatory Provisions. No Agent-Related Person shall be (a) liable for
any action reasonably believed by it to be lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such
Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any Security Document (except for its or such
Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (b) responsible in any manner to any of the
Creditors for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by the Borrower, any
Guarantor, any other Debtor or any Creditor or any officer of any thereof contained in any Security
Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in,
or received by, the Collateral Agent under or in connection with this Agreement, any Security
Document or any other document in any way connected therewith, or for the value, validity,
effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of the Security Documents or any Lien
under the Security Documents or the perfection or priority of any such Lien or for any failure of
the Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Debtor to perform its obligations thereunder. No
Agent-Related Person shall be under any obligation to the Creditors to ascertain or to inquire as
to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, the
Security Documents.
Section 4.3. Reliance by Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to
rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent,
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certificate, affidavit, letter, cablegram, telegram, telecopy, telex 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 Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent shall be
fully justified in failing or refusing to take action under this Agreement or the Security
Documents unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Majority Creditors as is
contemplated by Section 5 hereof and it shall first be indemnified to its reasonable
satisfaction by the Creditors against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it
by reason of taking, continuing to take or refraining from taking any such action. The Collateral
Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this
Agreement and the Security Documents in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.5
hereof and in accordance with written instructions of the Majority Creditors pursuant to
Section 5.3 hereof, and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant
thereto shall be binding upon all the Creditors and all future holders of the Senior Secured
Obligations.
Section 4.4. Knowledge or Notice of Default, Event of Default, Bankruptcy Event of Default
or Acceleration. The Collateral Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the
occurrence of any Default, Event of Default, Bankruptcy Event of Default or the acceleration of any
of the Senior Secured Obligations (and no knowledge of such event by Bank of America, N.A. in its
capacity as Administrative Agent or as a Creditor shall be imputed to the Collateral Agent) unless
the Collateral Agent has received written notice from a Creditor, the Borrower or a Guarantor
referring to the Bank Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or the Note Agreements, describing
such Default, Event of Default, Bankruptcy Event of Default or acceleration, setting forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances thereof and stating that the Collateral Agent may
rely on such notice without further inquiry.
Section 4.5. Non-Reliance on Collateral Agent and Other Creditors. Each Creditor
expressly acknowledges that except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, neither the Collateral
Agent nor any of the Collateral Agent’s officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact,
co-trustees, separate trustees or Affiliates has made any representations or warranties to it and
that no act by the Collateral Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the
Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Debtor, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or
warranty by the Collateral Agent to any Creditor. Each Creditor represents that it has,
independently and without reliance upon the Collateral Agent or any other Creditor, 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, the Guarantors and each other Debtor. Each Creditor also
represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Collateral Agent or any other
Creditor, 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 the Security Documents and this Agreement 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, the Guarantors and the other Debtors. Except for notices,
reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Creditors by the Collateral
Agent hereunder or under any Security Document, the Collateral Agent shall not have any duty or
responsibility to provide the Creditors with any credit or other information concerning the
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business, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of the
Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Debtor which may come into the possession of the Collateral
Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact co-trustees, separate
trustees or Affiliates.
Section 4.6. INDEMNIFICATION. EACH CREDITOR SHALL INDEMNIFY EACH AGENT-RELATED PERSON
(TO THE EXTENT NOT REIMBURSED BY THE BORROWER AND WITHOUT LIMITING THE OBLIGATION OF THE BORROWER
TO DO SO), RATABLY ACCORDING TO ITS RESPECTIVE SHARE, IF ANY, AS OF THE DATE ON WHICH SUCH ALLEGED
ACTIONS OR OMISSIONS AS DESCRIBED BELOW IN THIS SECTION 4.6 OCCUR OR ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED,
OF THE SUM OF (A) THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF LENDER EXPOSURE, (B) THE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
THE TERM LOAN, AND (C) THE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED BY THE SENIOR
NOTES, 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 AN EVENT OF DEFAULT OR THE PAYMENT OF THE
SENIOR SECURED OBLIGATIONS) BE IMPOSED ON, INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST ANY AGENT-RELATED PERSON
ARISING OUT OF ACTIONS OR OMISSIONS OF ANY AGENT-RELATED PERSON SPECIFICALLY REQUIRED OR PERMITTED
BY THIS AGREEMENT OR BY THE EXERCISE OF REMEDIES PURSUANT TO WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS OF THE MAJORITY
CREDITORS PURSUANT TO SECTION 5.3 HEREOF (INCLUDING WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN
WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF ANY AGENT-RELATED
PERSON); PROVIDED THAT NO CREDITOR SHALL BE LIABLE FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY PORTION OF SUCH
LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES OR
DISBURSEMENTS RESULTING SOLELY FROM ANY AGENT-RELATED PERSON’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL
MISCONDUCT. THE AGREEMENTS IN THIS SECTION 4.6 SHALL SURVIVE THE PAYMENT OF THE SENIOR
SECURED OBLIGATIONS.
Section 4.7. Collateral Agent in Its Individual Capacity. Bank of America, N.A. and
its Affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business
with the Borrower, the Guarantors, any other Debtor and their Affiliates as though such Person was
not the Collateral Agent hereunder. With respect to any obligations owed to it under the Bank
Credit Agreement, Bank of America, N.A. shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement
as any Creditor and may exercise the same as though it were not the Collateral Agent, and the terms
“Creditor” and “Creditors” shall include Bank of America, N.A. in its individual capacity.
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Section 4.8. Successor Collateral Agent.
(a) The Collateral Agent may resign at any time upon 60 days’ written notice to the
Creditors and the Borrower, and may be removed, without cause by the Majority Creditors or
with cause by the Required Bank Lenders or the Required Noteholders, by written notice to
the Borrower, the Collateral Agent and the Creditors. After any resignation or removal
hereunder of the Collateral Agent, the provisions of this Section 4 shall continue
to inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it in its capacity
as the Collateral Agent hereunder while it was the Collateral Agent under this Agreement.
(b) Upon receiving written notice of any such resignation or removal, a successor
Collateral Agent shall be appointed by the Majority Creditors; provided,
however, that such successor Collateral Agent shall be (1) a bank or trust company
having a combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000, subject to supervision or
examination by a Federal or state lending authority and (2) authorized under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization to assume the functions of the Collateral
Agent. If a successor Collateral Agent shall not have been appointed pursuant to this
Section 4.8(b) within such 60 day period after the Collateral Agent’s resignation or
upon removal of the Collateral Agent, then any Creditor or the Collateral Agent (unless the
Collateral Agent is being removed) may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor Collateral Agent. Such court shall, after such notice as it may
deem proper, appoint a successor Collateral Agent meeting the qualifications specified in
this Section 4.8(b). The Creditors hereby consent to such petition and appointment
so long as such criteria are met. If a successor Collateral Agent shall not have been
appointed pursuant to this Section 4.8(b) within 60 days after the Collateral
Agent’s resignation or upon removal of the Collateral Agent, then the resignation or removal
shall nonetheless become effective and the Creditors acting collectively shall thereafter
have the rights and obligations of the Collateral Agent hereunder and under the Security
Documents until a successor Collateral Agent has been appointed and accepted such
appointment. The appointment of a successor Collateral Agent pursuant to this
Section 4.8(b) shall become effective upon the acceptance of the appointment as
Collateral Agent hereunder by a successor Collateral Agent. Upon such effective
appointment, the successor Collateral Agent shall succeed to and become vested with all the
rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Collateral Agent.
(c) The resignation or removal of a Collateral Agent shall take effect on the day
specified in the notice described in Section 4.8(a), unless previously a successor
Collateral Agent shall have been appointed and shall have accepted such appointment, in
which event such resignation or removal shall take effect immediately upon the acceptance of
such appointment by such successor Collateral Agent, provided, however,
subject to Section 4.8(b) hereof, that no such resignation or removal shall be
effective hereunder unless and until a successor Collateral Agent shall have been appointed
and shall have accepted such appointment.
(d) Upon the effective appointment of a successor Collateral Agent, the successor
Collateral Agent shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights,
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powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Collateral Agent and the predecessor
Collateral Agent hereby appoints the successor Collateral Agent the attorney-in-fact of such
predecessor Collateral Agent to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment is coupled
with an interest. Such appointment and designation shall be full evidence of the right and
authority to act as Collateral Agent hereunder and all Collateral, power, trusts, duties,
documents, rights and authority of the previous Collateral Agent shall rest in the
successor, without any further deed or conveyance. The predecessor Collateral Agent shall,
nevertheless, on the written request of the Majority Creditors or successor Collateral
Agent, execute and deliver any other such instrument transferring to such successor
Collateral Agent all the Collateral, properties, rights, power, trust, duties, authority and
title of such predecessor. The Borrower, the Guarantors and the other Debtors, to the
extent requested by the Majority Creditors or the Collateral Agent shall procure any and all
documents, conveyances or instruments and execute same, to the extent required, in order to
reflect the transfer to the successor Collateral Agent.
Section 4.9. Determination of Amounts of Senior Secured Obligations. Whenever the
Collateral Agent is required to determine the existence or amount of any of the Senior Secured
Obligations or any portion thereof, it shall be entitled, absent manifest error, to make such
determination on the basis of one or more certificates of the Creditor holding such Senior Secured
Obligations (or of an authorized agent of the same); provided, however, that if, notwithstanding
the written request of the Collateral Agent, any Creditor shall fail or refuse within twenty (20)
Business Days of such written request to certify as to the existence or amount of any Senior
Secured Obligations or any portion thereof owed to it, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to
determine such existence or amount by such method as the Collateral Agent may, in its sole
discretion, determine, including by reliance upon a certificate of the Borrower; provided, further,
that, promptly following determination of any such amount, the Collateral Agent shall notify such
Creditor, in writing, of such determination and thereafter shall correct any error that such
Creditor brings to the attention of the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent may rely
conclusively, and shall be fully protected in so relying, on any determination made by it in
accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence (or as otherwise directed by a court of
competent jurisdiction) and shall have no liability to the Borrower, any Subsidiary, any Creditor
or any other person as a result of any action taken by the Collateral Agent based upon such
determination prior to receipt of notice of any error in such determination.
SECTION 5. Actions by the Collateral Agent.
Section 5.1. Duties and Obligations. The duties and obligations of the Collateral
Agent are only those expressly set forth in this Agreement and in the Security Documents.
Section 5.2. Notification of Default or Acceleration. If the Collateral Agent has
been notified in writing as provided in Section 4.4 that a Default or an Event of Default
has occurred or that any of the Senior Secured Obligations have been accelerated, the Collateral
Agent shall notify the Creditors and may notify the Borrower of such determination. Any Creditor
that has actual knowledge of a Default or an Event of Default or that any of the Senior Secured
Obligations have been accelerated, or facts which indicate that a Default or an Event of Default
has occurred or that any of the Senior Secured Obligations have been accelerated, shall deliver to
the Collateral Agent a written statement to such effect. Failure to do so, however, does not
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constitute a waiver of any such Default or Event of Default by any Creditor. Upon receipt of
a notice described herein or in Section 4.4 from a Creditor of the occurrence of a Default
or an Event of Default or that any of the Senior Secured Obligations have been accelerated, the
Collateral Agent shall promptly (and in any event no later than ten Business Days after receipt of
such notice in the manner provided in Section 7.9 hereof) issue its “Notice of
Default” to all Creditors. The Notice of Default may contain a recommendation of actions by
the Creditors and/or request instructions from the Creditors as to specific matters and shall
specify the date on which responses are due in order to be timely within Section 5.4
hereof.
Section 5.3. Actions of Collateral Agent; Exercise of Remedies. If (a) the Required
Lenders shall have accelerated the Bank Loans, (b) the 2004 Required Holders shall have accelerated
the 2004 Senior Notes, (c) the 2006 Required Holders shall have accelerated the 2006 Senior Notes
or (d) the Term Loan Lender shall have accelerated the Term Loan Agreement, then upon the request
of the Required Lenders, the Term Loan Lender or the Required Noteholders, the Collateral Agent
shall promptly initiate and prosecute proceedings to foreclose or otherwise realize upon the
Collateral, the proceeds of which shall be distributed as provided herein. Except as described in
the preceding sentence and for actions taken pursuant to Section 5.8, the Collateral Agent
shall take only such actions and exercise only such remedies under the Security Documents as are
approved in a written notice delivered to the Collateral Agent and signed by the Majority
Creditors. The Creditors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide instructions to the
Collateral Agent in a prompt manner.
Section 5.4. Instructions from Creditors. If any Creditor does not respond in a
timely manner to any notice from the Collateral Agent or request for instructions within the time
period specified by the Collateral Agent in a Notice of Default or request for instructions, the
Senior Secured Obligations held by such Creditor shall be deemed to have voted against any action
set forth in such notice or request for instructions.
Section 5.5. Protective Advances. If the Collateral Agent has asked the Creditors for
instruction to make a payment with regard to a Default or Event of Default which the Collateral
Agent, in good faith, believes to be required to maintain and protect the Collateral and if the
Majority Creditors have not yet responded to such request, the Collateral Agent shall be authorized
to make such payment, but shall not be required to make such payment and shall in no event have any
liability for failure to make such payment.
Section 5.6. Changes to Security Documents. Any term of the Security Documents may be
amended, and the performance or observance by the parties to a Security Document of any term of
such Security Document may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively) by the Collateral Agent only upon the written consent of the
Majority Creditors; provided that no amendment to the Security Documents which changes the
obligations being secured thereby, releases all or substantially all of the Collateral, changes any
payment (whether by altering the amount, priority, timing or other thereof) to any Creditor,
materially and adversely affects the rights of any Creditor relative to the rights of the other
Creditors or amends the definition of “Majority Creditors” may be made without the written
consent of all of the Creditors.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral Agent may, without the consent of the Majority
Creditors, amend the Security Documents (a) to add property hereafter acquired by the Borrower, any
Guarantor or any other Debtor intended to be subjected to the Security Documents or to correct or
amplify the description of any property subject to the Security Documents and (b) to cure any
ambiguity or cure, correct or supplement any defective provisions of the Security Documents (so
long as the same shall in no respect be adverse to the interest of any Creditor).
Section 5.7. Release of Collateral. The Collateral Agent may, without the approval of
the Majority Creditors as required by Section 5.6 hereof, release any Collateral under the
Security Documents which is expressly permitted to be sold or disposed of by the Borrower and its
Affiliates, including, without limitation, the Guarantors, pursuant to all Senior Secured Documents
and execute and deliver such releases as may be necessary to terminate of record the Collateral
Agent’s security interest in such Collateral. In determining whether any such release is
permitted, the Collateral Agent may rely upon instructions from the Required Lenders in respect of
the Bank Loan Documents, the 2004 Required Holders in respect of the 2004 Note Agreement, the 2006
Required Holders in respect of the 2006 Note Agreement and the Term Loan Lender in respect of the
Term Loan Documents.
Section 5.8. Other Actions. The Collateral Agent shall have the right to take such
actions, or omit to take such actions, hereunder and under the Security Documents not inconsistent
with the written instructions of the Majority Creditors delivered pursuant to Section 5.3
hereof or the terms of this Agreement, including actions the Collateral Agent deems necessary or
appropriate to perfect or continue the perfection of the Liens on the Collateral, or protect the
Collateral, for the benefit of the Creditors. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the
Collateral Agent shall have no duty as to the collection or protection of the Collateral or any
income thereon, nor as to the preservation of rights against prior parties, nor as to the
preservation of rights pertaining to the Collateral beyond the safe custody of any Collateral in
the Collateral Agent’s actual possession.
Section 5.9. Cooperation. To the extent that the exercise of the rights, powers and
remedies of the Collateral Agent in accordance with this Agreement requires that any action be
taken by any Creditor, such Creditor shall take such action and cooperate with the Collateral Agent
to ensure that the rights, powers and remedies of all Creditors are exercised in full.
Section 5.10. Distribution of Proceeds. All amounts owing with respect to the Senior
Secured Obligations shall be secured pro rata by the Collateral without distinction as to whether
some Senior Secured Obligations are then due and payable and other Senior Secured Obligations are
not then due and payable. Upon the occurrence of and following a Liquidity Event with respect to
any amounts received by the Collateral Agent from any Creditor under Section 5.11 hereof,
or upon any realization upon the Collateral and/or the receipt of any payments under any Security
Document, enforcement of any Guaranty Agreement or exercise of any right of setoff or recoupment by
any Creditor, the Creditors agree that the proceeds thereof shall be applied as follows:
(a) first, to the amounts owing to the Collateral Agent (solely in its capacity as such) by
the Borrower, the Guarantors, the other Debtors, or the Creditors pursuant to this Agreement or the
Security Documents, including, without limitation, payment of expenses incurred by the Collateral
Agent with respect to maintenance and protection of the Collateral and of expenses
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incurred with respect to the sale of or realization upon any of the Collateral or the
perfection, enforcement or protection of the rights of the Creditors (including reasonable
attorneys’ fees and expenses of every kind); (b) second, equally and ratably to the payment
of the reasonable costs and expenses of the various Creditors (including reasonable attorneys’
fees) incurred directly in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement, the Bank Loan
Documents, the Senior Note Documents, the Term Loan Documents, the Security Documents and the
Guaranty Agreements, according to the aggregate amounts thereof then owing to each Creditor;
(c) third, to the Superpriority Amount, if any, (including amounts to cash collateralize
the aggregate undrawn amount of uncancelled and unexpired Letters of Credit included in the
Superpriority Amount); (d) fourth, equally and ratably to the payment of all amounts of
interest outstanding which constitute the Senior Secured Obligations (other than interest in
respect of any Make-Whole Amounts) according to the aggregate amounts of such interest then owing
to each Creditor; (e) fifth, in the event that any Creditor’s Actual Outstanding Percentage
as of such date is less than such Creditor’s Parity Sharing Percentage, then, to the ratable
payment of the principal amount of the Senior Secured Obligations held by each Creditor to the
minimum extent necessary such that, after giving effect to such payment, each Creditor’s Actual
Outstanding Percentage is equal to its Parity Sharing Percentage; (f) sixth, equally and
ratably to (i) all amounts of principal and L/C Exposure outstanding with respect to the Senior
Secured Obligations and (ii) without duplication, all amounts then due to a Creditor in respect of
Cash Management Obligations and Swap Obligations, according to the aggregate amounts of the
foregoing then owing to each Creditor; (g) seventh, without duplication, equally and
ratably, breakage costs and Make-Whole Amounts (and including interest in respect of any Make-Whole
Amounts) which constitute Senior Secured Obligations according to the aggregate amounts of the
foregoing then owing to each Creditor; (h) eighth, equally and ratably to all other amounts
then due to the Creditors under the Bank Credit Agreement, the Note Agreements, the Term Loan
Agreement (including fees and expenses not theretofore paid pursuant to clause “second”
above) according to the aggregate amounts thereof then owing to each Creditor; and
(i) ninth, the balance, if any, shall be returned to the Borrower, the applicable
Guarantor, the applicable Debtor or such other Persons as are entitled thereto.
Any payment required to be made by the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 5.10
with respect to the outstanding amount of any undrawn Letters of Credit shall be held by the
Collateral Agent on deposit in an account (the “Letters of Credit Collateral Account”) to
be held as collateral for the Senior Secured Obligations and disposed of as provided herein. On
each date on which a payment is made to a beneficiary pursuant to a draw on a Letter of Credit, the
Collateral Agent shall distribute from the Letters of Credit Collateral Account for application to
the payment of the reimbursement obligation due to the Lenders with respect to such draw an amount
equal to the product of (1) the amount then on deposit in the Letters of Credit Collateral Account,
and (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of such draw and the denominator of which
is the outstanding amount of all undrawn Letters of Credit immediately prior to such draw. On each
date on which a reduction in the outstanding amount of undrawn Letters of Credit occurs other than
on account of a payment made to a beneficiary pursuant to a draw on a Letter of Credit, then the
Collateral Agent shall distribute from the Letters of Credit Collateral Account an amount equal to
the product of (1) the amount then on deposit in the Letters of Credit Collateral Account, and
(2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of such reduction in the outstanding amount of
undrawn Letters of Credit and the denominator of which is the outstanding amount of all undrawn
Letters of Credit immediately prior to such
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reduction, which amount shall be distributed as provided in the first paragraph of this
Section 5.10. At such time as the outstanding amount of all undrawn Letters of Credit is
reduced to zero, any amount remaining in the Letters of Credit Collateral Account, after the
distribution therefrom as provided above, shall be distributed as provided in the first paragraph
of this Section 5.10.
Section 5.11. Senior Preferential Payments and Special Collateral Account.
(a) The Collateral Agent shall give each Creditor a written notice (a “Notice of
Special Default”) promptly, but no later than, three Business Days after being notified
in writing by a Creditor that a Liquidity Event has occurred.
(b) Each Creditor agrees that upon the occurrence of a Liquidity Event it shall
(1) promptly notify the Collateral Agent of the receipt of any Senior Preferential Payments,
(2) hold such amounts in trust for the Creditors and act as agent of the Creditors during
the time any such amounts are held by it and (3) deliver to the Collateral Agent such
amounts for deposit into the Special Collateral Account. Each Creditor agrees that no
Default or Event of Default shall occur as a result of payments so made on a timely basis to
the Collateral Agent.
(c) If (i) a Liquidity Event shall have occurred and shall be continuing, or (ii) the
Majority Creditors have instructed the Collateral Agent to foreclose on the Collateral, seek
the appointment of a receiver, commence litigation against any Borrower or any Guarantor,
liquidate the Collateral, commence a Bankruptcy Proceeding against any Borrower or any
Guarantor, seize Collateral, or exercise other remedies of similar character, then all
funds, together with interest earned thereon, held in the Special Collateral Account and all
subsequent Senior Preferential Payments shall be applied promptly in accordance with the
provisions of Section 5.10 above.
Section 5.12. Authorized Investments. Any and all funds held by the Collateral Agent
in its capacity as Collateral Agent, whether pursuant to any provision of any of the Security
Documents or otherwise, may to the extent feasible within a reasonable time be invested by the
Collateral Agent in Cash Equivalent Investments. Any interest earned on such funds shall be
disbursed to the Creditors in accordance with Section 5.10 or Section 5.11, as
applicable. The Collateral Agent may hold any such funds in a common interest bearing account. To
the extent that the interest rate payable with respect to any such account varies over time, the
Collateral Agent may use an average interest rate in making the interest allocations among the
respective Creditors. The Collateral Agent shall have no duty to place funds held pursuant to this
Section 5.12 in investments which provide a maximum return; provided,
however, that the Collateral Agent may to the extent feasible invest funds in Cash
Equivalent Investments with reasonable promptness. In the absence of gross negligence or willful
misconduct, the Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for any loss of any funds invested in
accordance with this Section 5.12.
Section 5.13. Restoration of Obligations. For the purposes of determining the amount
of outstanding Senior Secured Obligations, if any Creditor is required to deposit any Senior
Preferential Payment in the Special Collateral Account, then the obligations intended to be
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satisfied by such Senior Preferential Payment shall be revived, as of the date of the deposit
of such amount with the Collateral Agent, in the amount of such Senior Preferential Payment and
such obligation shall continue in full force and effect (and bear interest from such deposit date
at the non-default rate provided in the underlying document) as if such Creditor had not received
such payment. All such revived obligations shall be included as Senior Secured Obligations for
purposes of allocating any payments under Section 5.10 and for applying the definition of
Majority Creditors. If any such revived obligation shall not be allowed as a claim under the
Bankruptcy Code due to the fact that the Senior Preferential Payment has in fact been made by the
Borrower, the Creditors shall make such other equitable arrangements for the purchase and sale of
participations in the Senior Secured Obligations and shall execute and deliver such agreements as
are necessary to evidence such arrangements, in each case in order to effectuate the intent of this
Section 5.13.
Section 5.14. Bankruptcy Preferences. If any payment on account of a Senior Secured
Obligation to a Creditor is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential or
set aside and is required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any
bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause, and such Creditor has
previously made a deposit in respect of such payment into the Special Collateral Account pursuant
to Section 5.11, then the Collateral Agent shall distribute to such Creditor proceeds from
the Special Collateral Account in an amount equal to such deposit or so much thereof as is affected
by such events together with any interest earned thereon (which amount of interest shall not exceed
the amount of interest, if any, such Creditor is then required to repay) and if, due to previous
disbursements to the Creditors pursuant to Section 5.11(c), the proceeds in the Special
Collateral Account are insufficient for such purpose, then each other Creditor shall pay to such
Creditor upon demand an amount equal to a ratable portion of such disbursements of the deposit and
interest thereon which was distributed to each such Creditor according to the aggregate amounts so
distributed to each such Creditor.
SECTION 6. Bankruptcy Proceedings.
The following provisions shall apply during any Bankruptcy Proceeding of the Borrower or any
Guarantor:
(a) The Collateral Agent shall represent all Creditors in connection with all matters
directly relating solely to the Collateral, including, without limitation, use, sale or
lease of Collateral, use of cash collateral, relief from the automatic stay and adequate
protection. The Collateral Agent shall act on the instructions of the Majority Creditors;
provided that no such vote by the Majority Creditors shall treat the Lenders, the
Noteholders and the Term Loan Lender differently with respect to rights in the Collateral.
(b) Each Creditor shall be free to act independently on any issue not directly relating
solely to the Collateral. Each Creditor shall give prior notice to the Collateral Agent of
any action hereunder to the extent that such notice is possible. If such prior notice is
not given, such Creditor shall give prompt notice following any action taken hereunder.
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(c) Any proceeds of the Collateral received by any Creditor as a result of, or during,
any Bankruptcy Proceeding will be delivered promptly to the Collateral Agent for
distribution in accordance with Section 5.10.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each Creditor shall be free to act
independently on any issue not directly relating to the Collateral, and nothing herein shall be
interpreted to preclude any Creditor from filing a proof of claim with respect to its Senior
Secured Obligations or from casting its vote, or abstaining from voting, for or against
confirmation of a plan of reorganization in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, if the Majority Creditors have not agreed upon the directions to be
given to the Collateral Agent in connection with a particular issue in a Bankruptcy Proceeding,
each Creditor (if such Creditor has reasonably determined that the Majority Creditors have not
agreed upon the directions to be given to the Collateral Agent in connection with a particular
issue, and the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to determine if the Majority Creditors have not
agreed on a particular issue) shall have the independent right to initiate an action or actions in
such Bankruptcy Proceeding in its individual capacity and to appear and be heard on such issue
before the bankruptcy or other applicable court in such Bankruptcy Proceeding with respect to such
disputed issue, and such disputed issue may include, without limitation, issues with respect to any
question concerning relief from the automatic stay, the post-petition usage of Collateral and
post-petition financing arrangements.
SECTION 7. Miscellaneous.
Section 7.1. Creditors; Other Collateral. The Creditors agree that all of the
provisions of this Agreement shall apply to any and all properties, assets and rights of the
Borrower, the Guarantors and the other Debtors, in which the Collateral Agent or any Creditor at
any time acquires a security interest or Lien pursuant to the Security Documents, the Bank Loan
Documents, the Term Loan Documents, or the Senior Note Documents as security for the Senior Secured
Obligations, including, without limitation, real property or rights in, on or over real property,
notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any mortgage, leasehold mortgage or other document
purporting to grant or perfect any Lien in favor of the Creditors or any of them or the Collateral
Agent for the benefit of the Creditors as security for the Senior Secured Obligations. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not constitute an amendment, waiver, novation or
other modification of any other credit document related to the Senior Secured Obligations.
Section 7.2. Marshalling. The Collateral Agent shall not be required to marshal any
present or future security for (including, without limitation, the Collateral), or guaranties of
(including, without limitation, the Guaranty Agreements), the Senior Secured Obligations or any of
them, or to resort to such security or guaranties in any particular order; and all of each of such
Person’s rights in respect of such security and guaranties shall be cumulative and in addition to
all other rights, however existing or arising. To the extent that they lawfully may, the Creditors
hereby agree that they will not invoke any law relating to the marshalling of collateral which
might cause delay in or impede the enforcement of the Creditors’ rights under the Security
Documents or under any other instrument evidencing any of the Senior Secured Obligations or under
which any of the Senior Secured Obligations is outstanding or by which any of the Senior Secured
Obligations is secured or guaranteed.
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Section 7.3. Consents, Amendments, Waivers. All amendments, waivers or consents of
any provision of this Agreement shall be effective only if the same shall be in writing and signed
by the Majority Creditors and the Collateral Agent; provided, however, that (a) no
such amendment, waiver or consent to Sections 2.1, 2.5, 4.6, 4.8,
5.3, 5.6, 5.7, 5.10, 5.11, 6 or this
Section 7.3 or to the definition of “Collateral,” “Majority Creditors,”
“Senior Preferential Payment,” or “Bankruptcy Event of Default”, or which would
modify any payment (whether by altering the amount, priority, timing or order thereof) to any
Creditor, or which would materially and adversely affect any of the rights of any Creditor relative
to the rights of the other Creditors, shall be effective without the written consent of all of the
Creditors (unless such amendment, waiver or consent is addressed in subsections (b), (c) or (d)
hereof), (b) no such amendment, waiver or consent to the definition of “Lender Exposure,”
“Lender Sharing Exposure” or “Superpriority Amount” shall be effective without the
written consent of (i) the Required Noteholders, (ii) the Term Loan Lender and (iii) all of the
Lenders (provided that any increase in the Superpriority Amount shall only require the
consent of the Required Lenders rather than the consent of all Lenders in addition to the consent
of the parties set forth in (b)(i) and (ii) above), (c) no such amendment, waiver or consent to the
definition of “Outstanding Threshold Amount” shall be effective without the written consent
of (i) the Required Noteholders, (ii) the Term Loan Lender and (iii) all of the Lenders
(provided that (x) the Outstanding Threshold Amount may be decreased with the consent of
the Required Lenders rather than the consent of all the Lenders in addition to the consent of the
parties set forth in (c)(i) and (ii) above and (y) the consent of the Required Noteholders and Term
Loan Lender shall not be required for any increase in the Outstanding Threshold Amount) and (d)
notwithstanding anything in this Section 7.3 to the contrary, the Superpriority Amount may
be reduced, released or eliminated from this Agreement with only the consent of (i) all the Lenders
if the Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Bank Credit Agreement) at such time is equal to or greater
than 2.5 to 1.0 and (ii) the Required Lenders if such Leverage Ratio at such time is less than 2.5
to 1.0.
Section 7.4. Governing Law: Jurisdiction, etc.
(a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF TEXAS APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE
PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE; PROVIDED THAT THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND EACH CREDITOR
SHALL RETAIN ALL RIGHTS ARISING UNDER FEDERAL LAW.
(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND EACH CREDITOR, FOR
ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF
TEXAS SITTING IN DALLAS COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE NORTHERN
DISTRICT OF TEXAS, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY
JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL
CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH TEXAS
STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
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PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES
THAT 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.
(c) WAIVER OF VENUE. THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND EACH CREDITOR IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION
THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING
OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS
SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH
ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF
PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 7.9. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL
AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY
APPLICABLE LAW.
Section 7.5. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO
THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY
LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY
HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED,
EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO
ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN
INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS
IN THIS SECTION.
Section 7.6. Parties in Interest.
(a) All terms of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and
be enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto, including,
without limitation, any future holder of the Senior Secured Obligations; provided
that no Creditor may assign or transfer its rights hereunder or under the Security Documents
or Guaranty Agreements without such assignees or transferees agreeing, by executing an
instrument in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent, to be bound
by the terms of this Agreement as though named herein.
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(b) The Collateral Agent has no duty to acknowledge, and shall be deemed to not have
any knowledge of, any notice from or for the benefit of any Creditor or Person claiming to
be a Creditor, or to provide any notice or other communication to any Creditor, unless such
Creditor or Person claiming to be a Creditor has complied with Section 7.6(a).
Section 7.7. Counterparts. This Agreement and any amendment hereof may be executed in
several counterparts and by each party on a separate counterpart, each of which when so executed
and delivered shall be an original (including electronic copies thereof), but all of which together
shall constitute one instrument. In proving this Agreement it shall not be necessary to produce or
account for more than one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.
Section 7.8. Termination. Upon payment in full of any Creditor’s Senior Secured
Obligation in accordance with its terms, this Agreement shall terminate as to such Creditor except
for those provisions hereof that by their express terms shall survive the termination of this
Agreement. Upon payment in full of the Senior Secured Obligations in accordance with their
respective terms and the termination of the Commitment and expiration or cancellation of all
Letters of Credit, this Agreement shall terminate except for those provisions hereof that by their
express terms shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Section 7.9. Notices. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices,
consents and waivers and other communications made or required to be given pursuant to this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand, mailed by registered or certified
mail or prepaid overnight air courier, or by facsimile communications, addressed as follows:
If to the Collateral Agent, at: | Bank of America, N.A., as Collateral Agent | |||
Mail Code: TX1-492-14-11 | ||||
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx | ||||
Xxxxxx, XX 00000 | ||||
Phone: (000) 000-0000 | ||||
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 | ||||
Attn.: Ronaldo Naval | ||||
with a copy to: | Bank of America, N.A.,as Collateral Agent | |||
Mail Code TX1-492-14-06 | ||||
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx | ||||
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 | ||||
Phone: (000) 000-0000 | ||||
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 | ||||
Attn.: Xxx Xxxxx | ||||
If to any Creditor, at: | Such address as set forth on Exhibit A hereto |
or at such other address for notice as the Collateral Agent or such Creditor shall last have
furnished in writing to the Person giving the notice, provided that a notice by overnight
air
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courier shall only be effective if delivered at a street address designated for such purpose and a
notice by facsimile communication shall only be effective if made by confirmed transmission at a
telephone number designated for such purpose.
[Remainder of the Page Intentionally Left Blank. Signature Pages to Follow.]
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In witness whereof, the parties hereto have caused these presents to be duly executed
as an instrument under seal by their authorized representatives as of the date first written above.
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Collateral Agent | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: Ronaldo Naval | ||||
Title: Vice President |
Signature Page to Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement -Collateral Agent
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
Signature Page to Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement -Administrative Agent
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as the L/C Issuer | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
Signature Page to Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement -L/C Issuer
CALYON NEW YORK BRANCH, as the Term Loan Lender | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
Signature Page to Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement -Term Loan Lender
[NEED NOTEHOLDER SIGNATURE PAGES]
Signature Page to Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement -Noteholders
The undersigned hereby acknowledge (a) the terms of the foregoing Agreement and agree to abide
by any of the terms applicable to it, (b) that the foregoing Agreement is for the sole benefit of
the Creditors and that it has no rights or benefits under such Agreement, (c) that the foregoing
Agreement is for the purpose of defining the rights, duties authority and responsibilities of the
Collateral Agent and the relationship among the Creditors regarding their pari
passu interest in the Collateral and that nothing therein shall impair, as between the
Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Debtor and any Creditor, the obligations of such Borrower,
such Guarantor or such other Debtor under the Bank Loan Documents, the Term Loan Documents or the
Senior Note Documents and (d) that the provisions of the foregoing Agreement may be waived, amended
or modified without its consent.
SPARTECH CORPORATION | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
Signature
Page to Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement - Debtors
ATLAS ALCHEM PLASTICS, INC. | ||||
ALCHEM PLASTICS CORPORATION | ||||
ALCHEM PLASTICS, INC. | ||||
SPARTECH PLASTICS, LLC | ||||
By: | Spartech Corporation, its sole member | |||
POLYMER EXTRUDED PRODUCTS, INC. | ||||
SPARTECH POLYCAST, INC. | ||||
SPARTECH XXXXXXXX, INC. | ||||
SPARTECH INDUSTRIES FLORIDA, INC. | ||||
SPARTECH POLYCOM, INC. | ||||
FRANKLIN-BURLINGTON PLASTICS, INC. | ||||
SPARTECH INDUSTRIES, INC. | ||||
ANJAC-DORON PLASTICS, INC. | ||||
SPARTECH CMD, LLC | ||||
By: | Spartech Corporation, its sole member | |||
SPARTECH FCD, LLC | ||||
By: | Polymer Extruded Products, Inc., | |||
its sole member | ||||
SPARTECH SPD, LLC | ||||
By: | Spartech Corporation, its sole member | |||
SPARTECH MEXICO HOLDING COMPANY | ||||
SPARTECH MEXICO HOLDING COMPANY TWO | ||||
SPARTECH MEXICO HOLDINGS, LLC | ||||
By: | Spartech Mexico Holding Company, | |||
its sole member | ||||
CREATIVE FORMING, INC. | ||||
SPARTECH POLYCOM (TEXAS), INC. | ||||
ALSHIN TIRE CORPORATION X-CORE, LLC |
||||
By: | Spartech Industries, Inc., | |||
its sole member |
PEPAC HOLDINGS, INC. | ||||
By: | ||||
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx | ||||
Vice President for all of the above |
Signature
Page to Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement - Debtors
EXHIBIT A
Addresses of Creditors
Exhibit A to Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement