AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT Dated as of July 25, 2007 among BUCKEYE TECHNOLOGIES INC., as the Company, The Guarantors from time to time party hereto, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer, and The...
Execution
Copy
[Published
CUSIP Number: ____]
AMENDED
AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated
as
of July 25, 2007
among
as
the
Company,
The
Guarantors from time to time party hereto,
BANK
OF
AMERICA, N.A.,
as
Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and
L/C
Issuer,
and
The
Other
Lenders Party Hereto
and
BANC
OF
AMERICA SECURITIES LLC,
as
Sole
Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager,
CITIZENS
BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA,
as
Syndication Agent
and
COBANK,
ACB
and
REGIONS
BANK,
as
Co-Documentation Agents
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
Section Page
ARTICLE
I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS 1
|
1.01
|
Defined
Terms.
|
1
|
|
1.02
|
Other
Interpretive Provisions.
|
23
|
|
1.03
|
Accounting
Terms.
|
24
|
|
1.04
|
Rounding.
|
24
|
|
1.05
|
Times
of Day.
|
24
|
|
1.06
|
Letter
of Credit Amounts.
|
24
|
ARTICLE
II THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS25
|
2.01
|
The
Loans.
|
25
|
|
2.02
|
Borrowings,
Conversions and Continuations of Loans.
|
25
|
|
2.03
|
Letters
of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit.
|
26
|
|
2.04
|
Swing
Line Loans.
|
33
|
|
2.05
|
Prepayments.
|
36
|
|
2.06
|
Termination
or Reduction of Commitments.
|
37
|
|
2.07
|
Repayment
of Loans.
|
38
|
|
2.08
|
Interest.
|
38
|
|
2.09
|
Fees.
|
39
|
|
2.10
|
Computation
of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable
Rate.
|
39
|
|
2.11
|
Evidence
of Debt.
|
40
|
|
2.12
|
Payments
Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback. 40
|
|
2.13
|
Sharing
of Payments by Lenders.
|
42
|
|
2.14
|
Increase
in Aggregate Commitments.
|
43
|
ARTICLE
III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
44
|
3.01
|
Taxes.
|
44
|
|
3.02
|
Illegality.
|
46
|
|
3.03
|
Inability
to Determine Rates.
|
46
|
|
3.04
|
Increased
Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans
|
47
|
|
3.05
|
Compensation
for Losses.
|
48
|
|
3.06
|
Mitigation
Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
|
49
|
|
3.07
|
Survival.
|
49
|
ARTICLE
IV CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
50
|
4.01
|
Conditions
of Initial Credit Extension.
|
50
|
|
4.02
|
Conditions
to all Credit Extensions.
|
53
|
ARTICLE
V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 53
|
5.01
|
Organization
and Business.
|
53
|
|
5.02
|
Financial
Statements and Other Information; Material
Agreements.
|
54
|
|
5.03
|
Agreements
Relating to Indebtedness.
|
55
|
|
5.04
|
Changes
in Condition.
|
55
|
|
5.05
|
Title to
Assets.
|
55
|
i
|
5.06
|
Operations
in Conformity With Law, etc.
|
56
|
|
5.07
|
Litigation.
|
56
|
|
5.08
|
Authorization
and Enforceability.
|
56
|
|
5.09
|
No
Legal Obstacle to Agreements.
|
56
|
|
5.10
|
Defaults.
|
57
|
|
5.11
|
Licenses,
etc.
|
57
|
|
5.12
|
Tax
Returns.
|
57
|
|
5.13
|
Certain
Business Representations.
|
58
|
|
5.14
|
Environmental
Regulations.
|
58
|
|
5.15
|
Pension
Plans.
|
59
|
|
5.16
|
Government
Regulation; Margin Stock.
|
59
|
|
5.17
|
Disclosure.
|
60
|
|
5.18
|
Solvency.
|
60
|
ARTICLE
VI AFFIRMATIVE AND NEGATIVE COVENANTS
60
|
6.01
|
Taxes
and Other Charges.
|
60
|
|
6.02
|
Conduct
of Business, etc.
|
61
|
|
6.03
|
Insurance.
|
61
|
|
6.04
|
Financial
Statements and Reports.
|
62
|
|
6.05
|
Certain
Financial Tests.
|
66
|
|
6.06
|
Indebtedness.
|
66
|
|
6.07
|
Liens.
|
68
|
|
6.08
|
Investments
and Acquisitions.
|
69
|
|
6.09
|
Distributions.
|
71
|
|
6.10
|
Asset
Dispositions and Mergers.
|
71
|
|
6.11
|
[intentionally
omitted.]
|
72
|
|
6.12
|
Issuance
of Stock by Subsidiaries; Subsidiary Distributions,
etc.
|
72
|
|
6.13
|
Voluntary
Prepayments of Other Indebtedness
|
73
|
|
6.14
|
Derivative
Contracts
|
73
|
|
6.15
|
Negative
Pledge Clauses
|
73
|
|
6.16
|
ERISA,
etc
|
73
|
|
6.17
|
Transactions
with Affiliates
|
74
|
|
6.18
|
Environmental
Laws
|
74
|
|
6.19
|
Interpretation
of Covenants
|
74
|
|
6.20
|
Use
of Proceeds
|
74
|
|
6.21
|
Pledged
Assets
|
74
|
|
6.22
|
Further
Assurances
|
75
|
|
6.23
|
Post-Closing
Deliveries
|
76
|
ARTICLE
VII 76
[Intentionally
Omitted] 76
ii
ARTICLE
VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
76
|
8.01
|
Events
of Default
|
76
|
|
8.02
|
Certain
Actions Following an Event of Default
|
80
|
|
8.03
|
Annulment
of Defaults
|
80
|
|
8.04
|
Waivers
|
81
|
|
8.05
|
Application
of Funds
|
81
|
ARTICLE
IX ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
82
|
9.01
|
Appointment
and Authority.
|
82
|
|
9.02
|
Rights
as a Lender.
|
82
|
|
9.03
|
Exculpatory
Provisions.
|
83
|
|
9.04
|
Reliance
by Administrative Agent.
|
83
|
|
9.05
|
Delegation
of Duties.
|
84
|
|
9.06
|
Resignation
of Administrative Agent.
|
84
|
|
9.07
|
Non-Reliance
on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.
|
85
|
|
9.08
|
No
Other Duties, Etc.
|
85
|
|
9.09
|
Administrative
Agent May File Proofs of Claim.
|
85
|
|
9.10
|
Collateral
and Guaranty Matters.
|
86
|
ARTICLE
X GUARANTY
86
|
10.01Guarantees
of Obligations.
86
|
|
10.02Continuing
Obligation.
87
|
|
10.03Waivers
with Respect to
Obligations.
87
|
|
10.04Lenders’
Power to Waive,
etc.
89
|
|
10.05Information
Regarding the Company,
etc.
89
|
|
10.06Certain
Guarantor
Representations.
89
|
|
10.07Subrogation.
90
|
|
10.08Subordination.
90
|
|
10.09Future
Subsidiaries; Further Assurances.
90
|
|
10.10Contribution
Among Guarantors.
91
|
ARTICLE
XI MISCELLANEOUS 91
|
11.01Amendments,
91
|
|
11.02Notices;
Effectiveness; Electronic
Communications.
93
|
|
11.03No
Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.
95
|
|
11.04Expenses;
Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
95
|
|
11.05Payments
Set Aside.
96
|
|
11.06Successors
and Assigns.
97
|
|
11.07Treatment
of Certain Information; Confidentiality. 100
|
|
11.08Right
of Setoff. 101
|
|
11.09Interest
Rate Limitation.
101
|
|
11.10Counterparts;
Integration; Effectiveness; Amendment and Restatement of Existing
Credit
Agreement; Affirmation of Prior Liens.
102
|
|
11.11Survival
of Representations and Warranties.
102
|
|
11.12Severability. 102
|
|
11.13Replacement
of Lenders.
103
|
|
11.14Governing
Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.
103
|
|
11.15Waiver
of Jury Trial. 104
|
|
11.16No
Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. 105
|
|
11.17USA
PATRIOT Act Notice.
105
|
iii
|
SIGNATURES S-1
|
CHAR1\997700v13
iv
SCHEDULES
1.01(a) Existing
Letters of Credit
1.01(c) Mortgaged
Properties
2.01 Commitments
and Applicable Percentages
5.01 Organization
and Business
5.02 Material
Agreements
5.03 Agreements
Relating to Financing Debt, Investments, etc.
5.07 Litigation
5.14 Environmental
Regulations
5.15 Pension
Plans
6.07 Liens
6.08(h)
Investments and Acquisitions
11.02
Administrative Agent’s Office, Certain Addresses for
Notices
EXHIBITS
Form
of
A Committed
Loan Notice
B Swing
Line Loan Notice
C Note
D Compliance
Certificate
E Assignment
and Assumption
F Mortgage
G Closing
Certificate
H Foreign
Subsidiary Subordination Agreement
CHAR1\997700v13
AMENDED
AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
This
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into as of
July 25, 2007 among BUCKEYE TECHNOLOGIES INC., a Delaware corporation (the
“Company”), certain Subsidiaries of the Company from time to time party
hereto as guarantors (collectively, the “Guarantors” and individually, a
“Guarantor”), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively,
the “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”), and BANK OF AMERICA,
N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer.
PRELIMINARY
STATEMENTS:
WHEREAS,
the Company, certain Subsidiaries of the Company from time to time party
thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto and the Administrative
Agent entered into that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 5, 2003
(as amended and modified prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit
Agreement”);
WHEREAS,
the Company has requested and
the Lenders and other parties hereto have agreed to amend and restate the
Existing Credit Agreement on the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth;
WHEREAS,
concurrently with the effectiveness of such amendment and restatement of the
Existing Credit Agreement, the Existing Credit Agreement will be amended and
restated in its entirety, the lenders party thereto will have no further
obligations thereunder and will cease to be parties to such agreement and the
Company and its Subsidiaries will have no further obligations thereunder, except
for those obligations that by their terms survive termination of the Existing
Credit Agreement;
WHEREAS,
The Company has requested that the Lenders provide a revolving credit facility,
and the Lenders have indicated their willingness to lend and the L/C Issuer
has
indicated its willingness to issue letters of credit, in each case, on the
terms
and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
In
consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the
parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1.01 Defined
Terms.
As
used
in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth
below:
“Accumulated
Benefit Obligations” means the actuarial present value of the accumulated
benefit obligations under any Plan, calculated in accordance with Statement
No.
87 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
“Administrative
Agent” means Bank of America in its capacity as administrative agent under
any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.
“Administrative
Agent’s Office” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as
appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 11.02, or such other
address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify
to
the Company and the Lenders.
1
“Administrative
Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by
the Administrative Agent.
“Affiliate”
means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is
in
control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such
Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person means
the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 10% or more of the
securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or
persons performing similar functions) of such Person or (b) direct or cause
the
direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract
or
otherwise.
“Aggregate
Commitments” means the Commitments of all the Lenders. As of the
Closing Date, the Aggregate Commitments in effect equal TWO HUNDRED MILLION
DOLLARS ($200,000,000).
“Agreement”
means this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as from time to time amended,
restated, modified and in effect.
“Applicable
Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage
(carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Commitments
represented by such Lender’s Commitment at such time. If the
commitment of each Lender to make Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer
to
make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02,
or if the Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each
Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender
most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent
assignments. The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set
forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the
Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto,
as applicable.
“Applicable
Rate” means from time to time, for the purposes of calculating (a) the
commitment fee for the purposes of Section 2.09(a), (b) the Standby
Letter of Credit Fee for purposes of Section 2.03(i), (c) the interest
rate applicable to Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans for the purposes of
Section 2.08 and (d) the interest rate applicable to Loans that are Base
Rate Loans for the purposes of Section 2.08, the following percentages
per annum, based upon the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most
recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant
to
Sections 6.04(a)(v) and 6.04(b)(iv):
Pricing
Level
|
Consolidated
Leverage Ratio
|
Commitment
Fee
|
Eurodollar
Rate Loans
and
Standby
Letter of Credit Fee
|
Base
Rate Loans
|
1
|
<
3.50:1
|
0.25%
|
1.25%
|
0.25%
|
2
|
>
3.50:1 but < 4.00:1
|
0.30%
|
1.50%
|
0.50%
|
3
|
>
4.00:1 but < 4.50:1
|
0.35%
|
1.75%
|
0.75%
|
4
|
>
4.50:1
|
0.40%
|
2.00%
|
1.00%
|
Any
increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business
Day
immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is required to be
delivered pursuant to Section 6.04 (i.e., 45 days
after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of the Company’s fiscal
year and 95 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year); provided,
however, that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due
in
accordance with such Section, then Pricing Level 4 shall apply as of the first
Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required
to
have been delivered until the first Business Day after actual delivery
thereof. The Applicable Rate in effect from the Closing Date through
the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate
is required to be delivered pursuant to Section6.04(b)(iv) for the
fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2007 shall be determined based upon Pricing
Level 3.
2
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this definition, the determination of
the
Applicable Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section
2.10(b).
“Approved
Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an
Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that
administers or manages a Lender.
“Approved
Public Debt” means (a) the Company 2008 Notes, (b) the Company 2010 Notes
and (c) the Company 2013 Notes.
“Arranger”
means Banc of America Securities LLC in its capacities as sole lead arranger
and
sole book manager.
“Asset
Sale” means any Disposition of Property or series of related Dispositions of
Property, excluding any such Disposition (i) permitted by clause (a) of
Section 6.10, (ii) consisting of a sale of the Lumberton Facility or
(iii) that yields gross proceeds to any Loan Party (valued at the initial
principal amount thereof in the case of non-cash proceeds consisting of notes
or
other debt securities and valued at fair market value in the case of other
non-cash proceeds) of $10,000,000 in any fiscal year of the
Company.
“Assignee
Group” means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one
another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment
advisor.
“Assignment
and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender
and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is
required by Section 11.06(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent,
in substantially the form of Exhibit E or any other form approved by the
Administrative Agent.
“Availability
Period” means, in respect of the Aggregate Commitments, the period from and
including the Closing Date to the earliest of (i) the Maturity Date, (ii) the
date of termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06, and
(iii) the date of termination of the commitment of each Lender to make Loans
and
of the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant
to
Section 8.02.
“Bank
of America” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.
“Bankruptcy
Default” means an Event of Default referred to in
Section 8.01(j).
“Base
Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of
(a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1% and (b) the rate of interest in
effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America
as its “prime rate.” The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of
America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired
return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a
reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below
such announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by Bank of
America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in
the
public announcement of such change.
3
“Base
Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base
Rate.
“Borrowing”
means a Revolving Credit Borrowing or a Swing Line Borrowing, as the context
may
require.
“Business
Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact
closed in, the state of New York or the state where the Administrative Agent’s
Office is located; provided, however, that when “Business Day” is used in
connection with any Eurodollar Rate Loan, such term shall also exclude any
day
on which financial institutions are generally not open for dealings in the
London Interbank Market.
“Capital
Expenditures” means, for any period, amounts added or required to be added
to the property, plant and equipment or other fixed assets account on the
Consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries, prepared in
accordance with GAAP, in respect of (a) the acquisition, construction,
improvement or replacement of land, buildings, machinery, equipment, leaseholds
and any other real or personal property (excluding replacements of and repairs
to any real or personal property made out of the proceeds of a casualty
insurance policy), (b) to the extent not included in clause (a) above,
materials, contract labor and direct labor relating thereto (excluding amounts
properly expensed as repairs and maintenance in accordance with GAAP) and (c)
software development costs to the extent not expensed; provided,
however, that Capital Expenditures shall not include (i) the purchase
price for the acquisition of another Person (or substantially all the assets
of
another Person) as a going concern permitted by Section 6.08 or (ii)
expenditures made in accordance with this Agreement with the proceeds of
insurance claims or condemnation awards.
“Capitalized
Lease” means any lease which is required to be capitalized on the balance
sheet of the lessee in accordance with GAAP, including Statement Nos. 13 and
98
of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
“Capitalized
Lease Obligations” means the amount of the liability reflecting the
aggregate discounted amount of future payments under all Capitalized Leases
calculated in accordance with GAAP, including Statement Nos. 13 and 98 of the
Financial Accounting Standards Board.
“Capital
Stock” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of Capital Stock
of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants,
options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of
shares of Capital Stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such
Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of
Capital Stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or
warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person
of
such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit
interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests
therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants,
options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of
determination.
“Cash
Collateralize” has the meaning specified in Section
2.03(g).
“Cash
Equivalents” means (a) securities issued or directly and fully
guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality
thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged
in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve months from the
date of acquisition, (b) Dollar-denominated time deposits and certificates
of deposit of (i) any Lender, (ii) any domestic commercial bank of
recognized standing having capital and surplus in excess of $500 million or
(iii) any bank whose short-term commercial paper rating from S&P is at
least A-1 or the equivalent thereof or from Xxxxx’x is at least P-1 or the
equivalent thereof (each an “Approved Bank”), in each case with
maturities of not more than 270 days from the date of acquisition,
(c) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by any
Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable rate notes
issued by, or guaranteed by, any domestic corporation rated A-1 (or the
equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or
better by Moody’s
and maturing within twelve months of the date of acquisition,
(d) repurchase agreements entered into by any Person with a bank or trust
company (including any of the Lenders)
or recognized securities dealer having capital and surplus in excess of $500
million for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed by the United
States in which such Person
shall have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to no other
Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair market value of
at
least 100% of the amount of the repurchase obligations, (e) Investments
(classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets) in money market
investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, that are administered by reputable financial institutions having
capital of at least $500 million and the portfolios of which are limited to
Investments of the character described in the foregoing subclauses hereof,
(f)
money market preferred or similar funds having at such date of acquisition
a
rating of AA or better by S&P or Aa or better by Moody’s, and (g) shares of
money market mutual or similar funds registered under 2(a)7 or 3(c)7 of the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
4
“Cash
Management Agreement” means any agreement to provide cash management
services, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card
(including corporate purchase and travel card), electronic funds transfer and
other cash management arrangements.
“Cash
Management Bank” means any Person that, at the time it enters into a Cash
Management Agreement, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, in its capacity
as a party to such Cash Management Agreement.
“CERCLA”
means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act
of 1980.
“Change
in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of
the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation
or
treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the
administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental
Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive
(whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental
Authority.
“Closing
Date” means the first date all the conditions precedent in Section
4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section
11.01.
“Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Collateral”
means all property of the Loan Parties, now owned or hereafter acquired, upon
which a Lien is purported to be created by any Security Document.
“Commercial
Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning specified in Section
2.03(i).
“Commitment”
means, as to each Lender, its obligation to (a) make Loans to the Company
pursuant to Section 2.01, (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations,
and (c) purchase participations in Swing Line Loans, in an aggregate principal
amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite
such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption “Commitment” or
opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such
Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted
from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.
5
“Committed
Loan Notice” means a notice of (a) a Revolving Credit Borrowing, (b) a
conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of
Eurodollar Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which, if in writing,
shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A.
“Commonly
Controlled Entity” means an entity, whether or not incorporated, that is
under common control with the Company within the meaning of Section 4001 of
ERISA or is part of a group that includes the Company and that is treated as
a
single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
“Company”
has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Company
Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 6.04.
“Company
2008 Notes” means the Company’s 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 in
the original principal amount of $100,000,000, issued pursuant to the indenture
dated July 2, 1996 between the Company and The Bank of New York, as
trustee, as in effect on the date hereof.
“Company
2010 Notes” means the Company’s 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010 in the
original principal amount of $150,000,000, issued pursuant to the indenture
dated June 11, 1998 between the Company and The Bank of New York, as
trustee, as in effect on the date hereof.
“Company
2013 Notes” means the Company’s 8 1/2 Senior Unsecured Notes due 2013 in the
original principal amount of $200,000,000, issued pursuant to the indenture
dated September 22, 2003 between the Company and The Bank of New York, as
trustee, as in effect on the date hereof.
“Compliance
Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of
Exhibit D.
“Computation
Covenants” means Sections 6.05, 6.06(g), 6.06(j), 6.06(m), 6.06(0),
6.06(p), 6.08(e), 6.08(f), 6.08(g), 6.08(h), 6.09(b), 6.09(e) and
6.10(d).
“Confidential
Information Memorandum” means the information memorandum dated July 2007
used by the Arranger in connection with the syndication of the
Commitments.
“Consolidated”,
when used with reference to any term, mean that term as applied to the accounts
of the Company (or other specified Person) and all of its Subsidiaries (or
other
specified group of Persons), or such of its Subsidiaries as may be specified,
consolidated (or combined) in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated
EBITDA” means, for any period, the total, without duplication, of (a)
Consolidated Net Income minus (b) to the extent included in computing such
Consolidated Net Income (i) any extraordinary and nonrecurring gains and (ii)
noncash income items, plus (c) all amounts deducted in computing such
Consolidated Net Income in respect of:
(i) depreciation
and amortization;
(ii) interest
expense;
(iii) income
tax expense;
(iv) the
write down for impairment purposes of existing goodwill and noncash charges
related to asset impairments;
(v) any
extraordinary and nonrecurring losses;
6
(vi) any
other noncash charges (provided, however, that (i) such charges
shall not include any amounts that constitute an accrual of or reserve for
future cash payments or that otherwise are expected to result in cash
expenditures in a future period and (ii) the amount added in respect of such
noncash charges shall not exceed $5,000,000);
(vii) restructuring
costs incurred during the fiscal quarters ending September 30, 2006, December
31, 2006, March 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007 (provided, however,
that the amount added in respect of such costs for the fiscal quarter ending
September 30, 2006 shall not exceed $13,000 and the amount added in respect
of
such costs for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2006 shall not exceed
$11,000, the amount added in respect of such costs for the fiscal quarter ending
March 31, 2007 shall not exceed $1,201,000) and the amount added in respect
of
such costs for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2007 shall not exceed
$200,000;
(viii) costs
in an aggregate amount not to exceed $12,000,000 on account of the temporary
suspension of operations at the Company’s Xxxxx, Florida facility for extended
maintenance; and
(ix) any
write-off of fees associated with any financing.
“Consolidated
Interest Coverage
Ratio” means, for any period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such
period to (b) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period.
“Consolidated
Interest Expense”
means, for any period, (a) the aggregate amount of interest expense, including
commitment fees, payments in the nature of interest under Capitalized Leases
and
net payments under Interest Rate Protection Agreements, net of interest income
accrued by the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP on a
Consolidated basis, minus (b) to the extent included in the foregoing
clause (a), amortization of Indebtedness financing costs.
“Consolidated
Leverage Ratio”
means, at any time, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt as of the
last day
of the most recently completed fiscal quarter to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for
the
period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on such last day.
“Consolidated
Net Income” means, for any period, the net income (or loss) of the Company
and its Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP on a Consolidated
basis; provided, however, that Consolidated Net Income shall not
include:
(a) the
income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date such Person becomes
a
Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (i) in the event of an
acquisition permitted by Section 6.08, for purposes only of
calculating the Applicable Rate, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio and the
Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio, in Sections 6.05(a) and (b),
respectively (but not for any other Section), the net income (or loss) of any
acquired domestic Person shall be included in Consolidated Net Income for up
to
four fiscal quarters prior to the acquisition date, adjusted on a pro forma
basis for specific and quantified reductions in expenses (excluding projected
changes in business conditions, such as projected yield improvement or increased
sales) resulting from the acquisition as agreed between the Company and the
Administrative Agent and (ii) in the event of a Disposition permitted by
Section 6.10, for purposes only of calculating the Applicable Rate,
the Consolidated Leverage Ratio and the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio,
in
Sections 6.05(a) and (b), respectively (but not for any other
Section), the net income or loss of any Person so disposed of shall be excluded
from Consolidated Net Income for up to four fiscal quarters prior to the
Disposition date.
7
(b) the
income (or loss) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary) in which the Company
or
any of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest; provided,
however, that (i) Consolidated Net Income shall include amounts in
respect of the income of such Person when actually received in cash by the
Company or such Subsidiary in the form of dividends or similar Distributions
and
(ii) Consolidated Net Income shall be reduced by the aggregate amount of
all Investments, regardless of the form thereof, made by the Company or any
of
its Subsidiaries in such Person for the purpose of funding any deficit or loss
of such Person;
(c) all
amounts included in computing such net income (or loss) in respect of the
write-up of any asset or the retirement of any Indebtedness or equity at less
than face value after March 31, 2007;
(d) the
income of any Subsidiary to the extent (i) the payment of such income in
the form of a Distribution or repayment of Indebtedness to the Company or a
Wholly Owned Subsidiary is not permitted, whether on account of any Organization
Document restriction, any agreement, instrument, deed or lease or any law,
statute, judgment, decree or governmental order, rule or regulation applicable
to such Subsidiary or (ii) the income of such Subsidiary does not exceed the
tax
liability incurred by the Company and its Subsidiaries resulting from the
repatriation of foreign earnings under the Code caused by the payment of such
income in the form of a Distribution or repayment of Indebtedness to the Company
or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary; and
(e)
any
after-tax gains or losses attributable to returned surplus assets of any
Plan.
“Consolidated
Total Debt” means, at any date, all Financing Debt of the Company and its
Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis.
“Credit
Extension” means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b)
an L/C Credit Extension.
“Currency
Exchange Agreement” means any currency swap, foreign exchange contract or
similar arrangement providing for protection against fluctuations in currency
exchange rates, either generally or under specific contingencies.
“Debtor
Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other
liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization,
or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable
jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors
generally.
“Default”
means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that,
with
the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of
Default.
“Default
Rate” means (a) when used with respect to Obligations other than Letter of
Credit Fees, an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the
Applicable Rate, if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans plus (iii) 2% per
annum; provided, however, that with respect to a Eurodollar Rate
Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate
(including any Applicable Rate) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2%
per annum and (b) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal
to (x) the Applicable Rate plus 2% per annum in the case of Standby
Letter of Credit Fees and (y) 2.40% in the case of Commercial Letter of Credit
Fees.
8
“Defaulting
Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed to fund any portion of the
Loans, participations in L/C Obligations or participations in Swing Line Loans
required to be funded by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date
required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) has otherwise failed to pay over
to
the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be
paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless the
subject of a good faith dispute, or (c) has been deemed insolvent or become
the
subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.
“Disposition”
or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other
Disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property
by
any Person (or the granting of any option or other right to do any of the
foregoing), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with
or
without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims
associated therewith.
“Distribution”
means, with respect to the Company (or other specified Person) or any of its
Subsidiaries:
(a) the
declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution, including dividends
payable in shares of capital stock of or other equity interests in the Company
(or such specified Person), on or in respect of any shares of any class of
capital stock of or other equity interests in the Company (or such specified
Person) or any of its Subsidiaries;
(b) the
purchase, redemption or other retirement of any shares of any class of capital
stock of or other equity interest in the Company (or such specified Person)
or
any of its Subsidiaries of options, warrants or other rights for the purchase
of
such shares, directly, indirectly through a Subsidiary or corporate parent
or
otherwise;
(c) any
other distribution on or in respect of any shares of any class of capital stock
of or equity or other beneficial interest in the Company (or such specified
Person) or any of its Subsidiaries;
(d) any
payment of principal or interest or fees with respect to, or any purchase,
redemption or defeasance of, any Indebtedness of the Company (or such specified
Person) or any of its Subsidiaries which by its terms or the terms of any
agreement is subordinated to the payment of the Obligations; and
(e) any
payment, loan or advance by the Company (or such specified Person) to, or any
other Investment by the Company (or such specified Person) in, the holder of
any
shares of any class of capital stock of or equity interest in the Company (or
such specified Person) or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Affiliate of such
holder;
provided,
however, that the term “Distribution” shall not include (i) dividends
payable in, or conversion of securities into, nonredeemable common stock of
or
other similar equity interests in the Company (or such specified Person) or
(ii)
the issuance of pay-in-kind interest or (iii) payments in the ordinary course
of
business in respect of (A) reasonable compensation paid to employees, officers
and directors, (B) advances to employees for travel expenses, drawing accounts
and similar expenditures, (C) rent paid to, or accounts payable for services
rendered or goods sold by, non-Affiliates that own capital stock of or other
equity interests in the Company (or such specified Person) or (D) licensing
fees
and management fees paid by the Company and its Subsidiaries to each
other.
9
“Dollar”
and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.
“Domestic
Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any
political subdivision of the United States.
“Eligible
Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee
under Section 11.06(b)(iii), (v) and (vi) (subject to such
consents, if any, as may be required under Section
11.06(b)(iii.
“Energy
Hedge Agreements” means any futures contract, cap or collar contract or
other contractual arrangement providing for protection against fluctuations
in
energy costs, either generally or under specific contingencies.
“Environmental
Laws” means all applicable federal, state or local statutes, laws,
ordinances, codes, rules and regulations (including applicable consent decrees
and administrative orders) relating to public health and safety and protection
of the environment, including the federal Occupational Health and Safety
Act.
“Environmental
Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any
liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties
or
indemnities), of the Company, any other Loan Party or any of their respective
Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation
of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation,
storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to
any
Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous
Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other
consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with
respect to any of the foregoing.
“Environmental
Permit” means any permit, approval, identification number, license or other
authorization required under any Environmental Law.
“Equivalent
Amount of United States Funds” means, as of any date of calculation with
respect to a particular amount of foreign currency, an amount of United States
Funds equal to such amount of foreign currency, computed at the foreign exchange
rate published for such date in the Wall Street Journal.
“ERISA”
means the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
“ERISA
Group Person” means the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company and any
Person which is a member of the controlled group or under common control with
the Company or any Subsidiary within the meaning of section 414 of the Code
or
section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA.
“Eurodollar
Rate” means, for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan,
the rate per annum equal to the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate (“BBA
LIBOR”), as published by Reuters (or other commercially available source
providing quotations of BBA LIBOR as reasonably designated by the Administrative
Agent from time to time) at approximately 12:00 p.m., London time, two Business
Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits
(for
delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to
such Interest Period. If such rate is not available at such time for
any reason, then the “Eurodollar Rate” for such Interest Period shall be the
rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which
deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in
same day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan being
made,
continued or converted by Bank of America and with a term equivalent to such
Interest Period would be offered by Bank of America’s London Branch to major
banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at
approximately 12:00 p.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the
commencement of such Interest Period.
10
“Eurodollar
Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on the
Eurodollar Rate.
“Event
of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.
“Excluded
Taxes” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C
Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of
any
obligation of the Company hereunder, (a) taxes imposed on or measured by its
overall net income (however denominated), and franchise taxes imposed on it
(in
lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision
thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its
principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its
applicable Lending Office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed
by
the United States or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which
the Company is located and (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than
an
assignee pursuant to a request by the Company under Section 11.13), any
withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at
the
time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending
Office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure or inability (other
than as a result of a Change in Law) to comply with Section 3.01(e),
except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was
entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment),
to
receive additional amounts from the Company with respect to such withholding
tax
pursuant to Section 3.01(a).
“Existing
Credit Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Existing
Letters of Credit” means those existing letters of credit issued by certain
of the Lenders and described on Schedule 1.01(a).
“Federal
Funds Rate” means,
for any
day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight
Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged
by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that
(a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day
shall
be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so
published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so
published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for
such
day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple
of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions
as
determined by the Administrative Agent.
“Fee
Letter” means the letter agreement, dated June 4, 2007, among the Company,
the Administrative Agent and the Arranger.
“Financial
Officer” of the Company (or other specified Person) means its chief
executive officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, chief
accounting officer, chairman, president, treasurer or any of its vice presidents
whose primary responsibility is for its financial affairs, all of whose
incumbency and signatures have been certified to the Administrative Agent by
the
secretary or other appropriate attesting officer of the Company (or such
specified Person).
“Financing
Debt” means each of the items described in clauses (a) through (f) and
(i) of the definition of the term “Indebtedness” and,
without duplication, any Guarantee of such items.
11
“Foreign
Lender” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction
other than that in which the Company is resident for tax
purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each
State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a
single jurisdiction.
“Foreign
Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic
Subsidiary.
“Foreign
Subsidiary Subordination Agreement” is defined in
Section 4.01(a)(xiv).
“FRB”
means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United
States.
“Fund”
means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged
in
making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and
similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its
activities.
“GAAP”
means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth
in
the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and
pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other
principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as
of
the date of determination, consistently applied.
“Governmental
Authority” means 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).
“Guarantee”
means, with respect to the Company (or other specified Person):
(a) any
guarantee by the Company (or such specified Person), of the payment or
performance of, or any contingent obligation by the Company (or such specified
Person), in respect of, any Indebtedness or other obligation of any primary
obligor;
(b) any
other arrangement whereby credit is extended to a primary obligor on the basis
of any promise or undertaking of the Company (or such specified Person),
including any binding “comfort letter” or “keep well agreement” written by the
Company (or such specified Person), to a creditor or prospective creditor of
such primary obligor, to (i) pay the Indebtedness of such primary obligor,
(ii)
purchase an obligation owed by such primary obligor, (iii) pay for the purchase
or lease of assets or services regardless of the actual delivery thereof or
(iv)
maintain the capital, working capital, solvency or general financial condition
of such primary obligor;
(c) any
liability of the Company (or such specified Person), as a general partner of
a
partnership in respect of Indebtedness or other obligations of such
partnership;
(d) any
liability of the Company (or such specified Person) as a joint venturer of
a
joint venture in respect of Indebtedness or other obligations of such joint
venture;
(e) any
liability of the Company (or such specified Person) with respect to the tax
liability of others as a member of a group (other than a group consisting solely
of the Company and its Subsidiaries) that is consolidated for tax purposes;
and
12
(f) reimbursement
obligations, whether contingent or matured, of the Company (or such specified
Person) with respect to letters of credit, bankers acceptances, surety bonds,
other financial guarantees and Interest Rate Protection Agreements (without
duplication of other Indebtedness supported or guaranteed thereby),
whether
or not any of the foregoing are reflected on the balance sheet of the Company
(or such specified Person) or in a footnote thereto; provided,
however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for
collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The amount
of any Guarantee and the amount of Indebtedness resulting from such Guarantee
shall be the maximum amount that the guarantor may become obligated to pay
in
respect of the obligations (whether or not such obligations are outstanding
at
the time of computation).
“Guarantors”
means, collectively, the Subsidiaries of the Company listed on the signature
pages hereto, and each other Subsidiary of the Company that shall be required
to
execute and deliver a guaranty or guaranty supplement pursuant to Article
X; it being understood that as of the Closing Date no Foreign Subsidiary
shall be a Guarantor, and, thereafter, no Foreign Subsidiary shall be a
Guarantor except as provided in Section 10.09.
“Guaranty”
means, collectively, the Guaranty made by the Guarantors under Article X
in favor of the Secured Parties, together with each other guaranty and guaranty
supplement delivered pursuant thereto.
“Hazardous
Material” means any pollutant, toxic or hazardous material or waste,
including any “hazardous substance” or “pollutant” or “contaminant” as defined
in section 101(14) of CERCLA or any other Environmental Law or regulated as
toxic or hazardous under RCRA or any other Environmental Law.
“Hedge
Agreement” means, collectively, Currency Exchange Agreements, Interest Rate
Protection Agreements and Energy Hedge Agreements.
“Hedge
Bank” means any Person that, at the time it enters into a Hedge Agreement,
is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, in its capacity as a party to such
Hedge Agreement.
“Hedge
Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Hedge Agreements,
after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting
agreement relating to such Hedge Agreements, (a) for any date on or after the
date such Hedge Agreements have been closed out and termination value(s)
determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for
any
date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as
the
xxxx-to-market value(s) for such Hedge Agreements, as determined based upon
one
or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any
recognized dealer in such Hedge Agreements (which may include a Lender or any
Affiliate of a Lender).
“Immaterial
Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company whose assets (at book value)
do not exceed $1,000,000 and in which the net Investment of the Company and
its
other Subsidiaries is less than $1,000,000.
“Indebtedness”
means all obligations, contingent or otherwise, which in accordance with GAAP
are required to be classified upon the balance sheet of the Company (or other
specified Person) as liabilities, but in any event including (without
duplication):
(a) indebtedness
for borrowed money;
13
(b) indebtedness
evidenced by notes, debentures or similar instruments;
(c) Capitalized
Lease Obligations, Synthetic Lease Obligations and Synthetic Debt;
(d) the
deferred purchase price of assets, services or securities, including related
noncompetition, consulting and stock repurchase obligations (other than ordinary
trade accounts payable within six months after the incurrence thereof in the
ordinary course of business), and any long-term contractual obligations for
the
payment of money other than, in the case of the deferred purchase price of
services and any long-term contractual obligations for the payment of money,
for
products or services to be provided in the future in the ordinary course of
business;
(e) mandatory
redemption, repurchase or dividend rights on capital stock (or other equity),
including provisions that require the exchange of such capital stock (or other
equity) for Indebtedness from the issuer;
(f) reimbursement
obligations, whether contingent or matured, with respect to letters of credit,
bankers acceptances, surety bonds, other financial guarantees and Hedge
Agreements (without duplication of other Indebtedness supported or guaranteed
thereby);
(g) pension
liabilities unfunded for more than 270 days after the year in which
accrued;
(h) liabilities
secured by any Lien existing on property owned or acquired by the Company (or
such specified Person), whether or not the liability secured thereby shall
have
been assumed;
(i) all
Guarantees in respect of Indebtedness of others; and
(j) for
the purposes of Sections 6.06 and
8.01(e) only, all obligations of such Person in
respect of Hedge Agreements.
For
all
purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness
of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself
a
corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general
partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made
non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any
obligation under any Hedge Agreement on any date shall be deemed to be the
Hedge
Termination Value thereof as of such date.
“Indemnified
Taxes” means Taxes other than Excluded
Taxes.
“Indemnitees”
has the meaning specified in Section 11.04(b).
“Information”
has the meaning specified in Section 11.07.
“Insolvency”
means, with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such Plan
is
insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.
“Insolvent”
means pertaining to a condition of Insolvency.
“Intellectual
Property” means the collective reference to all rights, priorities and
privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United
States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including copyrights,
copyright licenses, patents, patent licenses, trademarks, trademark licenses,
technology, know-how and processes, and all rights to xxx at law or in equity
for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive
all proceeds and damages therefrom.
14
“Interest
Payment Date” means, (a) as to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of
each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date;
provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar
Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three
months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest
Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan or Swing Line Loan, the last
Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity
Date.
“Interest
Period” means, as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period commencing on the
date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as
a
Eurodollar Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months (or,
if available to all Lenders, nine or twelve months, or periods of less than
1
month) thereafter, as selected by the Company in its Committed Loan Notice;
provided that:
(a) any
Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day
shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business
Day
falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end
on
the next preceding Business Day;
(b) any
Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or
on
a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month
at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the
calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and
(c) no
Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.
“Interest
Rate Protection Agreement” means any interest rate swap, interest rate cap,
interest rate hedge or other contractual arrangement that converts variable
interest rates into fixed interest rates, fixed interest rates into variable
interest rates or other similar arrangements.
“Investment”
means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by
such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of
Capital Stock of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution
to,
Guarantee Obligation or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition
of any other debt or interest in, another Person, or (c) the purchase or other
acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of
another Person that constitute a business unit or all or a substantial part
of
the business of, such Person. For purposes of covenant compliance,
the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without
adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such
Investment; provided, however, that the term “Investment” shall
not include (i) current trade and customer accounts receivable for property
leased, goods furnished or services rendered in the ordinary course of business
and payable in accordance with customary trade terms, (ii) deposits, advances
and prepayments to suppliers for property leased, goods furnished and services
rendered in the ordinary course of business, (iii) advances to employees for
travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures, (iv) stock or other
securities acquired in connection with the satisfaction or enforcement of
Indebtedness or claims due to the Company (or such specified Person) or as
security for any such Indebtedness or claim or (v) demand deposits in banks
or
similar financial institutions.
“IRS”
means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
15
“ISP”
means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby
Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law &
Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time
of
issuance).
“Issuer
Documents” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit
Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into
by
the L/C Issuer and the Company (or any Subsidiary) or in favor of the L/C Issuer
and relating to such Letter of Credit.
“Laws”
means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local
statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and
administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the
interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged
with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all
applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses,
authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority,
in each case whether or not having the force of law, in each case to the extent
having the force of law.
“L/C
Advance” means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender’s funding of its
participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable
Percentage.
“L/C
Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any
Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or
refinanced as a Revolving Credit Borrowing.
“L/C
Credit Extension” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance
thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount
thereof.
“L/C
Issuer” means (a) Bank of America in its capacity as issuer of Letters of
Credit hereunder and (b) any Lender that has issued an Existing Letter of
Credit, or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder.
“L/C
Obligations” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount
available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the
aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all L/C
Borrowings. For purposes of computing the amount available to be
drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall
be
determined in accordance with Section 1.06. For all purposes
of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has
expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason
of
the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed
to
be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.
“Legal
Requirement” means any requirement imposed upon any of the Lenders or the
Company and its Subsidiaries by any law, statute, rule, regulation, directive,
order, decree, guideline (or any interpretation thereof by courts or of
administrative bodies) of the United States of America, or any jurisdiction
in
which any Lending Office utilized by a Lender for making Eurodollar Loans is
located or any state or political subdivision of any of the foregoing, or by
any
board, governmental or administrative agency, central bank or monetary authority
of the United States of America, any jurisdiction in which any Lending Office
utilized by a Lender for making Eurodollar Loans is located or any political
subdivision of any of the foregoing, in each case having the force of law;
provided, however, that any such requirement imposed on any of the
Lenders not having the force of law shall be deemed to be a Legal Requirement
for purposes of Article III if such Lender reasonably believes that
compliance therewith is in the best interest of such Lender.
16
“Lender”
has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto and, as the
context requires, includes the Swing Line Lender.
“Lending
Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender
described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other
office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Company and
the
Administrative Agent.
“Letter
of Credit” means any standby or commercial letter of credit issued hereunder
and shall include the Existing Letters of Credit.
“Letter
of Credit Application” means an application and agreement for the issuance
or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by
the
L/C Issuer.
“Letter
of Credit Expiration Date” means the day that is thirty days prior to the
Maturity Date (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding
Business Day).
“Letter
of Credit Fees” has the meaning specified in Section
2.03(i).
“Letter
of Credit Sublimit” means an amount equal to $50,000,000. The
Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate
Commitments.
“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, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance
on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the
same
economic effect as any of the foregoing).
“Loan”
means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Company under Article II
in the form of a Revolving Credit Borrowing or a Swing Line Loan.
“Loan
Documents” means, collectively, (a) this Agreement, (b) the Notes, (c)
the Security Documents, (d) the Fee Letter, (e) each Issuer Document,
(f) each Secured Hedge Agreement, (g) each Secured Cash Management
Agreement, (h) the Restatement and Assignment Agreement and (i) any Foreign
Subsidiary Subordination Agreement.
“Loan
Parties” means, collectively, the Company and each Guarantor.
“Lumberton
Facility” means that certain facility of the Company, owned as of the
Closing Date, located in Lumberton, North Carolina.
“Material
Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material
adverse effect on, the business, assets, financial condition or income of the
Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of
the
rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under the Loan
Documents, or of the ability of the Company or any Guarantor to perform its
material obligations under any Loan Document to which they are parties; or
(c) a
material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or
enforceability against the Company or any Guarantor of any Loan Document to
which it is a party.
“Material
Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 5.02(b).
17
“Material
Foreign Subsidiary” means, as of any date of determination, any Foreign
Subsidiary of the Company (a) whose Subsidiary Assets (as defined below) either
(i) exceed 15% of Consolidated Total Assets (as defined below) or (ii) would
cause the Subsidiary Assets of all Foreign Subsidiaries of the Company that
are
neither Guarantors nor Persons the Capital Stock of which has been pledged
by
the holder thereof in accordance with this Agreement to exceed 35% of
Consolidated Total Assets (after giving effect to the designation by the
Company, on or prior to the twentieth (20th) day following
the
date of determination, of any Foreign Subsidiary as a Foreign Subsidiary that
(I) shall become a Guarantor or (II) is a Person the Capital Stock of which
shall be pledged by the holder thereof, in each case, in accordance with this
Agreement), and (b) in which the Net Investment (as defined below) of the
Company and its other Subsidiaries either (i) exceeds 15% of the Aggregate
Net
Investment (as defined below) or (ii) would cause the Net Investment of the
Company and its other Subsidiaries in all Foreign Subsidiaries of the Company
that are neither Guarantors nor Persons the Capital Stock of which has been
pledged by the holder thereof in accordance with this Agreement to exceed 35%
of
the Aggregate Net Investment (after giving effect to the designation by the
Company, on or prior to the twentieth (20th) day following
the
date of determination, of any Foreign Subsidiary as a Foreign Subsidiary that
(I) shall become a Guarantor or (II) is a Person the Capital Stock of which
shall be pledged by the holder thereof, in each case, in accordance with this
Agreement). For purposes hereof, as of any date of
determination,
(A)
“Aggregate Net Investment” means the sum of (I) the Company’s long-term
indebtedness (including the current portion thereof) on a consolidated basis
as
shown in the “Long-Term Debt” line item on the most recently available
consolidated balance sheet of the Company plus (II) the Capital Lease
Obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as
shown
on the most recently available consolidated balance sheet of the Company
plus (III) the amount by which (x) stockholders'
equity of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as shown
on
the most recently available consolidated balance sheet of the Company exceeds
(y) the total amount of goodwill as shown on the most recently available
consolidated balance sheet of the Company.
(B)
“Consolidated Total Assets” means the amount by which
(x) the Company’s total assets on a consolidated basis as
shown in the “Total Assets” line item on the most recently available
consolidated balance sheet of the Company exceeds (y) the total amount of
goodwill as shown on the most recently available consolidated balance sheet
of
the Company.
(C)
“Net Investment” means the sum of (I) Subsidiary Assets for the relevant
Subsidiary minus (II) the current liabilities of the relevant Subsidiary,
excluding intercompany liabilities as shown on the most recently available
balance sheet of such Subsidiary minus (III) deferred income taxes of the
relevant Subsidiary as shown on the most recently available balance sheet of
such Subsidiary.
(D)
“Subsidiary Assets” means the assets of the relevant Subsidiary at net
book value (excluding intercompany assets and goodwill) as shown on the most
recently available balance sheet of such Subsidiary.
“Maturity
Date” means July 25, 2012; provided, however, that if such
date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding
Business Day.
“Moody’s”
means Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.
“Mortgage
Amendments” means each
of the amendments to each of the Mortgages, which amendments shall be delivered
on the Closing Date.
18
“Mortgages”
means
each of the
mortgages and deeds of trust made by any Loan Party in favor of, or for the
benefit of, the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders,
substantially in form as Exhibit F (with such changes thereto as shall be
advisable under the law of the jurisdiction in which such mortgage or deed
of
trust is to be recorded).
“Mortgaged
Properties” means the real properties listed under the heading “Mortgaged
Properties” on Schedule 1.01(c), as to which the Administrative Agent for
the benefit of the Lenders shall be granted a Lien pursuant to the
Mortgages.
“Multiemployer
Plan” means a Plan that is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section
4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
“Net
Cash Proceeds” means, with respect to any Disposition by the
Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, or any proceeds of casualty insurance, condemnation
awards (or payments in lieu thereof) received or paid to the account of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of cash
and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such transaction (including
any
cash or Cash Equivalents received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or
by
monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so
received) over (ii) the sum of (A) the principal amount of any Indebtedness
that
is secured by the applicable asset and that is required to be repaid in
connection with such transaction (other than Indebtedness under the Loan
Documents), (B) the reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses incurred
by
the Company or
such Subsidiary in connection with such transaction, (C) income taxes reasonably
estimated to be actually payable within two years of the date of the relevant
transaction as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith (D)
reasonable reserves for liabilities, indemnification, escrows and purchase
price
adjustments resulting from such Disposition and (E) transfer, sale, use and
other similar taxes payable in connection with such Disposition; provided
that, if the amount of any estimated taxes pursuant to subclause (C) exceeds
the
amount of taxes actually required to be paid in cash in respect of such
Disposition, the aggregate amount of such excess shall constitute Net Cash
Proceeds.
“Note”
means a promissory note made by the Company in favor of a Lender evidencing
Loans or Swing Line Loans, as the case may be, made by such Lender,
substantially in the form of Exhibit C.
“Obligations”
means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties
of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect
to
any Loan or Letter of Credit, 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 and fees that accrue after
the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any
proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in
such
proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims
in
such proceeding.
“Organization
Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or
articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable
constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with
respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of
formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to
any
partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the
partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or
organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect
thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the
applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or
organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or
organization of such entity.
19
“Other
Taxes” means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other
excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment
made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery
or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other
Loan Document.
“Outstanding
Amount” means (a) with respect to Loans and Swing Line Loans on any date,
the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any
borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Loans and Swing Line Loans, as
the
case may be, occurring on such date; and (b) with respect to any L/C Obligations
on any date, the amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect
to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in
the
aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result
of any reimbursements by the Company of Unreimbursed Amounts.
“Participant”
has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(d).
“PBGC”
means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
“Person”
means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint
venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other
entity.
“Plan”
means at a particular time, any employee benefit plan that is covered by ERISA
and in respect of which the Company or a Commonly Controlled Entity is (or,
if
such plan were terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be
deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
“Platform”
has the meaning specified in Section 6.04.
“Public
Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 6.04.
“RCRA”
means the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C.ss.690,
et
seq.
“Recovery
Event” means any settlement of or payment in respect of any property or
casualty insurance claim or any condemnation proceeding relating to any asset
of
any Loan Party.
“Register”
has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(c).
“Reimbursement
Obligation” means the obligation of the Company to reimburse each Issuing
Lender pursuant to Section 2.03 for amounts drawn under Letters of
Credit.
“Related
Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the
partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person
and
of such Person’s Affiliates.
“Request
for Credit Extension” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or
continuation of Loans, a Committed Loan Notice, (b) with respect to an L/C
Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application, and (c) with respect to a
Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan Notice.
“Required
Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders holding more
than 50% of the sum of the (a) Total Outstandings (with the aggregate amount
of
each Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and
Swing Line Loans being deemed “held” by such Lender for purposes of this
definition) and (b) aggregate unused Commitments; provided that the
unused Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Outstandings held or deemed
held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a
determination of Required Lenders.
20
“Responsible
Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial
officer, chief accounting officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller
of a Loan Party and any other officer of the applicable Loan Party so designated
by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative
Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a
Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have
been
authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the
part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively
presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.
“Restatement
and Assignment Agreement” means that certain Restatement and Assignment
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company, the Guarantors,
the
Agent, the Lenders and certain of the lenders under the Existing Credit
Agreement.
“Revolving
Credit Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous revolving
Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the
same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section
2.01.
“S&P”
means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The XxXxxx-Xxxx
Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto.
“SEC”
means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority
succeeding to any of its principal functions.
“Secured
Cash Management Agreement” means any Cash Management Agreement that is
entered into by and between the Company or any other Loan Party and any Cash
Management Bank.
“Secured
Hedge Agreement” means any interest rate, energy, raw materials or commodity
Hedge Agreement permitted under Article VI that is entered into by and
between the Company or any other Loan Party and any Hedge Bank.
“Secured
Parties” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the L/C
Issuer, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks, each co-agent or sub-agent
appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to
Section 9.05, and the other Persons the Obligations owing to which
are or are purported to be secured by the Collateral under the terms of the
Security Documents.
“Security
Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Security and Pledge
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the “Obligors”, as defined
therein, and the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders, as from time
to
time amended, restated, modified and in effect.
“Security
Documents” means the collective reference to the Security Agreement, the
Mortgages, and all other security documents hereafter delivered to the
Administrative Agent granting a Lien on any property of any Person to secure
the
obligations and liabilities of any Loan Party under any Loan
Document.
“Single
Employer Plan” means any Plan that is covered by Title IV of ERISA, but that
is not a Multiemployer Plan.
“Solvent”
and “Solvency” mean, with respect to any Person on any date of
determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such
Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent
liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair salable value of the
assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to
pay
the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute
and
matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it
will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay such debts
and liabilities as they mature, (d) such Person is not engaged in business
or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction,
for
which such Person’s property would constitute an unreasonably small capital, and
(e) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities, contingent obligations
and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of
business. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be
computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances
existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected
to
become an actual or matured liability.
“Standby
Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning specified in Section
2.03(i).
“Subordinated
Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness that is subordinated to the Obligations
on terms satisfactory to the Required Lenders.
“Subsidiary”
of a Person (other than Cotton Flows, LLC and Merfin Europe A.S. so long as
such
Subsidiaries are Immaterial Subsidiaries) means a corporation, partnership,
joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which
a
majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting
power for the election of directors or other governing body (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 Company.
“Swing
Line Borrowing” means a borrowing of a Swing Line Loan pursuant to
Section 2.04.
“Swing
Line Lender” means Bank of America in its capacity as provider of Swing Line
Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.
“Swing
Line Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a).
“Swing
Line Loan Notice” means a notice of a Swing Line Borrowing pursuant to
Section 2.04(b), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form
of Exhibit B.
“Swing
Line Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $15,000,000 and
(b) the Aggregate Commitments. The Swing Line Sublimit is part of,
and not in addition to, the Aggregate Commitments.
“Synthetic
Debt” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination
thereof, all obligations of such Person in respect of transactions entered
into
by such Person that are intended to function primarily as a borrowing of funds
(including any minority interest transactions that function primarily as a
borrowing) but are not otherwise included in the definition of
“Indebtedness” or as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet of
such Person and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.
“Taxes”
means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions,
withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental
Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable
thereto.
“Total
Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans and all
L/C Obligations.
21
“Type”
means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar
Rate Loan.
“UCC”
means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York;
provided that, if perfection or the effect of perfection or
non-perfection or the priority of any security interest in any Collateral is
governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other
than the State of New York, “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in
effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the
provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or
non-perfection or priority.
“United
States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.
“Unreimbursed
Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i).
“Unrestricted
Affiliate” means a Person which the Company indicates in writing to the
Administrative Agent will constitute an “Unrestricted Affiliate” hereunder,
including joint ventures and Persons in which the Company and its Subsidiaries
have a non-controlling equity interest.
“Wholly
Owned Subsidiary” means as to any Person, any other Person all of the
Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares required by law)
is owned by such Person directly and/or through other Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries.
1.02 Other
Interpretive Provisions.
With
reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise
specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
(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 definition of or reference to any agreement,
instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be
construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from
time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any
restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein
or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall
be
construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words
“herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar
import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such
Loan
Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv)
all
references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Preliminary Statements,
Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections
of,
and Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in
which such references appear, (v) 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, and (vi) the words “asset” and
“property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and
to
refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including
cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
22
(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 and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience
of
reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or
any
other Loan Document.
1.03 Accounting
Terms.
(a) Generally. All
accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be
construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios
and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this
Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent
basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with
that
used in preparing the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and
its
Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, and the related
consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash
flows for such fiscal year of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including the
notes thereto, except as otherwise specifically prescribed
herein.
(b) Changes
in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the
computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan
Document, and either the Company or the Required Lenders shall so request,
the
Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Company shall negotiate in good faith
to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof
in
light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders);
provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall
continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein
and
(ii) the Company shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as
reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between
calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect
to
such change in GAAP.
1.04 Rounding.
Any
financial ratios required to be maintained by the Company pursuant to this
Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the
other
component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places
by
which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to
the
nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
1.05 Times
of Day.
Unless
otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references
to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
1.06 Letter
of Credit Amounts.
Unless
otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall
be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such
time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit
that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides
for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount
of
such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such
Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not
such
maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.
23
ARTICLE
II
THE
COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
2.01 The
Loans.
Subject
to the terms and conditions set forth herein (including without limitation
the
conditions set forth in Section 4.02), each Lender severally agrees to
make loans (each such loan, a “Loan”) to the Company in Dollars from time
to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate
amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lender’s
Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any
Revolving Credit Borrowing, (i) the Total Outstandings shall not exceed the
Aggregate Commitments and (ii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Loans
of
any Lender, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding
Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage
of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Lender’s
Commitment. Within the limits of each Lender’s Commitment, and
subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Company may borrow under
this Section 2.01, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under
this Section 2.01. Loans made to the Company may be Base Rate
Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, as further provided herein.
2.02 Borrowings,
Conversions and Continuations of Loans.
(a) Each
Revolving Credit Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other,
and each continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be made upon the Company’s
irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by
telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Administrative
Agent not later than 12:00 p.m. (i) three Business Days prior to the requested
date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate
Loans
or of any conversion of Eurodollar Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans and (ii) on
the
requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans. Each telephonic
notice by the Company pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) must be confirmed
promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Committed Loan
Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the
Company. Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of
Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $3,000,000 or a whole
multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof. Except as provided in
Sections 2.03(c) and 2.04(c), each Borrowing of or conversion to
Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple
of $50,000 in excess thereof. Each Committed Loan
Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether the
Company is requesting a Revolving Credit Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from
one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, (ii) the
requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may
be
(which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be
borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or
to
which existing Loans are to be converted, and (v) if applicable, the duration
of
the Interest Period with respect thereto. If the Company fails to
specify a Type of Loan in a Committed Loan Notice or if the Company fails to
give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the
applicable Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate
Loans. Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be
effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect
to the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loans. If the Company requests a
Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans in any
such Committed Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will
be
deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one
month. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Swing Line
Loan may not be converted to a Eurodollar Rate Loan.
24
(b) Following
receipt of a Committed Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly
notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage of Loans, and
if
no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Company,
the
Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic
conversion to Base Rate Loans, as described in Section
2.02(a). Each Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available
to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative
Agent’s Office not later than 2:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the
applicable Committed Loan Notice. Upon satisfaction of the applicable
conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and, if such Borrowing is the
initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01), the Administrative Agent shall
make all funds so received available to the Company in like funds as received
by
the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Company
on
the books of Bank of America with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer
of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and
reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Company;
provided, however, that if, on the date a Committed Loan Notice
with respect to a Revolving Credit Borrowing is given by the Company, there
are
L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Revolving Credit
Borrowing, first, shall be applied to the payment in full of any such L/C
Borrowings, and second, shall be made available to the Company as
provided above.
(c) Except
as otherwise provided herein, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued or
converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate
Loan. During the existence of a Default, no Loans may be requested
as, converted to or continued as Eurodollar Rate Loans without the consent
of
the Required Lenders, and the Required Lenders may demand that any or all of
the
then outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans made to the Company be converted to
Base
Rate Loans on the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect
thereto.
(d) The
Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Company and the Lenders of the
interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Eurodollar Rate Loans upon
determination of such interest rate. At any time that Base Rate Loans
are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Company and the
Lenders of any change in Bank of America’s prime rate used in determining the
Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such
change.
(e) After
giving effect to all Revolving Credit Borrowings, all conversions of Loans
from
one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, there
shall not be more than fifteen (15) Interest Periods in effect in respect of
the
Aggregate Commitments.
2.03 Letters
of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit.
(a) The
Letter of Credit Commitment. (i) Subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein (including without limitation the conditions set
forth in Section 4.02), (A) the L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the
agreements of the Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03, (1) from time
to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the
Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit for the account
of
the Company, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by
it,
in accordance with Section 2.03(b), and (2) to honor drawings under the
Letters of Credit; and (B) the Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters
of Credit issued for the account of the Company and any drawings thereunder;
provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with
respect to any Letter of Credit, (x) the Total Outstandings shall not exceed
the
Aggregate Commitments, (y) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Loans of
any
Lender, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding
Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage
of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Lender’s
Commitment, and (z) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations shall not
exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit. Each request by the Company for
the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a
representation by the Company that the L/C Credit Extension so requested
complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding
sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, the Company’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be
fully revolving, and accordingly the Company may, during the foregoing period,
obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or
that
have been drawn upon and reimbursed. All Existing Letters of Credit
shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto, and from and after the
Closing Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions
hereof; provided that the Loan Parties agree not to extend or renew any
such Existing Letters of Credit except with Bank of America as LC
Issuer.
25
(ii) The
L/C Issuer shall not issue any Letter of Credit if:
(A) the
expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve
months after the date of issuance or, unless the Required Lenders have approved
such expiry date, or
(B) the
expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur after the Letter
of
Credit Expiration Date, unless all the Lenders have approved such expiry
date.
(iii) If
the Company so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the
L/C
Issuer may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to issue a Letter of
Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “Auto-Extension
Letter of Credit”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of
Credit must permit the L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once
in
each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter
of
Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a
day
(the “Non-Extension Notice Date”) in each such twelve-month period to be
agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless
otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Company shall not be required to
make
a specific request to the L/C Issuer for any such extension. Once an
Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed
to
have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to permit the extension
of
such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Letter
of
Credit Expiration Date; provided, however, that the L/C Issuer
shall not permit any such extension if (A) the L/C Issuer has determined that
it
would not be permitted, or would have no obligation at such time to issue such
Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by
reason of the provisions of clause (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.03(a) or
otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in
writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the
Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Administrative Agent that the Required
Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Administrative
Agent, any Lender or the Company that one or more of the applicable conditions
specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each such case
directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.
(iv)
|
The
L/C Issuer shall not be under any obligation to issue any Letter
of Credit
if:
|
(A) any
order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall
by
its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the L/C Issuer from issuing such Letter
of Credit, or any Law applicable to the L/C Issuer or any request or directive
(whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with
jurisdiction over the L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that the L/C Issuer
refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of
Credit in particular or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer with respect to such
Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which
the
L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing
Date, or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense
which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the L/C Issuer in good
xxxxx xxxxx material to it;
26
(B) the
issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the
L/C
Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;
(C) except
as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer, such Letter
of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $100,000;
(D) such
Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than
Dollars;
(E) such
Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the
stated amount after any drawing thereunder; or
(F)
a
default of any Lender’s obligations to fund under Section 2.03(c) exists
or any Lender is at such time a Defaulting Lender hereunder, unless the L/C
Issuer has entered into satisfactory arrangements with the Company or such
Lender to eliminate the L/C Issuer’s risk with respect to such
Lender.
(v) The
L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit if the L/C Issuer would not
be
permitted at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under
the terms hereof.
(vi) The
L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A)
the
L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit
in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of such
Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of
Credit.
(vii) The
L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of
Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the L/C Issuer
shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the
Administrative Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or
omissions suffered by the L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued
by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such
Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Administrative Agent” as used in
Article IX included the L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or
omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the L/C
Issuer.
(b) Procedures
for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of
Credit. (i) Each Letter of Credit shall be
issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Company delivered
to the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of
a
Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a
Responsible Officer of the Company. Such Letter of Credit Application
must be received by the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than
12:00 p.m. at least three Business Days (or such later date and time as the
Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance
in
their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment,
as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance
of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form
and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance
date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B)
the
amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the
beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary
in
case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be
presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the purpose
and nature of the requested Letter of Credit; and (H) such other matters as
the
L/C Issuer may require. In the case of a request for an amendment of
any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall
specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (1) the Letter of
Credit to be amended; (2) the proposed date
of
amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (3) the nature of the
proposed amendment; and (4) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may
require. Additionally, the Company shall furnish to the L/C Issuer
and the Administrative Agent such other documents and information pertaining
to
such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer
Documents, as the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent may
require.
27
(ii) Promptly
after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer will confirm
with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the
Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application
from the Company and, if not, the L/C Issuer will provide the Administrative
Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the L/C Issuer has received written
notice from any Lender, the Administrative Agent or any Loan Party, at least
one
Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the
applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained
in
Article IV shall not then be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, the L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter
of Credit for the account of the Company or enter into the applicable amendment,
as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the L/C Issuer’s usual and
customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each
Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer a risk participation
in
such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s
Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Letter of
Credit.
(iii) Promptly
after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of
Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof,
the L/C Issuer will also deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent
a
true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.
(c) Drawings
and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations. (i) Upon receipt
from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under
such Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall notify the Company and the
Administrative Agent thereof. Not later than 12:00 p.m. on the date
of any payment by the L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit (each such date,
an
“Honor Date”), the Company shall reimburse the L/C Issuer through the
Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such
drawing. If the Company fails to so reimburse the L/C Issuer by such
time, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the Honor
Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the “Unreimbursed Amount”),
and the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. In
such event, the Company shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Credit
Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount
equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples
specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans,
but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Commitments and
the
conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a
Committed Loan Notice). Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the
Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by
telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of
such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding
effect of such notice.
(ii) Each
Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) make
funds available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer
at
the Administrative Agent’s Office in an amount equal to its Applicable
Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 2:00 p.m. on the Business
Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject
to
the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii), each Lender that so makes funds
available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Company in such
amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to
the L/C Issuer.
28
(iii) With
respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Revolving
Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in
Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the
Company shall be deemed to have incurred from the L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing
in
the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C
Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall
bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Lender’s
payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant
to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its
participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from
such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this
Section 2.03.
(iv) Until
each Lender funds its Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section
2.03(c) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of
Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such
amount shall be solely for the account of the L/C Issuer.
(v) Each
Lender’s obligation to make Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer
for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section
2.03(c), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by
any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense
or
other right which such Lender may have against the L/C Issuer, the Company
or
any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance
of
a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not
similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each
Lender’s obligation to make Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) is
subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery
by the Company of a Committed Loan Notice ). No such making of an L/C
Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Company to
reimburse the L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the L/C Issuer
under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided
herein.
(vi) If
any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account
of the L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to
the
foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in
Section 2.03(c)(ii), the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from
such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount
with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required
to
the date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer at
a
rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate
determined by the L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on
interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees
customarily charged by the L/C Issuer in connection with the
foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as
aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in
the relevant Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing,
as the case may be. A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any
Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing
under this Section 2.03(c)(vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest
error.
(d) Repayment
of Participations. (i) At any time after the L/C Issuer has made
a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender such
Lender’s L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section
2.03(c), if the Administrative Agent receives for the account of the L/C
Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest
thereon (whether directly from the Company or otherwise, including proceeds
of
Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative
Agent will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof in the
same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent.
29
(ii) If
any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C
Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is required to be returned under
any of the circumstances described in Section 11.05 (including pursuant
to any settlement entered into by the L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Lender
shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its
Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus
interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is
returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate
from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under
this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the
termination of this Agreement.
(e) Obligations
Absolute. The obligation of the Company to reimburse the L/C
Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each L/C
Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid
strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances,
including the following:
(i) any
lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement,
or
any other Loan Document;
(ii) the
existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the
Company or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any
transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary
or any such transferee may be acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person,
whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby
or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto,
or
any unrelated transaction;
(iii) any
draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of
Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect
or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any
loss
or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order
to
make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;
(iv) any
payment by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation
of a
draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter
of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit
to
any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession,
assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other
representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such
Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under
any Debtor Relief Law; or
(v) any
other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of
the
foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute
a
defense available to, or a discharge of, the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.
The
Company shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each
amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of
noncompliance with the Company’s instructions or other irregularity, the Company
will immediately notify the L/C Issuer. The Company shall be
conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and
its
correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.
30
(f) Role
of L/C Issuer. Each Lender and the Company agree that, in paying
any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall not have any
responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates
and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or
inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority
of
the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the L/C
Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor
any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable
to
any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the
request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as
applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence
or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity
or
enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit
or
Issuer Document. The Company hereby assumes all risks of the acts or
omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter
of Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended
to, and shall not, preclude the Company’s pursuing such rights and remedies as
it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other
agreement. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of
their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee
of the L/C Issuer shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters
described in clauses (i) through (v) of Section 2.03(e); provided,
however, that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Company may have a claim against the L/C Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may
be
liable to the Company, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct,
as
opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Company which
the
Company proves were caused by the L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct or gross
negligence or the L/C Issuer’s willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit
after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and
certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter
of
Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the
L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order,
without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice
or
information to the contrary, and the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for
the
validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or
purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits
thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be
invalid or ineffective for any reason.
(g) Cash
Collateral. Upon the request of the Administrative Agent, (i) if
the L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter
of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing, or (ii) if, as
of
the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains
outstanding, the Company shall, in each case, immediately Cash Collateralize
the
then Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations. Sections 2.05
and 8.02(c) sets forth certain additional requirements to deliver Cash
Collateral hereunder. For purposes of this Section
2.03,Section 2.05 and Section 8.02(c), “Cash
Collateralize” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, as
collateral for the L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances pursuant
to
documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent
and
the L/C Issuer (which documents are hereby consented to by the
Lenders). Derivatives of such term have corresponding
meanings. The Company hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for
the benefit of the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, a security interest in all such
cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein and all proceeds of the
foregoing. Cash Collateral shall be maintained in blocked,
non-interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of America. If at any
time the Administrative Agent determines that any funds held as Cash Collateral
are subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative
Agent or that the total amount of such funds is less than the aggregate
Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, the Company will, forthwith upon
demand by the Administrative Agent, pay to the Administrative Agent, as
additional funds to be deposited as Cash Collateral, an amount equal to the
excess of (x) such aggregate Outstanding Amount over (y) the total
amount of funds, if any, then held as Cash Collateral that the Administrative
Agent determines to be free and clear of any such right and
claim. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit for which funds are
on deposit as Cash Collateral, such funds shall be applied, to the extent
permitted under applicable Laws, to reimburse the L/C Issuer.
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(h) Applicability
of ISP and UCP. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the
L/C Issuer and the Company when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any
such
agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), (i) the rules of the
ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the
Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, as most recently published
by the International Chamber of Commerce at the time of issuance shall apply
to
each commercial Letter of Credit.
(i) Letter
of Credit Fees. The Company shall pay to the Administrative Agent
for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage
(i)
with respect to each standby Letter of Credit, a fee (the “Standby Letter of
Credit Fee”) equal to the Applicable Rate times the daily amount
available to be drawn under such standby Letter of Credit and (ii) with respect
to each commercial Letter of Credit, a fee (the “Commercial Letter of Credit
Fee”, together with the Standby Letter of Credit Fee, the “Letter of
Credit Fees”) equal to 40.0 bps of the face amount of each such commercial
Letter of Credit. For purposes of computing the daily amount
available to be drawn under any standby Letter of Credit, the amount of such
Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section
1.06. Standby Letter of Credit Fees shall be (i) due and payable
on the first Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and
December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of
such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter
on
demand and (ii) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. Commercial
Letter of Credit Fees shall be due and payable on the date of issuance of such
Letter of Credit. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any
quarter, the daily amount available to be drawn under each standby Letter of
Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for
each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in
effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists,
all
Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue, or be payable at, at the Default
Rate.
(j) Fronting
Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C
Issuer. The Company shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its
own account a fronting fee (i) with respect to each standby Letter of Credit,
at
the rate per annum specified in the Fee Letter, computed on the daily amount
available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit on a quarterly basis in
arrears and (ii) with respect to each commercial Letter of Credit, equal to
the
greater of (x) 0.125% of the face amount of such commercial Letter of Credit
and
(y) $125, in each case upon the issuance thereof and with any amendment
increasing the amount of such Letter of Credit. With respect to
standby Letters of Credit, such fronting fee shall be due and payable on the
tenth Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December
in
respect of the most recently-ended quarterly period (or portion thereof, in
the
case of the first payment), commencing with the first such date to occur after
the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date
and thereafter on demand. With respect to commercial Letters of
Credit, such fronting fee shall be due and payable on the date of issuance
of
such Letter of Credit. For purposes of computing the daily amount
available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter
of
Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. In
addition, the Company shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account
the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees,
and
other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to letters of
credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and
standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are
nonrefundable.
(k) Conflict
with Issuer Documents. In the event of any conflict between the
terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall
control.
32
2.04 Swing
Line Loans.
(a) The
Swing Line. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein
(including without limitation the conditions set forth in Section 4.02),
the Swing Line Lender agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the other
Lenders set forth in this Section 2.04, to make loans (each such loan, a
“Swing Line Loan”) to the Company from time to time on any Business Day
during the Availability Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any
time
outstanding the amount of the Swing Line Sublimit, notwithstanding the fact
that
such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated with the Applicable Percentage of the
Outstanding Amount of Loans and L/C Obligations of the Lender acting as Swing
Line Lender, may exceed the amount of such Lender’s Commitment; provided,
however, that after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (i) the
Total
Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments at such time, and (ii)
the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Loans of any Lender at such time,
plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all
L/C Obligations at such time, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of
the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans at such time shall not exceed
such Lender’s Commitment, and providedfurther that the Company
shall not use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding
Swing Line Loan. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the
other terms and conditions hereof, the Company may borrow under this Section
2.04, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section
2.04. Each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest only at a rate
based on the Base Rate. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line
Loan, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such
Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable
Percentage times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.
(b) Borrowing
Procedures. Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made upon the
Company’s irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative
Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be
received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than
1:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount
to
be borrowed, which shall be a minimum of $250,000 and in integral multiples
of
$50,000 in excess thereof and (ii) the requested borrowing date, which shall
be
a Business Day. Each such telephonic notice must be confirmed
promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent
of a
written Swing Line Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a
Responsible Officer of the Company. Promptly after receipt by the
Swing Line Lender of any telephonic Swing Line Loan Notice, the Swing Line
Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing)
that the Administrative Agent has also received such Swing Line Loan Notice
and,
if not, the Swing Line Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone
or in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swing Line Lender
has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent
(including at the request of any Lender) prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of
the
proposed Swing Line Borrowing (A) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make
such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the first
proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a), or (B) that one or more
of the applicable conditions specified in Article IV is not then
satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line
Lender will, not later than 3:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such
Swing Line Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to
the
Company at its office by crediting the account of the Company on the books
of
the Swing Line Lender in immediately available funds.
(c) Refinancing
of Swing Line Loans. (i) The Swing Line Lender at any time in its
sole and absolute discretion may request, on behalf of the Company (which hereby
irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf),
that
each Lender make a Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable
Percentage of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding. Such
request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to
be a
Committed Loan Notice for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the
requirements of Section 2.02, without regard to the minimum and multiples
specified therein for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject
to
the unutilized portion of the Aggregate Commitments and the conditions set
forth
in Section 4.02. The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the
Company with a copy of the applicable Committed Loan Notice promptly after
delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent. Each Lender shall
make an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the amount specified in
such Committed Loan Notice available to the Administrative Agent in immediately
available funds for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Administrative
Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Committed
Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii), each Lender that
so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the
Company in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the
funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.
33
(ii) If
for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Revolving
Credit Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i), the request for
Base Rate Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall
be
deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Lenders fund
its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Lender’s payment
to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender pursuant
to
Section 2.04(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such
participation.
(iii) If
any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account
of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant
to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04(c) by the time specified
in Section 2.04(c)(i), the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover
from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such
amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is
required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the
Swing
Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate
and a rate determined by the Swing Line Lender in accordance with banking
industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing
or
similar fees customarily charged by the Swing Line Lender in connection with
the
foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as
aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in
the relevant Borrowing or funded participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan,
as the case may be. A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted
to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts
owing under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest
error.
(iv) Each
Lender’s obligation to make Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in
Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) shall be absolute
and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including
(A)
any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender
may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Company or any other Person for
any
reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any
other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the
foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to
make Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) is subject to the
conditions set forth in Section 4.02. No such funding of risk
participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Company
to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided
herein.
(d) Repayment
of Participations. (i) At any time after any Lender has purchased
and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender
receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender
will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof in the same
funds as those received by the Swing Line Lender.
(ii) If
any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in respect of principal or
interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line
Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 11.05
(including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender
in
its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Applicable
Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest
thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at
a
rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. The Administrative
Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swing Line
Lender. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall
survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this
Agreement.
34
(e) Interest
for Account of Swing Line Lender. The Swing Line Lender shall be
responsible for invoicing the Company for interest on the Swing Line
Loans. Until each Lender funds its Base Rate Loan or risk
participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such
Lender’s Applicable Percentage of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of
such Applicable Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line
Lender.
(f) Payments
Directly to Swing Line Lender. The Company shall make all
payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly
to the Swing Line Lender.
2.05 Prepayments.
(a) Optional. (i)
Subject to the last sentence of this Section 2.05(a)(i), each Company
may, upon notice from the Company to the Administrative Agent, at any time
or
from time to time voluntarily prepay Loans in whole or in part without premium
or penalty; provided that (A) such notice must be received by the
Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 p.m. (1) three Business Days prior
to
any date of prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans, and (2) on the date of
prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (B) any prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans
shall
be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in
excess thereof; and (C) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a
principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof
or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then
outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of
such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and, if Eurodollar Rate
Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The
Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each
such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s ratable portion of such
prepayment. If such notice is given by the Company, the Company shall
make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall
be
due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of a
Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount
prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section
3.05.
(ii) The
Company may, upon notice to the Swing Line Lender (with a copy to the
Administrative Agent), at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay
Swing Line Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided
that (A) such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the
Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of the prepayment,
and
(B) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of
$100,000. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such
prepayment. If such notice is given by the Company, the Company shall
make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall
be
due and payable on the date specified therein.
(b) Mandatory. (i)
If any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (x) Disposes of any property in
a
Disposition constituting an Asset Sale which results in the realization by
such
Person of Net Cash Proceeds or (y) receives proceeds of casualty insurance
or
condemnation awards (or payments in lieu thereof), the Company shall prepay
an
aggregate principal amount of Loans equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds
immediately upon receipt thereof by such Person (such prepayments to be applied
as set forth in clause (ii) below); provided, however, that, with
respect to any Net Cash Proceeds realized under a Disposition described in
this
Section 2.05(b)(i), at the election of the Company (as notified by the
Company to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date of such
Disposition), and so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
such Loan Party or such Subsidiary may reinvest all or any
portion of such Net Cash Proceeds in operating assets so long as
within 270 days or, if the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is
less than 3.50, eighteen (18) months after the receipt of such Net Cash
Proceeds, such purchase shall have been consummated (as certified by the Company
in writing to the Administrative Agent); and providedfurther,
however, that any Net Cash Proceeds not so reinvested shall
be
immediately applied to the prepayment (with a corresponding commitment
reduction) of the Loans as set forth in this Section
2.05(b)(i).
35
(ii) If
for any reason the Total Outstandings at any time exceed the Aggregate
Commitments at such time, the Company shall immediately prepay Loans, Swing
Line
Loans and L/C Borrowings and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (other
than the L/C Borrowings) in an aggregate amount equal to such
excess.
(iii) Prepayments
made pursuant to this Section 2.05(b), first, shall be applied
ratably to the L/C Borrowings and the Swing Line Loans, second, shall be
applied ratably to the outstanding Loans, and, third, shall be used to
Cash Collateralize the remaining L/C Obligations; and the amount remaining,
if
any, after the prepayment in full of all L/C Borrowings and Loans outstanding
at
such time and the Cash Collateralization of the remaining L/C Obligations in
full (the sum of such prepayment amounts, cash collateralization amounts and
remaining amount being, collectively, the “Reduction Amount”) may be
retained by the Company for use in the ordinary course of its business, and
the
Aggregate Commitments shall be automatically and permanently reduced by the
Reduction Amount as set forth in Section 2.06(b). Upon
the drawing of any Letter of Credit that has been Cash Collateralized, the
funds
held as Cash Collateral shall be applied (without any further action by or
notice to or from the Company or any other Loan Party) to reimburse the L/C
Issuer or the Lenders, as applicable.
(iv) Eurodollar
Prepayment Account. If the Company is required to make a
mandatory prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans under this
Section 2.05(b), so long as no Event of Default exists, the Company
shall have the right, in lieu of making such prepayment in full, to deposit
an
amount equal to such mandatory prepayment with the Administrative Agent in
a
cash collateral account maintained (pursuant to documentation reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) by and in the sole dominion and
control of the Administrative Agent. Any amounts so deposited shall
be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the prepayment of such
Eurodollar Rate Loans and shall be applied to the prepayment of the applicable
Eurodollar Rate Loans at the end of the current Interest Periods applicable
thereto or, sooner, at the election of the Administrative Agent, upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default. At the request of the Company,
amounts so deposited shall be invested by the Administrative Agent in Cash
Equivalents maturing on or prior to the date or dates on which it is anticipated
that such amounts will be applied to prepay such Eurodollar Rate Loans; any
interest earned on such Cash Equivalents will be for the account of the Company
and the Company will deposit with the Administrative Agent the amount of any
loss on any such Cash Equivalents to the extent necessary in order that the
amount of the prepayment to be made with the deposited amounts may not be
reduced.
2.06 Termination
or Reduction of Commitments.
(a) Optional. The
Company may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Aggregate
Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit, or from
time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Commitments, the Letter of Credit
Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit; provided that (i) any such notice
shall be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 p.m. five
Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such
partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $10,000,000 or any whole
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (iii) the Company shall not
terminate or reduce (A) the Aggregate Commitments if, after giving effect
thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Outstandings
would exceed the Aggregate Commitments, (B) the Letter of Credit Sublimit if,
after giving effect thereto, the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations not
fully
Cash Collateralized hereunder would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit, or
(C)
the Swing Line Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent
prepayments hereunder, the Outstanding Amount of Swing Line Loans would exceed
the Swing Line Sublimit.
36
(b) Mandatory. (i)
The Aggregate Commitments shall be automatically and permanently reduced on
each
date on which the prepayment of Loans outstanding thereunder is required to
be
made pursuant to Section 2.05(b) by an amount equal to the applicable
Reduction Amount.
(ii) If
after giving effect to any reduction or termination of Commitments under this
Section 2.06, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit
exceeds the Aggregate Commitments at such time, the Letter of Credit Sublimit
or
the Swing Line Sublimit, as the case may be, shall be automatically reduced
by
the amount of such excess.
(c) Application
of Commitment Reductions; Payment of Fees. The Administrative
Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any termination or reduction of the
Letter of Credit Sublimit, Swing Line Sublimit or the Commitment under this
Section 2.06. Upon any reduction of the Commitments, the
Commitment of each Lender shall be reduced by such Lender’s Applicable
Percentage of such reduction amount. All fees accrued until the
effective date of any termination of the Aggregate Commitments shall be paid
on
the effective date of such termination.
2.07 Repayment
of Loans.
(a) Loans. Each
Company shall repay to the Lenders on the Maturity Date the aggregate principal
amount of all Loans outstanding on such date.
(b) Swing
Line Loans. The Company shall repay each Swing Line Loan on the
earlier to occur of (i) demand by the Swing Line Lender and (ii) the Maturity
Date.
2.08 Interest.
(a) Subject
to the provisions of Section 2.08(b), (x) each Eurodollar Rate Loan shall
bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest
Period at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (A) the Eurodollar Rate for
such
Interest Period plus (B) the Applicable Rate; (y) each Base Rate Loan
shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the
applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus
the Applicable Rate; and (z) each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the
outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at
a
rate per annum equal to (I) the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate or
(II) such other rate as mutually agreed to by the Company and the Swing Line
Lender.
(b) (i)
If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (without regard
to
any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration
or
otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest
rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable Laws.
(ii) If
any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by the Company under
any
Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace
periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon
the request of the Required Lenders such amount shall thereafter bear interest
at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default
Rate
to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
37
(iii) Upon
the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, the
Company shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding
Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times
equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
Laws.
(iv) Accrued
and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due
interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.
(c) Interest
on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date
applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified
herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance
with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the
commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.
2.09 Fees.
In
addition to certain fees described in Sections 2.03(i) and
(j):
(a) Commitment
Fee. The Company shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the
account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a
commitment fee equal to the Applicable Rate times the actual daily amount
by which the Aggregate Commitments exceeds the sum of (i) the Outstanding Amount
of Loans and (ii) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations. The
commitment fee shall accrue at all times during the relevant Availability
Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in
Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears
on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing
with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the last day
of
the Availability Period. The commitment fee shall be calculated
quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during
any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the
Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such
Applicable Rate was in effect.
(b) Other
Fees. (i) The Company shall pay to the Arranger and the
Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts
and
at the times specified in the Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully
earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason
whatsoever.
(ii) The
Company shall pay to the Lenders such fees as shall have been separately agreed
upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified. Such
fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason
whatsoever.
2.10 Computation
of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable
Rate.
(a) All
computations of interest for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is determined
by
Bank of America’s “prime rate” shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or
366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other
computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year
and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable,
being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest
shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall
not
accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or
such
portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on
which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one
day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest
rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent
manifest error.
38
(b) If,
as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial
statements of the Company or for any other reason, the
Company or the Lenders determine that (i) the Consolidated
Leverage Ratio as calculated by the Company as of any applicable date was
inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio
would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, the Company shall
immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent
for the account of the applicable Lenders, promptly on demand by the
Administrative Agent (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry
of
an order for relief with respect to the Company under the Bankruptcy Code of
the
United States, automatically and without further action by the Administrative
Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer), an amount equal to the excess of the
amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over
the
amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period. This
paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent, any Lender
or
the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under Section 2.03(c)(iii),
2.03(i) or 2.08(b) or under Article VIII. The
Company’s obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the
Aggregate Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations
hereunder.
2.11 Evidence
of Debt.
(a) The
Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts
or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the
ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by
the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest
error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Company
and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or
any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the
obligation of the Company hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to
the
Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and
records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the
Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of
the
Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest
error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative
Agent, the Company shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the
Administrative Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in
addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach
schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount
and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
(b) In
addition to the accounts and records referred to in Section 2.11(a), each
Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual
practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender
of participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans. In the
event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the
Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect
of
such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control
in the absence of manifest error.
2.12 Payments
Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.
(a) General. All
payments to be made by each Company shall be made without condition or deduction
for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as
otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by each Company hereunder
shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective
Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in
Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the
date
specified herein. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute
to each Lender its Applicable Percentage (or other applicable share as provided
herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such
Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative
Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business
Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If
any payment to be made by the Company shall come due on a day other than a
Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and
such
extension of time shall be reflected on computing interest or fees, as the
case
may be.
39
(b) (i)
Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative
Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice
from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate
Loans (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00
noon
on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to
the
Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative
Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date
in
accordance with Section 2.02 (or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate
Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and
at
the time required by Section 2.02) and may, in reliance upon such
assumption, make available to the Company a corresponding amount. In
such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable
Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender
and
the Company severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on
demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest
thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available
to the Company to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent,
at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the
Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in
accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any
administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the
Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case
of a
payment to be made by the Company, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate
Loans. If the Company and such Lender shall pay such interest to the
Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative
Agent shall promptly remit to the Company the amount of such interest paid
by
the Company for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the
applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall
constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment
by the Company shall be without prejudice to any claim the Company may have
against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the
Administrative Agent.
(ii) Payments
by Company; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the
Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Company prior to the
time at which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account
of
the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder that the Company will not make such
payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Company has made such
payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such
assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be,
the
amount due. In such event, if the Company has not in fact made such
payment, then each of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be,
severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the
amount so distributed to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in immediately available
funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such
amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the
Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate
determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry
rules
on interbank compensation.
A
notice
of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Company with respect to any
amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest
error.
(c) Failure
to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to
the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as
provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds
are not made available to the Company by the Administrative Agent because the
conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Article IV are
not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative
Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender)
to
such Lender, without interest.
40
(d) Obligations
of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to
make Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans
and
to make payments pursuant to Section 11.04(c) are several and not
joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such
participation or to make any payment under Section 11.04(c) on any date
required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding
obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the
failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation
or to make its payment under Section 11.04(c).
(e) Funding
Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to
obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute
a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds
for
any Loan in any particular place or manner.
(f) Insufficient
Funds. If at any time insufficient funds are received by and
available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal,
L/C
Borrowings, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied
(i) first, toward payment of interest and fees then due hereunder,
ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of
interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, toward
payment of principal and L/C Borrowings then due hereunder, ratably among the
parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and L/C
Borrowings then due to such parties.
2.13 Sharing
of Payments by Lenders.
If
any
Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise,
obtain payment in respect of (a) Obligations due and payable to such Lender
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its
ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations
due and payable to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of
the
Obligations due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents at such time) of payments on account of the Obligations due and
payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such
time
obtained by all the Lenders at such time or (b) Obligations owing (but not
due
and payable) to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at
such
time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the
amount of such Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender at
such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations owing (but not due
and
payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such
time of payment on account of the Obligations owing (but not due and payable)
to
all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time) obtained
by all of the Lenders at such time then the Lender receiving such greater
proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b)
purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and
subparticipations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans of the other Lenders,
or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of
all
such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the
aggregate amount of Obligations then due and payable to the Lenders or owing
(but not due and payable) to the Lenders, as the case may be, provided
that:
(i) if
any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any
portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations
or
subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the
extent of such recovery, without interest; and
(ii) the
provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment
made by the Company pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of
this
Agreement or (B) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the
assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or
subparticipations in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans to any assignee or
participant, other than to the Company or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which
the provisions of this Section shall apply).
41
Each
Loan
Party consents
to the
foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable
law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing
arrangements may exercise against such Loan Party rights of setoff and
counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender
were
a direct creditor of such Loan Party in the amount of such
participation.
2.14 Increase
in Aggregate Commitments.
(a) Increase. Provided
there exists no Default and the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than 4.50
(measured as of the most recent date upon which a Compliance Certificate was
delivered pursuant to Section 6.04(a)(v)), upon notice to the
Administrative Agent, the Company may from time to time after the Closing Date,
increase the Aggregate Commitments by an amount (for all such requests) not
exceeding $50,000,000 such that the maximum amount of the Aggregate Commitments
shall at no time exceed $250,000,000; provided that any such increase
shall be in a minimum amount of $10,000,000 and in a whole multiple of
$5,000,000 in excess thereof.
(b) Solicitation
of Increase. To achieve the full amount of a requested increase
(i) the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Company (which approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or (ii) the Company with the
consent of the Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender (which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) may solicit increased
commitments from existing Lenders and/or invite Eligible Assignees to become
Lenders; provided, however that no existing Lender shall be
obligated or required to accept an increase in its Commitment pursuant to this
Section 2.14 unless it specifically consents to such increase in writing
and no Eligible Assignee shall become a Lender unless its Commitment is at
least
$5,000,000. Any Lender or Eligible Assignee agreeing to increase its
Commitment or provide a new Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.14
shall, in connection therewith, deliver to the Administrative Agent a joinder
agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and
its
counsel.
(c) Effective
Date and Allocations. If the Aggregate Commitments are increased
in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent and the Company shall
determine the effective date (the “Increase Effective Date”) and the
final allocation of such increase. The Administrative Agent shall
promptly notify the Company and the Lenders of the final allocation of such
increase and the Increase Effective Date and Schedule 2.01 hereto shall
be deemed amended to reflect such increase and final allocation.
(d) Conditions
to Effectiveness of Increase. As a condition precedent to such
increase, the Company shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (i) a
certificate of each Loan Party dated as of the Increase Effective Date signed
by
a Responsible Officer of such Loan Party (A) certifying and attaching the
resolutions adopted by such Loan Party approving or consenting to such increase,
(B) certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase, (x) the
representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan
Documents are true and correct on and as of the Increase Effective Date, except
to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to
an
earlier date, in which case they are true and correct as of such earlier date,
and except that for purposes of this Section 2.14, the representations
and warranties contained in Section 5.02 shall be deemed to refer to the
most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively,
of Section 6.04, and (y) no Default or Event of Default has occurred or
is continuing, and (C) a statement of reaffirmation from the Loan Parties
pursuant to which each Loan party ratifies this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents and acknowledges and reaffirms that, after giving effect to such
increase, it is bound by all terms of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents; (ii) if any portion of the increase is being provided by a new
Lender, a Note in favor of such Lender if so requested by such Lender; and
(iii)
payment of any applicable fees related to such increase (including, without
limitation, any applicable arrangement, upfront and/or administrative
fee). The Company shall prepay any Loans outstanding on the Increase
Effective Date (and pay any additional amounts required pursuant to Section
3.05) to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Loans ratable with any
revised Applicable Percentages arising from any nonratable increase in the
Commitments under this Section.
42
(e) Amendments. The
Administrative Agent is authorized to enter into, on behalf of the Lenders,
any
amendment to this Agreement or any other Loan Document as may be necessary
to
solely incorporate the terms of any increase in Commitments under this
Section 2.14.
(f) Conflicting
Provisions. This Section shall supersede any provisions in
Section 2.13 or 10.01 to the contrary.
ARTICLE
III
TAXES,
YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
3.01 Taxes.
(a) Payments
Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any
obligation of the Company hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall
be
made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Indemnified
Taxes or Other Taxes, provided that if the Company shall be required by
applicable law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes (including any Other Taxes)
from
such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so
that
after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to
additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, any Lender
or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum
it
would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Company or shall
make such deductions and (iii) the Company shall timely pay the full amount
deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable
law.
(b) Payment
of Other Taxes by the Company. Without limiting the provisions of
subsection (a) above, the Company shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the
relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(c) Indemnification
by the Company. The Company shall, jointly and severally,
indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the L/C Issuer, within
10
days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or
Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted
on
or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) paid by the
Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, and
any
penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect
thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly
or
legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A
certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the
Company by a Lender or the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent),
or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or
the
L/C Issuer, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) Evidence
of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Company to a Governmental Authority,
the
Company shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified
copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment,
a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
43
(e) Status
of Lenders. Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption
from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which
the Company is resident for tax purposes, or any treaty to which such
jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments hereunder or under any other
Loan Document shall deliver to the Company (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably
requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed
and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such
payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of
withholding. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Company or
the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed
by
applicable law or reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative
Agent as will enable the Company or the Administrative Agent to determine
whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information
reporting requirements.
Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Company is resident for tax
purposes in the United States, any Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Company
and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested
by
the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes
a
Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request
of the Company or the Administrative Agent, but only if such Foreign Lender
is
legally entitled to do so), whichever of the following is
applicable:
(i) duly
completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility
for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a
party,
(ii) duly
completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI,
(iii) in
the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for
portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (A) a certificate to the
effect that such Foreign Lender is not (1) a “bank” within the meaning of
section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Company
within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (3) a “controlled
foreign corporation” described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (B) duly
completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN,
or
(iv) any
other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from
or a reduction in United States Federal withholding tax duly completed together
with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law
to
permit the Company to determine the withholding or deduction required to be
made.
Without
limiting the obligations of the Lenders set forth above regarding delivery
of
certain forms and documents to establish each Lender’s status for U.S.
withholding tax purposes, each Lender agrees promptly to deliver to the
Administrative Agent or the Company, as the Administrative Agent or the Company
shall reasonably request, and in a timely fashion, such other documents and
forms required by any relevant taxing authorities under the Laws of any other
jurisdiction, duly executed and completed by such Lender, as are required under
such Laws to confirm such Lender’s entitlement to any available exemption from,
or reduction of, applicable withholding taxes in respect of all payments to
be
made to such Lender outside of the U.S. by the Company pursuant to this
Agreement or otherwise to establish such Lender’s status for withholding tax
purposes in such other jurisdiction. Each Lender shall promptly (i)
notify the Administrative Agent of any change in circumstances which would
modify or render invalid any such claimed exemption or reduction, and
(ii) take such steps as shall not be materially disadvantageous to it, in the
reasonable judgment of such Lender, and as may be reasonably necessary
(including the re-designation of its Lending Office) to avoid any requirement
of
applicable Laws of any such jurisdiction that any Company make any deduction
or
withholding for taxes from amounts payable to such
Lender. Additionally, the Company shall promptly deliver to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender, as the Administrative Agent or such Lender
shall reasonably request, and in a timely fashion, such documents and forms
required by any relevant taxing authorities under the Laws of any jurisdiction,
duly executed and completed by such Company, as are required to be furnished
by
such Lender or the Administrative Agent under such Laws in connection with
any
payment by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of Taxes or Other Taxes,
or
otherwise in connection with the Loan Documents, with respect to such
jurisdiction.
44
(f) Treatment
of Certain Refunds. If the Administrative Agent, any Lender or
the L/C Issuer determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund
of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Company
or with respect to which the Company has paid additional amounts pursuant to
this Section, it shall pay to the Company an amount equal to such refund (but
only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid,
by
the Company under this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving
rise to such refund), net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the
Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, and
without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental
Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Company, upon
the request of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer, agrees
to repay the amount paid over to the Company (plus any penalties,
interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to
the
Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer if the Administrative Agent,
such Lender or the L/C Issuer is required to repay such refund to such
Governmental Authority. This subsection shall not be construed to
require the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer to make available
its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems
confidential) to the Company or any other Person.
3.02 Illegality.
If
any
Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental
Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable
Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Eurodollar Rate Loans, or to determine
or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, or any Governmental
Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender
to
purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the applicable interbank
market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Company through the
Administrative Agent, any obligation of such Lender to make or continue
Eurodollar Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans
shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and
the
Company that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer
exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Company shall, upon demand
from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if
applicable, convert all Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans,
either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may
lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or
immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such
Eurodollar Rate Loans. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the
Company shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or
converted.
3.03 Inability
to Determine Rates.
If
the
Required Lenders determine that for any reason in connection with any request
for a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof that
(a)
deposits are not being offered to banks in the offshore interbank market for
such currency for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurodollar
Rate Loan, (b) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the
Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed
Eurodollar Rate Loan, or (c) the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest
Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan does not adequately
and
fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative
Agent will promptly so notify the Company and each
Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain
Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent (upon
the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon
receipt of such notice, the Company may revoke any pending request for a
Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or, failing
that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a
Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.
45
3.04 Increased
Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans.
(a) Increased
Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose,
modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan,
insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or
for
the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except
any
reserve requirement contemplated by Section 3.04(e)) or the L/C
Issuer;
(ii) subject
any Lender or the L/C Issuer to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect
to
this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Letter of Credit
or
any Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments
to such Lender or the L/C Issuer in respect thereof (except for Indemnified
Taxes or Other Taxes covered by Section 3.01 and the imposition of, or
any change in the rate of, any Excluded Tax payable by such Lender or the L/C
Issuer); or
(iii) impose
on any Lender or the L/C Issuer or the London interbank market any other
condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Rate Loans
made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation
therein;
and
the
result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender
of
making or maintaining any Eurodollar Rate Loan (or of maintaining its obligation
to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the L/C Issuer
of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of
maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit),
or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or
the
L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then,
upon request of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Company will pay to such
Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts
as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such
additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) Capital
Requirements. If any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines that any
Change in Law affecting such Lender or the L/C Issuer or any Lending Office
of
such Lender or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any,
regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the
rate
of return on such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s capital or on the capital of such
Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this
Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or
participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of
Credit issued by the L/C Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or
the
L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company could have
achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or
the L/C Issuer’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s
holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the
Company will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such
additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer
or
such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company for any such reduction
suffered.
46
(c) Certificates
for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or the L/C Issuer
setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or
the
L/C Issuer or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in
subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Company shall be
conclusive absent manifest error. The Company shall pay such Lender
or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such
certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Delay
in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the
L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this
Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s right
to demand such compensation, provided that the Company shall not be
required to compensate a Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to the foregoing
provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions
suffered more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender or the L/C
Issuer, as the case may be, notifies the Company of the Change in Law giving
rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the L/C
Issuer’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in
Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then
the
nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period
of
retroactive effect thereof).
(e) Reserves
on Eurodollar Rate Loans. The Company shall pay (or cause the UK
Company to pay) to each Lender, as long as such Lender shall be required to
maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or
including Eurodollar funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurodollar
liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each
Eurodollar Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to
such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which
determination shall be conclusive), which shall be due and payable on each
date
on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Company shall
have received at least 10 days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent) of such additional interest from such Lender. If a Lender
fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such
additional interest shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such
notice.
3.05 Compensation
for Losses.
Upon
demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to
time, the Company shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender
harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result
of:
(a) any
continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base
Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such
Loan
(whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or
otherwise);
(b) any
failure by the Company (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender
to
make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base
Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Company; or
(c) any
assignment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the
Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Company pursuant to
Section 11.13;
including
any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds
obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the
deposits from which such funds were obtained. The Company shall also
pay any reasonable customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in
connection with the foregoing.
47
For
purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Company to the Lenders under
this
Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each
Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it at the Eurodollar Rate for
such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank
eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether
or not such Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so funded.
A
certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to
compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, and delivered
to the Company shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Company
shall pay such Lender, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such
certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
Despite
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the determination of the amount
to
be paid under claims by any Lender under this Article III and the basis
for computation thereof hereunder shall be conclusive so long as (a) such
determination is made in good faith, (b) no manifest error appears therein
and
(c) the Lender uses reasonable averaging and attribution methods.
Failure
or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the
foregoing provisions of this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such
Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Company
shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to the foregoing
provisions of this Section for any demands for compensation occurring more
than
nine months prior to the date that such Lender, became aware of the event giving
rise to such Lender’s claim for compensation pursuant to this Section (except
that if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions
is
retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended
to
include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
3.06 Mitigation
Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) Designation
of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests
compensation under Section 3.04, or the Company is required to pay any
additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account
of
any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice
pursuant to Section 3.02, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts
to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans
hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its
offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such
designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant
to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or
eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as
applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender to any
unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to
such
Lender. The Company hereby agrees to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket
costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such
designation or assignment.
(b) Replacement
of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section
3.04, or if the Company is required to pay any additional amount to any
Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant
to
Section 3.01, the Company may replace such Lender in accordance with
Section 11.13.
3.07 Survival.
All
of
the Company’ obligations under this Article III shall survive until the
fifth (5th)
anniversary of the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and repayment of
all
other Obligations hereunder.
48
ARTICLE
IV
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
4.01 Conditions
of Initial Credit Extension.
The
obligation of the L/C Issuer and each Lender to make its initial Credit
Extension hereunder is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions
precedent:
(a) The
Administrative Agent’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be
originals or telecopies (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise
specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan
Party, each dated the Closing Date (or, in the case of certificates of
governmental officials, a recent date before the Closing Date) and each in
form
and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each of the
Lenders:
(i) executed
counterparts of this Agreement, in the number requested by the Administrative
Agent;
(ii) a
Note executed by the Company in favor of each Lender requesting a
Note;
(iii) the
Security Agreement, duly executed by each Loan Party, together
with:
(A) certificates
representing the Pledged Stock referred to therein accompanied by undated stock
powers executed in blank and instruments evidencing any
pledged debt instruments indorsed in blank,
(B) authorization
by the Loan Parties to file financing statements in form appropriate for filing
under the Uniform Commercial Code of all jurisdictions that the Administrative
Agent may deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect the Liens created
under the Security Agreement, covering the Collateral described in the Security
Agreement,
(C) a
completed “perfection certificate” or other requests for information, dated on
or before the date of the initial Credit Extension, describing the assets of
the
Loan Parties and any existing Liens,
(D) evidence
of the completion of all other actions, recordings and filings of or with
respect to the Security Agreement that the Administrative Agent may deem
necessary or desirable in order to perfect the Liens created
thereby,
(E) the
Deposit Account Control Agreements and the Securities Account Control Agreement,
in each case as referred to in the Security Agreement and duly executed by
the
appropriate parties,
(F) evidence
that all other action that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or
desirable in order to perfect the Liens created under the Security Agreement
has
been taken (including receipt of duly executed payoff letters, UCC-3 termination
statements and landlords’ and bailees’ waiver and consent
agreements).
49
(iv) Mortgages,
etc.
(A) The
Administrative Agent
shall have received a Mortgage Amendment to each existing Mortgage with respect
to each Mortgaged Property, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer
of each party thereto.
(B) [intentionally
omitted.]
(C) The
Administrative Agent shall have received in respect of each Mortgaged Property
an endorsement to a mortgagee’s title insurance policy (or policies) or marked
up unconditional binder for such insurance. Each such endorsement
shall (1) be in an amount satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; (2) be
issued at ordinary rates; (3) insure that the Mortgage insured thereby creates
a
valid first Lien on such Mortgaged Property free and clear of all defects and
encumbrances, except as disclosed therein; (4) name the Administrative Agent
for
the benefit of the Lenders as the insured thereunder; (5) be in the form of
ALTA
Loan Policy - 1970 (Amended 10/17/70 and 10/17/84) (or equivalent policies);
(6)
contain such endorsements and affirmative coverage as the Administrative Agent
may reasonably request and (7) be issued by First American Title Insurance
Company. The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence
satisfactory to it that all premiums in respect of each such policy, all charges
for mortgage recording tax, and all related expenses, if any, have been
paid.
(D) If
requested by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall have
received (1) a policy of flood insurance that (a) covers any parcel of improved
real property that is encumbered by any Mortgage, (b) is written in an amount
not less than the outstanding principal amount of the indebtedness secured
by
such Mortgage that is reasonably allocable to such real property or the maximum
limit of coverage made available with respect to the particular type of property
under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, whichever is less, and (c)
has a
term ending not later than the maturity of the Indebtedness secured by such
Mortgage and (2) confirmation that the Company has received the notice required
pursuant to Section 208(e)(3) of Regulation H of the FRB.
(E) The
Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of all recorded documents
referred to, or listed as exceptions to title in, the title policy or policies
referred to in clause (C) above and a copy of all other material documents
affecting the Mortgaged Properties.
(v) such
certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or
other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the
Administrative Agent may require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity
of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer
in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such
Loan Party is a party or is to be a party;
50
(vi) such
documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require
to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and that each
of
the Company and other Guarantors is validly existing, in
good standing and qualified to engage in business in each jurisdiction where
its
ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business
requires such qualification, except to the extent that failure to do so could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(vii) favorable
opinions of (i) Shearman & Sterling LLP, special New York counsel to the
Loan Parties and (ii) Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, special Tennessee counsel to the Loan
Parties, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, as to the
matters concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Documents in form and substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(viii) a
certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Company certifying (A) that
there has been no event or circumstance since June 30, 2006 that has had or
could be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate,
a
Material Adverse Effect; and (B) no action, suit, investigation or proceeding
is
pending, or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in any court or before
any arbitrator or governmental authority that could reasonably be expected
to
have a Material Adverse Effect;
(ix) evidence
that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents
has
been obtained and is in effect, together with the certificates of insurance,
naming the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, as an additional
insured or loss payee, as the case may be, under all insurance policies
maintained with respect to the assets and properties of the Loan Parties that
constitutes Collateral;
(x) such
other assurances, certificates, documents, consents or opinions as the
Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any Lender
reasonably may require; and
(xi) Each
of the Material Foreign Subsidiaries of the Company shall have entered into
a
Subsidiary Subordination Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit H
(the “Foreign Subsidiary Subordination Agreement”) and shall have
delivered it to the Administrative Agent.
(b) (i)
All fees required to be paid to the Administrative Agent and the Arranger on
or
before the Closing Date shall have been paid and (ii) all fees required to
be
paid to the Lenders on or before the Closing Date shall have been
paid.
(c) Unless
waived by the Administrative Agent, the Company shall have paid all fees,
charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent (directly
to
such counsel if requested by the Administrative Agent) to the extent invoiced
prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees,
charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such
fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the
closing proceedings (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter
preclude a final settling of accounts between the Company and the Administrative
Agent).
51
Without
limiting the generality of the provisions of the last paragraph of Section
9.03, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified
in this Section 4.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be
deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with,
each
document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved
by
or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall
have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date
specifying its objection thereto.
4.02 Conditions
to all Credit Extensions.
The
obligation of each Lender to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other
than
a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other
Type,
or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans) is subject to the following
conditions precedent:
(a) The
representations and warranties of the Company and each other Loan Party
contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained
in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or
therewith, shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, if the
applicable representation and warranty is already subject to a materiality
standard, shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date
of
such Credit Extension, except to the extent that such representations and
warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case they shall
be
true and correct in all material respects (or, if the applicable representation
and warranty is already subject to a materiality standard, shall be true and
correct in all respects) as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes
of this Section 4.02, the representations and warranties contained in
Section 5.02 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements
furnished pursuant to Sections 6.04(a) and (b),
respectively.
(b) No
Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or
from
the application of the proceeds thereof.
(c) The
Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender
shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the
requirements hereof.
Each
Request for Credit Extension (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting
only
a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate
Loans) submitted by the Company shall be deemed to be a representation and
warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b)
have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit
Extension.
ARTICLE
V
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
In
order
to induce the Lenders to extend credit to the Company hereunder, each of the
Company and such of its Subsidiaries as are party hereto from time to time
jointly and severally represents and warrants as follows:
5.01 Organization
and Business.
(a) The
Company. The Company is a duly organized and validly existing
corporation, in good standing under the laws of Delaware with all power and
authority, corporate or otherwise, necessary to (a) enter into and perform
this
Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is party and (b) own its
properties and carry on the business now conducted by it. Certified
copies of the Organization Documents of the Company have been previously
delivered to the Administrative Agent and are correct and
complete. Schedule 5.01, as from time to time hereafter
supplemented in accordance with Sections 6.04(a) and 6.04(b),
sets forth, as of the later of the date hereof or as of the end of the most
recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements are required to be
furnished in accordance with such Sections, (i) the jurisdiction of
incorporation of the Company, (ii) the address of the Company’s principal
executive office and chief place of business, (iii) each name, including any
trade name, under which the Company conducts its business and (iv) the
jurisdictions in which the Company owns real or tangible personal
property.
52
(b) Subsidiaries. Each
Guarantor is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized, with all power and authority,
corporate or otherwise, necessary to (a) enter into and perform this Agreement
and each other Loan Document to which it is party, (b) guarantee the Obligations
and (c) own its properties and carry on the business now conducted by
it. Certified copies of the Organization Documents of each Subsidiary
party hereto have previously been delivered to the Administrative Agent and
are
correct and complete. Schedule 5.01, as from time to time
hereafter supplemented in accordance with Sections 6.04(a) and
6.04(b), sets forth, as of the later of the date hereof or as of the
end
of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements are required
to
be furnished in accordance with such Sections, (i) the name and jurisdiction
of
organization of each Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) the address of the chief
executive office and principal place of business of each such Subsidiary, (iii)
each name under which each such Subsidiary conducts its business, (iv) each
jurisdiction in which each such Subsidiary owns real or tangible personal
property, (v) the number of authorized and issued shares and percentage
ownership of each such Subsidiary and (vi) whether such Subsidiary is a
Guarantor, an Immaterial Subsidiary, a Foreign Subsidiary or a Material Foreign
Subsidiary.
(c) Qualification. Each
of the Company and its Subsidiaries is duly and legally qualified to do business
as a foreign corporation or other entity and is in good standing in each state
or jurisdiction in which such qualification is required and is duly authorized,
qualified and licensed under all laws, regulations, ordinances or orders of
public authorities, or otherwise, to carry on its business in the places and
in
the manner in which it is conducted, except for failures to be so qualified,
authorized or licensed which would not in the aggregate reasonably be expected
to result, or create a material risk of resulting, in any Material Adverse
Effect.
(d) Capitalization. No
options, warrants, conversion rights, preemptive rights or other statutory
or
contractual rights to purchase shares of capital stock or other securities
of
any Subsidiary now exist, nor has any Subsidiary authorized any such right,
nor
is any Subsidiary obligated in any other manner to issue shares of its capital
stock or other securities.
5.02 Financial
Statements and Other Information; Material Agreements.
(a) Financial
Statements and Other Information. The Company has previously
furnished to the Lenders copies of the following:
(i) The
audited Consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as
at
June 30 in each of 2005 and 2006 and the audited Consolidated statements of
income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its
Subsidiaries for the fiscal years of the Company then ended.
(ii) The
unaudited Consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as
at
March 31, 2007 and the unaudited Consolidated statements of income, changes
in shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for
the portion of the fiscal year then ended.
53
(iii) The
five-year financial and operational projections for the Company previously
supplied to the Lenders and included as part of the offering memorandum for
the
initial syndication of the Obligations.
(iv) Calculations
demonstrating compliance with the Computation Covenants as of March 31,
2007.
The
audited Consolidated financial statements (including the notes thereto) referred
to in clause (i) above were prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly
present the financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a
Consolidated basis at the respective dates thereof and the results of their
operations for the periods covered thereby. The unaudited
Consolidated financial statements referred to in clause (ii) above were
prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly present the financial position
of
the Company and its Subsidiaries at the respective dates thereof and the results
of their operations for the periods covered thereby, subject to normal year-end
audit adjustment and the addition of footnotes in the case of interim financial
statements. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
known contingent liability material to the Company and its Subsidiaries on
a
Consolidated basis which is not reflected in the balance sheets referred to
in
clause (i) or (ii) above (or delivered pursuant to
Sections 6.04(a) and 6.04(b)) or in the notes thereto or
otherwise disclosed to the Administrative Agent in writing.
(b) Material
Agreements. The Company has previously furnished to the Lenders
correct and complete copies, including all exhibits, schedules and amendments
thereto, of the agreements and registration statements, each as in effect on
the
date hereof, listed in Schedule 5.02 which constitute all agreements
and instruments material to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated
basis (together with the Organization Documents for the Company and its
Subsidiaries, the “Material Agreements”).
5.03 Agreements
Relating to Indebtedness.
Schedule 5.03,
as from time to time hereafter supplemented in accordance with
Sections 6.04(a) and 6.04(b), sets forth the amounts (as of
the dates indicated in Schedule 5.03, as so supplemented) of all
Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries and all agreements which relate
to such Indebtedness.
5.04 Changes
in Condition.
Since
June 30, 2006, there has been no Material Adverse Effect (other than an
event described in Schedule 5.02), and since the later of June 30,
2006 or the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year for which
financial reports have been furnished to the Lenders in accordance with
Section 6.04(a), neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the
Company has entered into any material transaction outside the ordinary course
of
business except for the transactions permitted by this Agreement and the
Material Agreements or as described in Schedule 5.02.
5.05 Title to
Assets.
The
Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to, or adequate
license or leasehold rights in, all assets necessary for or used in the
operations of their business as now conducted by them and reflected in the
most
recent balance sheet referred to in Section 5.02(a) (or the balance
sheet most recently furnished to the Lenders pursuant to
Sections 6.04(a) or 6.04(b)),
and to all assets acquired subsequent to the date of such balance sheet, subject
to no Liens except for Liens permitted by Section 6.07 and except
for assets disposed of as permitted by Section 6.10.
54
5.06 Operations
in Conformity With Law, etc.
The
operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries as now conducted or proposed
to
be conducted are not in violation of, nor is the Company or its Subsidiaries
in
default under, any Legal Requirement presently in effect and applicable to
the
Company or such Subsidiary, except for such violations and defaults as do not
and would not reasonably be expected, in the aggregate, to result, or create
a
material risk of resulting, in any Material Adverse Effect. The
Company has received no notice of any such violation or default and has no
knowledge of any basis on which the operations of the Company or its
Subsidiaries, as now conducted and as currently proposed to be conducted after
the date hereof, would be held so as to violate or to give rise to any such
violation or default.
5.07 Litigation.
Except
as
described in Schedule 5.07, no litigation, at law or in equity, or
any proceeding before any court, board or other governmental or administrative
agency or any arbitrator is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or
any
Guarantor, threatened which may involve any material risk of any final judgment,
order or liability which, after giving effect to any applicable insurance,
has
resulted, or is reasonably expected to create a material risk of resulting,
in
any Material Adverse Effect or which seeks to enjoin the consummation, or which
questions the validity, of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or any other Loan Document. No judgment, decree or order of
any court, board or other governmental or administrative agency or any
arbitrator has been issued against or binds the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries which has resulted, or is reasonably likely to create a material
risk of resulting, in any Material Adverse Effect.
5.08 Authorization
and Enforceability.
Each
of
the Company and each other Obligor has taken all corporate action required
to
execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and each other Loan Document to
which it is party. No consent of stockholders of the Company is
necessary in order to authorize the execution, delivery or performance of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document to which the Company is
party. Each of this Agreement and each other Loan Document
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Obligor party
thereto and is enforceable against such Obligor in accordance with its terms
except as the enforceability of such documents may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws from time to time
in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally and by general
principles of equity, good faith and fair dealing.
5.09 No
Legal Obstacle to Agreements.
Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, nor
the
making of any borrowings hereunder, nor the guaranteeing of the Obligations,
nor
the securing of the Obligations with the Collateral, nor the consummation of
any
transaction referred to in or contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, nor the fulfillment of the terms hereof or thereof or of any other
agreement, instrument, deed or lease contemplated by this Agreement or any
other
Loan Document, has constituted or resulted in or will constitute or result
in:
(a) any
breach or termination of the provisions of any agreement, instrument, deed
or
lease to which the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any other Obligor is
a
party or by which it is bound, or of the Organization Documents of the Company,
any of its Subsidiaries or any other Obligor;
55
(b) the
violation in any material respect of any law, statute, judgment, decree or
governmental order, rule or regulation applicable to the Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or any other Obligor;
(c) the
creation under any agreement, instrument, deed or lease of any Lien (other
than
Liens which secure the Obligations) upon any of the assets of the Company,
any
of its Subsidiaries or any other Obligor; or
(d) any
redemption, retirement or other repurchase obligation of the Company, any of
its
Subsidiaries or any other Obligor under any Organization Document, agreement,
instrument, deed or lease.
No
approval, authorization or other action by, or declaration to or filing with,
any governmental or administrative authority or any other Person is required
to
be obtained or made by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any other Obligor
in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement,
the Notes or any other Loan Document, the transactions contemplated hereby
or
thereby, the making of any borrowing hereunder or the guaranteeing of the
Obligations or the securing of the Obligations with the Collateral (other than
filings necessary to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the
Collateral).
5.10 Defaults.
Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under any provision of
its
Organization Documents or of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in
default under any material provision of any material agreement, instrument,
deed
or lease to which it is party or by which it or its property is
bound. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has violated
any law, judgment, decree or governmental order, rule or regulation, in each
case so as to result, or to be reasonably expected to create a material risk
of
resulting, in any Material Adverse Effect.
5.11 Licenses,
etc.
The
Company and its Subsidiaries have all patents, patent applications, patent
licenses, patent rights, trademarks, trademark rights, trade names, trade name
rights, copyrights, licenses, franchises, permits, authorizations and other
rights as are necessary for the conduct of the business of the Company and
its
Subsidiaries as now conducted by them. All of the foregoing are in
full force and effect in all material respects, and each of the Company and
its
Subsidiaries is in substantial compliance with the foregoing without any known
conflict with the valid rights of others which has resulted, or is reasonably
likely to create a material risk of resulting, in any Material Adverse
Effect. No event has occurred which permits, or after notice or lapse
of time or both would permit, the revocation or termination of any such license,
franchise or other right or which affects the rights of any of the Company
and
its Subsidiaries thereunder so as to result, or is reasonably expected to create
a material risk of resulting, in any Material Adverse Effect. Except
as described in Schedule 5.07, no litigation or other proceeding or
dispute exists with respect to the validity or, where applicable, the extension
or renewal, of any of the foregoing which has resulted, or is reasonably likely
to create a material risk of resulting, in any Material Adverse
Effect.
56
5.12 Tax
Returns.
Each
of
the Company and its Subsidiaries has filed all material tax and information
returns which are required to be filed by it and has paid, or made adequate
provision for the payment of, all taxes which have become due pursuant to such
returns or to any assessment received by it, except with respect to those taxes
that the Company or its Subsidiaries are contesting in good
faith. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries knows of any
material additional assessments or any basis therefor. The Company
reasonably believes that the charges, accruals and reserves on the books of
the
Company and its Subsidiaries in respect of taxes or other governmental charges
are adequate.
5.13 Certain
Business Representations.
(a) Labor
Relations. No dispute or controversy between the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries and any of their respective employees has resulted, or
is
reasonably likely to result, in any Material Adverse Effect, and neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries anticipates that its relationships with
its
unions or employees will result, or are reasonably likely to result, in any
Material Adverse Effect. The Company has not experienced a strike or
other labor interruption in the past five years. The Company and each
of its Subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with all federal
and state laws with respect to (a) non discrimination in employment with which
the failure to comply, in the aggregate, has resulted, or is reasonably likely
to create a material risk of resulting, in a Material Adverse Effect and (b)
the
payment of wages.
(b) Antitrust. Each
of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects
with all federal and state antitrust laws relating to its business and the
geographic concentration of its business.
(c) Consumer
Protection. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in
violation of any rule, regulation, order, or interpretation of any rule,
regulation or order of the Federal Trade Commission (including
truth-in-lending), with which the failure to comply, in the aggregate, has
resulted, or is reasonably likely to create a material risk of resulting, in
a
Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Burdensome
Obligations. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is
party to or bound by any agreement, instrument, deed or lease or is subject
to
any Organization Document or other restriction, commitment or requirement which,
in the opinion of the management of such Person, is so unusual or burdensome
as
in the foreseeable future to result, or to be reasonably likely to create a
material risk of resulting, in a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Future
Expenditures. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
anticipate that the future expenditures, if any, by the Company and its
Subsidiaries needed to meet the provisions of any federal, state or foreign
governmental statutes, orders, rules or regulations will be so burdensome as
to
result, or create a material risk of resulting, in any Material Adverse
Effect.
5.14 Environmental
Regulations.
Except
to
the extent set forth in Schedule 5.14:
(a) Environmental
Compliance. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in
compliance in all material respects with the Environmental Laws in effect in
any
jurisdiction in which any properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
are located or where any of them conducts its business, and with all applicable
published rules and regulations (and applicable standards and requirements)
of
the federal Environmental Protection Agency and of any similar agencies in
states or foreign countries in which the Company or its Subsidiaries conducts
its business other than those which in the aggregate have not resulted, and
do
not create a material risk of resulting, in a Material Adverse
Effect.
(b) Environmental
Litigation. As of the date hereof and except where any matter
described in clauses (i) or (ii) would not reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) no suit, claim, action or proceeding of which
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has been given notice or otherwise has
knowledge is now pending before any court, governmental agency or board or
other
forum, or to the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ knowledge, threatened by
any Person (nor to the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ knowledge, does any
factual basis exist therefor), and (ii) neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries have received written correspondence from any federal, state or
local governmental authority with respect to:
57
(i) noncompliance
by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with any Environmental
Law;
(ii) personal
injury, wrongful death or other tortuous conduct relating to materials,
commodities or products used, generated, sold, transferred or manufactured
by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including products made of, containing
or incorporating asbestos, lead or other hazardous materials, commodities or
toxic substances); or
(iii) the
release into the environment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any
Hazardous Material generated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries whether
or not occurring at or on a site owned, leased or operated by the Company or
any
of its Subsidiaries.
(c) Hazardous
Material. The disposal or arrangement for disposal at any waste
disposal or dump sites at which Hazardous Material generated by either the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries has been disposed of directly by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries and all independent contractors to whom the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries have delivered Hazardous Material for disposal,
or to
the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ knowledge, where Hazardous Material
finally came to be located, has not resulted, and would not reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Environmental
Condition of Properties. No release of any Hazardous Material is
present in any real property currently or formerly owned or operated by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries except that which has not resulted, and
could
not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) No
Other Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties in this Section 5.14 constitute the sole and exclusive
representations and warranties of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect
to all matters arising under Environmental Laws.
5.15 Pension
Plans.
Each
Plan
(other than a Multiemployer Plan) and, to the knowledge of the Company and
its
Subsidiaries, each Multiemployer Plan is in material compliance with the
applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code. As of the date hereof,
each Multiemployer Plan and each Plan that constitutes a “defined benefit plan”
(as defined in ERISA) are set forth in Schedule 5.15. Each
ERISA Group Person has met all of the funding standards applicable to all Plans
that are not Multiemployer Plans, and no condition exists which would permit
the
institution of proceedings to terminate any Plan that is not a Multiemployer
Plan under section 4042 of ERISA. To the best knowledge of the
Company and each Subsidiary, no Plan that is a Multiemployer Plan is currently
insolvent or in reorganization or has been terminated within the meaning of
ERISA.
5.16 Government
Regulation; Margin Stock.
(a)
Government Regulation. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries, nor any Person controlling the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
or under common control with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, is subject
to regulation under the Federal Power Act, the Investment Company Act, the
Interstate Commerce Act or any statute or regulation which regulates the
incurring by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Financing Debt as
contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
58
(b) Margin
Stock. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries owns any
Margin Stock in excess of 25% of the value of the assets subject to any negative
pledge arrangement or covenants restricting asset sales.
5.17 Disclosure.
Neither
this Agreement nor any other Loan Document to be furnished to the Lenders by
or
on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby or by such Loan Document contains any untrue
statement of material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order
to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading in light
of
the circumstances under which they were made. No fact is actually
known to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which has not been disclosed
in
writing to the Lenders and which has resulted, or in the future (so far as
the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries can reasonably foresee) will result, or
is
reasonably expected to create a material risk of resulting, in any Material
Adverse Effect, except to the extent that present or future general economic
conditions may result in a Material Adverse Effect.
5.18 Solvency.
Each
Loan
Party is, individually and together with its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis, Solvent.
ARTICLE
VI
AFFIRMATIVE
AND NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Each
of
the Company and the Guarantors covenants that, until all of the Obligations
shall have been paid in full and until the Lenders’ commitments to extend credit
under this Agreement and any other Loan Document shall have been
irrevocably terminated, the Company and its Subsidiaries will comply with the
following provisions:
6.01 Taxes
and Other Charges.
Each
of
the Company and its Subsidiaries shall duly pay and discharge, or cause to
be
paid and discharged, before the same becomes in arrears, all material taxes,
assessments and other governmental charges imposed upon such Person and its
properties, sales or activities, or upon the income or profits therefrom, as
well as all material claims for labor, materials or supplies which if unpaid
might by law become a Lien upon any of its property; provided,
however, that any such tax, assessment, charge or claim need not be
paid
if the validity or amount thereof shall at the time be contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings and if such Person shall, in accordance with GAAP,
have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto; and
provided, further, that each of the Company and its Subsidiaries
shall pay or bond, or cause to be paid or bonded, all such taxes, assessments,
charges or other governmental claims immediately upon the commencement of
proceedings to foreclose any Lien which may have attached as security therefor
(except to the extent such proceedings have been dismissed or
stayed).
59
6.02 Conduct
of Business, etc.
(a) Types
of Business. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall engage
principally in the business of (a) specialty cellulose fibers, (b) nonwoven
and
air-laid materials and (c) other activities substantially related
thereto.
(b) Maintenance
of Properties. Each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries:
(i) shall
keep its properties in such repair, working order and condition, and shall
from
time to time make such repairs, replacements, additions and improvements thereto
as are necessary for the efficient operation of its businesses (in its
reasonable judgment) and shall comply at all times in all material respects
with
all material franchises, licenses and leases to which it is party so as to
prevent any loss or forfeiture thereof or thereunder, except where (i)
compliance is at the time being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings or (ii) failure to comply with the provisions being contested have
not resulted, or do not create a material risk of resulting, in the aggregate
in
any Material Adverse Effect; and
(ii) shall
do all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect
and
in good standing its legal existence and authority necessary to continue its
business; provided, however, that this Section 6.02(b)
(b) shall not prevent the merger, consolidation, reorganization, amalgamation
or
liquidation of Subsidiaries permitted by Section 6.10.
(c) Statutory
Compliance. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall comply
in all material respects with all valid and applicable statutes, laws,
ordinances, zoning and building codes and other rules and regulations of the
United States of America, of the states and territories thereof and their
counties, municipalities and other subdivisions and of any foreign country
or
other jurisdictions applicable to such Person, except where failure so to comply
would not reasonably be expected to result in the aggregate in any Material
Adverse Effect; provided, however, that compliance with
Environmental Laws shall be governed solely by
Section 6.18.
(d) Compliance
with Material Agreements. Each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries shall comply in all material respects with the Material Agreements
(to the extent not in violation of the other provisions of this Agreement or
any
other Loan Document). Without the prior written consent of the
Required Lenders, no Material Agreement listed on Schedule 5.02(b)
shall be amended, modified, waived or terminated in any manner that would have
in any material respect an adverse effect on the interests of the Lenders;
provided, however, that the consent of the Required Lenders shall
not be required with respect to any such amendment, modification, waiver or
termination of a Material Agreement other than (i) one of the indentures for
the
Company 2008 Notes, the Company 2010 Notes or the Company 2013 Notes or (ii)
to
the extent such action could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse
to
the rights and remedies of the Lenders, one of the Organization Documents for
the Company and its Subsidiaries.
6.03 Insurance.
(a) Business
Interruption Insurance. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall
maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers insurance related to
interruption of business, either for loss of revenues or for extra expense
as it
relates to the loss of revenues, in an amount deemed to be adequate in the
reasonable business judgment of the Company for the 12-month period of each
insurance policy, which amount shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent, and otherwise in the manner customary for businesses
of
similar size engaged in similar activities at similar locations.
60
(b) Property
Insurance. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall keep
its assets which are of an insurable character insured by financially sound
and
reputable insurers against theft and fraud and against loss or damage by fire,
explosion and hazards insured against by extended coverage to the extent, in
amounts and with deductibles at least as favorable as those generally maintained
by businesses of similar size engaged in similar activities and otherwise
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(c) Liability
Insurance. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall
maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers insurance against
liability for hazards, risks and liability to persons and property, including
product liability insurance, to the extent, in amounts and with deductibles
at
least as favorable as those generally maintained by businesses of similar size
engaged in similar activities at similar locations and otherwise reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided, however, that
it may effect workers’ compensation insurance or similar coverage with respect
to operations in any particular state or other jurisdiction through an insurance
fund operated by such state or jurisdiction or by meeting the self insurance
requirements of such state or jurisdiction.
(d) Collateral
Matters. The Administrative Agent shall be named as loss payee or
mortgagee, as its interest may appear, and/or additional insured with respect
to
any such insurance providing coverage in respect of any Collateral, and each
provider of any such insurance shall agree, by endorsement upon the policy
or
policies issued by it or by independent instruments furnished to the
Administrative Agent, that it will give the Administrative Agent thirty (30)
days prior written notice before any such policy or policies shall be altered
or
canceled
6.04 Financial
Statements and Reports.
Each
of
the Company and its Subsidiaries shall maintain a system of accounting in which
correct entries shall be made of all transactions in relation to their business
and affairs in accordance with generally accepted accounting
practice. The fiscal year of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall
end on June 30 in each year (except, in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries,
as otherwise required by local foreign law). The fiscal quarters of
the Company and its Subsidiaries shall end on September 30,
December 31, March 31 and June 30 in each year.
(a) Annual
Reports. The Company shall furnish to the Lenders as soon as
available, and in any event within 90 days after the end
of each fiscal year (or, if earlier, the date that is five (5) days after the
date that the Company’s 10-K filing is required to be delivered to the SEC), the
Consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end
of
such fiscal year, the Consolidated statements of income and Consolidated
statements of changes in shareholders’ equity and of cash flows of the Company
and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year (all in reasonable detail) and
together, in the case of Consolidated financial statements, with comparative
figures for the immediately preceding fiscal year, all accompanied
by:
(i) Unqualified
reports of Ernst & Young LLP (or, if they cease to be auditors of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, other independent certified public accountants
of
recognized national standing reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders),
containing no material uncertainty, to the effect that they have audited the
foregoing Consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards and that such Consolidated financial statements
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company
and its Subsidiaries covered thereby at the dates thereof and the results of
their operations for the periods covered thereby in conformity with
GAAP.
61
(ii) The
statement of such accountants that they have caused this Agreement to be
reviewed and that in the course of their audit of the Company and its
Subsidiaries no facts have come to their attention that cause them to believe
that any Default exists and in particular that they have no knowledge of any
Default under Section 6.05 or, if such is not the case,
specifying such Default and the nature thereof. This statement is
furnished by such accountants with the understanding that the examination of
such accountants cannot be relied upon to give such accountants knowledge of
any
such Default except as it relates to accounting or auditing matters within
the
scope of their audit.
(iii) A
certificate of the Company signed by a Financial Officer to the effect that
such
officer has caused this Agreement to be reviewed and has no knowledge of any
Default, or if such officer has such knowledge, specifying such Default and
the
nature thereof, and what action the Company has taken, is taking or proposes
to
take with respect thereto.
(iv) [intentionally
omitted.]
(v) A
Compliance Certificate in the form of Exhibit D demonstrating, as of the
end of such fiscal year, compliance with the Computation Covenants, certified
by
a Financial Officer.
(vi) Financial
information as to the assets of, and Investments of the Company and its
Subsidiaries in, each Immaterial Subsidiary as of the end of such fiscal year,
demonstrating that such Immaterial Subsidiary constitutes an “Immaterial
Subsidiary”.
(vii) [intentionally
omitted]
(viii) Supplements
to Schedules 5.01 and 5.03 showing any changes in the information
set forth in such Exhibits not previously furnished to the Lenders in writing,
which supplement must be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,
as
well as any changes in the Organization Documents or incumbency of officers
of
the Company or its Subsidiaries from those previously certified to the
Administrative Agent.
(ix) In
the event of a change in GAAP after June 30, 2006, computations by the
Company, certified by a Financial Officer, reconciling the financial statements
referred to above with financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP
as
applied to the other covenants in Article VI and related
definitions.
(b) Quarterly
Reports. The Company shall furnish to the Lenders as soon as
available and, in any event, within 45 days after the end of each of the first
three fiscal quarters of the Company (or, if earlier, the date that is five
(5)
days after the date that the Company’s 10-Q filing is required to be delivered
to the SEC), the internally prepared Consolidated balance sheets of the Company
and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal quarter, the Consolidated
statements of income, of changes in shareholders’ equity and of cash flows of
the Company and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarter and for the portion
of
the fiscal year then ended (all in reasonable detail) and together, with
comparative figures for the same period in the preceding fiscal year, all
accompanied by:
(i) A
certificate of the Company signed by a Financial Officer to the effect that
such
financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company and
its
Subsidiaries covered thereby at the dates thereof and the results of their
operations for the periods covered thereby, subject only to normal year end
audit adjustments and the addition of footnotes.
62
(ii) A
certificate of the Company signed by a Financial Officer to the effect that
such
officer has caused this Agreement to be reviewed and has no knowledge of any
Default, or if such officer has such knowledge, specifying such Default and
the
nature thereof and what action the Company has taken, is taking or proposes
to
take with respect thereto.
(iii) A
Compliance Certificate in the form of Exhibit D demonstrating, as of the
end of such quarter, compliance with the Computation Covenants, certified by
a
Financial Officer.
(iv) Supplements
to Schedules 5.01 and 5.03 showing any
changes in the information set forth in such Schedules not previously furnished
to the Lenders in writing, which supplement must be reasonably satisfactory
to
the Administrative Agent, as well as any changes in the Charter, Bylaws or
incumbency of officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries from those previously
certified to the Administrative Agent.
(v) In
the event of a change in GAAP after June 30, 2006, computations by the
Company, certified by a Financial Officer, reconciling the financial statements
referred to above with financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP
as
applied to the other covenants in Article VI and related
definitions.
(c) [intentionally
omitted.]
(d) Other
Reports. The Company shall promptly furnish to the
Lenders:
(i) As
soon as prepared and in any event before the beginning of each fiscal year,
an
annual plan for each fiscal quarter in such fiscal year of the Company and
its
Subsidiaries, prepared in a manner substantially consistent with the Company’s
historical practices and with the manner in which the financial projections
described in Section 5.02(a) were prepared.
(ii) Any
management letters furnished to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by the
Company’s auditors.
(iii) Such
registration statements, proxy statements and reports, including Forms X-0,
X-0,
X-0, X-0, 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, as may be filed by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries with the Securities and Exchange Commission; provided,
however, that if any such filing is available on XXXXX, the Company
must
only furnish notice of such filing to the Administrative Agent.
(iv) Any
90-day letter or 30-day letter from the federal Internal Revenue Service (or
the
equivalent notice received from state or other taxing authorities) asserting
a
tax deficiency against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of
$500,000.
(e) Notice
of Litigation; Notice of Defaults. Except with respect to matters
arising under Environmental Laws for which notices are required by
Section 6.18, the Company shall promptly furnish to the Lenders
notice of any litigation or any administrative or arbitration proceeding (a)
which would reasonably be expected to create a material risk of resulting,
after
giving effect to any applicable insurance, in the payment by the Company and
its
Subsidiaries of more than $5,000,000 or (b) which results, or would reasonably
be expected to create a material risk of resulting, in a Material Adverse
Effect. Promptly, and in any event within seven Business Days upon
acquiring knowledge thereof, the Company shall notify the Lenders of the
existence of any Default or Material Adverse Effect, specifying the nature
thereof and what action the Company or any Subsidiary has taken, is taking
or
proposes to take with respect thereto.
63
(f) ERISA
Reports. The Company shall furnish to the Lenders as soon as
reasonably available the following items with respect to any Plan:
(i) any
request for a waiver of the funding standards or an extension of the
amortization period,
(ii) any
reportable event (as defined in section 4043 of ERISA), unless the notice
requirement with respect thereto has been waived by regulation,
(iii) any
notice received by any ERISA Group Person that the PBGC has instituted or
intends to institute proceedings to terminate any Plan, or that any
Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or in reorganization,
(iv) notice
of the possibility of the termination of any Plan by its administrator pursuant
to section 4041 of ERISA, and
(v) notice
of the intention of any ERISA Group Person to withdraw, in whole or in part,
from any Multiemployer Plan.
(g) Other
Information. From time to time at reasonable intervals upon
request of any authorized officer of any Lender, the Company shall furnish
to
the Lenders such other information, substantially consistent in form and
substance to information historically prepared by the Company, regarding the
business, assets, financial condition or income of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as such officer may reasonably request, including copies of all
tax
returns and material licenses, agreements, leases and instruments to which
any
of the Company or its Subsidiaries is party. The Lenders’ authorized
officers and representatives shall have the right during normal business hours
upon reasonable notice and at reasonable intervals to inspect the properties
and
to examine the books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to
make
copies and notes therefrom for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with
or
obtaining enforcement of this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Upon the
reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent’s
commercial finance examiners may conduct field audits of the Company and its
Subsidiaries.
The
Company hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the
Arranger will make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer materials and/or
information provided by or on behalf of the Company hereunder (collectively,
“Company Materials”) by posting the Company Materials on IntraLinks or
another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the
Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to
receive material non-public information with respect to the Company or its
Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may
be
engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such
Persons’ securities. The Company hereby agrees that so long as the
Company is the issuer of any outstanding debt or equity securities that are
registered or issued pursuant to a private offering or is actively contemplating
issuing any such securities it
will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Company
Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such
Company Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a
minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first
page thereof (and each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that any
Company Material (other than that which is publicly filed with the SEC) not
marked on the first page thereof with the word “PUBLIC” shall be deemed to be
information not appropriate for transmission to a Public Lender and shall not
be
so transmitted); (x) by marking Company Materials “PUBLIC,” the Company shall be
deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the L/C Issuer
and the Lenders to treat such Company Materials as not containing any material
non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with
respect to the Company or their securities for purposes of United States Federal
and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent
such Company Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set
forth in Section 11.07); (y) all Company Materials marked “PUBLIC” are
permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated
“Public Investor;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall be
entitled to treat any Company Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being
suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public
Investor.”
64
6.05 Certain
Financial Tests.
(a) Consolidated
Leverage Ratio. Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries shall
permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter
of
the Company to exceed (i) from the Closing Date through and including the fiscal
quarter ending March 31, 2009, 5.25:1.0 and (ii) thereafter,
4.50:1.0.
(b) Consolidated
Interest Coverage Ratio. Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries
shall permit the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio as of the end of any
fiscal quarter of the Company for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters
then ending to be less than 2.00:1.0.
6.06 Indebtedness.
Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall create, incur, assume or otherwise
become or remain liable with respect to any Indebtedness including Guarantees
of
Indebtedness of others and reimbursement obligations, whether contingent or
matured, under letters of credit or other financial guarantees by third parties,
(or become contractually committed to do so), except the following:
(a) Indebtedness
in respect of the Obligations.
(b) Guarantees
by the Company and its Subsidiaries of Indebtedness incurred by its Subsidiaries
and permitted by the other provisions of this
Section 6.06.
(c) Current
liabilities, other than Financing Debt, incurred in the ordinary course of
business (including (a) accrued salaries, vacation and benefits, accounts
payable for services, inventory and equipment and other trade accounts payable
and (b) such current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business
by
Persons acquired by the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with
Section 6.08).
(d) To
the extent that payment thereof shall not at the time be required by
Section 6.01, Indebtedness in respect of taxes, assessments,
governmental charges and claims for labor, materials and supplies.
(e) Indebtedness
secured by Liens of carriers, warehouses, mechanics and landlords permitted
by
Sections 6.07(d) and 6.07(e).
(f) Indebtedness
in respect of judgments or awards (x) which have been in force for less than
the
applicable appeal period or (y) in respect of which the Company or any
Subsidiary shall at the time in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or
proceedings for review and, in the case of each of clauses (x) and (y), the
Company or such Subsidiary shall have taken appropriate reserves therefor in
accordance with GAAP and execution of such judgment or award shall not be
levied.
(g) To
the extent permitted by Section 6.07(h), Indebtedness in respect of
Capitalized Lease Obligations or secured by purchase money security interests;
provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of all
Indebtedness permitted by this Section 6.06(g) and by
Section 6.06(r) at any one time outstanding shall not exceed
$60,000,000.
65
(h) Indebtedness
in respect of deferred taxes arising in the ordinary course of
business.
(i) Indebtedness
in respect of intercompany loans and advances among the Company and its
Subsidiaries which are not prohibited by Section 6.08.
(j) [Intentionally
omitted.]
(k) Unfunded
pension liabilities and obligations with respect to Plans so long as the Company
is in compliance with Section 6.16.
(l) Indebtedness
outstanding on the date hereof and described in Schedule
5.03 and all refinancings and extensions thereof not
in excess of the amount thereof outstanding immediately prior to such
refinancing or extension; provided, however, that the Company 2008
Notes and the Company 2010 Notes may only be refinanced through the issuance
of
senior subordinated notes on market terms or through the issuance of other
notes
on terms to be agreed among the Company and the Required Lenders (it being
understood that this Section 6.06(l) does not prohibit the repayment of
such Indebtedness from cash-on-hand or advances hereunder, although Section
6.13 does restrict the repayment or repurchase of the Company 2010
Notes).
(m) Letters
of credit issued by foreign financial institutions for the account of Foreign
Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the aggregate face amount of
all Indebtedness permitted by this Section 6.06(m) shall not exceed
$10,000,000 in the Equivalent Amount of United States Funds at any one time
outstanding and provided, further, that the aggregate face amount
of all Indebtedness permitted by this Section 6.06(m) plus the
aggregate amount of all Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.06(p) at
one time outstanding shall not exceed $60,000,000 in the Equivalent Amount
of
United States Funds, computed as of the most recent date such Indebtedness
was
incurred.
(n) Unsecured
Guarantees by the Guarantors of the Company 2013 Notes, any other Approved
Public Debt and any Indebtedness refinancing Approved Public Debt (to the extent
such refinancing is otherwise permitted hereunder).
(o) Financing
Debt and unfunded pension liabilities of Subsidiaries acquired in accordance
with Section 6.08(e) or otherwise assumed by the Company and its
Subsidiaries in acquisitions permitted by Section 6.08(e) in an
aggregate amount not exceeding $25,000,000 for all such acquisitions after
the
Closing Date.
(p) Indebtedness
of Foreign Subsidiaries in respect of credit facilities to finance working
capital and other valid business purposes, provided, however that
the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness permitted by this
Section 6.06(p) and by Section 6.06(m) at any time
outstanding shall not exceed $60,000,000 in the Equivalent Amount of United
States Funds, computed as of the most recent date such Indebtedness was
incurred.
(q) Indebtedness
in respect of Hedge Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of
business.
(r) Indebtedness
of the Company in respect of an industrial development bond or other special
purpose financing for environmental Capital Expenditures at its manufacturing
facilities; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount
of all Indebtedness permitted by this Section 6.06(r) and by
Section 6.06(g) at any time outstanding (without duplication,
including without duplication of any Letter of Credit and underlying
Indebtedness covered by such Letter of Credit) shall not exceed
$60,000,000.
66
(s) Subordinated
Indebtedness so long as after giving effect to the incurrence thereof the
Company shall be in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth
in Section 6.05.
(t) [Intentionally
omitted.]
(u) Indebtedness
in addition to the Indebtedness permitted by the other provisions of this
Section 6.06; provided, however, that the aggregate
amount of all such Indebtedness permitted by this Section 6.06(u) at
any one time outstanding shall not exceed $25,000,000.
6.07 Liens.
Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall create, incur or enter into,
or
suffer to be created or incurred or to exist, any Lien (or become contractually
committed to do so) except the following:
(a) Liens
to secure taxes, assessments and other governmental charges, to the extent
that
payment thereof shall not at the time be required by
Section 6.01.
(b) Deposits
or pledges made (a) in connection with, or to secure payment of, workers’
compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other social security,
(b) in connection with casualty insurance maintained in accordance with
Section 6.03, (c) to secure the performance of bids, tenders,
contracts (other than contracts relating to Financing Debt), utilities or
leases, (d) to secure statutory obligations or surety or appeal bonds, (e)
to
secure indemnity, performance or other similar bonds in the ordinary course
of
business or (f) in connection with contested amounts to the extent that payment
thereof shall not at that time be required by Section 6.01.
(c) Liens
in respect of judgments or awards, to the extent that such judgments or awards
are permitted by Section 6.06(f).
(d) Liens
of carriers, warehouses, mechanics, suppliers and similar Liens, in each case
(i) in existence less than 90 days from the later of (A) the date of creation
thereof or (B) the date payment of Indebtedness secured thereby is due, or
(ii)
being contested in good faith by the Company or any Subsidiary in appropriate
proceedings (so long as the Company or such Subsidiary shall, in accordance
with
GAAP, have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect
thereto).
(e) Encumbrances
in the nature of (a) zoning restrictions, (b) easements, (c) restrictions of
record on the use of real property, (d) landlords’ and lessors’ Liens on rented
premises and (e) restrictions on transfers or assignment of leases, licenses
and
other contracts, which in each case do not materially detract from the value
of
the encumbered property or impair the use thereof in the business of the Company
or any Subsidiary.
(f) Restrictions
under federal and state securities laws and shareholder agreements on the
transfer of securities.
(g) Restrictions
under foreign trade regulations on the transfer or licensing of certain assets
of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
67
(h) Liens
constituting (a) purchase money security interests (including mortgages,
conditional sales, Capitalized Leases and any other title retention or deferred
purchase devices) in real property, interests in leases or tangible personal
property (other than inventory) existing or created on the date on which such
property is acquired or within 90 days thereafter, and (b) the renewal,
extension or refunding of any security interest referred to in the foregoing
clause (a) in an amount not to exceed the amount thereof remaining unpaid
immediately prior to such renewal, extension or refunding; provided,
however, that (i) each such security interest shall attach solely
to the
particular item of property so acquired, and the principal amount of
Indebtedness (including Indebtedness in respect of Capitalized Lease
Obligations) secured thereby shall not exceed the cost (including all such
Indebtedness secured thereby, whether or not assumed) of such item of property;
and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness secured by Liens
permitted by this Section 6.07(h) shall not exceed the amount
permitted by Section 6.06(g).
(i) Liens
securing industrial development bonds or other special purpose financing
permitted by Section 6.06(r) on the assets being acquired,
constructed or improved with the proceeds of such bonds.
(j) Liens
securing the Obligations.
(k) Rights
of set-off held by any banks.
(l) Liens
on foreign assets owned by Foreign Subsidiaries to secure Indebtedness of
Foreign Subsidiaries in respect of credit facilities permitted by
Section 6.06(p).
(m) Pledge
of certificates of deposit of the Company constituting Guarantees permitted
by
Section 6.06(j).
(n) Liens
existing on the Closing Date as described on Schedule 6.07, and all
subsequent Liens on the same assets to secure Indebtedness permitted by
Section 6.06(l).
(o) [intentionally
omitted].
(p) Other
Liens securing obligations not in excess of $15,000,000 at any one time
outstanding.
6.08 Investments
and Acquisitions.
Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall have outstanding, acquire, commit
itself to acquire or hold any Investment (including any Investment consisting
of
the acquisition of any business) (or become contractually committed to do so)
except for the following:
(a) Investments
of the Company and its Subsidiaries in Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (a) which
are
domestic Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement or (b) which become
domestic Wholly Owned Subsidiaries after the Closing Date and become Guarantors
to the extent required by Section 10.08; provided, however,
that the aggregate book value of all assets (other than intercompany
obligations) owned by Immaterial Subsidiaries shall not exceed
$5,000,000.
(b) Intercompany
loans and advances from any Subsidiary to the Company or any Guarantor that,
in
the case of loans or advances from Foreign Subsidiaries, are subordinated to
the
Obligations in accordance with the Foreign Subsidiary Subordination
Agreement.
(c) Investments
in Cash Equivalents.
68
(d) Guarantees
permitted by Section 6.06.
(e) So
long as immediately before and after giving effect thereto no Default exists,
and so long as the Company (if the Company is party thereto) or a Guarantor
(if
the Company is not party thereto) is the surviving entity, the Company and
its
Subsidiaries may acquire another entity in the same line of business as the
Company as described in Section 6.02(a):
(i) at
all times when the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is greater than 4.25 for the
most
recent period of four consecutive fiscal quarters (calculated on a pro forma
basis giving effect to the proposed acquisition as if such acquisition had
been
consummated at the beginning of such period) for which financial reports have
been (or are required to have been) furnished to the Lenders in accordance
with
Sections 6.04(a) or 6.04(b), only with the consent of the
Required Lenders;
(ii) at
all other times, for a purchase price not exceeding, except with the
consent of the Required Lenders, $100,000,000 in cash (excluding consideration
consisting of Capital Stock, the proceeds of the issuance of Capital Stock
or
Subordinated Indebtedness), in cumulative aggregate purchase price for all
acquisitions permitted by this Section 6.08(e) during the period
from the Closing Date through the Maturity Date; provided,
however, that (i) the acquisition must be approved by the target entity’s
board of directors, (ii) the Company must be in compliance with the Computation
Covenants immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, (iii) the
acquired entity must not have any environmental liabilities which, after giving
effect to such acquisition, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect and (iv) any Subsidiary acquired under this Section
6.08(e) (other than (a) a Foreign Subsidiary that does not constitute a
Material Foreign Subsidiary or (b) any Immaterial Subsidiary if the aggregate
book value of the assets (other than intercompany obligations) of all Immaterial
Subsidiaries acquired under this Section 6.08(e) since the Closing
Date does not exceed $5,000,000) shall guarantee the Obligations, as
contemplated by Section 10.09.
(f) Investments
in Unrestricted Affiliates engaged in businesses contemplated by
Section 6.02(a) in an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed, at
the time any such Investment is made, (a) $25,000,000 at all times when the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio exceeds 4.00 and (b) $45,000,000 at all other
times.
(g) Loans
or advances to employees of the Company in an amount not to exceed (a)
$1,000,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any time for the purchase of capital
stock of the Company and (b) $5,000,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any
time
for all other purposes.
(h) So
long as immediately before and after giving effect thereto no Default exists,
Investments of the Company and its Subsidiaries in foreign Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (i) such Investments shall
not involve the transfer of substantial noncash assets from the Company and
its
domestic Subsidiaries to its Foreign Subsidiaries other than up to $35,000,000
in book value of foreign patents and foreign trademarks; and (ii) net cash
Investments of the Company and its domestic Subsidiaries in Foreign Subsidiaries
made pursuant to this Section 6.08(h) at any one time outstanding shall
not exceed the sum of (x) $50,000,000, plus (y) the amount of Capital
Expenditures incurred by such Foreign Subsidiaries, which amount shall not
exceed $10,000,000 in any fiscal year (provided that the amount of permitted
capital expenditures set forth in this clause (y) in respect of any fiscal
year
commencing with the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2008, shall be increased
by
any portion of the $10,000,000 yearly basket not used during the prior fiscal
year), plus (z) Investments outstanding on the date hereof as described in
Schedule 6.08(h).
69
(i) So
long as immediately before and after giving effect thereto no Default exists,
and providedthat the Company complies with
Section 10.08, the Company may create a Wholly Owned Subsidiary
that
constitutes a holding company for the Company’s European
Subsidiaries.
(j) Investments
in any existing or newly-created Subsidiaries consisting of assets transferred
pursuant to Section 6.10(h).
6.09 Distributions.
Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall make any Distribution (or become
contractually committed to do so) except for the following:
(a) Subsidiaries
of the Company may make Distributions to the Company or any Wholly Owned
Subsidiary of the Company, and the Company and its Subsidiaries may make
Investments permitted by Section 6.08.
(b) So
long as immediately before and after giving effect thereto no Default exists,
the Company may make Distributions in an aggregate amount which shall not exceed
the sum of (i) 50% of the sum of the Consolidated Net Income (which may be
a
negative number) for each fiscal quarter after September 30, 2007, plus (ii)
the
net amount received by the Company from the exercise of options and
other purchases of Company’s Capital Stock after September 30, 2007
by Company employees plus (iii) (a) $35,000,000 at any time when the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than 4.00 or (b) $15,000,000 at any time
when the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 4.00, which
amount in this clause (iii) may be applied to pay dividends to stockholders
or to repurchase shares of the Company’s Capital Stock from its stockholders
only after the amounts in clauses (i) and (ii) have already been applied in
their entirety to pay dividends or to make stock repurchases; provided,
however, that the Company shall not make Distributions to pay dividends
on or in respect of any shares of the Company’s Capital Stock or to repurchase
shares of the Company’s Capital Stock from its stockholders at any time when the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio is greater than 4.50; and
provided, further, that for the purpose of this
Section 6.09(b), Consolidated Net Income shall be
increased by any
amounts deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income in respect of noncash
charges related to asset impairments.
(c) The
Company may pay interest on and principal of the Approved Public Debt and any
permitted refinancings thereof in accordance with the respective payment and
subordination provisions thereof, if any and may make Distributions in respect
of any voluntary prepayments, repurchases or redemptions permitted by
Section 6.13.
(d) So
long as immediately before and after giving effect thereto no Default exists,
any of the Company and its Subsidiaries may repay intercompany Indebtedness
and
interest thereon owing to any of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
(e) So
long as immediately before and after giving effect thereto no Default exists,
the Company may repurchase shares of its stock from employees whose employment
with the Company and its Subsidiaries has terminated, to the extent required
by
the Company’s nonqualified employee benefit plans and contracts in an aggregate
amount not exceeding the sum of $1,000,000 in any fiscal year plus net amounts
received by the Company during such fiscal year from the exercise of options
and
other purchases of Company stock by employees.
6.10 Asset
Dispositions and Mergers.
70
Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall merge or enter into a
consolidation or sell, lease, sell and lease back, sublease or otherwise dispose
of any of its assets (or become contractually committed to do so), except the
following:
(a) The
Company and any of its Subsidiaries may sell or otherwise dispose of (i)
inventory in the ordinary course of business, (ii) tangible assets to be
replaced in the ordinary course of business within 12 months by other tangible
assets of equal or greater value, and (iii) tangible assets that are no longer
used or useful in the business of the Company or such Subsidiary.
(b) Any
Subsidiary of the Company may merge, amalgamate or be liquidated or reorganized
into the Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company so long as after
giving effect to any such merger to which the Company or a Guarantor is a party
the Company or (if the Company is not party thereto) a Guarantor shall be the
surviving or resulting Person.
(c) So
long as immediately before and after giving effect thereto no Default exists,
the Company may, in addition to transactions permitted under Section
6.10(a), sell or otherwise dispose of assets for fair value;
provided, however, that the Company shall make any prepayments of
the Loan required by Section 2.05 as a result of such
Disposition.
(d) So
long as immediately before and after giving effect thereto no Default exists,
the Company may sell or otherwise dispose of assets for fair market value so
long as the fair market value of all items so sold or disposed of plus all
items
sold or disposed of pursuant to Section 6.10(a)(iii) shall not
exceed $25,000,000 in any fiscal year.
(e) Mergers
constituting Investments permitted by Section 6.08(e).
(f) [intentionally
omitted].
(g) Transfers
by the Company and its domestic Subsidiaries of foreign patents, foreign
trademarks and other foreign assets to its Foreign Subsidiaries to the extent
permitted by Section 6.08(h).
6.11 [intentionally
omitted.]
6.12 Issuance
of Stock by Subsidiaries; Subsidiary Distributions, etc.
(a) Issuance
of Stock by Subsidiaries. No Wholly Owned Subsidiary shall issue
or sell any shares of its capital stock or other evidence of beneficial
ownership (except for directors’ qualifying shares and, in the case of Foreign
Subsidiaries, shares required to be held by foreign nationals) to any Person
other than the Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the
Company.
(b) No
Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions. Except for this
Agreement and the Loan Documents and except as provided in the credit facilities
of the Foreign Subsidiaries permitted by Section 6.15(d) or required by
law, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall enter into or be bound by
any
agreement (including covenants requiring the maintenance of specified amounts
of
net worth or working capital) restricting the right of any Subsidiary to make
distributions or extensions of credit to the Company (directly or indirectly
through another Subsidiary).
(c) Observance
of Corporate Formalities. Except to the extent permitted by
Section 6.02(b), the Company’s Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial
Subsidiaries) shall observe all Legal Requirements necessary to preserve their
separate existences as independent corporations, limited partnerships or other
entities, including keeping separate corporate records and financial statements,
electing officers and directors, holding director meetings, formally issuing
equity interests and recording as independent all transactions with the Company
and its other Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries), except where
the failure to observe any of the foregoing is not reasonably likely to cause
a
Material Adverse Effect.
71
6.13 Voluntary
Prepayments of Other
Indebtedness.
(a) Except
as provided in Section 6.13(b), neither the Company nor any of its
Domestic Subsidiaries shall make any voluntary prepayment of principal of or
interest on any Financing Debt (other than the Obligations) or make any
voluntary redemptions or repurchases of Financing Debt (other than the
Obligations), except that the Company and its Domestic Subsidiaries may
refinance Financing Debt to the extent permitted by
Section 6.06.
(b) Notwithstanding
Section 6.13(a), the Company and any of its Domestic Subsidiaries may
make voluntary prepayments of principal of or interest on, or make voluntary
redemptions or repurchases of (collectively, “Prepayments”), the Approved
Public Debt to the extent permitted by the terms thereof, provided that
(i) no Event of Default exists immediately before and after giving effect to
such Prepayment, (ii) in the case of the Company 2010 Notes such Prepayments
shall be permitted only (x) after the Company 2008 Notes have been paid in
full
(provided, however, that the Company shall be permitted to effect the Prepayment
of the Company 2010 Notes of up to an aggregate principal amount of $20,000,000
prior to the Prepayment in full of the Company 2008 Notes)and (y) if after
giving effect thereto the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than 4.50 and
(iii) in the case of the Company 2013 Notes such Prepayments shall be permitted
only (x) after the Company 2010 Notes have been paid in full and (y) if after
giving effect thereto the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than
4.50.
6.14 Derivative
Contracts. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall
enter into any Hedge Agreement or other financial or commodity derivative
contracts except to provide hedge protection for an underlying economic
transaction in the ordinary course of business.
6.15 Negative
Pledge Clauses. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
shall enter into any agreement, instrument, deed or lease which prohibits or
limits the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur,
assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of their respective properties,
assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or which requires
the grant of any collateral for such obligation if collateral is granted for
another obligation, except the following:
(a) This
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
(b) Covenants
in documents creating Liens permitted by Section 6.07 prohibiting
further Liens on the assets encumbered thereby.
(c) Covenants
in the indentures for the Approved Public Debt as in effect on the Closing
Date
and permitted refinancings thereof.
(d) Covenants
in the credit facilities of the Foreign Subsidiaries permitted by
Section 6.06(p) prohibiting further Liens on the assets of the
Foreign Subsidiaries, restrictions required by law or customary non-assignment
provisions.
6.16 ERISA,
etc. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall comply, and
shall cause all ERISA Group Persons to comply, in all material respects, with
the provisions of ERISA and the Code applicable to each Plan. Each of
the Company and its Subsidiaries shall meet, and shall cause all ERISA Group
Persons to meet, all minimum funding requirements applicable to them with
respect to any Plan pursuant to section 302 of ERISA or section 412 of the
Code,
without giving effect to any waivers of such requirements or extensions of
the
related amortization periods which may be granted, except if the failure to
comply would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect. At no time shall the Accumulated Benefit Obligations under
any Plans that are not Multiemployer Plans exceed the fair market value of
the
assets of such Plans allocable to such benefits by more than
$5,000,000. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall not withdraw, and
shall cause all other ERISA Group Persons not to withdraw, in whole or in part,
from any Multiemployer Plan so as to give rise to withdrawal liability exceeding
$5,000,000 in the aggregate. At no time shall the actuarial present
value of unfunded liabilities for post-employment health care benefits, whether
or not provided under a Plan, calculated in a manner consistent with Statement
No. 106 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, as amended by Statement
No.
158 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, exceed
$40,000,000.
72
6.17 Transactions
with Affiliates. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
shall effect any transaction with any of their respective Affiliates (except
for
the Company and its Subsidiaries) on a basis less favorable, in the reasonable,
good faith judgment of the Company, to the Company and its Subsidiaries than
would be the case if such transaction had been effected with a
non-Affiliate.
6.18 Environmental
Laws.
(a) Compliance
with Law and Permits. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries
shall use and operate all of its facilities and properties in material
compliance with all Environmental Laws (for purposes of this sentence, any
such
facility that is now or hereafter listed on the National Priorities List
pursuant to procedures described in 40 C.F.R. ss.300.425 shall be
deemed solely for purposes of this sentence not to be in material compliance
with Environmental Laws), keep all necessary permits, approvals, certificates,
licenses and other authorizations relating to environmental matters in effect
and remain in material compliance therewith, and handle all Hazardous Materials
in material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, except where
such
failure to use, operate, keep, or handle in compliance would not reasonably
be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Notice
of Claims, etc. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall,
as soon as reasonably practicable, notify the Administrative Agent, and provide
copies (when applicable) of (a) any failure to comply with
Section 6.18(a) or (b) upon receipt, of all written claims,
complaints, notices or inquiries from governmental authorities relating to
any
alleged noncompliance with or liability under Environmental Laws with respect
to
the facilities or properties that might reasonably be expected to result in
payments by the Company and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding
$5,000,000 in excess of applicable insurance.
6.19 Interpretation
of Covenants. In Sections 6.06 through 6.19,
the various permitted transactions provided in the subsections to each
Section are cumulative and not exclusive of each other. The
Company and its Subsidiaries may decide in their reasonable discretion which
of
the various applicable subsections shall apply to a particular
transaction.
6.20 Use
of Proceeds. The Company shall use the proceeds of the Loans for
(a) working capital, (b) payoff of outstanding indebtedness, including all
or a
portion of the Company 2008 Notes and/or the Company 2010 Notes and (c) general
corporate purposes not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan
Document.
6.21 Pledged
Assets.
Each
of
the Company and the Guarantors shall:
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(a) Capital
Stock. Cause (a) 100% of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock
of each Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) and (b) 65%
(or such greater percentage that, due to a change in an applicable Law after
the
date hereof, (1) would not cause the undistributed earnings of such Material
Foreign Subsidiary as determined for United States federal income tax purposes
to be treated as a deemed dividend to such Material Foreign Subsidiary’s United
States parent and (2) would not cause any material adverse tax consequences)
of
the issued and outstanding Capital Stock entitled to vote (within the meaning
of
Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity
Interests not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section
1.956-2(c)(2)) in each Material Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by a Company
or any Domestic Subsidiary to be subject at all times to a first priority,
perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms and
conditions of the Collateral Documents, together with opinions of counsel and
any filings and deliveries reasonably necessary in connection therewith to
perfect the security interests therein, all in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. In the event that either
the Company or a Guarantor is required to pledge the Capital Stock of any Person
pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, (A) in the event such Person
has
become a new Subsidiary of the Company by way of acquisition or has been newly
formed, such pledge shall be required concurrently with such acquisition or
formation, and (B) otherwise, the Company or such Guarantor shall have (x)
in
the case of a pledge of the Capital Stock of a Domestic Subsidiary, thirty
(30)
days from the relevant date of determination to effectuate such pledge and
(y)
in the case of a pledge of the Capital Stock of a Material Foreign Subsidiary,
thirty (30) days from the relevant date of determination or, to the extent
applicable under clauses (a)(ii) or (b)(ii) of the definition of “Material
Foreign Subsidiary”, designation (of the Material Foreign Subsidiary the Capital
Stock of which is to be so pledged) to effectuate such pledge; provided,
however, that in all cases of a pledge of the Capital Stock of a Material
Foreign Subsidiary, the Company or Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be
permitted such additional time as may be reasonably necessary to effectuate
such
pledge, provided the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, is
diligently pursuing the same.
(b) Other
Property. (i) Cause all of its owned real and personal property
(other than property excluded pursuant to the terms of the Security Agreement
or
that is covered by Section 6.21(a)) to be subject at all times to first
priority, perfected Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent to secure the
Obligations pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents
or,
with respect to any such property acquired subsequent to the Closing Date,
such
other additional security documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably
request, subject in any case to Liens permitted hereunder and (ii) deliver
such
other documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in
connection with the foregoing, including, without limitation, appropriate UCC-1
financing statements, real estate title insurance policies, surveys,
environmental reports, landlord’s waivers, certified resolutions and other
organizational and authorizing documents of such Person, favorable opinions
of
counsel to such Person (which shall cover, among other things, the legality,
validity, binding effect and enforceability of the documentation referred to
above and the perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Liens thereunder) and
other items of the types required to be delivered pursuant to Section
4.01, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent. With respect to any such property acquired
after the Closing Date, the Company or the relevant Guarantor, as the case
may
be, shall be permitted sixty (60) days to effectuate the purposes of this
Section 6.21(b), or such additional time as may be reasonably necessary
to effectuate the same, provided the Company or such Guarantor, as the case
may
be, is diligently pursuing the same.
6.22 Further
Assurances. The Company shall, promptly upon request
by the
Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, (a)
correct any material defect or error that may be discovered in any Loan Document
or in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation thereof, and (b)
do,
execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and
re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances
and
other instruments as the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the
Administrative Agent, may reasonably require from time to time in order to
(i)
carry out more effectively the purposes of the Loan Documents, (ii) to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject any Loan Party’s or any of
its Subsidiaries’ properties, assets, rights or interests to the Liens now or
hereafter intended to be covered by any of the Security Documents, (iii) perfect
and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of any of the Security
Documents and any of the Liens intended to be created thereunder and (iv)
assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer, preserve, protect and confirm more
effectively unto the Lenders the rights granted or now or hereafter intended
to
be granted to the Lenders under any Loan Document or under any other instrument
executed in connection with any Loan Document to which any Loan Party or any
of
its Subsidiaries is or is to be a party, and cause each of its Subsidiaries
to
do so.
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6.23 Post-Closing
Deliveries.
(a) Within 30 days
of the date on which the Administrative Agent notifies the Company in writing
that, after a diligent effort, the Administrative Agent has not been able to
locate the original promissory notes evidencing the intercompany Indebtedness
that were delivered to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the Existing
Credit Agreement, or by such later date as the Administrative Agent agrees,
the
Company shall deliver to the Administrative Agent duly executed
replacement promissory notes evidencing the intercompany Indebtedness set forth
on Schedule 5.03; provided that the Administrative Agent shall deliver to
the Company a lost note affidavit and indemnity in a form reasonably
satisfactory to the Company.
(b) Within 60 days
of the Closing Date, or by such later date as the Administrative Agent agrees,
the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effect
supplemental filings relating to certain intellectual property of the Company
that constitutes a portion of the Collateral.
(c) Within 60 days
of the Closing Date, or by such later date as the Administrative Agent agrees,
the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each
“Creditor Access to Borrower’s Assets” or similar agreement to be updated so as
to refer to this Agreement, as the same may be amended, modified or restated
from time to time.
(d) No
later than August 30, 2007, the Company shall cause each deposit account
indicated as “To be Closed” on Schedule 3(a) to the Security Agreement to be
closed or, alternatively, to be subject to a deposit account control agreement
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent.
ARTICLE
VII
[Intentionally
Omitted]
ARTICLE
VIII
EVENTS
OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
8.01 Events
of Default. The following events are referred to as “Events of
Default”:
(a) Payment. The
Company shall fail to make any payment in respect of: (a) interest or any fee
on
or in respect of any of the Obligations owed by it as the same shall become
due
and payable, and such failure shall continue for a period of three Business
Days, or (b) any Obligation with respect to payments made by any Issuer under
any Letter of Credit or any draft drawn thereunder within three Business Days
after demand therefor by such Issuer or (c) principal of any of the Obligations
owed by it as the same shall become due, whether at maturity or by acceleration
or otherwise.
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(b) Specified
Covenants. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to
perform or observe any of the provisions of Sections 6.05 through
6.15.
(c) Other
Covenants. The Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any other
Obligor, shall fail to perform or observe any covenant, agreement or provision
to be performed or observed by it under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document (other than covenants, agreements or provisions with which the failure
to comply would constitute an Event of Default under
Sections 8.01(b), 8.01(i), 8.01(j) or 8.01(k)),
and such failure shall not be rectified or cured to the written satisfaction
of
the Required Lenders, in the case of the failure to perform or observe any
other
covenant, agreement or provision, in either case within 30 days after the
earlier of (a) notice thereof by the Administrative Agent to the Company or
(b)
a Financial Officer shall have actual knowledge thereof.
(d) Representations
and Warranties. Any representation or warranty of or with respect
to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any other Loan Party made to the
Lenders or the Administrative Agent in, pursuant to or in connection with this
Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be false in any material respect
on
the date as of which it was made.
(e) Cross
Default, etc.
(i) The
Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to make any payment when due
(after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) in respect of any
Financing Debt (other than the Obligations or the Stac-Pac notes described
in
Schedule 5.03) outstanding in an aggregate amount of principal
(whether or not due) and accrued interest exceeding $10,000,000;
(ii) the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to perform or observe the terms
of
any agreement or instrument relating to such Financing Debt, and such failure
shall continue, without having been duly cured, waived or consented to, beyond
the period of grace, if any, specified in such agreement or instrument, and
such
failure shall permit the acceleration of such Financing Debt;
(iii) all
or any part of such Financing Debt of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
shall be accelerated or shall become due or payable prior to its stated maturity
for any reason whatsoever;
(iv) any
Lien on any property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries securing any
such
Financing Debt shall be enforced by foreclosure or similar action and (i) within
30 days thereafter, such enforcement or similar action shall not have been
discharged, vacated, bonded or stayed or (ii) within 30 days after the
expiration of any such stay, such enforcement or similar action shall not have
been discharged, vacated or bonded; or
(v) any
holder of any such Financing Debt shall exercise any right of rescission or
put
right with respect thereto.
(f) Ownership;
Liquidation; etc. Except as permitted by
Section 6.10:
(i) the
Company shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, all the capital stock of
its
Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (other than director’s qualifying shares and, in the
case of Foreign Subsidiaries, shares required to be owned by foreign
nationals);
76
(ii) (A) any
“person” or “group” (as such terms are used in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Exchange Act), other than the current members of the Company’s management who
directly (or indirectly through Affiliates) own capital stock of the Company
is
or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the
Exchange Act except that a Person shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership”
of all securities that such Person has the right to acquire, whether such right
is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or
indirectly, of more than 35% of the total voting stock of the
Company;
(B) the
Company consolidates with, or mergers with or into, another Person or sells,
assigns, conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or
substantially all of its assets to any Person, or any Person consolidates with,
or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction
in which any voting stock of the Company is reclassified or changed into or
exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such
transaction where (A) any voting stock of the Company is reclassified or changed
into or exchanged for voting stock (other than redeemable capital stock) of
the
surviving or transferee corporation and (B) immediately after such transaction
no “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
the Exchange Act), other than the current members of the Company’s management
who directly (or indirectly through Affiliates) own capital stock of the
Company, is the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under
the Exchange Act, except that a Person shall be deemed to have “beneficial
ownership” of all securities that such Person has the right to acquire, whether
such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time),
directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the total voting stock of the
surviving or transferee corporation;
(C) during
any consecutive two-year period, individuals who at the beginning of such period
constituted the board of directors of the Company (together with any new
directors whose election by such board of directors or whose nomination for
election by the stockholders of the Company was approved by a vote of two thirds
of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning
of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously
so
approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the board of
directors of the Company then in office; or
(D) any
final order, judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction shall
be
entered against the Company decreeing the dissolution or liquidation of the
Company; or (c) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Obligor
shall initiate any action to dissolve, liquidate or otherwise terminate its
existence.
(g) Enforceability,
etc. Any Loan Document shall cease for any reason (other than the
scheduled termination thereof in accordance with its terms) to be enforceable
in
accordance with its terms or in full force and effect; or any party to any
Loan
Document shall so assert in a judicial or similar proceeding; or the security
interests (if any) created by this Agreement or any other Loan Documents shall
cease to be enforceable and of the same effect and priority purported to be
created hereby.
(h) Judgments. A
final judgment (a) which, with other outstanding final judgments against the
Company and its Subsidiaries, exceeds an aggregate of $10,000,000 in excess
of
applicable insurance coverage shall be rendered against the Company or any
of
its Subsidiaries, or (b) which grants injunctive relief that results, or is
reasonably likely to create a material risk of resulting, in a Material Adverse
Effect and in either case if, (i) within 30 days after entry thereof, such
judgment shall not have been discharged or execution thereof stayed pending
appeal or (ii) within 30 days after the expiration of any such stay, such
judgment shall not have been discharged.
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(i) ERISA. Any
“reportable event” (as defined in section 4043 of ERISA) shall have occurred
that reasonably could be expected to result in termination of a Plan or the
appointment by the appropriate United States District Court of a trustee to
administer any Plan or the imposition of a Lien in favor of a Plan; or any
ERISA
Group Person shall fail to pay when due amounts aggregating in excess of
$10,000,000 which it shall have become liable to pay to the PBGC or to a Plan
under Title IV of ERISA; or notice of intent to terminate a Plan shall be filed
under Title IV of ERISA by any ERISA Group Person or administrator; or the
PBGC shall institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate or to
cause a trustee to be appointed to administer any Plan or a proceeding shall
be
instituted by a fiduciary of any Plan against any ERISA Group Person to enforce
section 515 or 4219(c)(5) of ERISA and such proceeding shall not have been
dismissed within 30 days thereafter; or a condition shall exist by reason of
which the PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree adjudicating that any Plan
must be terminated.
(j) Bankruptcy,
etc. The Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any other Obligor
shall:
(i) commence
a voluntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or authorize, by appropriate
proceedings of its board of directors or other governing body, the commencement
of such a voluntary case;
(ii) (A)
have filed against it a petition commencing an involuntary case under the
Bankruptcy Code that shall not have been dismissed within 60 days after the
date
on which such petition is filed, or (B) file an answer or other pleading within
such 60-day period admitting or failing to deny the material allegations of
such
a petition or seeking, consenting to or acquiescing in the relief therein
provided, or (C) have entered against it an order for relief in any involuntary
case commenced under the Bankruptcy Code;
(iii) seek
relief as a debtor under any applicable law, other than the Bankruptcy Code,
of
any jurisdiction relating to the liquidation or reorganization of debtors or
to
the modification or alteration of the rights of creditors, or consent to or
acquiesce in such relief;
(iv) have
entered against it an order by a court of competent jurisdiction (i) finding
it
to be bankrupt or insolvent, (ii) ordering or approving its liquidation or
reorganization as a debtor or any modification or alteration of the rights
of
its creditors or (iii) assuming custody of, or appointing a receiver or other
custodian for, all or a substantial portion of its property;
(v) make
an assignment for the benefit of, or enter into a composition with, its
creditors, or appoint, or consent to the appointment of, or suffer to exist
a
receiver or other custodian for, all or a substantial portion of its property;
or
(vi) have
admitted or acknowledged in writing that it is unable to pay its debts as they
come due.
(k) Environmental
Matters. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to
comply with any Environmental Law in effect in any jurisdiction in which any
properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are located or where any
of
them conducts its business, which failure would be reasonably likely to result
in or create a material risk of resulting in a Material Adverse Effect and
within 30 days after such noncompliance, the Company or its Subsidiaries shall
continue to be out of compliance with such Environmental Law; provided,
however, that such 30-day period may be extended for up to an additional
150 days so long as (a) such noncompliance is reasonably capable of cure within
such 150-day period, and the Company and its Subsidiaries shall have commenced,
and shall continue to pursue diligently, a cure for such noncompliance and
(b)
no Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred.
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8.02 Certain
Actions Following an Event of Default. If any one or more Events
of Default shall occur, then in each and every such case:
(a) Terminate
Obligation to Extend Credit. Upon request of the Required
Lenders, the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders shall terminate
the
obligations of the Lenders to make any further extensions of credit under the
Loan Documents by furnishing notice of such termination to the Company;
provided, however, that if a Bankruptcy Default shall have
occurred, the obligations of the Lenders to make any further extensions of
credit under the Loan Documents shall automatically terminate.
(b) Specific
Performance; Exercise of Rights. Upon request of the Required
Lenders, the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders shall proceed to
protect and enforce the Lenders’ rights by suit in equity, action at law and/or
other appropriate proceeding, either for specific performance of any covenant
or
condition contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than
Hedge Agreements or Cash Management Agreements) or in any instrument or
assignment delivered to the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement or any other
Loan
Document (other than Hedge Agreements or Cash Management Agreements), or in
aid
of the exercise of any power granted in this Agreement or any other Loan
Document (other than Hedge Agreements) or any such instrument or
assignment.
(c) Acceleration. Upon
request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent on behalf of the
Lenders shall by notice in writing to the Company (a) declare all or any part
of
the unpaid balance of the Obligations then outstanding (other than Hedge
Agreements or Cash Management Agreements) to be immediately due and payable,
and
(b) require the Company immediately to deposit with the Administrative Agent
Cash Collateral in an amount equal to the then L/C Obligation (which Cash
Collateral shall be held and applied as provided in
Section 2.03(g)), and thereupon such unpaid balance or part thereof
and such amount equal to the L/C Obligation shall become so due and payable
without presentation, protest or further demand or notice of any kind, all
of
which are hereby expressly waived; provided, however, that if a
Bankruptcy Default shall have occurred, the unpaid balance
of the Obligations (other than Hedge Agreements or Cash Management Agreements)
shall automatically become immediately due and payable.
(d) Enforcement
of Payment; Collateral; Setoff. Upon request of the Required
Lenders, the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders shall proceed to
enforce payment of the Obligations in such manner as it may elect, and to
cancel, or instruct the L/C Issuer to cancel, any outstanding Letters of Credit
which permit the cancellation thereof and to realize upon any and all rights
in
the Collateral. The Lenders and their Affiliates may offset and apply
toward the payment of the Obligations (and/or toward the curing of any Event
of
Default) any Indebtedness from the Lenders to the respective Obligors, including
any Indebtedness represented by deposits in any account maintained with the
Lenders, regardless of the adequacy of any security for the
Obligations. The Lenders shall have no duty to determine the adequacy
of any such security in connection with any such offset.
(e) Cumulative
Remedies. To the extent not prohibited by applicable law which
cannot be waived, all of the Lenders’ rights hereunder and under each other Loan
Document shall be cumulative.
8.03 Annulment
of Defaults. Once an Event of Default has occurred, such Event of
Default shall be deemed to exist and be continuing for all purposes of the Loan
Documents (other than Hedge Agreements or Cash Management Agreements) until
the
Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent (with the consent of the Required
Lenders) shall have waived such Event of Default in writing, stated in writing
that the same has been cured to such Lenders’ reasonable satisfaction or entered
into an amendment to this Agreement which by its express terms cures such Event
of Default, at which time such Event of Default shall no longer be deemed to
exist or to have continued. No such action by the Lenders or the
Administrative Agent shall extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default
or impair any rights of the Lenders upon the occurrence thereof. The
making of any extension of credit during the existence of any Default shall
not
constitute a waiver thereof.
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8.04 Waivers. To
the extent that such waiver is not prohibited by the provisions of applicable
law that cannot be waived, each of the Company and the other Obligors
waives:
(a) all
presentments, demands for performance, notices of nonperformance (except to
the
extent required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document), protests, notices
of protest and notices of dishonor;
(b) any
requirement of diligence or promptness on the part of any Lender in the
enforcement of its rights under this Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan
Document;
(c) any
right it may have to claim or recover from the Administrative Agent or any
Lender any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages;
(d) any
and all notices of every kind and description which may be required to be given
by any statute or rule of law; and
(e) any
defense (other than indefeasible payment in full) which it may now or hereafter
have with respect to its liability under this Agreement, the Notes or any other
Loan Document or with respect to the Obligations.
8.05 Application
of Funds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in
Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately
due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to
be
Cash Collateralized as set forth in clause (c) of Section 8.02), any
amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by the
Administrative Agent in the following order:
First,
to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities,
expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel
to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III)
payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;
Second,
to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities
and
other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable
to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer (including fees, charges and disbursements
of
counsel to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuer (including fees and time
charges for attorneys who may be employees of any Lender or the L/C Issuer)
and
amounts payable under Article III, ratably among them in proportion to
the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to
them;
Third,
to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid
Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans, L/C Borrowings and other
Obligations, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuer in proportion to
the
respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to
them;
Fourth,
to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal
of
the Loans, L/C Borrowings and amounts owing under Secured Hedge Agreements
and
Secured Cash Management Agreements, ratably among the Lenders, the L/C Issuer,
the Hedge Banks and the Cash Management Banks in proportion to the respective
amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them;
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Fifth,
to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer, to Cash
Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn
amount of Letters of Credit; and
Last,
the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid
in
full, to the Company or as otherwise required by Law.
Subject
to Section 2.03(c), amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate
undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fifth above shall
be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they
occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all
Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount
shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth
above.
ARTICLE
IX
ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT
9.01 Appointment
and Authority.
(a) Each
of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America
to
act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other
Loan
Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its
behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent
by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are
solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C
Issuer, and neither the Company nor any other Loan Party shall have rights
as a
third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.
(b) The
Administrative Agent shall also act as the “collateral agent” under the
Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (in its capacities as a Lender and
Swing
Line Lender (if applicable), potential Hedge Bank and potential Cash Management
Bank) and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the
Administrative Agent to act as the agent of such Lender and the L/C Issuer
for
purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral
granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Obligations, together
with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental
thereto. In this connection, the Administrative Agent, as “collateral
agent” and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the
Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.05 for purposes of holding or
enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under
the
Security Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at
the
direction of the Administrative Agent), shall be entitled to the benefits of
all
provisions of this Article IX and Article XI (including
Section 11.04(c), as though such co-agents, sub-agents and
attorneys-in-fact were the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents) as if
set forth in full herein with respect thereto.
9.02 Rights
as a Lender.
The
Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights
and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise
the
same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or
“Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context
otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent
hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates
may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in
any
other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with
the Company or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person
were
not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor
to the Lenders.
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9.03 Exculpatory
Provisions.
The
Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those
expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:
(a) shall
not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether
a
Default has occurred and is continuing;
(b) shall
not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary
powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby
or
by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to
exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number
or
percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the
other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not
be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its
counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary
to
any Loan Document or applicable law; and
(c) shall
not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents,
have
any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose,
any
information relating to the Company or any of their Affiliates that is
communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent
or
any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
The
Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken
by it
(i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other
number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the
Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under
the
circumstances as provided in Sections 11.01 and 8.02) or (ii) in
the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The
Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless
and until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent
by
the Company, a Lender or the L/C Issuer.
The
Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain
or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in
connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents
of
any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder
or
in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of
any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein
or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability,
effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or
any
other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority
of any Lien purported to be created by the Security Documents, (v) the value
or
the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition
set
forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of
items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative
Agent.
9.04 Reliance
by Administrative Agent.
The
Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any
liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent,
statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic
message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed
by
it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by
the
proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any
statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been
made
by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying
thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to
the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms
must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the
Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such
Lender or the L/C Issuer unless the Administrative Agent shall have received
notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuer prior to the making
of
such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The
Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for
the
Company), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall
not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the
advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
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9.05 Delegation
of Duties.
The
Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its
rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through
any
one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The
Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its
duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related
Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to
any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and
any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection
with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as
activities as Administrative Agent.
9.06 Resignation
of Administrative Agent.
The
Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the
Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Company. Upon receipt of any such
notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in
consultation with the Company, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank
with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with
an
office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so
appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment
within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its
resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may on behalf of the Lenders
and the L/C Issuer, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the
qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Administrative Agent
shall notify the Company and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted
such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective
in
accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Administrative Agent shall
be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other
Loan
Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the
Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer under any of
the
Loan Documents, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such
collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is
appointed) and (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided
to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made
by
or to each Lender and the L/C Issuer directly, until such time as the Required
Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this
Section. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as
Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become
vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring
(or
retired) Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall
be
discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other
Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this
Section). The fees payable by the Company to a successor
Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor
unless otherwise agreed between the Company and such successor. After
the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other
Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 11.04
shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent,
its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions
taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative
Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.
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Any
resignation by Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section
shall also constitute its resignation as L/C Issuer and Swing Line
Lender. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as
Administrative Agent hereunder, (i) such successor shall succeed to and become
vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring
L/C
Issuer and Swing Line Lender, (ii) the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender
shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations
hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (iii) the successor L/C Issuer
shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if
any,
outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements
satisfactory to the retiring L/C Issuer to effectively assume the obligations
of
the retiring L/C Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit.
9.07 Non-Reliance
on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.
Each
Lender and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that it has, independently and without
reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their
Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this
Agreement. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer also acknowledges that it
will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any
other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and
information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make
its
own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement,
any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished
hereunder or thereunder.
9.08 No
Other Duties, Etc.
Anything
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Bookrunners, Arranger or
Syndication Agent listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties
or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents,
except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender
or
the L/C Issuer hereunder.
9.09 Administrative
Agent May File Proofs of Claim.
In
case
of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other
judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent
(irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall
then
be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and
irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand
on
the Company) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding
or otherwise
(a) to
file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing
and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations
that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary
or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and
the
Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the
Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other
amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent under
Sections 2.03(i) and (j), 2.09 and 11.04) allowed in
such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to
collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on
any
such claims and to distribute the same;
and
any
custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other
similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each
Lender and the L/C Issuer to make such payments to the Administrative Agent
and,
if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments
directly to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, to pay to the Administrative Agent
any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 and
11.04.
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Nothing
contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or the L/C
Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition
affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to
authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender
or the L/C Issuer or in any such proceeding.
9.10 Collateral
and Guaranty Matters.
The
Lenders and the L/C Issuer irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent,
at
its option and in its discretion,
(a) to
release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent
under any Loan Document (i) upon termination of the Aggregate Commitments and
payment in full of all Obligations (other than contingent indemnification
obligations) and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, (ii)
that is sold or to be sold as part of or in connection with any sale permitted
hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or (iii) if approved,
authorized or ratified in writing in accordance with Section
11.01;
(b) to
release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty if such Person
ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder;
and
(c) to
subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative
Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that
is
permitted by Section 6.07(h).
Upon
request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will
confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release or
subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release
any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this
Section 9.10. In each case as specified in this Section
9.10, the Administrative Agent will, at the Company’s expense, execute and
deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may
reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from
the
assignment and security interest granted under the Security Documents or to
subordinate its interest in such item, or to release such Guarantor from its
obligations under the Guaranty, in each case in accordance with the terms of
the
Loan Documents and this Section 9.10.
ARTICLE
X
GUARANTY
10.01 Guarantees
of Obligations.
Each
Guarantor unconditionally jointly and severally guarantees to each Lender,
each
Hedge Bank, each Cash Management Bank and the Administrative Agent that the
Obligations will be performed and will be paid in full in cash when due and
payable, whether at the stated or accelerated maturity thereof or otherwise,
this guarantee being a guarantee of payment and not of collectability and being
absolute and in no way conditional or contingent. In the event any
part of the Obligations shall not have been so paid in full when due and
payable, each Guarantor will, immediately upon notice by the Administrative
Agent or, without notice, immediately upon the occurrence of a Bankruptcy
Default, pay or cause to be paid to the Administrative Agent the amount of
such
Obligations which are then due and payable and unpaid for application in
accordance with Section 8.05. The obligations of each
Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by the invalidity, unenforceability
or
irrecoverability of any of the Obligations as against any other Loan Party,
any
other guarantor thereof or any other Person. For purposes hereof, the
Obligations shall be due and payable when and as the same shall be due and
payable under the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document
notwithstanding the fact that the collection or enforcement thereof may be
stayed or enjoined under the Bankruptcy Code or other applicable
law. For purposes of the remainder of this Article X only, the
term “Lender” shall be deemed to include each Hedge Bank and each Cash
Management Bank, as applicable and as the context may require.
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10.02 Continuing
Obligation.
Each
Guarantor acknowledges that the Lenders and the Administrative Agent have
entered into this Agreement (and, to the extent that the Lenders or the
Administrative Agent may enter into any future Loan Document, will have entered
into such agreement) in reliance on this Article X being a continuing
irrevocable agreement, and such Guarantor agrees that its guarantee may not
be
revoked in whole or in part. The obligations of the Guarantors
hereunder shall terminate when the commitment of the Lenders to extend credit
under this Agreement shall have terminated and all of the Obligations have
been
paid in full in cash and discharged; provided, however,
that:
(a) if
a claim is made upon the Lenders at any time for repayment or recovery of any
amounts or any property received by the Lenders from any source on account
of
any of the Obligations and the Lenders repay or return any amounts or property
so received (including interest thereon to the extent required to be paid by
the
Lenders) or
(b) if
the Lenders become liable for any part of such claim by reason of (i) any
judgment or order of any court or administrative authority having competent
jurisdiction, or (ii) any settlement or compromise of any such
claim,
then
the
Guarantors shall remain liable under this Agreement for the amounts so repaid
or
property so returned or the amounts for which the Lenders become liable (such
amounts being deemed part of the Obligations) to the same extent as if such
amounts or property had never been received by the Lenders, notwithstanding
any
termination hereof or the cancellation of any instrument or agreement evidencing
any of the Obligations. Not later than five days after receipt of
notice from the Administrative Agent, the Guarantors shall jointly and severally
pay to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the amount of such repayment
or return for which the Lenders have so become liable. Payments
hereunder by a Guarantor may be required by the Administrative Agent on any
number of occasions.
10.03 Waivers
with Respect to Obligations.
Except
to
the extent expressly required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document,
each
Guarantor waives, to the fullest extent permitted by the provisions of
applicable law, all of the following (including all defenses, counterclaims
and
other rights of any nature based upon any of the following):
(a) presentment,
demand for payment and protest of nonpayment of any of the Obligations, and
notice of protest, dishonor or nonperformance;
86
(b) notice
of acceptance of this guarantee and notice that credit has been extended in
reliance on the Guarantor’s guarantee of the Obligations;
(c) notice
of any Default or of any inability to enforce performance of the obligations
of
the Company or any other Person with respect to any Loan Document, or notice
of
any acceleration of maturity of any Obligations;
(d) demand
for performance or observance of, and any enforcement of any provision of,
the
Obligations, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any pursuit or
exhaustion of rights or remedies against the Company or any other Person in
respect of the Obligations or any requirement of diligence or promptness on
the
part of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with any of the
foregoing;
(e) any
act or omission on the part of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders which
may
impair or prejudice the rights of the Guarantor, including rights to obtain
subrogation, exoneration, contribution, indemnification or any other
reimbursement from the Company or any other Person, or otherwise operate as
a
deemed release or discharge;
(f) any
statute of limitations or any statute or rule of law which provides that the
obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects
more burdensome than the obligation of the principal;
(g) any
“single action” or “anti deficiency” law which would otherwise prevent the
Lenders from bringing any action, including any claim for a deficiency, against
the Guarantor before or after the Administrative Agent’s or the Lenders’
commencement or completion of any foreclosure action, whether judicially, by
exercise of power of sale or otherwise, or any other law which would otherwise
require any election of remedies by the Administrative Agent or the
Lenders;
(h) all
demands and notices of every kind with respect to the foregoing;
and
(i) to
the extent not referred to above, all defenses (other than payment) which the
Company may now or hereafter have to the payment of the Obligations, together
with all suretyship defenses, which could otherwise be asserted by such
Guarantor.
Each
Guarantor represents that it has obtained the advice of counsel as to the extent
to which suretyship and other defenses may be available to it with respect
to
its obligations hereunder in the absence of the waivers contained in this
Section 10.03.
No
delay
or omission on the part of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in exercising
any right under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or under any guarantee
of the Obligations shall operate as a waiver or relinquishment of such
right. No action which the Administrative Agent or the Lenders or the
Company may take or refrain from taking with respect to the Obligations,
including any amendments thereto or modifications thereof or waivers with
respect thereto, shall affect the provisions of this Agreement or the
obligations of the Guarantor hereunder. None of the Lenders’ or the
Administrative Agent’s rights shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or
impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of any Obligor, or by any
noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this
Agreement, regardless of any knowledge thereof which the Administrative Agent
or
the Lenders may have or otherwise be charged with.
87
10.04 Lenders’
Power to Waive, etc.
Each
Guarantor grants to the Lenders full power in their discretion, without notice
to or consent of such Guarantor, such notice and consent being expressly waived
to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and without in any way
affecting the liability of the Guarantor under its guarantee
hereunder:
(a) To
waive compliance with, and any Default under, and to consent to any amendment
to
or modification or termination of any terms or provisions of, or to give any
waiver in respect of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Obligations
or any guarantee thereof (each as from time to time in effect);
(b) To
grant any extensions of the Obligations (for any duration), and any other
indulgence with respect thereto, and to effect any total or partial release
(by
operation of law or otherwise), discharge, compromise or settlement with respect
to the obligations of the Obligors or any other Person in respect of the
Obligations, whether or not rights against the Guarantor under this Agreement
are reserved in connection therewith;
(c) To
collect or liquidate or realize upon any of the Obligations in any manner or
to
refrain from collecting or liquidating or realizing upon any of the Obligations;
and
(d) To
extend credit under this Agreement, any other Loan Document or otherwise in
such
amount as the Lenders may determine, including increasing the amount of credit
and the interest rate and fees with respect thereto, even though the condition
of the Obligors (financial or otherwise on an individual or Consolidated basis)
may have deteriorated since the date hereof.
10.05 Information
Regarding the Company, etc.
Each
Guarantor has made such investigation as it deems desirable of the risks
undertaken by it in entering into this Agreement and is fully satisfied that
it
understands all such risks. Each Guarantor waives any obligation
which may now or hereafter exist on the part of the Administrative Agent or
the
Lenders to inform it of the risks being undertaken by entering into this
Agreement or of any changes in such risks and, from and after the date hereof,
each Guarantor undertakes to keep itself informed of such risks and any changes
therein. Each Guarantor expressly waives any duty which may now or
hereafter exist on the part of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to
disclose to the Guarantor any matter related to the business, operations,
character, collateral, credit, condition (financial or otherwise), income or
prospects of the Company or its Affiliates or their properties or management,
whether now or hereafter known by the Administrative Agent or the
Lenders. Each Guarantor represents, warrants and agrees that it
assumes sole responsibility for obtaining from the Company all information
concerning this Agreement and all other Loan Documents and all other information
as to the Company and its Affiliates or their properties or management as such
Guarantor deems necessary or desirable.
10.06 Certain
Guarantor Representations.
Each
Guarantor represents that:
(a) it
is in its best interest and in pursuit of the purposes for which it was
organized as an integral part of the business conducted and proposed to be
conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries, and reasonably necessary and
convenient in connection with the conduct of the business conducted and proposed
to be conducted by them, to induce the Lenders to enter into this Agreement
and
to extend credit to the Company by making the Guarantees contemplated by this
Article X,
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(b) the
credit available hereunder will directly or indirectly inure to its
benefit,
(c) by
virtue of the foregoing it is receiving at least reasonably equivalent value
from the Lenders for its Guarantee,
(d) it
will not be rendered insolvent as a result of entering into this
Agreement,
(e) after
giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, it will have
assets having a fair saleable value in excess of the amount required to pay
its
probable liability on its existing debts as they become absolute and
matured,
(f) it
has, and will have, access to adequate capital for the conduct of its
business,
(g) it
has the ability to pay its debts from time to time incurred in connection
therewith as such debts mature, and
(h) it
has been advised by the Administrative Agent that the Lenders are unwilling
to
enter into this Agreement unless the Guarantees contemplated by this Article
X are given by it.
10.07 Subrogation.
Each
Guarantor agrees that, until the Obligations are paid in full, it will not
exercise any right of reimbursement, subrogation, contribution, offset or other
claims against the other Obligors arising by contract or operation of law in
connection with any payment made or required to be made by such Guarantor under
this Agreement. After the payment in full of the Obligations, each
Guarantor shall be entitled to exercise against the Company and the other
Obligors all such rights of reimbursement, subrogation, contribution and offset,
and all such other claims, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
10.08 Subordination.
Each
Guarantor covenants and agrees that all Indebtedness, claims and liabilities
now
or hereafter owing by the Company or any other Obligor to such Guarantor,
whether arising hereunder or otherwise, are subordinated to the prior payment
in
full of the Obligations and are so subordinated as a claim against such Obligor
or any of its assets, whether such claim be in the ordinary course of business
or in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, insolvency
or bankruptcy, so that no payment with respect to any such Indebtedness, claim
or liability will be made or received while any Event of Default
exists.
10.09 Future
Subsidiaries; Further Assurances.
The
Company will from time to time cause any Subsidiary (other than (x) an
Immaterial Subsidiary or (y) a Foreign Subsidiary that does not constitute
a
Material Foreign Subsidiary) within 30 days (provided that, in the case of
a
Foreign Subsidiary, the Company shall be permitted such additional time as
may
be reasonably necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Section 10.09
provided the Company is diligently pursuing the same) after any such Person
(a)
in the case of a Domestic Subsidiary, ceases to be an Immaterial Subsidiary
or
(b) in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, becomes a Material Foreign Subsidiary
(or, to the extent applicable under clauses (a)(ii) or (b)(ii) of the definition
of “Material Foreign Subsidiary”, is designated to become a Guarantor), to join
this Agreement as a Guarantor and to join the Security Agreement as an Obligor
pursuant to a joinder agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to
the Administrative Agent; provided, however, that in the event
such a Subsidiary is prohibited by any valid law, statute, rule or regulation
from
guaranteeing the Obligations, or if such a guarantee by any Material Foreign
Subsidiary would result in a repatriation of foreign earnings under the Code
(including the “deemed dividend” provisions of section 956 of the Code), (i)
such guarantee will be limited to the extent necessary to comply with such
prohibition or to prevent such repatriation of foreign earnings or (ii) if
such
limitation on the guaranteed amount is not sufficient to avoid such prohibition
or repatriation, no such guarantee shall be required. Each Guarantor
will, promptly upon the request of the Administrative Agent from time to time,
execute, acknowledge and deliver, and file and record, all such instruments,
and
take all such action, including providing a legal opinion with respect to its
guarantee and grant of security interests, as the Administrative Agent deems
necessary or advisable to carry out the intent and purposes of this
Section 10.09.
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10.10 Contribution
Among Guarantors.
The
Guarantors agree that, as among themselves in their capacity as guarantors
of
the Obligations, the ultimate responsibility for repayment of the Obligations,
in the event that the Company fails to pay when due its Obligations, shall
be
equitably apportioned, to the extent consistent with the Loan Documents, among
the respective Guarantors (a) in the proportion that each, in its capacity
as a
guarantor, has benefited from the extensions of credit to the Company by the
Lenders under the Agreement, or (b) if such equitable apportionment cannot
reasonably be determined or agreed upon among the affected Guarantors, in
proportion to their respective net worths determined on or about the date hereof
(or such later date as such Guarantor becomes party hereto). In the
event that any Guarantor, in its capacity as a guarantor, pays an amount with
respect to the Obligations in excess of its proportionate share as set forth
in
this Section 10.10, each other Guarantor shall, to the extent
consistent with the Loan Documents, make a contribution payment to such
Guarantor in an amount such that the aggregate amount paid by each Guarantor
reflects its proportionate share of the Obligations. In the event of
any default by any Guarantor under this Section 10.10, each other Guarantor
will bear, to the extent consistent with the Loan Documents, its proportionate
share of the defaulting Guarantor’s obligation under this
Section 10.10. This Section 10.10 is intended to set
forth only the rights and obligations of the Guarantors among themselves and
shall not in any way affect the obligations of any Guarantor to the Lenders
under the Loan Documents (which obligations shall at all times constitute the
joint and several obligations of all the Guarantors).
ARTICLE
XI
MISCELLANEOUS
11.01 Amendments,
Etc.
No
amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, and no consent to any departure by the Company or any other Loan
Party
therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders
and the Company or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and
acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall
be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for
which given; provided, however, that no such amendment, waiver or
consent shall:
(a) waive
any condition set forth in Section 4.01 (other than Section 4.01(b)(i)
or (c)), or, in the case of the initial Credit Extension,
Section 4.02, without the written consent of each
Lender;
90
(b) without
limiting the generality of clause (a) above, waive any condition set forth
in
Section 4.02 as to any Credit Extension without the written consent of
the Required Lenders;
(c) extend
or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated
pursuant to Section 8.02(a)) without the written consent of such
Lender;
(d) postpone
any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for (i) any payment
(excluding mandatory prepayments) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts
due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under such other Loan Document
without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such payment or (ii)
any
scheduled reduction of the Commitments hereunder or under any other Loan
Document without the written consent of each Lender;
(e) reduce
the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or
L/C
Borrowing, or (subject to clause (iv) of the second proviso to this Section
11.01) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan
Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such amount;
provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders
shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any
obligation of the Company to pay interest or Letter of Credit Fees at the
Default Rate;
(f) change
Section 8.05 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of
payments required thereby without the written consent of each
Lender;
(g) change
(i) any provision of this Section 11.01 or the definition of “Required
Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of
Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or
make any determination or grant any consent hereunder (other than the
definitions specified in clause (ii) of this Section 11.01(g)), without
the written consent of each Lender or (ii) the definition of “Required Lenders,”
without the written consent of each Lender;
(h) release
all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of
related transactions, without the written consent of each Lender;
(i) release
all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty, without the written
consent of each Lender, except to the extent the release of any Subsidiary
from
the Guaranty is permitted pursuant to Section 9.10 (in which case such
release may be made by the Administrative Agent acting alone); or
(j) impose
any greater restriction on the ability of any Lender to assign any of its rights
or obligations hereunder without the written consent the Required
Lenders;
and
provided, further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall,
unless in writing and signed by the L/C Issuer in addition to the Lenders
required above, affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuer under this
Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or
to
be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing
and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above,
affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement;
(iii)
no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the
Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the
rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other
Loan Document; and (iv) the Fee Letter, each Secured Hedge Agreement and each
Secured Cash Management Agreement may be amended, or rights or privileges
thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties
thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no
Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment,
waiver or consent hereunder, except that the Commitment of such Lender may
not
be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender.
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If
any
Lender does not consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, consent or release
with
respect to any Loan Document that requires the consent of each Lender and that
has been approved by the Required Lenders, the Company may replace such
non-consenting Lender in accordance with Section 11.13; provided
that such amendment, waiver, consent or release can be effected as a result
of
the assignment contemplated by such Section (together with all other such
assignments required by the Company to be made pursuant to this
paragraph).
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with
the
written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Loan
Parties (a) to add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement
and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder
and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the
benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including mandatory
prepayments) with the Loans and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof
and (b) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities
in
any determination of the Required Lenders.
11.02 Notices;
Effectiveness; Electronic Communications.
(a) Notices
Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications
expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in
subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein
shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service,
mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier as follows, and
all
notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given
by
telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as
follows:
(i) if
to the Company, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line
Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone
number specified for such Person on Schedule 11.02; and
(ii) if
to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address
or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.
Notices
sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered
mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by
telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not
given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have
been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the
recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to
the extent provided in subsection (b) below shall be effective as provided
in
such subsection (b).
(b) Electronic
Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders
and the L/C Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic
communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant
to
procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the
foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant
to
Article II if such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified
the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such
Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the
Company may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications
to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved
by
it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to
particular notices or communications.
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Unless
the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other
communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the
sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by
the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other
written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other
communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient,
such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening
of
business on the next business day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or
communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed
received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address
as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice
or communication is available and identifying the website address
therefor.
(c) The
Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS
AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE
ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE
PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM
THE
BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR
STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR
OTHER
CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER
MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent
or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have
any liability to the Company, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person
for
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort,
contract or otherwise) arising out of the Company’s or the Administrative
Agent’s transmission of Company Materials through the Internet, except to the
extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined
by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment
to
have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent
Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party
have any liability to the Company, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other
Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages
(as
opposed to direct or actual damages).
(d) Change
of Address, Etc. Each of the Company, the Administrative Agent,
the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender may change its address, telecopier
or
telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to
the
other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address,
telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder
by
notice to the Company, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing
Line Lender. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the
Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent
has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number,
telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other
communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such
Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one
individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected
the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration
screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate,
in
accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law,
including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference
to
Company Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side
Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public
information with respect to the Company or its securities for purposes of United
States Federal or state securities laws.
(e) Reliance
by Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and Lenders. The
Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely
and act upon any notices (including telephonic Committed Loan Notices and Swing
Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Company even if
(i)
such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or
were
not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii)
the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation
thereof. The Company shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the
L/C Issuer, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses,
costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person
on
each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Company. All
telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the
Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each
of
the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.
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11.03 No
Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.
No
failure by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent to exercise,
and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or
privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver
thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power
or
privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights,
remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other
Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers
and privileges provided by law.
11.04 Expenses;
Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(a) Costs
and Expenses. The Company shall pay (i) all reasonable,
invoiced out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its
Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel
for the Administrative Agent), in connection with the syndication of the credit
facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution,
delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
or
any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof
(whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be
consummated), (ii) all reasonable, invoiced out-of-pocket expenses incurred
by the L/C Issuer in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or
extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and
(iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any
Lender or the L/C Issuer (including the fees, charges and disbursements of
any
counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer), in
connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection
with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under
this Section, or (B) in connection with Loans made or Letters of Credit issued
hereunder, including all such reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred during
any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters
of Credit.
(b) Indemnification
by the Company. The Company shall indemnify the Administrative
Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and the L/C Issuer, and each
Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called
an
“Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and
all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the
fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any
Indemnitee) incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against
any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Company or any other Loan Party
arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or
delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or
instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto
of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation
of
the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the
Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only,
the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) any
Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom
(including any refusal by the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under
a
Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand
do
not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any
actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any
property owned or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any
Environmental Liability related in any way to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation,
investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based
on
contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by
the
Company or any other Loan Party or any of the Company’s or such Loan Party’s
directors, shareholders or creditors, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee
is a party thereto; 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 final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted
from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.
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(c) Reimbursement
by Lenders. To the extent that the Company for any reason fails
to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of
this Section to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent
thereof), the L/C Issuer or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each
Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such
sub-agent), the L/C Issuer or such Related Party, as the case may be, such
Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable
unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount,
provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim,
damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or
asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or the L/C
Issuer in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the
foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or L/C
Issuer in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the
Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of
Section 2.12(d).
(d) Waiver
of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, each Loan Party agrees not to assert, and hereby waives, any
claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect,
consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages)
arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any
other
Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or
the
use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection
(b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended
recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended
recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other
information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other
Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than
for
direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable
judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) Payments. All
amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten days after
demand therefor.
(f) Survival. The
agreements in this Section shall survive the resignation of the Administrative
Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender, the replacement of any Lender,
the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction
or
discharge of all the other Obligations.
11.05 Payments
Set Aside.
To
the
extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Company is made to the
Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent,
the L/C Issuer or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment
or
the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated,
declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including
pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent, the L/C
Issuer or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver
or
any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief
Law
or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part
thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued
in
full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had
not occurred, and (b) each Lender and the L/C Issuer severally agrees to pay
to
the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication)
of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent,
plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such
payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time
to
time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer
under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full
of
the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
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11.06 Successors
and Assigns.
(a) Successors
and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither the Company nor
any
other Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or
obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative
Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of
its
rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with
the
provisions of Section 11.06(b), (ii) by way of participation in
accordance with the provisions of Section 11.06(d), or (iii) by way of
pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of
Section 11.06(f), (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any
party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement,
expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than
the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby,
Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and,
to
the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the
Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders) any legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) Assignments
by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more
assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement
(including all or a portion of its Commitment(s) and the Loans (including for
purposes of this Section 11.06(b), participations in L/C Obligations and
in Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that any such
assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) Minimum
Amounts.
(A) in
the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning
Lender’s Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an
assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum
amount need be assigned; and
(B) in
any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate
amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding
thereunder) or, if the Commitment is not then in effect, the principal
outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such
assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect
to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date”
is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall
not
be less than $5,000,000, in the case of any assignment, unless each of the
Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Company otherwise consents (each such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, however, that
concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent
assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee
(or
to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated
as a
single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has
been met;
(ii) Proportionate
Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment
of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations
under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned,
except that this clause (ii) shall not (A) apply to the Swing Line Lender’s
rights and obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans or (B) prohibit any Lender
from assigning all or a portion of its rights and obligations among separate
Facilities on a non-pro rata basis;
(iii) Required
Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except
to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in
addition:
(A) the
consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed)
shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
or (2) in the case of a Commitment, such assignment is to a Lender or Affiliate
of such a Lender;
(B) the
consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of any
Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a
Commitment, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to
such
Lender;
96
(C) the
consent of the L/C Issuer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or
delayed) shall be required for any assignment; and
(D) the
consent of the Swing Line Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld
or delayed) shall be required for any assignment.
(iv) Assignment
and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and
deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together
with
a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided,
however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion,
elect
to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any
assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
(v) No
Assignment to Company. No such assignment shall be made to the
Company or any of the Company’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries.
(vi) No
Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made
to a natural person.
Subject
to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified
in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party
to
this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment
and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this
Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the
interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its
obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and
Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under
this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue
to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04, 3.05
and 11.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the
effective date of such assignment. Upon request, the Company (at its
expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any
assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement
that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of
this
Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and
obligations in accordance with Section 11.06(d).
97
(c) Register. The
Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Company,
shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment
and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names
and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts
of
the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof
from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the
Register shall be conclusive, and the Company, the Administrative Agent and
the
Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant
to
the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement,
notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be
available for inspection by the Company and any Lender, at any reasonable time
and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d) Participations. Any
Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Company or
the
Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural
person or the Company or any of the Company’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each,
a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or
obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment
and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in L/C Obligations
and/or Swing Line Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such
Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such
Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the
performance of such obligations and (iii) the Company, the Administrative
Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer shall continue to deal solely and directly
with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under
this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a
Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain
the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment,
modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that
such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without
the
consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification
described in the first proviso to Section 11.01 that affects such
Participant. Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, each
Company agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of
Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 to the same
extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment
pursuant to Section 11.06(b). To the extent permitted by law,
each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of
Section 11.08 as though it were a Lender,
provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as
though it were a Lender.
(e) Limitations
upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to
receive any greater payment under Section 3.01 or
3.04 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled
to
receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless
the
sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Company’s prior
written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it
were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.01
unless the Company is notified of the participation sold to such Participant
and
such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Company, to comply with
Section 3.01(e) as though it were a Lender.
(f) Certain
Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security
interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including
under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any
pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank;
provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from
any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee
for
such Lender as a party hereto.
(g) Electronic
Execution of Assignments. The words “execution,” “signed,”
“signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be
deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic
form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or
enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based
recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for
in
any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and
National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records
Act,
or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions
Act.
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(h) Resignation
as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender after
Assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, if at any time Bank of America assigns all of its Commitment and Loans
pursuant to Section 11.06(b), Bank of America may, (i) upon 30 days’
notice to the Company and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer and/or
(ii) upon
30 days’ notice to the Company, resign as Swing Line
Lender. In the event of any such resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing
Line Lender, the Company shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders
a
successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; provided,
however, that no failure by the Company to appoint any such successor
shall affect the resignation of Bank of America as L/C Issuer or Swing Line
Lender, as the case may be. If Bank of America resigns as L/C Issuer,
it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer
hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective
date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect
thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans
or
fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section
2.03(c)). If Bank of America resigns as Swing Line Lender, it
shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder
with
respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective
date
of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base
Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant
to Section 2.04(c). Upon the appointment of a successor L/C
Issuer and/or Swing Line Lender, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become
vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring
L/C
Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, and (b) the successor L/C
Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit,
if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements
satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank
of
America with respect to such Letters of Credit.
11.07 Treatment
of Certain Information; Confidentiality.
Each
of
the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer agrees to maintain
the
confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information
may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’
respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and
representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure
is
made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and
instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent
requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over
it
(including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association
of
Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or
regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party
hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under
any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement
or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder,
(f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as
those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any
prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations
under this Agreement or any Eligible Assignee invited to be a Lender pursuant
to
Section 2.15(c) or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its
advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Company and
its
obligations, (g) with the consent of the Company, (h) to the extent such
Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a
breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative
Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on
a
nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Company and (i) to (x) any
bank or financial institution and (y) S&P, Xxxxx’x, Fitch and/or other
ratings agency, as the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer
reasonably deems necessary or appropriate in connection with such Person’s
obtaining financing; provided, however, that such financial
institution has agreed to keep such information confidential in accordance
with
its customary practices, and such ratings agency shall be informed of the
confidentiality of such information .
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For
purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received
from any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof relating to any Loan Party or
any
Subsidiary thereof or their respective businesses, other than any such
information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the
L/C
Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by any Loan Party or
any
Subsidiary thereof, provided that, in the case of information received
from a Loan Party or any such Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information
is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any
Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided
in
this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do
so
if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the
confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own
or
its other similarly situated customers’ confidential information.
Each
of
the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer (a) acknowledges that
the Information may include material non-public information concerning the
Company or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, and (b) covenants that (i) it
has
developed and shall at all times maintain compliance procedures regarding the
use of material non-public information and (ii) it shall handle such material
non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United
States Federal and state securities Laws.
11.08 Right
of Setoff.
If
an
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the L/C
Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any
time
and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to
set
off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand,
provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other
obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, the L/C
Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Company
or any other Loan Party against any and all of the obligations of the Company
or
such Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other
Loan
Document to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, irrespective of whether or not such
Lender or the L/C Issuer shall have made any demand under this Agreement or
any
other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Company or such Loan
Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such
Lender or the L/C Issuer different from the branch or office holding such
deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of each Lender,
the L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in
addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that
such Lender, the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates may
have. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer agrees to notify the Company and
the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application,
provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the
validity of such setoff and application.
11.09 Interest
Rate Limitation.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid
or
agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate
of
non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum
Rate”). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive
interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall
be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid
principal, refunded to the Company. In determining whether the
interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or
a
Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by
applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an
expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments
and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in
equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated
term of the Obligations hereunder.
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11.10 Counterparts;
Integration; Effectiveness; Amendment and Restatement of Existing Credit
Agreement; Affirmation of Prior Liens.
(a) This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto
in
different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all
of
which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This
Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among
the
parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous
agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter
hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement
shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative
Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof
that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties
hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of
this Agreement by telecopy or electronic mail shall be effective as delivery
of
a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
(b) Each
Loan Party, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby agree that at such
time as this Agreement shall have become effective pursuant to the terms of
clause (a) of this Section 11.10, (i) the Existing Credit Agreement
automatically shall be deemed amended and restated in its entirety by this
Agreement and (ii) all of the promissory notes executed in connection with
the
Existing Credit Agreement automatically shall be deemed amended and restated
by
the Notes executed in connection with this Agreement.
(c) Each
Loan Party affirms the liens and security interests (and, to the extent
necessary, grants again, pursuant to the Collateral Documents, to the Collateral
Agent such liens and security interests) created and granted by it in the
Collateral Documents (including, but not limited to, the Security Agreement,
the
Mortgages and the Mortgage Amendments) and agrees that the amendment and
restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement pursuant to this Agreement shall
in
no manner adversely affect or impair such liens and security
interests. Further each Loan Party hereby acknowledges and agrees
that as of the Closing Date the obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement
to the extent secured by the Collateral Documents shall be deemed in all
respects to be replaced by the Obligations owing under this
Agreement.
11.11 Survival
of Representations and Warranties.
All
representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document
or
other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith
or
therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and
thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be
relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any
investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf
and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had
notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and
shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other
Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit
shall remain outstanding.
11.12 Severability.
If
any
provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal,
invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of
the
remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not
be
affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith
negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with
valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to
that
of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity
of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
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11.13 Replacement
of Lenders.
If
(i)
any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, (ii) the Company is
required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental
Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, (iii) a
Lender does not consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, consent or release
with
respect to any Loan Document that requires the consent of each Lender and that
has been approved by the Required Lenders or (iv) any Lender is a Defaulting
Lender or if any other circumstance exists hereunder that gives the Company
the
right to replace a Lender as a party hereto, then the Company may, at its sole
expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent,
require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance
with
and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by,
Section 11.06), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such
obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such
assignment), provided that:
(a) the
Company shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified
in Section 11.06(b);
(b) such
Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding
principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued
fees
and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents
(including any amounts under Section 3.05) from the assignee (to the
extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the
Company (in the case of all other amounts);
(c) in
the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under
Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to
Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in such
compensation or payments thereafter; and
(d) such
assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws.
(e) in
the case of any such assignment resulting from a Lender's failure to consent
to
a proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination with respect to any Loan
Document, the applicable amendment, modification and/or waiver of this Agreement
that the Company has requested shall become effective upon giving effect to
such
assignment (and any related assignments required to be effected in connection
therewith in accordance with this Section 11.13).
A
Lender
shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior
thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances
entitling the Company to require such assignment and delegation cease to
apply.
11.14 Governing
Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.
(a) GOVERNING
LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(b) SUBMISSION
TO JURISDICTION. THE COMPANY AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY
IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE
NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN
NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT
OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN
ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, 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 NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT 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. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN
ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,
ANY LENDER OR THE L/C ISSUER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE
COMPANY OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY
JURISDICTION.
102
(c) WAIVER
OF VENUE. THE COMPANY AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY 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 OR ANY OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENT 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 11.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE
RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY
APPLICABLE LAW
11.15 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 ANY
OTHER
LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (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 AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
103
11.16 No
Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.
In
connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including
in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of
any
other Loan Document), each of the Loan Parties acknowledges and agrees, and
acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (i) (A) the arranging and
other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent
and
the Arranger are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Company and
its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Arranger
on the other hand, (B) the Company has consulted its own legal, accounting,
regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C)
the
Company is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks
and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan
Documents; (ii) (A) each of the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and each
Lender is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly
agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not
be
acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Company or any of its
Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent, the
Arranger nor any Lender has any obligation to the Company or any of its
Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those
obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and
(iii) the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the Lenders and their respective
Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve
interests that differ from those of the Company and its Affiliates, and neither
the Administrative Agent, the Arranger nor any Lender has any obligation to
disclose any of such interests to the Company or any of its
Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company
hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the
Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders with respect to any breach
or
alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of
any
transaction contemplated hereby.
11.17 USA
PATRIOT Act Notice.
Each
Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the
Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby
notifies the Company that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act
(Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the
“Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that
identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address
of
each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the
Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance
with the Act.
CHAR1\997700v13
104
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the date first above written.
COMPANY: BUCKEYE
TECHNOLOGIES INC.
By: /s/
Xxxxxx X.
Xxxx
Name: Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxx
Title: Sr.
Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
GUARANTORS: [_______]
S-1
BANK
OF AMERICA, N.A., as
Administrative
Agent
By: /s/
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Title: Vice
President
S-2
BANK
OF
AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender, L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender
By: /s/
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxx
Title: Sr.
Vice
President
S-3
[OTHER
LENDERS], as a Lender
By: /s/
SIGNED
Name:
Various
Title: