EXHIBIT 4.15
EXECUTION COPY
AVONDALE XXXXX, INC.
EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
August 26, 2004
X. Xxxx Price Associates, Inc.
000 X. Xxxxx Xx.
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Avondale Xxxxx, Inc., an Alabama corporation (the "Company"), and Avondale
Incorporated, a Georgia corporation and the Company's parent company (the
"Guarantor"), confirm their agreement with X. Xxxx Price Associates, Inc. ("X.
Xxxx Price"), as investment advisor on behalf of each beneficial owner of the
Company's outstanding 10.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the
"Securities") listed on Exhibit A hereto, (collectively, the "Holders" and each
of them a "Holder").
1. Exchange. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
Company will enter into an exchange with the Holders pursuant to which the
Company will issue to the Holders $21,157,500.00 principal amount of its
Floating Rate Notes due 2012 (the "New Notes"), guaranteed on a senior,
unsecured basis by the Guarantor (the "Note Guarantee"), in the amounts shown in
Exhibit A hereto, in exchange for $30,225,000.00 principal amount of Securities
currently held by the Holders. This Agreement, the Note Guarantee and the New
Notes, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Note"), are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Operative Documents" and the
execution and delivery of the Operative Documents and the transactions
contemplated herein and therein are hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange."
The Exchange will be made without registration of the New Notes (or the
Note Guarantee) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), in reliance upon one or more exemptions from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act contained in Section 4(2) and Regulation D
thereof.
2. Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Company and the
Guarantor. The Company and the Guarantor jointly and severally represent and
warrant to, and agree with, X. Xxxx Price that:
(a) Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"), the Guarantor has filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August
28, 2003, a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 28,
2003, a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 27, 2004, a
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 28, 2004 and a Current
Report on Form 8-K dated March 4, 2004 (collectively, and
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including the exhibits thereto, the "Exchange Act Documents"), and all such
Exchange Act Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements
of the Exchange Act and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, at the time they were filed with the SEC,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(b) Except as qualified in the Exchange Act Documents, the audited
and unaudited financial statements and schedules included in the Exchange Act
Documents, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial
position of the Guarantor, the Company and its subsidiaries as of the dates
indicated and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of the
Guarantor, the Company and its subsidiaries for the periods specified; such
financial statements and schedules have been prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during
the periods involved.
(c) Each of the Company and the Guarantor is in good standing
under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is chartered or organized and is
duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation under the laws of each
jurisdiction which requires such qualification wherein it owns or leases
material properties or conducts material business, except in such jurisdictions
in which the failure to be so incorporated or organized and validly existing or
to so qualify, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect. As
used in this Agreement, the term "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean when used
in respect of any matter to the Company or the Guarantor a material adverse
effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise), properties or
results of operations of the Company, the Guarantor and the Company's
subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, or would materially adversely affect
the ability of the Company or the Guarantor to perform its obligations under the
Operative Documents.
(d) Each of the Company and the Guarantor has full corporate power
to own or lease its respective properties and conduct its respective businesses
as described in the Exchange Act Documents; and each of the Company and the
Guarantor has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement
and the other Operative Documents and to perform all the terms and provisions
hereof and thereof to be carried out by it.
(e) As of the date hereof, the Company does not have any
significant subsidiaries (as defined in Regulation S-X promulgated under the
Securities Act).
(f) Each of the Company and the Guarantor maintains a system of
internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that
(i) transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or
specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to
assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with
the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with
respect to any differences.
(g) The execution, delivery and performance of the Operative
Documents has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the
Company and the Guarantor, as applicable, and, when duly executed and delivered
by the Company and the Guarantor and by the
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other parties thereto, the Operative Documents will constitute legal, valid and
binding obligations of the Company and the Guarantor (to the extent each is a
party thereto), enforceable against the Company and the Guarantor in accordance
with their respective terms, subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to
bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to
fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the
rights of creditors generally and to the effect of general principles of equity
and except that any rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by
federal and state securities laws and public policy considerations.
(h) The execution, issuance, delivery, sale and performance of and
under the New Notes and the Note Guarantee have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action and, when executed and delivered as provided in this
Agreement, the New Notes and the Note Guarantee will constitute legal, valid and
binding obligations of the Company and the Guarantor, respectively, enforceable
against the Company and the Guarantor, respectively, in accordance with their
terms, subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to bankruptcy, insolvency
(including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers),
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors
generally and to the effect of general principles of equity.
(i) The issuance and offering of the New Notes to the Holders by
the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the execution and delivery of any of the
Operative Documents, the consummation or performance by the Company or the
Guarantor of any of the terms of or obligations under the Operative Documents
and the consummation of the Exchange, do not (i) require the consent, approval,
authorization, order, registration or qualification of, or filing with, any
governmental authority or court, or body or arbitrator having jurisdiction over
the Company or the Guarantor, or (ii) conflict with, result in a breach or
violation of, or constitute a default under the Indenture, dated June 30, 2003,
by and among the Company, the Guarantor and Wachovia Bank, National Association,
as trustee (the "Indenture"), the Master Security Agreement (as defined below),
the Credit Facility (as defined in the Indenture) or any other material
indenture, note purchase agreement, credit agreement, mortgage, deed of trust,
loan agreement or other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or
the Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or the Guarantor or any of
their respective properties is bound, or with the charter or by-laws of the
Company or the Guarantor, or any statute, rule or regulation or any judgment,
order or decree of any governmental authority or court or any arbitrator
applicable to the Company or the Guarantor, except for (i) any statute, rule or
regulation or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental authority or
court or any arbitrator the noncompliance with which would not result in a
Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) for any consent, approval, authorization,
order, registration or qualification which has been made or obtained.
(j) No legal or governmental proceedings or investigations are
pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Guarantor, threatened to
which the Company or the Guarantor is a party or to which the property of the
Company, the Guarantor or any of their respective subsidiaries is subject that
are not described in the Exchange Act Documents, except for such proceedings or
investigations which could not reasonably be expected to, singly or in the
aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect or materially and adversely
affect the consummation of the Exchange.
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(k) Except as set forth in or granted in relation to (i) the
Master Security Agreement and related documents, dated July 30, 2002, among the
Company and The CIT Group/Equipment Financing, Inc. (the "Master Security
Agreement") and (ii) the Credit Facility, each of the Company and the Guarantor
has good and marketable title in fee simple to all items of real property and
marketable title to all personal property owned by each of them, in each case
except as described in the Exchange Act Documents, free and clear of any pledge,
lien, encumbrance, security interest or other defect or claim of any third
party, except such as do not have a Material Adverse Effect. Any real property
held by the Company or the Guarantor as lessor is held under valid, subsisting
and enforceable leases, with such exceptions as do not have a Material Adverse
Effect.
(l) Each of the Company and the Guarantor owns or possesses, or
can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate rights to use all material patents,
trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights, licenses, all
applications and registrations for each of the foregoing, and all other material
proprietary rights and confidential information necessary to conduct their
respective businesses as currently conducted; and none of the Company or the
Guarantor has received any notice, or is otherwise aware, of any infringement of
or conflict with the rights of any third party with respect to any of the
foregoing which could reasonably be expected to, singly or in the aggregate,
result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(m) Each of the Company and the Guarantor is insured by insurers
of recognized financial responsibility (including self-insurance) against such
losses and risks and in such amounts and with such deductibles as are prudent in
the businesses in which they are engaged, except where the failure to have such
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and none of
the Company and the Guarantor has any reason to believe that it will not be able
to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to
obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue
its business at a cost that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(n) Each of the Company and the Guarantor possesses all
certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate original
equipment manufacturers, federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities
necessary to conduct their respective businesses, except where the failure to
have such could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
and none of the Company and the Guarantor has received any notice of proceedings
relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate,
authorization or permit which, could not reasonably be expected to, singly or in
the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(o) Except as described in the Exchange Act Documents:
(i) Each of the Company and the Guarantor is and has been in
compliance with all applicable laws, statutes, ordinances, rules,
regulations, orders, judgments, decisions, decrees, standards, and
requirements ("Legal Requirements") relating to: human health and
safety; pollution; management, disposal or release of any hazardous
chemical substance, product or waste; and protection, cleanup,
remediation or corrective action relating to the environment or
natural resources ("Environmental Law");
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(ii) Each of the Company and the Guarantor has obtained and
is in compliance with the conditions of all permits, authorizations,
licenses, approvals, and variances necessary under any Environmental
Law for the continued conduct in the manner now conducted of the
business of each of the Company and the Guarantor ("Environmental
Permits");
(iii) There are no past or present conditions or circumstances
that are likely to interfere with the conduct of the business of
each of the Company and the Guarantor in the manner now conducted or
which would interfere with compliance with any Environmental Law or
Environmental Permits; and
(iv) There are no past or present conditions or circumstances
at, or arising out of, the business, assets and properties of each
of the Company and the Guarantor or any businesses, assets or
properties formerly leased, operated or owned by each of the Company
and the Guarantor, including but not limited to on-site or off-site
disposal or release of any hazardous chemical substance, product or
waste, which may give rise to: (i) liabilities or obligations for
any cleanup, remediation or corrective action under any
Environmental Law; (ii) claims arising under any Environmental Law
for personal injury, property damage, or damage to natural
resources; (iii) liabilities or obligations incurred by the Company
and the Guarantor to comply with any Environmental Law; or (iv)
fines or penalties arising under any Environmental Law;
except in each case for any noncompliance or conditions or circumstances that
could not reasonably be expected to, singly or in the aggregate, result in a
Material Adverse Effect.
(p) No default exists under, and no event has occurred that, with
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default in the due
performance and observation of any term, covenant or condition of the Indenture,
the Credit Facility, the Master Security Agreement or any other indenture, note,
security agreement, guaranty, mortgage, deed of trust, lease or other agreement
or instrument to which either the Company or the Guarantor is a party or by
which either the Company or the Guarantor is bound which could reasonably be
expected to have, or could reasonably be expected to have after notice or lapse
of time or both, a Material Adverse Effect.
(q) Each of the Company and the Guarantor has filed all foreign,
federal, state and local tax returns that are required to be filed or has
requested extensions thereof and has paid all taxes required to be paid by it
and any other assessment, fine or penalty levied against them, to the extent
that any of the foregoing is due and payable, except for any such assessment,
fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith and for which
the Company and/or the Guarantor, as applicable, retains adequate reserves and
except in each case for any noncompliance that, singly or in the aggregate,
could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(r) Neither of the Company or the Guarantor is, nor after giving
effect to the Exchange, will be an "investment
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company," or a company "controlled" by an "investment company," within the
meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment
Company Act").
(s) None of the Company, the Guarantor, any of their Affiliates
(as defined in Rule 501(b) of Regulation D under the Securities Act ("Regulation
D")), and any person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly,
made offers or sales of any security, or solicited offers to buy any security,
under circumstances that would require the registration of the New Notes under
the Securities Act.
(t) None of the Company, the Guarantor, any of their Affiliates,
and any person acting on its or their behalf has or will engage in any form of
general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D)
in connection with any offer or sale of the New Notes in the United States.
(u) Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of
X. Xxxx Price in Section 4 hereof and compliance by X. Xxxx Price with the
procedures set forth in Section 4 hereof, it is not necessary in connection with
the offer, sale and delivery of the New Notes or the Note Guarantee to the
Holders in the manner contemplated by this Agreement to register any of the New
Notes or the Note Guarantee under the Securities Act or to qualify the New Note
under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
(v) No "prohibited transaction" (as defined in Section 406 of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the
regulations and published interpretations thereunder ("ERISA"), or Section 4975
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (the "Code"))
or "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA) or any
of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA (other than events with
respect to which the 30-day notice requirement under Section 4043 of ERISA has
been waived) has occurred, exists or is reasonably expected to occur with
respect to any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) that
the Company or any of the Company's subsidiaries maintains, contributes to or
has any obligation to contribute to, or with respect to which the Company or any
of the Company's subsidiaries has any liability, direct or indirect, contingent
or otherwise (a "Plan") which would have a Material Adverse Effect; each Plan is
in compliance in all material respects with applicable law, including ERISA and
the Code; the Company or any of the Company's subsidiaries has not incurred and
do not expect to incur liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the
termination of, or withdrawal from, any Plan; and each Plan that is intended to
be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all material
respects and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, which
could reasonably be expected to cause the loss of such qualification. No labor
dispute with the employees of the Company or any of the Company's subsidiaries
exists or is threatened or imminent which could result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
(w) Since the respective dates as of which information is given in
the Exchange Act Documents, there has not been any material adverse change in or
affecting the business, condition (financial or otherwise), properties or
results of operations of the Company, the Guarantor and the Company's
subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise.
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(x) On the Closing Date, the Company and the Guarantor (after
giving effect to the issuance of the New Not es) will be Solvent. "Solvent"
shall mean, with respect to the Company or the Guarantor on a particular date,
that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such corporation is
greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities,
of such corporation; (b) the present fair salable value of the assets of such
corporation is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the
probable liability of such corporation on its debts as they become absolute and
matured; (c) such corporation does not intend to, and does not believe that it
will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such corporation's ability to pay as
such debts and liabilities mature; and (d) such corporation is not engaged in a
business or transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or
transaction, for which such corporation's property would constitute an
unreasonably small capital. The amount of contingent liabilities (such as
litigation, guaranties and pension plan liabilities) at any time shall be
computed as the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances
existing at the time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to
become an actual or matured liability.
(y) Neither the Company nor the Guarantor is in violation in any
respect of any law, rule, regulation, ordinance, directive, judgment, decree or
order of any judicial, regulatory or other legal or governmental agency or body,
foreign or domestic, except violations or defaults that could not (individually
or in the aggregate) reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(z) Each certificate signed by any officer of the Company or the
Guarantor and delivered to the Holders or their counsel shall be deemed to be a
representation and warranty by the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be,
to the Holders as to the matters covered thereby.
3. Exchange. On the basis of the representations, warranties,
agreements and covenants herein contained and subject to the terms and
conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue $21,157,500.00
aggregate principal amount of New Notes in exchange for $30,225,000.00 aggregate
principal amount of Securities held by the Holders. The New Notes will be
delivered in certificated form to the Holders against delivery by the Holders of
$30,225,000.00 principal amount of Securities at 10:00 A.M., New York City time,
on the date hereof, or at such other time or date as the Holders and the Company
may agree upon in writing, such time and date of delivery against payment being
herein referred to as the "Closing Date." In addition, on the Closing Date, the
Company shall pay to the Holders by wire transfer of immediately available funds
all accrued but unpaid interest on the Securities to, but not including the
Closing Date, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
4. X. Xxxx Price's Representations, Warranties and Agreements. X. Xxxx
Price represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company that:
(a) X. Xxxx Price is authorized to enter into this Agreement and
all transactions and actions contemplated hereby as the authorized
representative of the Holders pursuant to written agreements which are legal,
valid and binding obligations of each of the parties thereto, enforceable
against each of them in accordance with their respective terms, subject, as to
enforcement of remedies, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
or similar laws affecting rights of creditors generally and to the effect of
general principles of
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equity; and X. Xxxx Price represents that it has sole investment discretion for
each of those accounts with respect to any Securities to be exchanged under this
Agreement and full power to make the above acknowledgments, representations and
agreements on behalf of each account with respect to any Securities to be
exchanged under this Agreement.
(b) (i) X. Xxxx Price is knowledgeable, sophisticated and
experienced in making, and is qualified to make, decisions with respect to
investments in securities representing an investment decision like that involved
in the purchase of the New Notes, and has had the opportunity to request and
receive all material information relevant to the Company and relevant to making
an informed decision to enter into this Agreement and to purchase the New Notes,
as the case may be; (ii) X. Xxxx Price is acquiring the New Notes in the
ordinary course of its business and for the account of the Holders for
investment only and with no present intention of distributing any of such New
Notes or any arrangement or understanding with any other persons regarding the
distribution of such New Notes; (iii) X. Xxxx Price will not, directly or
indirectly, offer, sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of (or solicit
any offers to buy, purchase or otherwise acquire or take a pledge of) any of the
New Notes except in compliance with the Securities Act and any applicable state
securities laws; (iv) X. Xxxx Price has been afforded the opportunity to ask
questions of the Company and the Guarantors; and neither such inquiries nor any
other due diligence investigations conducted by X. Xxxx Price or the Holders, or
their representatives, if any, shall modify, amend or affect the Holders' right
to rely on the Company's and the Guarantor's representations and warranties
contained in Section 2; and (v) X. Xxxx Price understands that the investment in
the New Notes involves a significant degree of risk, including a risk of total
loss of the investment by the Holders, it is fully aware of and understands all
the risks related to the purchase of the New Notes by the Holders and that the
Holders may not be able to sell or transfer the New Notes for an indefinite
period of time.
(c) X. Xxxx Price has all necessary power and authority to execute
and deliver this Agreement; this Agreement has been duly authorized by X. Xxxx
Price; assuming that this Agreement is the valid and binding agreement of each
of the parties thereto, other than X. Xxxx Price, this Agreement constitutes a
valid and binding agreement of X. Xxxx Price, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws affecting
rights of creditors generally and to the effect of general principles of equity;
(d) X. Xxxx Price understands that the New Notes are being offered
in a transaction not involving any public offering within the meaning of the
Securities Act in compliance with Section 4(2) and/or Regulation D of the
Securities Act, that the New Notes have not been and will not be registered
under the Securities Act, except pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement as
contemplated by Section 5, if at all, and that (i) if in the future any Holder
decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise transfer any of the New Notes,
such New Notes may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only (a)
to the Company, (b) in the United States to a person whom the Holder reasonably
believes is a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A of the
Securities Act) in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, (c) pursuant to an exemption from registration under the
Securities Act provided by Rule 144 thereunder (if available), (d) to an
"accredited investor" (as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D) in a
transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or
(e) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
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Securities Act, in each of cases (a) through (e) in accordance with any
applicable securities laws of the states and other jurisdictions of the United
States, and that (ii) the applicable Holder will, and each subsequent holder is
required to, notify any subsequent purchaser of the New Notes from it of the
resale restrictions referred to in (i) above;
(e) X. Xxxx Price understands that the New Notes will bear a
legend, as set forth on the form of New Note attached hereto as Exhibit B, until
such legend shall no longer be necessary, in the Company's opinion, because the
New Notes are no longer subject to the restrictions on transfer described
therein;
(f) X. Xxxx Price understands that no United States federal or
state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed upon or
made any recommendation or endorsement of the New Notes or the fairness or
suitability of the investment in the New Notes nor have such authorities passed
upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the New Notes;
(g) X. Xxxx Price is a Maryland corporation and a registered
investment advisor, and each Holder is organized in the jurisdiction listed next
to its name in Exhibit A;
(h) each of the Holders is a qualified institutional buyer;
(i) X. Xxxx Price agrees to keep confidential the existence and
terms of the Exchange, its entering into this Agreement and all transactions
relating thereto and hereto, provided that, these matters may be disclosed (i)
its officers, employees, attorneys and other advisors on a confidential and
"need to know" basis in connection with the Exchange, (ii) as required by law
and (iii) to the extent that these matters are publicly disclosed by the Company
or at such time as the Guarantor files with the SEC its Form 10-K for the year
ended August 27, 2004; and
(j) X. Xxxx Price acknowledges that the Company, the Guarantor and
others will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations,
warranties and agreements; they agree that if any of the representations,
warranties or agreements X. Xxxx Price is deemed to have made is no longer
accurate, it shall promptly notify the Company.
5. Covenants. (a) (a) Upon their initial issuance, the Company will (i)
qualify the New Notes and the Note Guarantee for sale by the Holders under the
applicable laws of such jurisdictions as X. Xxxx Price, as authorized
representative for the Holders, may designate and (ii) will maintain such
qualifications for so long as required for the sale of the New Notes and the
Note Guarantee by the Holders, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) as required
by applicable law; provided, that the Company will not be required to qualify to
do business in any jurisdiction in which it is not then so qualified, to file
any general consent to service of process or to take any other action which
would subject it to general service of process or to taxation in any such
jurisdiction where it is not then so subject. The Company will promptly advise
X. Xxxx Price of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to
the suspension of the qualification of the New Notes and the Note Guarantee for
sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for
such purpose.
(b) So long as any of this Note is a "restricted security" within
the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, at any time that the
Company is not then subject to
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Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company will
provide at its expense to X. Xxxx Price or a Holder and to each prospective
purchaser (as designated by X. Xxxx Price or Holder) of the New Notes, upon the
request of X. Xxxx Price or such Holder or prospective purchaser, any
information required to be provided by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
(c) Except as may be contemplated in the Registration Rights
Agreement, none of the Company or any of its Affiliates, nor any person acting
on its or their behalf will, directly or indirectly, make offers or sales of any
security, or solicit offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would
require the registration of the New Notes under the Securities Act.
(d) For so long as the New Notes are outstanding, each of the
Company and the Guarantor and their respective subsidiaries will conduct its
operations in a manner that will not subject the Company, the Guarantor or any
such subsidiary to registration as an "investment company" under the Investment
Company Act.
6. Expenses.
Each of the Company and X. Xxxx Price will pay its respective costs
and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this
Agreement, provided that the Company shall reimburse X. Xxxx Price in an amount
up to $1,000.00 relating to the fees and disbursements of counsel for X. Xxxx
Price. Except as otherwise provided herein, including the provisions of Section
8, neither the Company nor the Guarantor shall in any event be liable to X. Xxxx
Price for the loss of anticipated profits from the transactions covered by this
Agreement.
7. Conditions to Closing. This Agreement and the Exchange shall become
effective upon the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) X. Xxxx Price, the Company and the Guarantor shall have
executed and delivered to each other this Agreement;
(b) The Guarantor shall have executed and delivered to the Holders
the Note Guarantee;
(c) The Company shall have executed and delivered the New Notes in
the number and amounts requested by the Holders;
(d) X. Xxxx Price shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered,
to the Company the Securities being exchanged pursuant to this Agreement;
(e) Each of the Company and the Guarantor shall have delivered to
X. Xxxx Price a certificate, dated the Closing Date, executed by the secretary
of each of the Company and the Guarantor certifying in such capacity and on
behalf of the applicable party (a) as to the incumbency and signature of the
officer of the Company and the Guarantor who executed this Agreement, the Note
Guarantee and the New Notes; and (b) as to the adoption of resolutions of the
board of directors of the Company and the Guarantor as being correct, complete
and in full force and effect on the Closing Date, authorizing (i) the execution
and delivery of this
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Agreement, the New Notes and the Note Guarantee, and (ii) the performance of the
obligations of the Company and the Guarantor hereunder and thereunder; and
(f) The Company shall have delivered to X. Xxxx Price a copy of
the waiver and/or consent of General Electric Capital Corporation, as
administrative agent and lender under the Credit Facility, to the transactions
and exchanges contemplated herein.
8. Indemnification and Contribution(a)The Company agrees to indemnify
X. Xxxx Price from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and
liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such
action or claim) to which X. Xxxx Price may become subject, under the Securities
Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based on any misrepresentation,
breach of warranty or covenant or non-fulfillment of any agreement or obligation
of the Company or the Guarantor under this Agreement; provided, however, that
the Company shall not be liable for indemnification or otherwise for any such
loss, claim, damage or liability to the extent arising from gross negligence or
willful misconduct of X. Xxxx Price or the Holders.
(b) X. Xxxx Price also agrees to indemnify the Company and the
Guarantor from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities
(including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) to which
the Company or the Guarantor may become subject, under the Securities Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based on any misrepresentation, breach of
warranty or covenant or non-fulfillment of any agreement or obligation of X.
Xxxx Price under this Agreement; provided, however, that X. Xxxx Price shall not
be liable for indemnification or otherwise for any such loss, claim, damage or
liability to the extent arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct of
the Company or the Guarantor.
(c) In case any proceeding (including any governmental
investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which
indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b) hereof, such person
(the "indemnified party") shall promptly notify the person against whom such
indemnity may be sought (the "indemnifying party") in writing of the
commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i)
will not relieve such indemnifying party from liability under paragraph (a) or
(b) above unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and
such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial
rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying
party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the
indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above. The
indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified
party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and
shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding.
In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its
own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense
of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified
party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the
named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include
both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both
parties
12
by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing
interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not,
in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any
proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for (i)
the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local
counsel) for X. Xxxx Price and the Holders and all persons, if any, who controls
X. Xxxx Price or the Holders within the meaning of either Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and (ii) the fees and expenses
of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for the
Company, the Guarantor, their respective directors and officers and each person,
if any, who controls the Company or the Guarantor within the meaning of either
such Section. In the case of any such separate firm for X. Xxxx Price and the
Holders and such control persons of X. Xxxx Price or the Holders, such firm
shall be designated in writing by X. Xxxx Price and the Holders. In the case of
any such separate firm for the Company, the Guarantor, and such directors,
officers and control persons of the Company, such firm shall be designated in
writing by the Company or the Guarantor. The indemnifying party shall not be
liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written
consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for
the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party
from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party
shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party
for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second and third
sentences of this paragraph, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be
liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent
if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such
indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such request sets forth the
terms of the proposed settlement and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not
have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to
the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior
written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending
or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could
have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of
such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter
of such proceeding.
(d) No claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 8 may be
asserted under this Agreement more than one (1) year from the date hereof.
(e) The obligations of the Company and the Guarantor under this
Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability that the Company and the
Guarantor may otherwise have and the obligations of X. Xxxx Price under this
Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability that X. Xxxx Price may otherwise
have.
13
9. Termination and Amendment. This Agreement may be terminated in
writing pursuant to a writing signed by all parties hereto. Notwithstanding the
above, this Agreement shall terminate at such time as all New Notes issued
pursuant hereto are no longer outstanding. This Agreement may be amended
pursuant to a writing signed by all parties hereto; provided however, that if
the Company issues additional New Notes pursuant to the terms of the New Notes,
this Agreement may be amended by a writing signed by the Company, the Guarantor
and persons holding over 50% of the outstanding principal amount of all New
Notes, including such additional New Notes.
10. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail,
telex, telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
(i) if to X. Xxxx Price or any Holder, as follows:
X. Xxxx Price Associates, Inc.
000 X. Xxxxx Xx.
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Vice President and Associate Legal
Counsel
Fax: (000) 000-0000
With a copy to:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP
0000 Xxxxx Xxx.
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: X. X. Xxxxx, Xx.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
(ii) if sent to the Company or the Guarantor, as follows:
Avondale Xxxxx, Inc. and/or Avondale Incorporated
000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx., Chief Financial Officer
Fax: (000) 000-0000
With a copy to:
King & Spalding LLP
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
11. Successors. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall
be binding upon X. Xxxx Price, the Company and the Guarantor and their
respective successors, and legal
14
representatives, and nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is
intended or shall be construed to give any other person any legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement, or any provisions
herein contained, this Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof being
intended to be and being for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Holders, the
Company and the Guarantor and their respective successors, and legal
representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, except that (i) the
indemnities of the Company and the Guarantor contained in Section 8 of this
Agreement shall also be for the benefit of the directors and officers of X. Xxxx
Price any person or persons who control X. Xxxx Price within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and (ii) the
indemnities of X. Xxxx Price contained in Section 8 of this Agreement shall also
be for the benefit of the directors and officers of the Company and the
Guarantor, and any person or persons who control the Company or the Guarantor
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act.
12. Governing Law. The validity and interpretation of this Agreement,
and the terms and conditions set forth herein, shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
13. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process
(a) All judicial proceedings arising out of or relating to this
Agreement may be brought in any state or federal court of competent jurisdiction
in the State of New York, which jurisdiction is non-exclusive.
(b) Each party agrees that any service of process or other legal
summons in connection with any proceeding may be served on it by mailing a copy
thereof by registered mail, or a form of mail substantially equivalent thereto,
postage prepaid, addressed to the served party at its address as provided for in
Section 10 hereof. Nothing in this Section shall affect the right of the parties
to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
If the foregoing correctly sets forth our understanding, please indicate
your acceptance thereof in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon
this letter shall constitute an agreement binding the Company, the Guarantor and
the Holders.
Very truly yours,
AVONDALE XXXXX, INC.
By:________________________________
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx.
Title: Vice Chairman and Chief Financial
Officer
AVONDALE INCORPORATED
By:________________________________
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx.
Title: Vice Chairman and Chief Financial
Officer
The foregoing Agreement is hereby
confirmed and accepted as of the
date first above written.
X. XXXX PRICE ASSOCIATES, INC.
By:__________________________
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT A - PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NEW NOTES PURCHASED
Holder Jurisdiction Principal Amount Purchased
------------------------------------------------- ------------ --------------------------
X. Xxxx Price High Yield Fund, Inc. $9,030,000.00
Penn Series High Yield Bond Fund $ 210,000.00
X. Xxxx Price Institutional High Yield Fund $1,627,500.00
The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company $ 227,500.00
The Penn Insurance and Annuity Company $ 52,500.00
New York City Employees' Retirement System $ 647,500.00
IAM National Pension Fund $ 350,000.00
Placeringsforeningen Pensionsinvest $ 805,000.00
Specialforeningen Jyske Invest Engros, Afdeling 4 $ 595,000.00
X. Xxxx Price Funds SICAV - Global High Yield
Fund $1,295,000.00
Specialforeningen LIJ Invest $1,942,500.00
Specialforeningen TRP Invest $1,767,500.00
Placeringsforeningen KP Invest $ 140,000.00
The Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Hospital Endowment Fund, Inc. $ 52,500.00
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America -
Unscreened $ 490,000.00
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - Social
Purpose $ 70,000.00
New America High Income Fund, Inc. $ 752,500.00
Teachers' Retirement System of the City of New
York $ 647,500.00
New York City Police Pension Fund $ 262,500.00
New York City Fire Department Pension Fund $ 192,500.00
EXHIBIT B - FORM OF NOTE
THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM
REGISTRATION UNDER XXXXXXX 0 XX XXX XXXXXX XXXXXX SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND, ACCORDINGLY,
MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN
EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF, THE SECURITIES ACT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION AND
IN ACCORDANCE WITH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED IN THIS NOTE UNDER WHICH THIS
NOTE WAS ISSUED. THE HOLDER OF THE NOTE WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS
REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY A PROPOSED TRANSFEREE OF THE NOTICE OF THE RESALE
RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE TO THE NOTE.
AVONDALE XXXXX, INC.
FLOATING RATE NOTE DUE 2012
$9,030,000.00 Xx.000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx., an Alabama corporation (hereinafter, the "Company"),
promises to pay to X. Xxxx Price High Yield Fund, Inc. or its successors,
transferees or assigns (collectively, the "Holder") the principal sum of nine
million thirty thousand dollars ($9,030,000.00) on July 1, 2012 (the "Stated
Maturity").
Interest Payment Dates: July 1, October 1, January 1 and April 1.
Record Dates: June 15, September 15, December 15 and March 15.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth
on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the
same effect as if set forth at this place.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually
or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.
Dated: August 26, 2004
AVONDALE XXXXX, INC.
By:______________________________
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx.
Title: Vice Chairman and
Chief Financial Officer
Attest:_____________________________________
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
Title: Vice President, Controller
and Secretary
(REVERSE OF SECURITY)
AVONDALE XXXXX, INC.
FLOATING RATE NOTE DUE 2012
(a) Capitalized Terms. Reference is hereby made to that certain
Exchange Agreement, dated August 26, 2004 (the "Exchange Agreement"), by and
among Avondale Xxxxx, Inc., an Alabama corporation (the "Company"), Avondale
Incorporated, a Georgia corporation (the "Guarantor"), and X. Xxxx Price
Associates, Inc., as investment advisor on behalf of the holders of the
Company's outstanding 10.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 listed on
Exhibit A thereto. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings
assigned to such terms in that certain Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2003, by
and among the Company, the Guarantor and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as
Trustee, as in effect on the date hereof (the "Indenture"). References herein to
the Indenture shall mean the Indenture as in effect on the date hereof.
References herein to "this Note" shall mean this Note evidencing the Floating
Rate Note due 2012 of the Company. References herein to the New Notes, shall
mean this Note as well as any other Floating Rate Notes due 2012 of the Company
issued prior to or after the date hereof. References herein to the Trustee shall
mean Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Trustee, or any successor trustee.
(b) Interest.
(i) Payment. The Company promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of this Note until its Stated Maturity as set forth
in this Section 2. The Company will pay interest quarterly in
arrears on July 1, October 1, January 1 and April 1 of each year
(each an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing on October 1, 2004, or
if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding
Business Day. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent
Interest Payment Date on which interest has been paid or, if no
interest has been paid, from August 26, 2004. The Company shall pay
interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under
any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from
time to time on demand at a rate equal to the interest rate then in
effect; it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest
(without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time
on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. On
or prior to each due date of the principal and interest on any Note,
the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (as hereinafter
defined) a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so
becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other
than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall
hold in trust for the benefit of holders or the Trustee all money
held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest
on the Notes and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the
Company in making any such payment. If the Company or a subsidiary
acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as
Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at
any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to
the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying
Agent.
1
(ii) Interest Rate. This Note shall initially bear interest at
a rate equal to LIBOR (as defined below) for the applicable Interest
Period (which shall mean each of (a) the period from the date hereof
until and including October 1, 2004 and (b) each period thereafter
from the day after an Interest Payment Date to and including the
next Interest Payment Date) plus 7.00% per annum. LIBOR for the
period from the date of this Note until the first Interest Payment
Date shall be 1.75% per annum. The Company will determine LIBOR for
each Interest Period following the initial Interest Period, on the
second London Business Day prior to the first day of such Interest
Period (each a "LIBOR Determination Date"). For purposes of
calculating LIBOR, a London Business Day is any day on which
dealings in deposits in United States dollars are transacted in the
London interbank market. "LIBOR" means, as of any LIBOR
Determination Date, the rate per annum for deposits in the United
States dollars for a three-month period which appears on Telerate
Page 3750 (as defined in the 1987 Interest Rate and Currency
Exchange Definitions published by the International Swap Dealers
Association, Inc., or such other page as may replace such Telerate
Page 3750) as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on such date. The maximum
LIBOR rate for purposes of this Note shall be 4.50%, and the minimum
LIBOR rate for purposes of this Note shall be 1.75% notwithstanding
the fact that the actual LIBOR rate in effect on the LIBOR
Determination Date may differ from such maximum and minimum amounts.
If, on any LIBOR Determination Date, such rate does not appear on
Telerate Page 3750 (or such other page as may replace such Telerate
Page 3750), the rate for that LIBOR Determination Date will be the
rate quoted by Wachovia Bank, National Association in New York City
at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on that day for
loans in United States dollars to leading European banks for a
three-month period.
(iii) Method of Payment. The Company shall pay interest on
this Note (except defaulted interest) to the person who is the
registered holder of this Note at the close of business record date
immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if this Note
is cancelled after the record date and on or before the Interest
Payment Date. The Company shall set a special record date for the
payment of defaulted interest.
On or prior to each due date of the principal and interest on the New
Notes, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay
such principal and interest when so becoming due. The Company shall require each
Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent
shall hold in trust for the benefit of holders of the New Notes or the Trustee
all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest
on the New Notes and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in
making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it
shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate
trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money
held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying
Agent. Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have no further
liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.
2
The Holder must surrender this Note to the Paying Agent to collect
principal payments. The Company will pay principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on this Note in money of the United States of America that at the time
of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
(iv) Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company shall maintain an
office or agency where this Note may be presented for registration
of transfer or for exchange (the "Registrar") and an office or
agency where this Note may be presented for payment (the "Paying
Agent"). The Registrar shall keep a register of this Note and of its
transfer and exchange. The Company may have one or more
co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term
"Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent. The Company
shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar,
Paying Agent or co-registrar of the Company's choosing. If the
Paying Agent and Registrar is other than the Trustee, the Company
shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent
or registrar. The Company or any of its domestically incorporated
Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar,
co-registrar or transfer agent. The Company initially appoints the
Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent in connection with this Note.
(c) Covenants.
(i) Incorporation by Reference from Indenture. Reference is
hereby made to the following provisions of the Indenture which are
incorporated in their entirety by reference herein as if set forth
in their entirety herein, which are made applicable to this Note and
which are binding upon the Company and enforceable by the Holder and
the Trustee: Sections 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07 and 4.08. For purposes
of these incorporated sections (both as stated herein and as
incorporated herein), references to Section 4.03 of the Indenture
shall be deemed references to Section 3(d) of this Note, references
to Section 4.03(a) of the Indenture shall be deemed references to
Section 3(d)(1) of this Note, references to Section 4.03(b) of the
Indenture, and its subsections, shall be deemed references to
Section 3(d)(2) of this Note, and its subsections and for purposes
of Section 4.06 of the Indenture, the term Securities shall be
defined to include the New Notes.
(ii) Payment of Notes. The Company shall promptly pay the
principal of and interest on this Note on the dates and in the
manner provided in this Note. The Company shall pay interest on
overdue principal at the rate specified therefor above, and it shall
pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to
the extent lawful.
(iii) SEC Reports. In the event that the Guarantor ceases to
file reports with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, the Guarantor shall provide the Holder an annual
report and the information documents and other reports which the
Guarantor would be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section
13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act were the Guarantor to still be
filing such reports. The reports will be delivered to the Holder as
promptly as
3
practicable, but in no event later than 15 days after the date such
reports would have been required to be filed with the SEC if such
reports were being filed. In the event the Guarantor conducts any
business or holds any significant assets other than the Capital
Stock of the Company at the time of filing and providing any such
report, information or other document containing financial
statements of the Guarantor, the Guarantor shall include in such
report, information or other document summarized financial
information (as defined in Rule 1-02(bb) of Regulation S-X) with
respect to the Company. Delivery of such reports, information and
documents to the Holder is for informational purposes only and the
Holder's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of
any information contained therein, including the Company's
compliance with any of its covenants hereunder.
(iv) Limitation on Indebtedness.
(1) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, incur, directly or indirectly, any
Indebtedness unless, on the date of such incurrence, the
Consolidated Coverage Ratio exceeds 2.0 to 1.
(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (1), the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur any or all of the
following Indebtedness:
(a) Indebtedness incurred by the Company pursuant
to the Credit Facility or any other revolving
credit arrangement; provided, however, that, after
giving effect to any such incurrence, the
aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness
then outstanding does not exceed the greater of
$175,000,000 (less the then outstanding principal
amount of Indebtedness arising under any
Receivables Program of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary, other than Indebtedness
described in clause (B) below) and the sum of (i)
50% of the book value of the inventory of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii)
85% of the book value of the accounts receivable
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
(other than accounts receivable subject to any
Receivables Program of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary), in each case determined in
accordance with GAAP;
(b) Indebtedness of the Company owed to and held
by a Restricted Subsidiary and Indebtedness of a
Restricted Subsidiary owed to and held by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided,
however, that any subsequent issuance or transfer
of any Capital Stock which results in any such
Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted
Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of such
Indebtedness (other than to the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each
case, to constitute the incurrence of such
Indebtedness by the issuer thereof;
4
(c) the Securities;
(d) Indebtedness outstanding as of the date of
this Note (other than Indebtedness described in
clause (A), (B) or (C) of this Section 3(d)(2));
(e) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of
Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 3(d)(1)
or pursuant to clause (C) or (D) of this Section
3(d)(2) or this clause (E);
(f) Hedging Obligations consisting of Interest
Rate or Currency Protection Agreements directly
related to Indebtedness permitted to be incurred
hereunder;
(g) Indebtedness incurred by a Receivables
Subsidiary, other than Indebtedness described in
clause (B) above, in an amount not exceeding 95%
of the aggregate unpaid balance of the Receivables
and Related Assets of such Receivables Subsidiary
at the time of such incurrence pursuant to a
Receivables Program;
(h) Indebtedness of the Company and the Company's
Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent the net
proceeds thereof are concurrently deposited to
defease all Securities pursuant to the terms of
the Indenture or all New Notes pursuant to the
terms herein;
(i) Indebtedness represented by guarantees by the
Company or the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries
of Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred
under the Indenture;
(j) Indebtedness incurred by the Company in an
aggregate principal amount which, together with
all other Indebtedness of the Company outstanding
on the date of such incurrence which was incurred
pursuant to this clause (J), does not exceed
$55,000,000. With respect to Indebtedness
permitted under this Section 3(d)(2)(J) no more
than $20,000,000 of Indebtedness may be incurred
pursuant to such provision in respect of Purchase
Money Indebtedness.
"Purchase Money Indebtedness" means Indebtedness:
(A) consisting of the deferred purchase price of
property conditional sale obligations, obligations under any title
retention agreement and other purchase money obligations, in each
case whether directly from the owner of such property or through a
third-party financing arrangement, and in each case where the
maturity of such Indebtedness does not exceed the anticipated useful
life of the property being financed, and
5
(B) incurred to finance the acquisition, construction
or lease by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the property,
including additions and improvements thereto;
provided, however, that the Indebtedness is incurred within 180 days
after the acquisition, construction or lease of the property by the
Company or Restricted Subsidiary.
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except as set forth
in Section 3(e) below, the Company shall not incur any Indebtedness
pursuant to Section 3(d)(2) if the proceeds thereof are used,
directly or indirectly, to Refinance or defease any Subordinated
Obligations unless such Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the
New Notes to at least the same extent as such Subordinated
Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this
Section 3(d) "Subordinated Obligations" means any Indebtedness of
the Company (whether outstanding on the date of the New Notes or
thereafter incurred) which is subordinate or junior in right of
payment to the New Notes pursuant to a written agreement to that
effect, including the Securities.
(4) For purposes of determining any particular amount of
Indebtedness under this Section 3(d), (i) Indebtedness incurred
under the Credit Facility on or prior to the date hereof shall be
treated as incurred pursuant to clause (A) of Section 3(d)(2) and
(ii) Guarantees, Liens or obligations with respect to letters of
credit supporting Indebtedness otherwise included in the
determination of such particular amount shall not be included. For
purposes of determining compliance with this Section 3(d), (i) in
the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more
than one of the types of Indebtedness described herein, the Company,
in its sole discretion, will classify (and may reclassify) such item
of Indebtedness and only be required to include the amount and type
of such Indebtedness in one of the above clauses and (ii) an item of
Indebtedness may be divided and classified (and reclassified) in
more than one of the types of Indebtedness described herein.
(v) Repurchase of Securities. The other provisions of this
Note and the Exchange Agreement notwithstanding, neither the Company
nor any Subsidiary may purchase, enter into an exchange for,
repurchase or otherwise acquire more than $75,000,000 in aggregate
principal amount of outstanding Securities (including the Securities
to be tendered in exchange for this Note). Furthermore, the Company
may not issue more than $55,000,000 in senior or unsubordinated
Indebtedness, including this Note, in exchange for Securities it
being understood that the limitation contained in this sentence
shall not apply to the incurrence of indebtedness under the Master
Security Agreement and related documents, dated July 30, 2002, among
the Company and The CIT Group/Equipment Financing, Inc. (the "Master
Security Agreement"), or the Credit Facility used in whole or in
part in exchange for or to finance the repurchase of Securities. The
Company may not incur secured Indebtedness, except under the Master
Security Agreement or the Credit Facility, in exchange for or to
finance the repurchase of Securities
6
unless the Indebtedness evidenced by this Note shall be secured on
an equal and ratable basis with such secured Indebtedness.
(vi) Compliance Certificate and Notices. The Company shall
deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal
year of the Company an Officers' Certificate stating that in the
course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers
of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any Default and
whether or not the signers know of any Default that occurred during
such period. If they do have knowledge of any Default, the
certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action
the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The
Company shall also promptly deliver to the Trustee copies of any
notices or waivers received by the Company from any holder of the
New Notes that (a) were issued prior to August 26, 2004 and (b) are
not included in the register of the New Notes.
(vii) Registration Rights. Within 45 days of the date of this
Note the Company agrees to enter into a registration rights
agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement") with the holders of
New Notes on terms and conditions set forth in Annex B hereto.
(d) Merger or Consolidation.
(i) The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or
into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series
of transactions, all or substantially all its assets to, any Person,
unless:
(1) the Company shall be the resulting, surviving or
transferee Person or the resulting, surviving or transferee Person
(in either case, the "Successor Company") shall be a Person
organized and existing under the laws of the United States of
America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the
Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume all
the obligations of the Company under this Note and the Exchange
Agreement;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and
treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the
Successor Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such
transaction as having been incurred by the Successor Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default
shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(3) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the
Successor Company would be able to incur an additional $1.00 of
Indebtedness pursuant to Section 3(d)(1).
The Successor Company shall be the successor to the Company and shall
succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of,
the Company under this Note and the Exchange Agreement, but the predecessor
Company in the case of a conveyance, transfer or lease shall not be released
from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on this Note.
7
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate
with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the
Company.
(ii) The Guarantor shall not consolidate with or merge with or
into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or series of
transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to any Person
unless: (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (if not
the Guarantor) shall be a Person organized and existing under the
laws of the jurisdiction under which the Guarantor was organized or
under the laws of the United States of America, or any State thereof
or the District of Columbia, and such Person shall expressly assume,
by an amendment to this Note and the Exchange Agreement, in a form
acceptable to the Holder, all the obligations of the Guarantor, if
any, under the Note Guarantee; (ii) immediately after giving effect
to such transaction or transactions on a pro forma basis (and
treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the
resulting, surviving or transferee Person as a result of such
transaction as having been issued by such Person at the time of such
transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(e) Optional Redemption.
(i) The New Notes will not be redeemable at the Company's
option prior to July 1, 2005. At any time on or after July 1, 2005,
the Company may, at its option, redeem all or any portion of the
outstanding principal amount of the New Notes at the redemption
prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount of the New
Notes) set forth below, plus, in each case, accrued interest thereon
to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month
period beginning July 1 of the years indicated below:
Year Percentage
---- ----------
2005 104.000%
2006 103.000%
2007 102.000%
2008 101.000%
2009 and thereafter 100.000%
(f) Notice of Redemption; Selection of New Notes to be
Redeemed.(i) (a) Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30
days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to the
Holder at its address for notices set forth in the Exchange
Agreement. Once notice of redemption is mailed, the portion of the
New Notes called for redemption becomes due and payable on the
redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice.
Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, the New Notes shall be paid at
the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest to
the redemption date.
(ii) If fewer than all the New Notes are to be redeemed, the
Trustee shall select the New Notes to be redeemed pro rata or by lot
or by a method that complies with applicable legal requirements, if
any. The Company shall make the selection from outstanding New Notes
not previously called for redemption. The
8
Company may select for redemption portions of the principal of New
Notes that have denominations larger than $1,000. New Notes and
portions of them the Company selects shall be in amounts of $1,000
or a whole multiple of $1,000. Provisions of this Note that apply to
New Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of New Notes
called for redemption. Upon surrender of a New Note that is redeemed
in part, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Holder a New
Note in the principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the
New Note surrendered.
(iii) On or prior to the redemption date, the Company shall
deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary is
the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money in
immediately available funds, sufficient to pay the redemption price
of and accrued interest on all New Notes to be redeemed on that date
other than New Notes or portions of New Notes called for redemption
which are held by the Company.
(g) Change of Control.
(i) Upon a Change of Control, the Holder shall have the right
to require that the Company repurchase this Note, in its entirety,
at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the outstanding
principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
to the date of purchase (subject to the right of the Holder to
receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date), in accordance
with the terms contemplated in Section 7(b). In the event that at
the time of such Change of Control the terms of the Bank
Indebtedness restrict or prohibit the repurchase of this Note
pursuant to this Section, then prior to the mailing of the notice to
the Holder provided for in Section 7(b) below but in any event
within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall
(i) repay in full all such Bank Indebtedness or offer to repay in
full all such Bank Indebtedness and repay such Bank Indebtedness of
each lender who has accepted such offer or (ii) obtain the requisite
consent under the agreements governing such Bank Indebtedness to
permit the repurchase of this Note as provided for in Section 7(b).
(ii) Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the
Company shall mail a notice to the Holder with a copy to the Trustee
stating:
(1) that a Change of Control has occurred and that the
Holder has the right to require the Company to purchase this Note at
a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount
thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of
purchase (subject to the Holder's right to receive interest on the
relevant interest payment date);
(2) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such
Change of Control (including information with respect to pro forma
historical income, cash flow and capitalization, after giving effect
to such Change of Control);
9
(3) the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30
days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed);
and
(4) the instructions determined by the Company, consistent
with this Section, that the Holder must follow in order to have this
Note purchased.
(iii) In order to have its Note repurchased pursuant to the
terms hereof, the Holder will be required to surrender this Note,
with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Trustee at the
address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior
to the purchase date. The Holder will be entitled to withdraw its
election if the Trustee receives not later than one Business Day
prior to the purchase date, a telegram, telex, facsimile
transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the
principal amount of the Notes which were delivered for purchase by
the Holder and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his
election to have such Note purchased.
(iv) On the purchase date, all Notes surrendered by the
holders and purchased by the Company shall be delivered by the
Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall pay the purchase
price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Holder.
(v) The Company will comply with the applicable tender offer
rules, including Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other
applicable securities laws and resolutions in connection with a
change of control offer. To the extent that the provisions of any
securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this
covenant, the Company will comply with the applicable securities
laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its
obligations under this clause by virtue hereof.
(h) Guaranty. To secure the due and punctual payment of the
principal and interest, if any, on the Note and all other amounts payable by the
Company under this Note when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether
at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the hereof,
the Guarantor has agreed to guarantee the Obligations (as defined in the Note
Guarantee) on a senior basis as set forth in the Note Guarantee attached hereto
as Annex A.
(i) Ranking. This Note, and all amounts due and outstanding
hereunder, are Senior Indebtedness of the Company and shall rank pari passu in
right of payment with all other Senior Indebtedness of the Company.
(j) Amendment, Waiver, Voting.
(i) Without Consent of the Holder. The Company may amend this
Note or any New Notes without notice to or consent of the Holder:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or
inconsistency;
(2) to comply with Section 4;
10
(3) to provide for uncertificated New Notes in addition to
or in place of certificated New Notes; provided, however, that the
uncertificated New Notes are issued in registered form for purposes
of Section 163(f) of the Code or in a manner such that the
uncertificated New Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of
the Code;
(4) to add guarantees with respect to this Note or to secure
this Note;
(5) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit
of the Holder or to surrender any right or power herein conferred
upon the Company;
(6) to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection
with qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of, an indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (to the extent an
indenture will be required to be qualified under the Registration
Rights Agreement); or
(7) to make any change that does not materially adversely
affect the rights of the Holder.
After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall
mail to the Holder a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to
give such notice to the Holder, or any defect therein, shall not impair or
affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.
(ii) With Consent of the Holder. (i) The Company may amend
this Note or any New Notes without notice to the Holder but with the
written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal
amount of the New Notes. (ii) Without the consent of each holder
affected, an amendment may not:
reduce the amount of New Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment;
reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any New Note;
reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any New Note;
reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any New Note or change the
time at which any New Note may be redeemed in accordance with Section 5;
make any New Note payable in money other than U.S. Dollars;
make any change in Section 12(b) or 12(c), or clause (ii) of this Section 10(b);
or
make any change in any the Note Guarantee that would adversely affect the
holders; and
(iii) The above provisions notwithstanding, any amendment to Section
3(d)(2)(J), Section 3(d)(3) or Section 3(e) of this Note requires the written
consent of holders of least 75% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of
the New Notes. This clause (iii) may not be amended or waived except upon the
written consent of holders of at least 75% of the outstanding aggregate
principal amount of the New Notes.
(iv) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the holders under this
Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall
be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
(v) After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company
shall mail to the Holder a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure
to give such notice to the Holder, or any defect therein, shall not impair or
affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.
11
(iii) Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers. A consent
to an amendment or a waiver by a holder of a New Note shall bind the
holder and every subsequent holder of that New Note or portion of
the New Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting holder's
New Note, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on
the New Note. However, any such holder or subsequent holder may
revoke the consent or waiver as to such holder's New Note or portion
of the New Note if the Company receives the notice of revocation
before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective. After an
amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every new
holder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the execution
of such amendment or waiver by the Company.
(iv) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a
record date for the purpose of determining the holders of New Notes
entitled to give their consent or take any other action described
above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to the New
Notes. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the
immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were holders of
New Notes at such record date (or their duly designated proxies),
and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to
revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action,
whether or not such Persons continue to be holders of New Notes
after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective
for more than 120 days after such record date.
(v) Payment for Consent. Neither the Company nor any Affiliate
of the Company shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be
paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or
otherwise, to any holder of New Notes for or as an inducement to any
consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of
the New Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid to all
holders that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame
set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver
or agreement.
(k) Defaults and Remedies. An "Event of Default" occurs if:
(i) the Company defaults in any payment of interest on this
Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default
continues for a period of 30 days;
(ii) the Company (i) defaults in the payment of the principal
of this Note when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated
Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon
declaration or otherwise or (ii) fails to redeem or purchase this
Note when required pursuant to the terms hereof;
(iii) the Company or the Guarantor fails to comply with
Section 4;
(iv) the Company fails to comply with Section 3 and such
failure continues for 30 days after the notice specified below;
12
(v) the Company or the Guarantor fails to comply with any of
its agreements set forth herein (other than those referred to in
clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) above) and such failure continues for 60
days after the notice specified below;
(vi) Indebtedness of the Company, the Guarantor or any
Significant Subsidiary is not paid within any applicable grace
period after final maturity or is accelerated by the holders thereof
because of a default and the total amount of such Indebtedness
unpaid or accelerated exceeds $10,000,000 or its foreign currency
equivalent;
(vii) the Company, the Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary
pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(1) commences a voluntary case;
(2) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it
in an involuntary case;
(3) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for
any substantial part of its property; or
(4) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its
creditors; or
(5) takes any comparable action under any foreign laws
relating to insolvency;
(viii) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or
decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(1) is for relief against the Company, the Guarantor or any
Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(2) appoints a Custodian of the Company, the Guarantor or
any Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its
property;
(3) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company, the
Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; or
(4) any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and
the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;
(ix) any judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess
of $10,000,000 or its foreign currency equivalent at the time is
entered against the Company, the Guarantor or any Significant
Subsidiary, remains outstanding for a period of 60 days following
the entry of such judgment or decree and is not discharged, waived
or the execution thereof stayed within 10 days after the notice
specified below; or
13
(x) the Note Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect
(other than in accordance with the terms of the Note Guarantee) or
the Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under the Note
Guarantee.
The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for
any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is
effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any
court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental
body.
The term "Bankruptcy Law" means Xxxxx 00, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Code, or any
similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term "Custodian"
means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official
under any Bankruptcy Law.
A Default under clauses (d), (e) or (i) is not an Event of Default until
the Trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
New Notes at the time of such Default notify the Company of the Default and the
Company does not cure such Default within the time specified after receipt of
such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied
and state that such notice is a "Notice of Default."
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the
occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers' Certificate of
any Event of Default under clause (f) or (j) and any event which with the giving
of notice or the lapse of time would become an Event of Default under clause
(d), (e) or (i), its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to
take with respect thereto.
(l) Acceleration, Waivers of Past Defaults, Waiver of Stay or
Extension Laws, Right to Receive Payment.
(i) Acceleration. If an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing (other than an Event of Default specified in Section
11(g) or (h) with respect to the Company or the Guarantor), the
Trustee by written notice to the Company, or the holders of at least
25% in principal amount of the New Notes by written notice to the
Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of and accrued
but unpaid interest on this Note to be due and payable. Upon such a
declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable
immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 11 (g) or
(h) with respect to the Company or the Guarantor occurs, all
principal of and interest on this Note shall ipso facto become and
be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act
on the part of the Holder. The holders of a majority in principal
amount of the New Notes may by notice to the Company rescind an
acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not
conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of
Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or
interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. No such
rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right
consequent thereto.
(ii) Waiver of Past Defaults. The holders of a majority in
principal amount of the New Notes by notice to the Company may waive
an existing Default and its consequences except (i) a Default in the
payment of the principal of or interest on a New Note or (ii) a
Default in respect of a provision that under Section 10(b) cannot be
amended without the consent of each holder of New Notes affected. A
14
Default in respect of a provision that requires the consent of 75%
of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the New Notes to
any amendment may only be waived by the holders of 75% of the
outstanding aggregate principal amount of the New Notes. When a
Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall
extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent
right.
(iii) Right to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Note, the right of the Holder to receive payment
of principal of and interest on this Note, on or after the
respective due dates expressed in this Note, or to bring suit for
the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective
dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the
Holder.
(iv) Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Company (to the
extent it may lawfully do so) shall not at any time insist upon, or
plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or
advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at
any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the
performance under this Note; and the Company (to the extent that it
may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage
of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution
of any power herein granted to the Holder, but shall suffer and
permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had
been enacted.
(v) When New Notes Disregarded; Registered Securities. In
determining whether the holders of the required principal amount of
New Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, New
Notes owned by the Company or by any Person directly or indirectly
controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be
outstanding. Also, subject to the foregoing, only New Notes
outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such
determination. For all purposes for this Note, any New Notes sold
pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement shall be considered the
same class or series as this Note.
(m) Notice of Transfer; Surrender; New Certificates. In the event
this Note or any portion of this Note is transferred by the holder thereof to a
third party (including any Affiliate (as defined in Regulation D of the
Securities Act) thereof), the holder will promptly execute and return to the
Trustee the assignment form attached hereto as Annex C.
Upon the Stated Maturity, the holder of this Note, in exchange for the
payment of principal of, and any accrued and unpaid interest, on this Note shall
surrender this Note to the Company.
In the event that the holder of this Note transfers any portion hereof
pursuant to the terms hereof, the transferring and new holder shall be entitled
to have the Company execute and deliver new certificates (with corresponding
Note Guarantees executed by the Guarantor) representing the applicable principal
amount of Notes in the names and denominations requested by the transferring
holder, provided that the Company may request the transferring and new holder to
confirm in writing that it has complied with federal and state securities laws
with respect to such transfer.
15
(n) Defeasance, Satisfaction and Discharge. Reference is hereby
made to Article 8 of the Indenture which is incorporated by reference herein as
if set forth in its entirety herein and made applicable to this Note.
(o) Duties of Trustee.
(i) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this
Note and any agreement entered into between the Company and the
Trustee with respect to the new Notes (the "Trustee Agreement") and
use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent
Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct
of such Person's own affairs.
(ii) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only
such duties as are specifically set forth in this Note and the
Trustee Agreement and no implied covenants or obligations shall be
read into this Note against the Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or
opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements
set forth in the Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the
certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform
to the requirements of the Indenture (but need not confirm or
investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts
stated therein).
(iii) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its
own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own
willful misconduct, except that:
(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph
(b) of this Section;
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved
that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
and
(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a
direction received by it pursuant to Section 20.
(iv) Every provision of this Note that in any way relates to
the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this
Section 15.
(v) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money
received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the
Company.
16
(vi) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(vii) No provision of this Note or the Trustee Agreement shall
require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise
incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties
hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it
shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such
funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not
reasonably assured to it.
(viii) Every provision of this Note relating to the conduct or
affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee
shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 15.
(p) Rights of Trustee.
(i) The Trustee may rely on any document believed by it to be
genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person.
The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the
document.
(ii) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may
require an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The
Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take
in good faith in reliance on the Officers' Certificate or Opinion of
Counsel.
(iii) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be
responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed
with due care.
(iv) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes
or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or
within its rights or powers; provided, however, that the Trustee's
conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.
(v) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and
the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters
relating to this Note and the Trustee Agreement shall be full and
complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to
any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith
and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(vi) Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein
shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate and any
resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced
by a board resolution.
(vii) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any
of the rights or powers vested in it by this Note at the request or
direction of any of the holders of the New Notes, unless such
holders of the New Notes shall have offered to the Trustee
reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses
17
and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with
such request or direction.
(q) Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or
any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of New Notes and may
otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would
have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or
co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must
comply with Sections 29 and 30.
(r) Trustee's Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for
and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Note, and it
shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Note or in any
document issued in connection with the sale of this Note.
(s) Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and
if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to the Holder notice of
the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in
payment of principal of or interest on this Note (including payments pursuant to
the mandatory redemption provisions of this Note), the Trustee may withhold the
notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith
determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of this Note.
(t) Control by Majority. The holders of a majority in principal
amount of the New Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or
power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any
direction that conflicts with law or this Note or, subject to Section 15, that
the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other holders of
the New Notes or would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided,
however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee
that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action
hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it
in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not
taking such action.
(u) Limitation on Suits. A Holder of New Notes may not pursue any
remedy with respect to this Note unless:
(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice stating
that an Event of Default is continuing;
(2) the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
New Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the
remedy;
(3) such Holder or holders offer to the Trustee reasonable
security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense;
(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60
days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or
indemnity; and
(5) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the New
Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the
request during such 60-day period.
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A holder of New Notes may not use this Note to prejudice the rights of
another holder of New Notes or to obtain a preference or priority over another
holder of New Notes.
(v) Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Note, the right of the Holder
to receive payment of principal of and interest on this Note, on or after the
respective due dates expressed in this Note, or to bring suit for the
enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be
impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.
(w) Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified
in Section 11(a) or 11(b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover
judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company
for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any unpaid
interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 31 and
the Trustee Agreement.
(x) Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may file such
proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable
in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the holders of the New Notes
allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or
its property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote
on behalf of the holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other
Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial
proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee
and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments
directly to the holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section
31 and the Trustee Agreement.
(y) Priorities.
(i) If the Trustee collects any money or property following an
Event of Default, it shall pay out the money or property in the
following order:
FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 31 and the
Trustee Agreement;
SECOND: to holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, including
the holders of the New Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the New Notes for
principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind,
according to the amounts due and payable on the New Notes for principal and
interest, respectively;
THIRD: to holders of all Senior Subordinated Indebtedness; and
FOURTH: to the Company
(ii) The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for
any payment to holders of New Notes pursuant to this Section. At
least 15 days before such record date, the Company shall mail to
each Holder of New Notes and the Trustee a notice that states the
record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.
(z) Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any
right or remedy under this Note or in any suit against the Trustee for any
action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court
19
in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an
undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may
assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, against any party
litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the
claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a
suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 22 or a suit by
holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the New Notes.
(aa) Replacement of Trustee.
(i) The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the
Company. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the New
Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and may
appoint a successor Trustee. The Company shall remove the Trustee
if:
(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 29;
(2) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;
(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the
Trustee or its property; or
(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
(ii) If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by
the holders of a majority in principal amount of the New Notes and
such holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee,
or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the
Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring
Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.
(iii) A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance
of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.
Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall
become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the
rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Note. The
successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to the
Holder.
(iv) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30
days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring
Trustee or the holders of 10% in principal amount of the New Notes
may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment
of a successor Trustee.
(v) If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 29, any Holder
of New Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for
the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor
Trustee.
(bb) Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with,
merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate
trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the
resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without
any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
20
(cc) Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times
satisfy the requirements of TIA Section 310(a). The Trustee shall have a
combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most
recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA
Section 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the
operation of TIA Section 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other
securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of
the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in
TIA Section 310(b)(1) are met.
(dd) Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee
shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed
in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be
subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.
(ee) Compensation of Trustee.
(i) The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time
compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee shall
from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee's compensation shall
not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express
trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including
costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its
services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation
and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee's agents and
counsel. The Company shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all
loss, liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees)
incurred by it in connection with the administration of this trust
and the performance of its duties hereunder. The Trustee shall
notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek
indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not
relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall
defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the
Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel.
The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any
loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the
Trustee's own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.
(ii) To secure the Company's payment obligations in this
Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the New Notes on all
money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money
or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on
particular New Notes.
(iii) When the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of
a Default specified in Section 11(g) or (h) with respect to the
Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
(ff) Notices. Any notice or communication shall be in writing and
delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:
if to the Company:
Avondale Xxxxx, Inc.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
00
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
if to the Trustee, Registrar or Paying Agent:
Wachovia Bank, National Association
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Corporate Trust Department
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional
or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication mailed to the Holder shall be mailed to the
Holder at the Holder's address as it appears on the registration books of the
Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time
prescribed.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to the Holder or any defect in
it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other holders of New Notes.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly
given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
(gg) Noteholder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a
form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the
names and addresses of holders of New Notes. If the Trustee is not the
Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five
business days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the
Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the
Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of holders.
(hh) No Recourse Against Others. No director, officer, employee or
stockholder, as such, of either of the Company or the Guarantor shall have any
individual liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantor under
the Notes and the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of or by
reason of such obligations or their creation, except that the Guarantor shall
have liability for the Note Guarantee in its capacity as Guarantor. By accepting
this Note, the Holder waives and is releases all such liability. The waiver and
release are part of the consideration for the issue of this Note.
(ii) Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Note shall
bind its successors.
(jj) Headings. The headings sections and subsections of this Note
have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be
considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or
provisions hereof.
(kk) Governing Law. THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT
TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION
OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.
22
ANNEX A
NOTE GUARANTEE
To secure the due and punctual payment of the principal and interest, if
any, on the Floating Rate Note due 2012 of Avondale Xxxxx, Inc. (the "Note")
held by X. Xxxx Price High Yield Fund, Inc. (the "Holder") and all other amounts
payable by the Company under the Note when and as the same shall be due and
payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the
terms of the Note, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which
are hereby acknowledged, the Guarantor agrees to guarantee the Obligations (as
defined below) on a senior basis pursuant to the terms herein (defined terms not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the
Note):
1. The Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to the Holder
and its successors, transferees and assigns and to the Trustee (a) the full
and punctual payment of principal and interest on the Note when due, whether
at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, and all other
monetary obligations of the Company under the Note and (b) the full and
punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations
of the Company under the Note (all the foregoing being hereinafter
collectively called the "Obligations"). The Guarantor further agrees that the
Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice
or further assent from the Guarantor and that the Guarantor will remain bound
under this Note Guarantee notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any
Obligation.
2. The Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of, payment from and protest to
the Company of any of the Obligations and also waives notice of protest for
nonpayment. The Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Note or the
Obligations. The obligations of the Guarantor hereunder are primary, absolute
and unconditional and shall not be affected by (a) the failure of the Holder
or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or
remedy against the Company or any other person under the Exchange Agreement,
the Note or any other agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of
any thereof; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of
the terms or provisions of the Exchange Agreement, the Note or any other
agreement; (d) the release of any security held by the Holder or the Trustee
for the Obligations or any of them; (e) the failure of the Holder or the
Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the
Obligations; or (f) any change in the ownership of the Guarantor.
3. The Guarantor further agrees that its guarantee herein constitutes a
guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a
guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be
had by the Holder or the Trustee against the Company or any other person or
to any security held for payment of the Obligations.
4. This Note Guarantee is Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor and is equal in
right of payment to the payment in full of the principal of and premium, if
any, and interest on all Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor.
A-1
5. The obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any
reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including
any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall
not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or
termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability of the Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the obligations of the Guarantor herein shall
not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of the
Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy
under the Exchange Agreement, the Note or any other agreement, by any waiver
or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or
otherwise, in the performance of the obligations, or by any other act or
thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might
in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of the Guarantor or would
otherwise operate as a discharge of the Guarantor as a matter of law or
equity.
6. The Guarantor further agrees that this Note Guarantee shall continue to be
effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or
any part thereof, of principal or interest on any Obligation is rescinded or
must otherwise be restored by the Holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy
or reorganization of the Company, the Guarantor or otherwise.
7. In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right
which the Holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against the
Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay the
principal or interest on any Obligation when and as the same shall become
due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to
perform or comply with any other Obligation, the Guarantor hereby promises
to and will, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay,
or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holder or the Trustee an amount equal
to the sum of (i) the unpaid amount of such Obligations, (ii) accrued and
unpaid interest on such Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited
by law) and (iii) all other monetary Obligations of the Company to the
Holder and the Trustee.
8. The Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of
subrogation in respect of any Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in
full of all Obligations. The Guarantor further agrees that, as between it,
on the one hand, and the Holder and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the
maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated after an
Event of Default under the Note for the purposes of the Guarantor's
Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition
preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed
hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such
obligations as provided by the Note, such Obligations (whether or not due
and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the
purposes of this Note Guarantee.
9. The Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by the Holder or the Trustee in
enforcing any rights under this Note Guarantee;
10. This Note Guarantee shall be binding upon the Guarantor and its successors
and assigns and shall enure to the benefit of the successors, transferees
and assigns of the Holder and, the Trustee in the event of any transfer or
assignment of rights by the Holder or the Trustee, the
A-2
rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Note Guarantee and
in the Note shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee
or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Note Guarantee.
11. Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Holder or the
Trustee in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Note
Guarantee shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial
exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power
or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Holder and the
Trustee herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any
other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Note
Guarantee at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.
12. No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Note Guarantee
nor the consent to any departure by the Guarantor therefrom, shall in any
event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the
Holder and the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective
only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice
to or demand on the Guarantor in any case shall entitle the Guarantor to any
other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other
circumstances.
A-3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor has executed this Note Guarantee as of
the ___ day of August 26, 2004.
AVONDALE INCORPORATED
By:_____________________________________
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx.
Title: Vice Chairman, Chief Financial
Officer and Director
A-4
ANNEX B
TERM SHEET FOR REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Capitalized terms that are not defined below have the meanings assigned to
them in the Exchange Agreement.
Piggyback Registration Rights. If (a) the Company issues, in one or more
issuances, an aggregate of $25 million or more in principal amount of New Notes
and (b) thereafter, proposes to file a registration statement with respect to
the offer, sale or resale of at least $50 million in principal amount of debt
securities of the Company, the holders of the New Notes will have the right to
cause their New Notes to be included in the registration statement (a "Piggyback
Registration"), subject to the terms, conditions and other provisions outlined
in this term sheet and the definitive Registration Rights Agreement. Any New
Notes sold pursuant to any related registration statement are referred to in
this term sheet as "Registered Notes".
The Company will be required to enter into only one registration rights
agreement with respect to the registration of the offer, sale or resale of New
Notes, notwithstanding the number of holders of such New Notes. The terms and
other provisions of any Registration Rights Agreement outlined in this term
sheet will be subject to the approval of the majority in principal amount of
holders of New Notes outstanding at such time but will, in no event, be more
adverse to the Company than those reflected in this term sheet.
Notice & Other Conditions. The Company will give prompt written notice to all
holders of New Notes of the intended registration.
Each holder of New Notes will have 30 days from the date of the notice
referred to above to elect to have all, but not less than all, of such holder's
New Notes included in such registration statement, subject to the provisions
described below, and, as a condition of the exercise of such holder's piggyback
registration rights, will be required to provide such Company customary
information as the Company may reasonably request about themselves and to update
that information, as applicable, during the registration process and any periods
of applicable offer and sale. The Company will not be required to include any
New Notes in the Piggyback Registration unless the holders of at least $25
million aggregate principal amount of New Notes give the Company notice that
they wish to have their New Notes included in the Piggyback Registration;
provided, the holders of the New Notes shall be entitled to participate in a
further Piggyback Registration if holders of at least $25 million outstanding
New Notes give notice that they wish to participate.
Delayed or Abandoned Offering & Registration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if,
at any time after giving a notice of registration and prior to the effective
date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration,
the Company determines for any reason not to register or to delay registration
of such debt securities, the Company may, at its election, give prompt written
notice of such determination to each applicable holder and, thereupon, (i) in
the case of a determination not to register, shall be relieved of its obligation
to register any New Notes in connection with such registration, but not in
connection with any future registration, and (ii) in
B-1
the case of a determination to delay registering, shall be permitted to delay
registering New Notes for the same period as the delay in registering such other
securities.
Suspension Periods. The Registration Rights Agreement will contain customary
provisions (i) requiring the Company to notify holders of New Notes of the
happening of any event as a result of which the applicable prospectus includes a
material misstatement or omission, (ii) requiring the Company to prepare, as
applicable, a correcting supplement or amendment to such prospectus and (iii)
requiring holders of New Notes to suspend the disposition of New Notes or
Exchange Notes pursuant to the registration statement until they receive the
correcting amendment or supplement.
Underwritten Offering. If the Company, at any time while New Notes are
outstanding, proposes to register any of its debt securities in a Piggyback
Registration and such securities are to be distributed by or through one or more
underwriters, the Company will, subject to the provisions described below in
"Cutback," use its commercially reasonable efforts to arrange for such
underwriters to include the New Notes to be offered and sold by the applicable
holders of the New Notes among the debt securities to be distributed by such
underwriters, and participating holders of New Notes shall be obligated to sell
their New Notes in such Piggyback Registration through such underwriters on the
same terms and conditions as apply to the other Company securities to be sold by
such underwriters in connection with such Piggyback Registration.
Cutback. If the managing underwriter with respect to a Piggyback Registration
advises the Company and the holders of the New Notes that, in its opinion, the
number of securities requested to be included in such registration (including
securities of the Company which are not New Notes) exceed the number which can
be sold in such offering without a reduction in the anticipated number of, or in
the selling price anticipated to be received for, the securities to be sold in
such public offering, then:
(1) (i) if such registration is a primary registration on behalf
of the Company, such reduction will be pro rata among (x) the amount of
securities to be included therein for the account of the Company and (y)
the New Notes proposed to be included by the applicable holders; and
(2) (ii) if such registration is an underwritten secondary
registration on behalf of holders of debt securities of the Company, the
Company will include therein: (x) first, up to the full amount of
securities to be included therein for the account of the Company and the
New Notes proposed to be included by the applicable holders and (y)
second, all other securities proposed to be sold by any other persons
that, in the opinion of the managing underwriter, can be sold without
adversely affecting the success of the offering. If any reduction is
required in the number of securities to be registered by the Company and
the applicable holders as set forth in the preceding sentence, such
reduction will be pro rata among (x) the amount of securities to be
included therein for the account of the Company and (y) the New Notes
proposed to be included by the applicable holders.
B-2
Holdback. Unless the managing underwriter agrees, no direct or indirect purchase
or sale of debt securities of the Company will be allowed (a) during the seven
days prior to the effective date of any registration statement filed by the
Company in connection with a public offering and (b) during the 120 days after
the effective date of any registration statement filed by the Company in
connection with a public offering, in either case except as part of such
registration statement, whether or not such holder participates in such
registration, unless the managing underwriter otherwise agrees.
Registration Expenses. The Company will pay all customary expenses in connection
with any Piggyback Registration, including the reasonable fees and expenses of
one counsel chosen by a majority of holders of New Notes.
Registration Procedures. The Registration Rights Agreement will contain
customary procedures regarding the Piggyback Registration.
Indemnification. The Registration Rights Agreement will contain customary
cross-indemnity provisions relating to information provided in registration
statement by the Company on one hand and by the applicable holders on the other.
Indenture & Trust Indenture Act of 1939. If registered and issued, the
Registered Notes will be issued pursuant to an indenture containing the terms
and other provisions contained in the New Notes issued on the date of the
Exchange Agreement and such other terms and provisions as are customary for a
comparable indenture (the "Indenture"). The Indenture will be qualified under
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
Governing Law. New York.
B-3
ANNEX C
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Note to:
_______________________________________________________________________________
(Insert assignee's social security or tax I.D. no.)
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint __________________ as agent to transfer this Note on
the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Your Signature: _______________________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)
Your Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Date: _______________________
Signature Guarantee: __________________________________________________________
C-1
