Contract
AMENDMENT NO. 3 dated as of June
9, 2004 (this
"Amendment") to the Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of
September
24, 2001 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time,
the "Credit Agreement"), among TYSON FOODS, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("the Borrower"), the LENDERS party thereto, JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, as
administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent"),
as administrative
agent, XXXXXXX XXXXX CAPITAL CORPORATION
(now known as XXXXXXX XXXXX BANK USA),
as syndication agent,
and SUNTRUST BANK as documentation agent and MIZUHO
FINANCIAL
GROUP (now known as MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD.) and
RABOBANK
INTERNATIONAL (now known as COOPERATIEVE
CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK
B.A. "RABOBANK
INTERNATIONAL", NEW YORK BRANCH), as co-documentation agents.
B. The Borrower has requested that the Lenders amend certain provisions of the Credit Agreement. The Majority Lenders are willing to agree to such amendments on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Amendment.
Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Amendments. Upon the effectiveness of this Amendment as provided in Section 3 below, the Credit Agreement shall be amended to read as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and to include Schedule 2.12 in the form attached hereto.Section 2. Representations and Warranties. The Borrower represents and warrants to each of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent that, after giving effect to this Amendment:
(a) the representations and warranties set forth in Article IV of the Credit Agreement are true and correct in all material respects and with the same effect as if made on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate solely to an earlier date.(b) the Borrower is in compliance with the covenants set forth in Article VI and Article VII of the Credit Agreement as of the date hereof.
128
(c) no Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing.
Section 3. Effectiveness. This Amendment shall become effective on the date (the "Effective Date") the Administrative Agent shall have received duly executed counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the authorized signatures of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders.
Section 4. Effect of Amendment. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair, constitute a waiver of, or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Syndication Agent, the Documentation Agent or the Co-Documentation Agents under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, and shall not alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect. Nothing herein shall be deemed to entitle the Borrower to a consent to, or a waiver, amendment, modification or other change of, any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document in similar or different circumstances. This Amendment shall apply and be effective only with respect to the provisions of the Credit Agreement specifically referred to herein. This Amendment shall constitute a "Loan Document" for all purposes of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents. As used therein, the terms "Agreement", "herein", "hereunder", "hereto", "hereof" and words of similar import shall, unless the context otherwise requires, refer to the Credit Agreement as modified hereby.Section 5. Applicable Law. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SAID STATE WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.
Section 6. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.Section 7. Headings. The headings of this Amendment are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
[signature pages follow]
129
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the date first above written.
TYSON FOODS, INC., |
by: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
Title: Senior Vice President Finance and Treasurer
|
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, individually and as Administrative Agent, |
by: X.X. Xxxxxxxx |
Name: X.X.
Xxxxxxxx
|
XXXXXXX XXXXX BANK USA, individually and as Syndication Agent, |
by: Name:
|
SUNTRUST BANK, individually and as Documentation Agent, |
by: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx Name: Xxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD., individually and as Co-Documentation Agent, |
by: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Name:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
130
COOPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK B.A. "RABOBANK INTERNATIONAL", NEW YORK BRANCH, individually and as Co-Documentation Agent, by: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
by: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Name: Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx |
131
Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 dated as of JUNE 9, 2004 to the Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of SEPTEMBER 24, 2001, as amended, among TYSON FOODS, INC., the LENDERS party thereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, as Administrative Agent.
Name of Institution:
Ancorp
USA, Inc.
by
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title:
Director Citicorp USA, Inc.
Name of Institution:
Scotiabanc
Inc..
by
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title:
Managing Director
Name of Institution:
Sumitomo
Mitsui Banking Corporation
by
/s/ Xxxxxx XxXxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxx XxXxxxx
Title:
Vice President and Department Head
Name of Institution:
US
Bank National Association
by
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title:
Senior Vice President
Name of Institution:
Wachovia
Bank National Association
by
/s/ Xxxx Xxx
Name:
Xxxx Xxx
Title:
AVP
Name of Institution:
The
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, LTD
by
/s/ X. Xxxxxxx
Name:
X. Xxxxxxx
Title:
Vice President
by
/s/ X. Xxxxxx
Name:
X. Xxxxxx
Title:
Vice President & Manager
Name of Institution:
Bank
of Communications, New York Branch
by
/s/ Hong Tu
Name:
Hong Tu
Title:
General Manager
Name of Institution:
E.
Sun Commercial Bank, Ltd., Los Angeles Branch
by
/s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxx
Name:
Xxxxxxxx Xxx
Title:
EVP & General Manager
Name of Institution:
U.S.
AgBank, FCB
by
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Title:
Vice President
Name of Institution:
Agfirst
Farm Credit Bank
by
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx Xx.
Name:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx Xx.
Title:
Vice President
Name of Institution:
Farm Credit Services of Missouri, PCA
by
/s/ Xxxxxxx. X. Xxxxxxx.
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title:
Vice President, Agribusiness
Name of Institution:
AgStar Financial Services, PCA
by
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx.
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title:
Vice President, Capital Markets
Name of Institution:
Farm
Credit Bank of Texas
by
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxx
Name:
Xxxx X. Xxxx
Title:
Vice President
[1] For use by those Lenders that require two signatures.
132
EXHIBIT A
to Amendment No. 3 dated as of June 9, 2004
to the Five-Year Credit Agreement
dated as of September 24, 2001, as amended
=====================================================================================================
FIVE-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT
dated as of September 24, 2001,
as amended as of April 3, 2002, June 11, 2003 and June 9, 2004
among
TYSON FOODS, INC.,
as Borrower
THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
as Administrative Agent
XXXXXXX XXXXX CAPITAL CORPORATION,
as Syndication Agent
SUNTRUST BANK,
as Documentation Agent
and
MIZUHO FINANCIAL GROUP,
RABOBANK INTERNATIONAL,
as Co-Documentation Agents
_______________________________
X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES INC.
XXXXXXX XXXXX & CO.,
as Co-Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
[6701-196]
=====================================================================================================
133
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 134
ARTICLE I
Definitions and Accounting Terms
SECTION 1.01 |
Certain Defined Terms |
138 |
SECTION 1.02 |
Computation of Time Periods |
154 |
SECTION 1.03 |
Accounting Matters |
154 |
SECTION 1.04 |
Certain Terms |
155 |
ARTICLE II
Amounts and Terms of the Loans
SECTION 2.01 |
Amounts and Terms of Commitments |
155 |
SECTION 2.02 |
Procedure for Committed Borrowing |
155 |
SECTION 2.03 |
Bid Borrowings |
157 |
SECTION 2.04 |
Procedure for Bid Borrowings |
157 |
SECTION 2.05 |
Evidence of Indebtedness |
160 |
SECTION 2.06 |
Termination and Reduction of the Commitments |
160 |
SECTION 2.07 |
Optional Prepayments |
161 |
SECTION 2.08 |
Repayment |
161 |
SECTION 2.09 |
Interest |
161 |
SECTION 2.10 |
Default Interest |
163 |
SECTION 2.11 |
Continuation and Conversion Elections for Committed Borrowings |
163 |
SECTION 2.12 |
Letters of Credit |
164 |
ARTICLE III
Fees; Payments; Taxes; Changes in Circumstances
SECTION 3.01 |
Fees |
169 |
SECTION 3.02 |
Computation of Fees and Interest |
171 |
SECTION 3.03 |
Payments by the Borrower |
171 |
SECTION 3.04 |
Payments by the Lenders to the Administrative Agent |
172 |
SECTION 3.05 |
Taxes |
173 |
SECTION 3.06 |
Sharing of Payments, Etc |
178 |
SECTION 3.07 |
Inability to Determine Rates |
178 |
SECTION 3.08 |
Increased Costs |
179 |
SECTION 3.09 |
Capital Adequacy |
179 |
SECTION 3.10 |
Funding Losses |
179 |
SECTION 3.11 |
Additional Interest on Eurodollar Loans |
180 |
SECTION 3.12 |
Certificates of Lenders |
180 |
SECTION 3.13 |
Change of Lending Office; Replacement Lender |
180 |
134
ARTICLE IV
Representations and Warranties
SECTION 4.01 |
Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law |
181 |
SECTION 4.02 |
Corporate Authorization; No Contravention; Governmental Authorization |
182 |
SECTION 4.03 |
Enforceable Obligations |
182 |
SECTION 4.04 |
Taxes |
182 |
SECTION 4.05 | Financial Matters | 183 |
SECTION 4.06 |
Litigation |
184 |
SECTION 4.07 |
Subsidiaries |
184 |
SECTION 4.08 |
Liens |
185 |
SECTION 4.09 |
No Defaults |
185 |
SECTION 4.10 |
Investment Company Act; Public Utility Holding Company Act |
185 |
SECTION 4.11 |
Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations |
185 |
SECTION 4.12 |
Assets |
185 |
SECTION 4.13 |
Labor Matters |
186 |
SECTION 4.14 |
Environmental Matters |
186 |
SECTION 4.15 |
Completeness |
187 |
SECTION 4.16 |
ERISA |
187 |
SECTION 4.17 |
Insurance |
187 |
SECTION 4.18 |
IBP Subsidiaries |
187 |
ARTICLE V
Conditions Precedent
SECTION 5.01 |
Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness |
187 |
SECTION 5.02 |
Conditions Precedent to All Borrowings and Issuances of Letters of Credit |
189 |
ARTICLE VI
Affirmative Covenants
SECTION 6.01 |
Compliance with Laws, Etc |
190 |
SECTION 6.02 |
Use of Proceeds |
190 |
SECTION 6.03 |
Payment of Obligations, Etc |
191 |
SECTION 6.04 |
Insurance |
191 |
SECTION 6.05 |
Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc |
191 |
SECTION 6.06 |
Access |
191 |
SECTION 6.07 |
Keeping of Books |
192 |
SECTION 6.08 |
Maintenance of Properties |
192 |
SECTION 6.09 |
Financial Statements |
192 |
SECTION 6.10 |
Reporting Requirements |
193 |
SECTION 6.11 |
Notices Regarding ERISA |
194 |
SECTION 6.12 |
Environmental Compliance; Notice |
194 |
SECTION 6.13 |
Acquisition and Merger Agreement |
194 |
135
ARTICLE VII
Negative Covenants
SECTION 7.01 |
Limitations on Liens |
195 |
SECTION 7.02 |
Limitation on Indebtedness |
198 |
SECTION 7.03 |
Sale-Leaseback Transactions |
199 |
SECTION 7.04 |
Restricted Payments |
200 |
SECTION 7.05 |
Mergers, Etc |
200 |
SECTION 7.06 |
Investments in Other Persons |
200 |
SECTION 7.07 |
Assets |
201 |
SECTION 7.08 |
Change in Nature of Business |
202 |
SECTION 7.09 |
Transactions with Affiliates, Etc |
202 |
SECTION 7.10 |
Margin Regulations |
202 |
SECTION 7.11 |
Compliance with ERISA |
203 |
SECTION 7.12 |
Speculative Transactions |
203 |
SECTION 7.13 |
Leverage Ratio |
203 |
SECTION 7.14 |
Interest Expense Coverage Ratio |
203 |
ARTICLE VIII
Events of Default
SECTION 8.01 |
Events of Default |
204 |
SECTION 8.02 |
Remedies |
206 |
SECTION 8.03 |
Rights Not Exclusive |
207 |
ARTICLE IX
The Administrative Agent
SECTION 9.01 |
Appointment |
207 |
SECTION 9.02 |
Delegation of Duties |
207 |
SECTION 9.03 |
Liabilities of Agents |
207 |
SECTION 9.04 |
Reliance by Administrative Agent |
208 |
SECTION 9.05 |
Notice of Default |
209 |
SECTION 9.06 |
Credit Decision |
209 |
SECTION 9.07 |
Indemnification |
209 |
SECTION 9.08 |
Administrative Agent in Individual Capacity |
210 |
SECTION 9.09 |
Successor Administrative Agent |
210 |
ARTICLE X
Miscellaneous
SECTION 10.01 |
Notices, Etc |
211 |
SECTION 10.02 |
Amendments, Etc |
211 |
136
SECTION 10.03 |
No Waiver; Remedies |
212 |
SECTION 10.04 |
Costs and Expenses |
212 |
SECTION 10.05 |
Indemnity |
213 |
SECTION 10.06 |
Right of Set‑off |
214 |
SECTION 10.07 |
Binding Effect |
214 |
SECTION 10.08 |
Assignments, Participations, Etc |
214 |
SECTION 10.09 |
Confidentiality |
217 |
SECTION 10.10 |
Survival |
218 |
SECTION 10.11 |
Headings |
218 |
SECTION 10.12 |
Governing Law and Jurisdiction |
218 |
SECTION 10.13 |
Execution in Counterparts |
218 |
SECTION 10.14 |
Entire Agreement |
218 |
SECTION 10.15 |
Waiver of Jury Trial |
219 |
SECTION 10.16 |
Severability |
219 |
SECTION 10.17 |
USA Patriot Act |
219 |
Exhibits
Exhibit 1.01 |
Form of Guarantee Agreement |
Exhibit 2.02 |
Form of Notice of Borrowing |
Exhibit 2.04(a) |
Form of Competitive Bid Request |
Exhibit 2.04(b) |
Form of Competitive Bid |
Exhibit 2.05(b) |
Form of Committed Loan Note |
Exhibit 2.05(c) |
Form of Bid Note |
Exhibit 2.11 |
Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation |
Exhibit 5.01 |
Forms of Opinion |
Exhibit 6.09 |
Form of Compliance Certificate |
Exhibit 10.08 |
Form of Assignment and Acceptance |
Schedules
Schedule 1.01(a) |
Commitments; Percentage Shares |
Schedule 1.01(b) |
Indentures |
Schedule 2.12 |
Issuing Banks |
Schedule 4.02(b) |
Pending Approvals |
Schedule 4.05(a) |
Financial Matters of Borrower |
Schedule 4.05(b) |
Financial Matters of IBP |
Schedule 4.06 |
Pending Litigation |
Schedule 4.07(a) |
Subsidiaries |
Schedule 4.07(d) |
Joint Ventures/Partnerships |
Schedule 4.13 |
Labor Matters |
Schedule 4.14 |
Environmental Matters |
Schedule 4.16 |
Employee Benefit Plans |
Schedule 7.01/7.02 |
Existing Liens and Existing Indebtedness |
Schedule 7.09 |
Existing Restrictions |
137
EXHIBIT A
to Amendment No. 3 dated as of June 9, 2004
to the Five-Year Credit Agreement
dated as of September 24, 2001, as amended
FIVE-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of September 24, 2001,
as
amended as of April 3, 2002, June 11, 2003 and June 9, 2004, among
TYSON FOODS,
INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the
banks which are or
may, from time to time hereafter, become parties hereto
(the "Lenders"),
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, as administrative agent (the
"Administrative Agent"),
the Issuing Banks (as defined in Article I),
XXXXXXX XXXXX CAPITAL CORPORATION (now known as XXXXXXX
XXXXX BANK USA), as syndication agent (the "Syndication
Agent"),
SUNTRUST BANK, as documentation agent (the "Documentation
Agent")
and MIZUHO FINANCIAL GROUP (now known as MIZUHO
CORPORATE BANK, LTD.) and RABOBANK INTERNATIONAL (now
known as COOPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-
BOERENLEENBANK
B.A. "RABOBANK INTERNATIONAL", NEW
YORK BRANCH), as co-documentation Agents
(the "Co‑
Documentation Agents").
The parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
Definitions and Accounting Terms
"Absolute Rate" means a fixed annual rate, expressed as a percentage.
"Absolute Rate Bid Loan" means any Bid Loan that bears interest determined with reference to an Absolute Rate.
"Acquisition" means the acquisition of IBP for an aggregate purchase price, together with the assumption and refinancing of Indebtedness, of approximately $4,441,000,000, subject to adjustment based on the market price of the Borrower's common stock, of which $1,608,380,640 was paid in cash (the balance of the purchase price to be paid with shares of the Borrower's Class A common stock) and $983,332,724.32 was the cash amount required to refinance the IBP Credit Agreement and certain other Indebtedness of IBP.
"Administrative Agent" means JPMorgan Chase Bank, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders, together with any successor thereto in such capacity.
138
"Administrative Agent's Fee Letter" means the fee letter dated July 27, 2001, between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
"Administrative Agent's Payment Office" means the address for payments set forth on the signature pages hereof in relation to the Administrative Agent or such other address as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify in accordance with Section 10.01.
"Administrative Questionnaire" means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person and any other Person which, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, and includes, if such Person is a corporation, each Person who is the beneficial owner of 5% or more of such corporation's outstanding common stock. For purposes of this definition, "control" means the possession of the power to direct or cause the direction of management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
"Agreement" means this Credit Agreement, as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented.
"Aggregate Commitments" means the aggregate amount of the Commitments of all the Lenders as in effect from time to time.
"Aggregate Committed Credit Exposure" means the aggregate amount of the Lenders' Committed Credit Exposures.
"Assignee" has the meaning specified in Section 10.08(b).
"Assignment and Acceptance" means an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.08), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.
"Bid Borrowing" means an extension of credit hereunder consisting of one or more Bid Loans made to the Borrower on the same day by one or more Lenders.
"Bid Loan" means a Loan made by a Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.03 and may be a LIBOR Bid Loan or an Absolute Rate Bid Loan.
"Borrower" has the meaning specified in the preamble.
"Borrowing" means a Committed Borrowing or a Bid Borrowing.
"Bridge Facility" means the senior unsecured bridge credit facility of the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of
139
$2,500,000,000, established under the credit agreement dated as of August 3, 2001, among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent, Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Capital Corporation, as syndication agent, and SunTrust Bank, as documentation agent.
"Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close and, if the applicable Business Day relates to any Eurodollar Loan, means such a day on which dealings are carried on in the London interbank market.
"CERCLA" has the meaning specified in the definition of Environmental Law.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or any successor(s) thereto), as amended from time to time.
"Commitment" means, for each Lender, as the context may require (a) the amount in dollars set forth in Schedule 1.01(a) opposite the name of such Lender under the heading "Commitment" or as otherwise set forth in any Assignment and Acceptance, as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section 2.06 or as a result of one or more assignments pursuant to Section 10.08 or (b) the obligation of such Lender to extend credit to the Borrower hereunder in the amount specified in the immediately preceding clause (a). The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders' Commitments is $500,000,000.
"Committed Borrowing" means an extension of credit hereunder consisting of Committed Loans made, continued or converted on the same day by the Lenders ratably according to their Percentage Shares and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, having the same Interest Periods.
"Committed Credit Exposure" means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of all outstanding Committed Loans of such Lender, plus the aggregate amount at such time of such Lender's L/C Exposure.
"Committed Loan" means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01 and may be a Eurodollar Loan or a Reference Rate Loan.
"Competitive Bid" means an offer by a Lender to make a Bid Loan in accordance with Section 2.04(b).
"Competitive Bid Request" has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a).
140
"Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, (ii) consolidated income tax expense for such period, (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization for such period, (iv) extraordinary losses for such period, (v) nonrecurring merger-related charges incurred by IBP during the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2001 not to exceed $45,000,000 and (vi) noncash charges to the extent solely attributable to unrealized losses under SFAS 133 (provided that any cash payment made with respect to any such noncash charge shall be subtracted in computing Consolidated EBITDA during the period in which such cash payment is made) and minus (b) without duplication and to the extent included in determining such Net Income, the sum of (i) any extraordinary gains for such period and (ii) noncash gains to the extent solely attributable to unrealized gains under SFAS 133 (provided that any cash received with respect to any such noncash gain shall be added in computing Consolidated EBITDA during the period in which such cash is received), all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that for the purposes of determining the ratios set forth in Sections 7.13 and 7.14, Consolidated EBITDA in respect of any period of time prior to the date that IBP becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower shall be deemed to equal the combined historical Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and IBP for such period; provided further that for the purposes of determining the ratio set forth in Section 7.13, if the Borrower or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries has made any Material Acquisition or Material Disposition during the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on the date on which the most recent fiscal quarter ended, Consolidated EBITDA for the relevant period for testing compliance shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Material Acquisition or Material Disposition had occurred on the first day of the relevant period for testing compliance. As used in this definition, "Material Acquisition" means any acquisition or series of related acquisitions of property that (a) constitutes all or substantially all of the Stock or all or substantially all of the assets of any Person or comprises all or substantially all of any operating unit of a business and (b) involves consideration in excess of $500,000,000; and "Material Disposition" means any sale, transfer, lease or other disposition or series of related sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions of property that (x) constitutes all or substantially all of the Stock or all or substantially all of the assets of any Subsidiary of the Borrower or involves assets comprising all or substantially all of any operating unit of a business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (y) yields gross proceeds to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $500,000,000.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the interest expense (including imputed interest expense in respect of capital lease obligations) of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that, until such time as IBP shall have been a Subsidiary of the Borrower for 365 days, for the purposes of determining the ratios set forth in Sections 7.13 and 7.14, Consolidated Interest Expense at any date (the "Calculation Date") shall be calculated on an annualized basis, and shall be equal to (A) the amount of interest expense (including imputed interest expense in respect of capital lease obligations) of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the period from the date that IBP becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Calculation Date, multiplied by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to 365 and the denominator of which is equal to the number of days in such period.
141
"Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such period (taken as a single accounting period) determined in conformity with GAAP, excluding (to the extent otherwise included therein) any gains or losses, together with any related provision for taxes, realized upon any sale of assets other than in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that there shall be excluded therefrom the net income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the earlier of the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or is merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or such Person's assets are acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided further however that for purposes of the definition of Consolidated Net Income Available for Restricted Payments, Consolidated Net Income shall be calculated as if IBP and its consolidated Subsidiaries were consolidated Subsidiaries of the Borrower on and after January 1, 2001.
"Consolidated Net Income Available for Restricted Payments" means an amount equal to (i) the sum of $150,000,000 plus 80% (or minus 100% in case of consolidated net loss) of Consolidated Net Income for the period (taken as one accounting period) commencing January 1, 2004 and terminating on the fiscal quarter of the Borrower immediately preceding the date of any proposed Restricted Payment, less (ii) the sum of (A) the aggregate amount of all dividends (other than dividends payable solely in Stock of the Borrower) and other distributions paid or declared by the Borrower for all periods on or after January 1, 2004 on any class of its Stock and (B) the excess (if any) of the aggregate amount expended, directly or indirectly, by the Borrower for all periods on or after January 1, 2004 for the redemption, purchase or other acquisition of any shares of its Stock, over the aggregate net amount of any cash or cash equivalents received by the Borrower for all periods on or after January 1, 2004 as consideration for the sale of any shares of its Stock.
"Contractual Obligation" means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, undertaking, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument, document or agreement to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
"Controlled Group" means, with respect to any Person, all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) which are under common control with such Person and which, together with such Person, are treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.
"Debt Rating" means the actual or implied rating as most recently assigned to the Index Debt or the Short-Term Index Debt by Xxxxx'x or S&P, as the case may be.
"Default" means any event or condition which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default.
"Effective Date" means the date on which all conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 10.02).
142
"Environmental Claim" means any claim, however asserted, by any Governmental Authority or other Person alleging potential liability for violation of any Environmental Law or for release or injury to the environment or threat to public health, personal injury (including sickness, disease or death), property damage, natural resources damage, or otherwise alleging liability for damages, punitive damages, cleanup costs, removal costs, remedial costs, response costs, restitution, civil or criminal penalties, injunctive relief, or other type of relief, resulting from or based upon (a) the presence, placement, discharge, emission or release (including intentional and unintentional, negligent and non‑negligent, sudden or non‑sudden, accidental or non‑accidental placement, spill, leaks, discharges, emissions or releases) of any Hazardous Material at, in or from property, whether or not owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (b) any other circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Law.
"Environmental Law" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.) ("CERCLA"), the Hazardous Material Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq.), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.), the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.) and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.) ("OSHA"), as such laws have been or hereafter may be amended, modified or supplemented, and any and all analogous future federal, or present or future state or local, statutes and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereunder.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time and all regulations promulgated thereunder.
"ERISA Event" means, with respect to any Person, (a) a Reportable Event (other than a Reportable Event not subject to the provision for 30‑day notice to the PBGC under regulations issued under Section 4043 of ERISA); (b) the withdrawal of such Person or any member of its Controlled Group from a Plan during a plan year in which it was a "substantial employer" as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (c) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan or the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA; (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan by the PBGC; (e) the failure to make required contributions which would result in the imposition of a Lien under Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA; and (f) any other event or condition which might reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan or the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA other than PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA.
"Eurocurrency Liabilities" has the meaning assigned to that term in Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time.
"Eurodollar Loan" means any Committed Loan that bears interest at a rate determined with reference to LIBOR.
143
"Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means, with respect to any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan made by any Lender, the reserve percentage applicable during such Interest Period (or if more than one such percentage shall be so applicable, the daily average of such percentages for those days in such Interest Period during which any such percentage shall be so applicable) under regulations issued from time to time by the Federal Reserve Board for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) for such Lender with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities having a term equal to such Interest Period.
"Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.
"Excess Margin Stock" means that portion, if any, of the Margin Stock owned by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that must be excluded from the restrictions imposed by Section 7.01 and Section 7.07 in order for the value (determined in accordance with Regulation U) of the Margin Stock subject to such Sections to account for less than 25% of the aggregate value (as so determined) of all assets subject to such Sections.
"Existing Credit Agreement" means the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 26, 1995, as amended, among the Borrower and the banks and agents party thereto.
"Federal Funds Rate" means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.
"Federal Reserve Board" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
"Form W-8BEN" has the meaning specified in Section 3.05(f)(i)(B).
"Form W-8ECI" has the meaning specified in Section 3.05(f)(i)(A).
"GAAP" means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America as set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or in such other statements by such other entity as may be in general use by significant segments of the accounting profession, which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination.
144
"Governmental Authority" means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof and any central bank (or similar monetary or regulatory authority) thereof and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.
"Guarantee Agreement" means the Guarantee Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.01, made by IBP for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.
"Hazardous Materials" means all those substances which are regulated by, or which may form the basis of liability under, any Environmental Law, including all substances identified under any Environmental Law as a pollutant, contaminant, waste, solid waste, hazardous waste, hazardous constituent, special waste, hazardous substance, hazardous material, or toxic substance, or petroleum or petroleum derived substance or waste.
"Hedging Agreement" means any interest rate protection agreement, foreign currency exchange agreement, commodity price protection agreement or other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging arrangement.
"IBP" means IBP, Inc., a Delaware corporation (now known as Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc.).
"IBP Credit Agreement" means the $950,000,000 Nine‑Month Credit Agreement dated as of December 20, 2000, among IBP, the banks party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent, as amended.
"Inactive Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary that conducts no business and the assets of which have an aggregate book value of less than $1,000,000.
"Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services (including reimbursement and all other obligations with respect to surety bonds, letters of credit and bankers' acceptances, whether or not matured); (b) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments; (c) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or bank under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property); (d) all obligations under leases which have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital leases; (e) all net obligations with respect to Hedging Agreements; (f) all direct or indirect guaranties in respect of any obligations (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clause (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) above; and (g) all Indebtedness referred to in clause (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) above secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or in property (including accounts and contracts rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness; provided, however, that if any Indebtedness of any type referred to above is supported by another type of Indebtedness referred to above, such Indebtedness shall not be considered more than once for the purposes of this definition.
145
"Indebtedness for Borrowed Money" means the sum of all Indebtedness of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries of the type referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (d) of the definition of Indebtedness plus all obligations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries under the Receivables Facility.
"Indemnified Party" has the meaning specified in Section 10.05(a).
"Indentures" means the indentures, including supplements and/or board resolutions establishing series of debt thereunder, and note agreements of the Borrower and IBP and their Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 1.01(b).
"Index Debt" means senior, unsecured, long‑term indebtedness for borrowed money of the Borrower that is not guaranteed by any other Person or subject to any other credit enhancement.
"Insolvency Proceeding" means (a) any case, action or proceeding before any court or other Governmental Authority relating to bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, liquidation, receivership, dissolution, winding‑up or relief of debtors or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, composition, marshalling of assets for creditors or other similar arrangement in respect of the creditors of any Person generally or any substantial portion of the creditors of such Person; in each case undertaken under United States Federal or State law or foreign law.
"Interest Payment Date" means (a) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan or Bid Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan or Bid Loan and (i) with respect to any Interest Period of six months duration for any Eurodollar Loan, the date which falls three months after the beginning of such Interest Period, and (ii) with respect to any Bid Loan, such intervening date prior to the maturity thereof as may be agreed between the Borrower and the applicable Lender and (b) with respect to any Reference Rate Loan, the last day of each calendar quarter.
"Interest Period" means,
(a) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the period commencing on the BusinessDay such Eurodollar Loan is disbursed or on the date on which a Reference Rate Loan is
converted into a Eurodollar Loan and ending on the date 14 days or one, two, three or six
months thereafter, in its Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation; and
(b) with respect to any Bid Loan, the period specified by the Borrower in
the
relevant Competitive Bid Request;
146
provided, however, that:
(i) in the case of the continuation of a Eurodollar Loan pursuant to Section 2.11(b),the Interest Period applicable after the continuation of such Loan shall commence on the
last day of the preceding Interest Period;
(ii) if any Interest Period applicable to a Eurodollar Loan would
otherwise end on a day
which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall
be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day unless the result of such
extension would be to carry such Interest Period
into another calendar month in
which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately
preceding
Business Day;
Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in
the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of
the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and
(iv) no Interest Period for any Loan shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.
"IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service of the United States of America.
"Issuing Bank" means, at any time, JPMorgan Chase Bank and each other person that is listed on Schedule 2.12 or that shall have become an Issuing Bank hereunder as provided in Section 2.12(j) (other than any person that shall have ceased to be an Issuing Bank as provided in Section 2.12(j)), each in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder.
"Issuing Bank Agreement" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(j).
"Issuing Bank Fees" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01(c).
"L/C Commitment" means, as to each Issuing Bank, the commitment of such Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.12. The initial amount of each Issuing Bank's L/C Commitment is specified on Schedule 2.12 or in the Issuing Bank Agreement pursuant to which it shall have become an Issuing Bank.
"L/C Disbursement" means a payment or disbursement made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.
"L/C Exposure" means at any time the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate principal amount of all L/C Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed at such time. The L/C Exposure of any Lender at any time means its Percentage Share of the aggregate L/C Exposure at such time.
147
"L/C Participation Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01(c).
"Lender" has the meaning specified in the preamble and includes each Lender listed on the signature pages hereof and each Person which becomes a Lender pursuant to Section 10.08.
"Lender Affiliate" means, (a) with respect to any Lender, (i) an Affiliate of such Lender or (ii) any entity (whether a corporation, partnership, trust or otherwise) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and is administered or managed by a Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender and (b) with respect to any Lender that is a fund which invests in bank loans and similar extensions of credit, any other fund that invests in bank loans and similar extensions of credit and is managed by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.
"Lending Office" means, with respect to any Lender or Issuing Bank, the office or offices of such Lender or Issuing Bank specified as such in such Lender's or Issuing Bank's Administrative Questionnaire delivered to the Administrative Agent.
"Letter of Credit" means any letter of credit issued pursuant to Section 2.12.
"Level I Status" exists at any date if, at such date (a) the Debt Rating for the Index Debt is BBB+ (or the equivalent) or higher by S&P and Baa1 (or the equivalent) or higher by Xxxxx'x and (b) the Debt Rating for the Short-Term Index Debt is rated A2 or higher by Xxxxx'x and P2 or higher by S&P.
"Level II Status" exists at any date if, at such date (a) the Debt Rating for the Index Debt is BBB (or the equivalent) by S&P and Baa2 (or the equivalent) by Xxxxx'x and (b) the Debt Rating for the Short-Term Index Debt is rated A2 or higher by Xxxxx'x and P2 or higher by S&P.
"Level III Status" exists at any date if, at such date (a) the Debt Rating for the Index Debt is BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P and Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Xxxxx'x or (b) (i) the Debt Rating for the Short-Term Index Debt is rated lower than A2 by Xxxxx'x or lower than P2 by S&P and (ii) neither Level IV Status nor Level V Status exists.
"Level IV Status" exists at any date if, at such date the Debt Rating for the Index Debt is BB+ (or the equivalent) by S&P and Ba1 (or the equivalent) by Xxxxx'x.
"Level V Status" exists at any date if, at such date the Debt Rating for the Index Debt is BB (or the equivalent) or lower by S&P or Ba2 (or the equivalent) or lower by Xxxxx'x.
148
"Leverage Ratio" means, at any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Indebtedness for Borrowed Money at such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements have most recently been delivered under Section 6.09(a) or (b).
"LIBOR" means, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan or LIBOR Bid Loan for any Interest Period, the rate appearing on Page 3750 of the Telerate Service (or on any successor or substitute page of such Service, or any successor to or substitute for such Service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such Service, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the event that such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the "LIBOR" with respect to such Eurodollar Loan or LIBOR Bid Loan for such Interest Period shall be the rate at which dollar deposits of $5,000,000 and for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered by the principal London office of the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.
"LIBOR Bid Loan" means any Bid Loan that bears interest at a rate determined with reference to LIBOR.
"LIBOR Bid Margin" has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(b)(ii)(B).
"Lien" means any lien, charge, security interest or encumbrance or any other type of preferential arrangement (including liens or retained security titles of conditional vendors and capitalized leases but excluding any right of set‑off).
"Loan" means an extension of credit by a Lender pursuant to Article II and may be a Committed Loan or a Bid Loan.
"Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Letters of Credit, the Guarantee Agreement, any promissory notes delivered pursuant to this Agreement, the Notices of Borrowing, the Notices of Conversion/Continuation and the Competitive Bid Requests.
"Majority Lenders" means at any time Lenders holding more than 50% of the Aggregate Committed Credit Exposures and unused Commitments; provided, that after the Commitments expire or terminate or the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Article VIII or for purposes of declaring the Loans to be due and payable pursuant to Article VIII, the outstanding Bid Loans of the Lenders shall be included in their respective Committed Credit Exposures.
"Margin Stock" shall have the meaning given such term under Regulation U.
149
"Material Adverse Effect" means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the financial condition, business, operations or properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) any material adverse change in the rights or remedies of the Lenders under the Loan Documents or the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under any of the Loan Documents; or (c) any material adverse change in the legality, validity or enforceability of any Loan Document.
"Maturity Date" means September 24, 2006.
"Merger" means the merger of IBP with and into Merger Co. in accordance with the Merger Agreement.
"Merger Agreement" means the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of January 1, 2001, among IBP, the Borrower and Merger Co., as modified by the Stipulation and Order dated June 27, 2001, with no changes therefrom adverse to the Lenders.
"Merger Co." means Lasso Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.
"Moody's" means Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
"Multiemployer Plan" means, with respect to any Person, at any time, a "multiemployer plan" within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and to which such Person or any member of its Controlled Group is making, or is obligated to make contributions or has made, or been obligated to make, contributions.
"Net Worth" means, with respect to any Person, at any date of determination, shareholders' equity as determined in accordance with GAAP.
"New Five-Year Credit Agreement" means the Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of June 9, 2004 among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Xxxxxx Xxxxx Bank, as administrative agent, and the other agents party thereto.
"Notice of Borrowing" has the meaning specified in Section 2.02(a).
"Notice of Conversion/Continuation" has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(b).
"Obligations" means all Loans, all payments required to be made by the Borrower in respect of any Letter of Credit (including payments in respect of reimbursements of disbursements, interest thereon and obligations to provide cash collateral), and all other Indebtedness, advances, debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties owing by the Borrower to any Lender, the Administrative Agent, any Affiliate of any of the foregoing or any Indemnified Party, of any kind or nature, present or future, whether or not evidenced by any note, guaranty or other instrument, arising under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document, whether or not for the payment of money, whether arising by reason of an extension of credit, loan, guaranty, indemnification, or in any other manner, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and however acquired. The term "Obligations" includes all interest, charges, expenses, fees, attorneys' fees and disbursements (including the allocated cost of in‑house counsel) and any other sum chargeable to the Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
150
"OSHA" has the meaning specified in the definition of Environmental Laws.
"Other Taxes" has the meaning specified in Section 3.05(b).
"Participant" has the meaning specified in Section 10.08(e).
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.
"Percentage Share" means, as to any Lender, at any time, such Lender's percentage share of the Aggregate Commitments, as set forth opposite such Lender's name in Schedule 1.01(a) under the heading "Percentage Share" or set forth in any Assignment and Acceptance delivered pursuant to Section 10.08, as such percentage may be modified from time to time in connection with any assignment of the Commitment of such Lender in accordance with the terms hereof.
"Permitted Disposition" means, any disposition (except as otherwise permitted under Section 7.07) made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any of its assets if the net income for the most recently completed four fiscal quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.09(a) or (b) derived from the assets subject to such disposition together with the net income for such period derived from all other assets sold or otherwise disposed of during or after such period does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Income (calculated as if the Merger had occurred as of the Effective Date) for such period.
"Permitted Investments" means:
(a) securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States Governmentor any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America
having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition;
(b) certificates of deposit, time deposits, Eurodollar time deposits,
overnight bank
deposits, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements
or bankers' acceptances,
having in each case a tenor of not more than one year issued by any Lender, or by any
United States commercial bank or any branch or
agency of a non‑United States bank
licensed to conduct business in the
United States of America having a combined capital
and surplus of not less than $500,000,000 whose short term securities are rated at least A‑1
by
S&P and P‑1 by Moody's;
151
(c) commercial paper of an issuer rated at least A‑1 by S&P or P‑1 by Moody's
and in either case having a tenor of not more than 270 days; and
(d) money‑market funds invested in short‑term securities rated
at least as provided
in clause (b) above.
"Permitted Lien Basket" means 10% of Total Capitalization.
"Permitted Liens" has the meaning specified in Section 7.01.
"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or Governmental Authority.
"Plan" means, with respect to the Borrower or any member of its Controlled Group, at any time, an employee pension benefit plan as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (including a Multiemployer Plan) that is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code and is maintained for the employees of such Person or any member of its Controlled Group.
"Priority Debt" means (a) any Indebtedness secured by a Lien (including in connection with capital leases or other financing leases) encumbering any asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) any Indebtedness of any Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than Indebtedness of TFM under the Guarantee Agreement, Indebtedness of TFM owed to the Borrower and Indebtedness (in an amount not to exceed the amount of the guarantee of the Obligations under the Guarantee Agreement) of TFM), (c) any receivables purchase transaction involving receivables of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other securitization of assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (d) any sale-leaseback transaction involving assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
"Receivables Bridge Facility" means the senior unsecured bridge credit facility of the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of $350,000,000, established under the credit agreement dated as of August 3, 2001, among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent.
"Receivables Facility" means an accounts receivable securitization established by the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of up to $750,000,000.
"Reference Rate" means the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2% and (b) the rate of interest (the "Prime Rate") publicly announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent, as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City. Any change in the Prime Rate shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.
152
"Reference Rate Loan" means any Committed Loan that bears interest at a rate determined with reference to the Reference Rate.
"Register" has the meaning specified in Section 10.08(c).
"Regulation U" means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
"Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(b) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder.
"Replacement Lender" has the meaning specified in Section 3.13(b).
"Requirement of Law" means, with respect to any Person, the charter and by‑laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, rule or regulation (including Environmental Laws and ERISA) or order, decree or other determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
"Responsible Officer" means, with respect to any Person, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary of such Person.
"Restricted Payment" means any dividend (other than dividends payable solely in Stock of the Borrower and dividends paid by any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or any other wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower) or any other distribution with respect to any Stock of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or any payment on account of the purchase, acquisition, redemption or other retirement, directly or indirectly, of any shares of such Stock (other than the purchase of Stock in the ordinary course in connection with employee benefit plans of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, including employee stock purchase plans and stock option plans).
"Short-Term Index Debt" means senior, unsecured short-term Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Borrower that is not guaranteed by any other Person or subject to any other credit enhancement.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
"Solvent" means, with respect to any Person, that the fair value of the assets of such Person (both at fair valuation and at present fair saleable value) is, on the date of determination, greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent and unliquidated liabilities) of such Person as of such date and that, as of such date, such Person is able to pay all liabilities of such Person as such liabilities mature and such Person does not have unreasonably small capital with which to carry on its business. In computing the amount of contingent or unliquidated liabilities at any time, such liabilities will be computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.
153
"Stock" means all shares, options, interests, participations or other equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a corporation or other entity, whether voting or non‑voting, of any class and includes, common stock, preferred stock or warrants or options for any of the foregoing.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation more than 50% of whose stock having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation is at the time owned by such Person, directly or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries. At all times on and after the date of the Acquisition, IBP and its Subsidiaries will constitute Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
"Taxes" has the meaning specified in Section 3.05(a).
"Tender Offer" means the Offer (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Borrower and Merger Co. to acquire 50.1% of the issued and outstanding shares of IBP common stock.
"Total Capitalization" means, at any date, the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness for Borrowed Money and (b) Net Worth of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
"Transactions" means the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans and the use of the proceeds thereof, the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, the Acquisition, the Merger and the assumption and refinancing of Indebtedness and the other transactions contemplated by the Borrower to be effected in connection therewith.
"Tyson Limited Partnership" means that certain Delaware limited partnership of the same name of which Mr. Xxx Xxxxx is the Managing General Partner.
SECTION 1.02. Computation of Time Periods. In this Agreement, in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word "from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each means "to but excluding".154
SECTION 1.04. Certain Terms. The words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole, including the Exhibits and Schedules hereto, as the same may from time to time be amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and not to any particular Article, Section, paragraph or clause in this Agreement. The word "includes" and "including" when used herein is not intended to be exclusive and means "includes, without limitation" and "including, without limitation." References herein to an Article, Section, paragraph or clause shall refer to the appropriate Article, Section, paragraph or clause in this Agreement. Unless the context requires otherwise, any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein).
ARTICLE
II
Amounts and Terms of the Loans
SECTION 2.02. Procedure for Committed Borrowing. (a) Each Committed Borrowing shall be made upon the irrevocable notice of the Borrower, received by the Administrative Agent (i) not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) three Business Days prior to the date of the proposed Borrowing, in the case of Eurodollar Loans; and (ii) not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date of the proposed Borrowing, in the case of Reference Rate Loans. Each such notice of a Committed Borrowing (a "Notice of Borrowing") shall be in writing (including by facsimile confirmed immediately by telephone), in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.02 specifying:
155
(i) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day;
(ii) the aggregate amount of the Borrowing, which (A) shall not exceed the
unused portion
of the Aggregate Commitments and (B) shall be a minimum amount
of $5,000,000 or an integral
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;
Loans; and
(iv) if the Borrowing is to be comprised of Eurodollar Loans, the duration
of the initial
Interest Period applicable to such Loans. If the Notice of
Borrowing shall fail to specify the
duration of the initial Interest Period for
any Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Loans, such
Interest Period shall be
three months.
notify each Lender thereof and of the amount of such Lender's Percentage Share of
such Borrowing.
(c) Each Lender shall make the amount of its Percentage Share of the
Committed
Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of
the Borrower at the
Administrative Agent's Payment Office on the borrowing date requested by the Borrower in
funds immediately available to the Administrative
Agent by 12:00 noon (New York City time),
in the case of Committed Borrowings
requested prior to the date of the Borrowing, and 3:00 p.m.
(New York City
time), in the case of Committed Borrowings requested on the same date as the
Borrowing. Unless any applicable condition specified in Article V has not
been satisfied, the
Administrative Agent will make the funds so received from
the Lenders promptly available
to the Borrower by crediting the account of the
Borrower on the books of the Administrative
Agent (or such other account as
shall have been specified by the Borrower) with the aggregate
amount made
available to the Administrative Agent by the Lenders and in like funds as
received by the Administrative Agent.
twelve different Interest Periods in effect in respect of all Committed Loans together.
(e) If the applicable Issuing Bank shall not have received from the
Borrower the
payment required to be made by Section 2.12(e) in respect of any
L/C Disbursement within
the time specified in such Section, such Issuing Bank
will promptly notify the Administrative
Agent of the amount of such L/C
Disbursement and the Administrative Agent will promptly
notify each Lender of
such amount and its Percentage Share thereof. The Borrower shall be
deemed to
have requested a Reference Rate Borrowing in the amount of such L/C
Disbursement
and each Lender shall make a Loan by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the
Administrative Agent not later than 3:00 p.m. (New York
City time) on such date (or, if such
Lender shall have received such notice
later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on any day,
not later than 12:00
noon (New York City time) on
156
the immediately following Business Day), in an amount equal to such Lender's Percentage
Share of such requested Borrowing (it being understood that such amount shall be deemed
to have reduced the L/C Exposure), and the Administrative Agent will promptly pay to such
Issuing Bank amounts so received by it from the Lenders. The Administrative Agent will
promptly pay to such Issuing Bank any amounts received by it from the Borrower pursuant
to Section 2.12(e) prior to the time that any Lender makes any payment pursuant to this
paragraph (e); any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent thereafter will be
promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders that shall have made such
payments and to such Issuing Bank, as their interests may appear. If any Lender shall not
have made its Percentage Share of such L/C Disbursement available to the Administrative
Agent as provided above, such Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay interest on
such amount, for each day from and including the date such amount is required to be paid
in accordance with this paragraph to but excluding the date such amount is paid, to the
Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank at (i) in the case of the Borrower,
a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable to Reference Rate Loans pursuant to
Section 2.06(a), and (ii) in the case of such Lender, for the first such day, the Federal Funds
Rate, and for each day thereafter, the Reference Rate. In the event that any Loan is made
under this paragraph (e) at a time when any condition under Section 5.02 is not satisfied,
such Loan shall be immediately due and payable. SECTION 2.04. Procedure for Bid Borrowings. (a) The Borrower may request a Bid Borrowing hereunder by delivering to the Administrative Agent and each Lender by facsimile not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) (i) three Business Days prior to the date of the proposed Borrowing, in the case of LIBOR Bid Loans; and (ii) one Business Day prior to the date of the proposed Borrowing, in the case of Absolute Rate Bid Loans, a solicitation for Bid Loans (a "Competitive Bid Request"), in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.04(a), specifying:
(A) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day;
(B) the aggregate amount of the Borrowing, which shall be a minimum amountof $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;
157
(C) whether the Bid Loans requested are LIBOR Bid Loans or Absolute Rate
Bid Loans;
(D) the duration of the Interest Period applicable to such Bid Loans,
which shall
be not less than five days and not more than 183 days and which
shall not extend
beyond the Maturity Date; and
(b) (i) Each Lender may, in response to a Competitive Bid Request, in its discretion, irrevocably submit to the Borrower a Competitive Bid containing an offer or offers to make one or more Bid Loans. Each Competitive Bid must be submitted to the Borrower by facsimile before 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) (A) two Business Days prior to the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of a request for LIBOR Bid Loans and (B) on the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of a request for Absolute Rate Bid Loans.
(ii) Each Competitive Bid shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.04(b), specifying: (A) the minimum amount of each Bid Loan for which such Competitive Bid is
being
made, which shall be
$5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in
excess thereof, and
the maximum amount thereof, which may not exceed the principal amount of Bid Loans for
which Competitive Bids were requested (but
which may exceed such Lender's Commitment);
case of a LIBOR Bid Loan, shall be expressed as a percentage (rounded to the nearest
1/100%) to be added to or subtracted from the applicable LIBOR (the "LIBOR Bid
Margin");
(C) the applicable Interest Period for each Bid Loan offered by it; and
(D) the identity and the applicable Lending Office of the quoting Lender.(iii) Any Competitive Bid shall be disregarded if it:
(A) is not substantially in conformity with Exhibit 2.04(b) or does not specify all ofthe information required by clause (ii) above;
(B) contains qualifying, conditional or similar language;
(C) proposes terms other than or in addition to those set forth in the applicable(D) arrives after the time set forth in clause (i) above.
Competitive Bid Request; or
158
(c) Not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) (i) two Business Days prior
to the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of LIBOR Bid Loans and (ii) on the date of
such Bid Borrowing, in the case of Absolute Rate Loans, the Borrower shall either
(A) cancel such Borrowing by giving the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders
notice thereof (which notice may be given by telephone, confirmed by
facsimile); or
paragraph (b) above, in its sole discretion, by giving notice (which notice may be given
by telephone, confirmed by facsimile) (A) to such Lender or Lenders of the amount of
each Bid Loan (which amount shall be equal to or greater than the minimum amount, and
equal to or less than the maximum amount, notified to the Borrower by such Lender for
such Bid Loan pursuant to paragraph (b) above) to be made by each such Lender as
part of such Bid Borrowing, and reject any remaining offers made by the Lenders and
give notice to that effect, and (B) to the Administrative Agent of the date of such
Borrowing and the aggregate amount thereof (which may not exceed the applicable
amount set forth in the related Competitive Bid Request); provided, however, that
acceptance by the Borrower of offers may only be made on the basis of ascending
LIBOR Bid Margins or Absolute Rates within each Interest Period; and, provided,
further, that if offers are made by two or more Lenders with the same LIBOR Bid
Margins or Absolute Rates for a greater aggregate principal amount than the amount
for which such offers are accepted for the related Interest Rate Period, the principal
amount of Bid Loans accepted shall be allocated by the Borrower among such
Lenders as nearly as possible (in multiples not less than $1,000,000) in proportion
to the aggregate principal amount of such offers;
provided, however, that in the event the Borrower does not, before the time stated above, either cancel the proposed Bid Borrowing pursuant to clause (i) above or accept one or more of the offers pursuant to clause (ii) above, such Bid Borrowing shall be deemed cancelled and provided further, that in the event the Borrower accepts one or more of the offers pursuant to clause (ii) above but does not expressly reject or accept the remaining offers, such remaining offers shall be deemed rejected.
(d) (i) If the Borrower accepts one or more of the offers to make Bid Loansmade by any Lender or Lenders pursuant to paragraph (c)(ii) above, each such Lender
shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent specified in Section 5.02,
before 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the date of the Bid Borrowing, make available
to the Borrower at such Lender's Lending Office such Lender's portion of such Bid
Borrowing in same day funds.
159
(ii) Promptly after accepting a Bid Loan offer on the date of each Bid Borrowing,
the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of (A) the aggregate amount of Bid Loans
made in connection with such Bid Borrowing (whichamount may not exceed the amount
requested pursuant to Section 2.04(a)(ii)), (B) each date on which any Bid Loan shall mature,
(C) the principal amount of Bid Loans which shall mature on each such date, (D) the highest
and the lowest Competitive Bid submitted by the Lenders in connection with each Competitive
Bid Request, and (E) the highest and the lowest Competitive Bid accepted by the Borrower.
(e) Upon being notified by the Borrower of the amount of, and the
applicable
Interest Period for, any LIBOR Bid Loan, the Administrative Agent
shall determine LIBOR
(as provided in the definition of LIBOR) and give prompt
notice to the Borrower and the
relevant Lender or Lenders thereof.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Lender shall so request for
purposes of Section 10.08(g), the obligation to repay the Committed Loans
shall also be
evidenced by a promissory note in the form of Exhibit 2.05(b).
Lender making such Bid Loan, be evidenced by a promissory note in the form of
Exhibit 2.05(c).
SECTION 2.06. Termination and Reduction of the Commitments. (a) Unless previously terminated, the Commitments and the L/C Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.
(b) The Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, upon not less thanthree Business Days' prior notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Aggregate
Commitments or permanently reduce the Aggregate Commitments by an aggregate amount
of $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; provided, however, that
no such termination or reduction shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto and to any
prepayment of Loans made on the effective date thereof, the sum of the Aggregate Committed
Credit Exposure plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Bid Loans would exceed
the Aggregate Commitments then in effect and, provided, further, that once reduced in
accordance with this Section 2.06, the Aggregate Commitments may not be increased. Any
reduction of the Aggregate Commitments shall be applied to each Lender's Commitment in
accordance with such Lender's Percentage Share.
160
SECTION 2.07. Optional Prepayments. (a) Subject to Section 3.10, the Borrower may upon notice to the Administrative Agent, stating the proposed date and aggregate principal amount of the prepayment, received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) (i) not less than three Business Days prior to the proposed date of prepayment, in the case of a prepayment of Eurodollar Loans and (ii) not less than one Business Day prior to the proposed date of prepayment, in the case of a prepayment of Reference Rate Loans, prepay ratably among the Lenders, the outstanding principal amount of any Committed Loans in whole or in part, together (other than in the case of a prepayment of a Reference Rate Loan prior to the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Commitments hereunder) with accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the principal amount prepaid. Each such partial prepayment shall be in an aggregate principal amount of not less than $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; provided, however, that if the aggregate amount of Eurodollar Loans comprised in the same Borrowing shall be reduced as a result of any optional prepayment to an amount less than $5,000,000, the Eurodollar Loans comprised in such Borrowing shall automatically convert into Reference Rate Loans at the end of the then current Interest Period. If any notice of prepayment is given, the principal amount stated therein, together (other than in the case of a prepayment of a Reference Rate Loan prior to the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Commitments hereunder) with accrued interest to the date of prepayment, shall be due and payable on the date specified in such notice.
(b) The Borrower may not voluntarily prepay any Bid Loan prior to the
maturity date thereof.
(b) The Bid Loans. Each Bid Loan shall mature, and the principal amount
thereof shall be due and payable, on the last day of the Interest Period
applicable thereto;
provided, however, that the outstanding principal amount of
all Bid Loans shall be repaid
on the Maturity Date.
161
|
Applicable Margin |
|
Debt Rating |
Reference Rate Margin |
Eurodollar Margin |
Level I Status |
0.000% |
0.625% |
Level II Status |
0.000% |
0.850% |
Level III Status |
0.300% |
1.300% |
Level IV Status |
0.400% |
1.400% |
Level V Status |
0.750% |
1.750% |
effect a Debt Rating for Index Debt (other than by reason of the circumstances referred to in the
last sentence of this paragraph), then such rating agency shall be deemed to have established a
Debt Rating for Index Debt of Level V Status; (ii) if either Xxxxx'x or S&P shall not have in effect
a Debt Rating for Short-Term Index Debt (other than by reason of the circumstances referred to in
the last sentence of this paragraph), then such rating agency shall be deemed to have established
a Debt Rating for Short-Term Index Debt of Level III Status, provided that if Level IV Status or
Level V Status shall exist, the applicable margin shall be based on Level IV Status or Level V Status,
as applicable; (iii) if the Debt Ratings for Index Debt established or deemed to have been established
by Xxxxx'x and S&P shall fall within different Levels, the applicable margin shall be based on the
lower of the two Debt Ratings unless one of the two Debt Ratings is of Level I Status, in which case
the applicable margin shall be determined by reference to Level I Status; and (iv) if the Debt Ratings
established or deemed to have been established by Xxxxx'x and S&P shall be changed (other than
as a result of a change in the rating system of Xxxxx'x or S&P), such change shall be effective as of
the date on which it is first publicly announced by S&P or Xxxxx'x. Any change in the applicable
margin due to a change in the applicable Debt Rating shall be effective on the effective date of such
change in the Debt Rating and shall apply to all Committed Loans that are outstanding at any time
during the period commencing on the effective date of such change in the Debt Rating and ending
on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change in the Debt Rating
which results in a change in the applicable margin. If the rating system of Xxxxx'x or S&P shall
change, or if either such rating agency shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate debt
obligations, the Borrower and the Lenders shall negotiate in good faith to amend this Section and
the relevant definitions to reflect such changed rating system or the unavailability of ratings from
such rating agency and, pending the effectiveness of any such amendment, the applicable margin
shall be determined by reference to the Debt Rating most recently in effect prior to such change
or cessation.
(c) Accrued and unpaid interest in respect of each Committed Loan shall be
paid on
each Interest Payment Date, on the earlier of the Maturity Date and the
date of termination of the
Commitments hereunder, on the date of any prepayment
or repayment (other than a prepayment
or repayment of Reference Rate Loans) of
Committed Loans.
162
(d) The Borrower shall pay to each Lender which had made a Bid Loan interest
on the unpaid principal amount of such Bid Loan from the date when made until paid in full, on
each Interest Payment Date and on the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination
of the Commitments hereunder, at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus (or minus) the LIBOR
Bid Margin, or the Absolute Rate, as the case may be, as specified by such Lender in its Competitive
Bid pursuant to Section 2.04(b)(ii). SECTION 2.11. Continuation and Conversion Elections for Committed Borrowings. (a) The Borrower may upon irrevocable written notice to the Administrative Agent in accordance with paragraph (b) below:
(i) elect to convert, on any Business Day, any Reference Rate Loans (or
any part thereof
in an aggregate amount not less than $5,000,000 or an integral
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof) into Eurodollar Loans;
an aggregate amount not less than $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof) into Reference Rate Loans; or
(iii) elect to continue, on the expiration date of any Interest Period,
any Eurodollar Loans
maturing on such Interest Payment Date;
provided, however, that if on the expiration date of any Interest Period the aggregate amount of outstanding Eurodollar Loans comprised in the same Committed Borrowing shall have been reduced as a result of the conversion of part thereof to an amount less than $5,000,000, the remaining Eurodollar Loans comprised in such Borrowing shall automatically convert into Reference Rate Loans on such date and on and after such date the right of the Borrower to continue such Loans as Eurodollar Loans shall terminate.
(b) The Borrower shall deliver a notice of conversion or continuation (a "Noticeof Conversion/Continuation"), in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.11, to the Administrative
Agent not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) (i) three Business Days prior to the
proposed date of conversion or continuation, if the Committed Loans or any portion thereof are
to be converted into or continued as Eurodollar Loans; and (ii) one Business Day prior to the
proposed date of conversion, if the Committed Loans or any portion thereof are to be converted
into Reference Rate Loans.
163
Each such Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall be by facsimile confirmed immediately by telephone specifying therein:
(i) the proposed date of conversion or continuation;(ii) the aggregate amount of Committed Loans to be converted or continued;
(iii) the nature of the proposed conversion or continuation; and(iv) the duration of the requested Interest Period.
(c) If, upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to Eurodollar Loans,the Borrower shall have failed to select a new Interest Period to be applicable to such Eurodollar
Loans, or if an Event of Default shall then have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower shall
be deemed to have elected to convert such Eurodollar Loans into Reference Rate Loans effective
as of the expiration date of such current Interest Period.
(d) Upon receipt of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, the
Administrative
Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof or, if no timely
notice is provided, the
Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender
of the details of any automatic
conversion. All conversions and continuations
shall be made pro rata among the Lenders
based on the respective outstanding
principal amounts of the Loans with respect to which
such notice was given held
by each Lender.
Loans, there shall not be more than twelve different Interest Periods in effect in respect of
all Committed Loans together.
SECTION 2.12. Letters of Credit. (a) General. The Borrower may request the issuance of a Letter of Credit for its own account, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time while the Commitments remain in effect. This Section shall not be construed to impose an obligation upon any Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit that is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
(b) Notice of Issuance; Certain Conditions. In order to request the issuance ofa Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall hand deliver, fax, telecopy or transmit via electronic means
(in a form acceptable to the Issuing Bank) to an Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent
(reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance) a notice requesting the issuance of
a Letter of Credit and setting forth the date of issuance, the date on which such Letter of Credit
is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) below), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the
name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to
prepare such Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued only if, and upon issuance of
each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that, after giving
effect to such issuance (i) the sum of (x) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Bid
Loans made by all Lenders plus (y) the Aggregate Committed Credit Exposure shall not exceed
the Aggregate Commitments and (ii) the portion of L/C Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit
of the Issuing Bank requested to issue such Letter of Credit shall not exceed the L/C Commitment
of such Issuing Bank.
164
(c) Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at the close of business
on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit
(or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension)
and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date, unless such Letter of
Credit expires by its terms on an earlier date. It is understood that a Letter of Credit may
provide for successive one year renewal periods that are subject to the applicable Issuing
Bank's consent.
(d) Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit and
without any
further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank or the
Lenders, the applicable
Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Lender, and each
such Lender hereby acquires from
the applicable Issuing Bank, a participation
in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender's
Percentage Share of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit,
effective
upon the issuance of such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in
furtherance of
the foregoing, each Lender hereby irrevocably, absolutely and
unconditionally agrees to pay
to the Administrative Agent, for the account of
the applicable Issuing Bank, such Lender's
Percentage Share of each L/C Disbursement made by each Issuing Bank and not
reimbursed
by the Borrower forthwith on the date due as provided in Section 2.02(e). Each Lender
acknowledges and agrees that its obligation
to acquire participations pursuant to this
paragraph in respect of Letters of
Credit is irrevocable, absolute and unconditional and shall
not be affected by
any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance
of a
Default or an Event of Default or the termination of the Commitments, and that
each
such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or
reduction
whatsoever.
of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such
L/C Disbursement not later than two hours after the Borrower shall have received notice from the
Issuing Bank that payment of such draft will be made, or, if the Borrower shall have received such
notice later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Business Day, not later than 10:00 a.m.,
New York City time, on the immediately following Business Day; provided that the Borrower
may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth in Section 5.02, request in accordance with
Section 2.02 that such reimbursement obligation be financed with Reference Rate Loans in an
equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower shall have complied with its
obligation under this paragraph (e) to make such payment.
165
(f) Obligations Absolute. The Borrower's obligations to reimburse L/C
Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) above shall be absolute, unconditional and
irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,
under any and all circumstances whatsoever, and irrespective of:
(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or any
Loan Document, or
any term or provision therein;
provisions of any Letter of Credit or any Loan Document;
(iii) the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right that the
Borrower, any other
party guaranteeing, or otherwise obligated with, the
Borrower, any Subsidiary or other Affiliate
thereof or any other person may at
any time have against the beneficiary under any Letter of
Credit, any Issuing
Bank, the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any other person, whether
in connection with this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other related or
unrelated
agreement or transaction;
fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or
inaccurate in any respect;
(v) payment by any Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against
presentation of a draft
or other document that does not comply with the terms
of such Letter of Credit; and
the Administrative Agent or any other person or any other event or circumstance whatsoever,
whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section,
constitute a legal or equitable discharge of the Borrower's obligations hereunder.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is expressly understood and agreed that the absolute and unconditional obligation of the Borrower hereunder to reimburse L/C Disbursements will not be excused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing Banks. However, the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse any Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank's failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of an Issuing Bank (as
166
finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit. The parties hereto expressly agree that (i) an Issuing Bank's exclusive reliance on the documents presented to it under such Letter of Credit as to any and all matters set forth therein, including reliance on the amount of any draft presented under a Letter of Credit, whether or not the amount due to the beneficiary thereunder equals the amount of such draft and whether or not any document presented pursuant to the Letter of Credit proves to be insufficient in any respect, if such document on its face appears to be in substantial compliance with the terms of the Letter of Credit, and whether or not any other statement or any other document presented pursuant to such Letter of Credit proves to be forged, fraudulent or invalid or any statement therein proves to be inaccurate or untrue in any respect whatsoever and (ii) any noncompliance in any immaterial respect of the documents presented under the Letter of Credit with the terms thereof shall, in each case, be deemed not to constitute willful misconduct or gross negligence of the applicable Issuing Bank.
(g) Disbursement Procedures. The applicable Issuing Bank shall, promptlyfollowing its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for
payment under a Letter of Credit. The Issuing Bank shall as promptly as possible give
telephonic notification, confirmed by telecopy, to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower
of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made or will make an L/C
Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice
shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank and the Lenders
with respect to any such L/C Disbursement. The Administrative Agent shall promptly give
each Lender notice thereof.
(h) Interim Interest. If an Issuing Bank shall make any L/C
Disbursement in
respect of a Letter of Credit, then, unless the Borrower shall
reimburse such L/C Disbursement
in full on such date, the unpaid amount thereof
shall bear interest for the account of the Issuing
Bank, for each day from and
including the date of such L/C Disbursement, to but excluding the
earlier of
the date of payment by the Borrower or the date on which interest shall
commence to
accrue thereon as provided in Section 2.02(e), at the rate per
annum that would apply to such
amount if such amount were a Reference Rate
Loan.
167
(i) Resignation or Removal of an Issuing Bank. An Issuing Bank may resign at
any time by giving 90 days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and
the Borrower, and may be removed at any time by the Borrower by notice to such Issuing Bank,
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. Upon the resignation or removal of an Issuing Bank
hereunder, such Issuing Bank shall be discharged from its obligations to issue additional Letters
of Credit hereunder. At the time such resignation or removal shall become effective, the
Borrower shall pay all fees accrued for the account of the Issuing Bank under Section
2.05(c)(ii) and not yet paid. After the resignation or removal of an Issuing Bank hereunder, such
Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations
of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with respect to Letters
of Credit issued by it prior to such resignation or removal, but shall not be required to issue
additional Letters of Credit.
(j) Designation of Additional Issuing Banks. From time to time,
the Borrower
may by notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
designate one or more Lenders
as additional Issuing Banks. The acceptance by a Lender of any appointment as an Issuing
Bank hereunder shall be evidenced by an
agreement (an "Issuing Bank Agreement"), which
shall be in a form
satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, shall set forth
the
L/C Commitment and Issuing Bank Fees of such Lender and shall be executed by
such
Lender, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and, from and after the effective date
of such agreement, (i) such Lender shall have all the rights and
obligations of an Issuing Bank
under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
and (ii) references herein and in the other
Loan Documents to the term "Issuing
Bank" shall be deemed to include such Lender in its
capacity as an Issuing
Bank.
the Borrower shall, on the Business Day it receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the
Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Lenders holding
participations in outstanding Letters of Credit representing greater than 50% of the aggregate
undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit) thereof and of the amount to be deposited,
deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, an amount
in cash equal to the L/C Exposure as of such date. Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative
Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the Obligations. The Administrative Agent
shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such
account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits in Permitted
Investments, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the
Administrative Agent, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such
investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall (i) automatically be
applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Banks for L/C Disbursements for
which they have not been reimbursed, (ii) be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement
obligations of the Borrower for the L/C Exposure at such time and (iii) if the maturity of the Loans
has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Lenders holding participations in outstanding
Letters of Credit representing greater than 50% of the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding
Letters of Credit), be applied to satisfy the Obligations. If the Borrower is required to provide an
amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such
amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three
Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.
168
(l) Reporting Requirements of Issuing Bank. Within two Business Days following
the last day of each calendar month, each Issuing Bank shall deliver to the Administrative Agent
a report detailing all activity during the preceding calendar month with respect to any Letters of
Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, including the face amount, the account party, the beneficiary
and the expiration date of each such Letter of Credit and any other information with respect thereto
as may be requested by the Administrative Agent.
(m) Amendments Affecting Letters of Credit and Issuing Banks. No
amendment,
waiver or consent shall: (i) increase the L/C Commitment of any
Issuing Bank or subject any
Issuing Bank to any additional monetary obligation without the written consent of such Issuing
Bank; (ii) reduce the amount of, or
interest on, any L/C Disbursement without the written consent
of each Lender;
(iii) extend the required date of reimbursement of any L/C Disbursement without
the
written consent of each Lender; (iv) change the percentage of the aggregate
L/C Exposures which
shall be required for the Lenders or any of them to take any action hereunder without the written
consent of each Lender; or (v) amend
this paragraph (m) without the written consent of each Lender
and each Issuing
Bank.
ARTICLE
III
Fees; Payments; Taxes; Changes in Circumstances
Debt Rating |
Facility Fee |
Level I Status |
0.125% |
Level II Status |
0.150% |
Level III Status |
0.200% |
Level IV Status |
0.350% |
Level V Status |
0.500% |
169
(i) For purposes of this Section 3.01(a), (i) if either Xxxxx'x or S&P shall not have in effect
a Debt Rating for Index Debt (other than by reason of the circumstances referred to in the last
sentence of this paragraph), then such rating agency shall be deemed to have established a Debt
Rating for Index Debt of Level V Status; (ii) if either Xxxxx'x or S&P shall not have in effect a
Debt Rating for Short-Term Index Debt (other than by reason of the circumstances referred to in
the last sentence of this paragraph), then such rating agency shall be deemed to have established
a Debt Rating for Short-Term Index Debt of Level III Status, provided that if Level IV Status or Level
V Status shall exist, the applicable margin shall be based on Level IV Status or Level V Status, as
applicable; (iii) if the Debt Ratings for Index Debt established or deemed to have been established by
Xxxxx'x and S&P shall fall within different Levels, the facility fee shall be based on the lower of the
two Debt Ratings unless one of the two Debt Ratings is of Level I Status, in which case the facility
fee shall be determined by reference to Level I Status; and (iv) if the Debt Ratings established or
deemed to have been established by Xxxxx'x and S&P shall be changed (other than as a result
of a change in the rating system of Xxxxx'x or S&P), such change shall be effective as of the date
on which it is first publicly announced by S&P or Xxxxx'x. Any change in the facility fee due to a
change in the applicable Debt Rating shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the
Debt Rating. If the rating system of Xxxxx'x or S&P shall change, or if either such rating agency
shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate debt obligations, the Borrower and the Lenders
shall negotiate in good faith to amend this Section and the relevant definitions to reflect such changed
rating system or the unavailability of ratings from such rating agency and, pending the effectiveness of
any such amendment, the facility fee shall be determined by reference to the Debt Rating most recently
in effect prior to such change or cessation.
(ii) The facility fee shall accrue from the Effective Date to the Maturity
Date and shall be
due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day
of each calendar quarter commencing
in the calendar quarter ending on September
30, 2001 and on the Maturity Date, provided that if
there shall be any
Committed Credit Exposures after the Maturity Date, then the facility fee shall
continue to accrue on the daily outstanding amount of such Committed Credit
Exposures from and
including the Maturity Date to but excluding the date on
which there cease to be any Committed
Credit Exposures, and such facility fee
shall be payable on demand.
Agent's own account, fees in the amounts and at the times set forth in the Administrative
Agent's Fee Letter.
170
(c) The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to each Lender, through the Administrative
Agent, on the last business day of March, June, September and December of each year and
on the date on which the Commitment of such Lender shall be terminated as provided herein,
a fee (an "L/C Participation Fee") calculated on such Lender's Percentage Share of the
average daily aggregate L/C Exposure (excluding the portion thereof attributable to
unreimbursed L/C Disbursements) during the preceding quarter (or shorter period commencing
with the date hereof or ending with the Maturity Date or the date on which all Letters of Credit
have been canceled or have expired and the Commitments of all Lenders shall have been
terminated) at a rate equal to the applicable margin from time to time used to determine the
interest rate on Borrowings comprised of Eurodollar Loans pursuant to Section 2.09, and
(ii) to each Issuing Bank with respect to each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank,
on the last business day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the
date on which the Commitments shall have terminated and there shall not remain outstanding
any Letter of Credit of such Issuing Bank, (A) a fronting fee equal to 0.125% per annum on
the average daily undrawn amount of such Letters of Credit during the preceding quarter
(or shorter period commencing with the date hereof or ending with the Maturity Date or the
date on which all such Letters of Credit have been canceled or have expired and the
Commitments of all Lenders shall have been terminated) and (B) the standard issuance,
drawing and amendment fees specified from time to time by such Issuing Bank (the "Issuing
Bank Fees"). All L/C Participation Fees and Issuing Bank Fees shall be computed on the
basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360 days.
All fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent for distribution, if and as appropriate, among the Lenders, except that the Issuing Bank Fees shall be paid directly to the applicable Issuing Banks. Once paid, none of the fees shall be refundable under any circumstances; provided, however, that the foregoing shall in no event constitute a waiver of or otherwise affect any claims the Borrower may have against any other party to this Agreement.
SECTION 3.02. Computation of Fees and Interest. (a) All computations of interest payable in respect of Reference Rate Loans shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 days or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest under this Agreement shall be made on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed. Interest and fees shall accrue during each period during which interest or such fees are computed from the first day thereof to the last day thereof. (b) Each determination of an interest rate by the Administrative Agent
pursuant
to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on
the Borrower and the
Lenders in the absence of manifest error.
171
(b) Whenever any payment of a Committed Loan (and unless otherwise stated in
the relevant Competitive Bid Request, a Bid Loan) shall be stated to be due on a day other than
a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such
extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest and fees, as the case
may be; provided, however, that if such extension would cause any payment of principal of or interest
on Eurodollar Loans to be made in the next calendar month, such payment shall be made on the
immediately preceding Business Day.
(c) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the
Borrower
prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Lenders hereunder
that the Borrower will not
make such payment in full, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such
payment in full to the
Administrative Agent on such date and the Administrative Agent may (but
shall
not be so required), in reliance upon such assumption, cause to be distributed
to each Lender
on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such
Lender. If and to the extent the
Borrower shall not have so made
such payment
in full to the Administrative Agent, each Lender
shall repay to the
Administrative Agent, on demand, the excess of the amount distributed to such
Lender over the amount, if any, paid by the Borrower, together with interest
thereon at the greater
of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the
Administrative Agent in accordance with
banking industry rules on interbank
compensation, for each day from the date such amount is
distributed to such
Lender to the date such Lender repays such amount to the Administrative Agent.
172
(b) The failure of any Lender to make any Committed Loan on the date of any
Committed Borrowing shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation hereunder to make
a Loan on the date of such Borrowing pursuant to the provisions contained herein, but no
Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make the Loan to be made
by such other Lender on the date of any Committed Borrowing.
SECTION 3.05. Taxes. (a) Subject to Section 3.05(g), any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower to each Lender, each Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for, any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding, in the case of each Lender, each Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent, such taxes (including income taxes, franchise taxes or branch profit taxes) as are imposed on or measured by such Lender's, Issuing Bank's or the Administrative Agent's, as the case may be, net income by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Lender, Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, is organized or maintains a Lending Office or any political subdivision thereof (all such non‑excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings and liabilities being hereinafter referred to as "Taxes").
(b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay any present or future stamp ordocumentary taxes, intangible taxes, mortgage recording taxes or any other sales, excise
or property taxes, charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made hereunder
or from the execution, delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement
or any other Loan Document (hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").
173
(c) Subject to Section 3.05(g), the Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless each
Lender, Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent for the full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes
(including any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this
Section 3.05) paid by such Lender, Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be,
and any liability (including penalties, interest, additions to tax and expenses) arising therefrom or
with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted.
Payment under this indemnification shall be made within 30 days from the date such Lender, Issuing
Bank or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, makes written demand therefor.
(d) If the Borrower shall be required by law to deduct or withhold any
Taxes or
Other Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder to any
Lender, Issuing Bank or
the Administrative Agent, then, subject to Section
3.05(g),
deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.05)
such Lender, Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, receives an amount
equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made;
(ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions; and
(iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or otherauthority in accordance with applicable law.
(e) Within 30 days after the date of any payment by the Borrower of Taxes
or Other
Taxes, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent the
original or a certified copy of a
receipt evidencing such payment, or other
evidence of such payment satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent.
than a United States Person for United States Federal income tax purposes) hereby agrees that:
(i) it shall no later than on the Effective Date (or, in the case of a
Lender or Issuing Bank
which becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 10.08
after the Effective Date, the date upon
which such Lender or Issuing Bank
becomes a party hereto) deliver to the Administrative Agent
(two originals) and
to the Borrower (one original):
complete signed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI or any successor thereto ("Form W-8ECI"),
and/or
174
(B) if any Lending Office is located outside the United States of America, accurate
and complete signed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or any successor thereto
("Form W-8BEN"),
in each case indicating, where eligible, that such Lender or Issuing Bank is on the date of delivery thereof entitled to receive payments of principal, interest and fees for the account of such Lending Office or Lending Offices under this Agreement free from withholding of United States Federal income tax;
(ii) if at any time such Lender or Issuing Bank changes its Lending Office or LendingOffices or selects an additional Lending Office it shall, at the same time, but only to the extent
the forms previously delivered by it hereunder are no longer effective, deliver to the Administrative
Agent (two originals) and to the Borrower (one original), in replacement for the forms previously
delivered by it hereunder:
(A) if such changed or additional Lending Office is located in the United
States of
America, accurate and complete signed originals of Form W-8ECI; or
in each case indicating, where eligible, that such Lender or Issuing Bank is on the date of delivery thereof entitled to receive payments of principal, interest and fees for the account of such changed or additional Lending Office under this Agreement free from withholding of United States Federal income tax;
(iii) it shall, upon the expiration of the most recent Form W-8ECI or Form W‑8BENpreviously delivered by such Lender or Issuing Bank or upon such Form becoming
inaccurate, incomplete or obsolete in any respect (in each case, other than as a result
of any event mentioned in clause (ii) above), deliver to the Administrative Agent (two
originals) and to the Borrower (one original) accurate and complete signed copies of
Form W-8ECI or Form W-8BEN in replacement for the forms previously delivered by
such Lender or Issuing Bank;
(iv) it shall, promptly upon the request of the Administrative Agent or
the Borrower,
deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, such other
forms or similar
documentation as may be required from time to time by any
applicable law, treaty, rule or
regulation in order to establish such Lender's
or Issuing Bank's tax status for withholding
purposes;
States tax treaty by providing a Form W-8BEN and such Lender or Issuing Bank sells or grants
a participation of all or part of its rights under this Agreement, it shall notify the Administrative
Agent of the percentage amount in which it is no longer the beneficial owner under this Agreement.
To the extent of this percentage amount, the Administrative Agent shall treat such Lender's or
Issuing Bank's Form W-8BEN as no longer in compliance with this Section 3.05(f). In the event a
Lender or Issuing Bank claiming exemption from United States withholding tax by filing Form
W-8ECI with the Administrative Agent, sells or grants a participation in its rights under this
Agreement, such Lender or Issuing Bank agrees to undertake sole responsibility for complying
with the withholding tax requirements imposed by Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code; and
175
(vi) if the IRS or any authority of the United States of America or other jurisdiction asserts
a claim that the Administrative Agent or the Borrower did not properly withhold tax from amounts
paid to or for the account of any Lender (but only to the extent such claim arises because the
appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed, because such Lender failed to
notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstances which rendered the exemption from
withholding tax ineffective or because of such Lender's sale of a participating interest in a Loan),
such Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and/or the Borrower, as applicable, fully for
all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent and/or the Borrower, as tax or
otherwise, including penalties and interest, and including any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on
the amounts payable to the Administrative Agent or the Borrower under this Section 3.05(f),
together with all costs, expenses and attorneys' fees (including the allocated cost of in-house
counsel).
Without limiting or restricting any Lender's or any Issuing Bank's right to increased amounts under Section 3.05(d) from the Borrower subject to satisfaction of such Lender's or Issuing Bank's obligations under the provisions of this Section 3.05(f), if such Lender or Issuing Bank is entitled to a reduction in the applicable withholding tax, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any interest payment to such Lender or Issuing Bank an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax after taking into account such reduction. If the forms or other documentation required by clause (i) above are not delivered to the Administrative Agent, then the Administrative Agent may withhold from any interest payment to the Lender or Issuing Bank not providing such forms or other documentation, an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax. In addition, the Administrative Agent may also withhold against periodic payments other than interest payments to the extent United States withholding tax is not eliminated by obtaining Form W-8ECI or Form W-8BEN.
(g) The Borrower shall not be required to pay any additional amounts in respect ofUnited States Federal income tax pursuant to Section 3.05(d) to any Lender or Issuing Bank that is
a foreign Person for the account of any Lending Office of such Lender or Issuing Bank:
(i) if the obligation to pay such additional amounts would not have arisen
but for a failure
by such Lender or Issuing Bank
to comply with its obligations
under Section 3.05(f) in respect
of such Lending Office;
176
(ii) if such Lender or Issuing Bank shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and the
Borrower a Form W-8ECI in respect of such Lending Office pursuant to Sections 3.05(f)(i)(A),
3.05(f)(ii)(A) or 3.05(f)(iii) and such Lender or Issuing Bank shall not at any time be entitled to
exemption from deduction or withholding of United States Federal income tax in respect of payments
by the Borrower hereunder for the account of such Lending Office for any reason other than a change
in United States law or regulations or in the official interpretation of such law or regulations by any
Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof (whether or not
having the force of law) after the date of delivery of such Form W-8ECI; or
(iii) if such Lender or Issuing Bank shall have delivered to the
Administrative Agent and the
Borrower a Form W-8BEN in respect of such Lending
Office pursuant to Sections 3.05(f)(i)(B),
3.05(f)(ii)(B) or 3.05(f)(iii) and
such Lender or Issuing Bank shall not at any time be entitled to
exemption from
deduction or withholding of United States Federal income tax in respect of
payments by the Borrower hereunder for the account of such Lending Office for
any reason
other than a change in United States law or regulations or any
applicable tax treaty or
regulations or in the official interpretation of any
such law, treaty or regulations
by any
Governmental Authority charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof (whether
or not having the force of
law) after the date of delivery of such Form W-8BEN.
penalties, interest, additions to tax and expenses) which are not paid by the Borrower pursuant to
and as required by this Section 3.05 shall be paid by the Lender which received the principal, interest
or fees in respect of which such Taxes, Other Taxes or related liabilities are payable. Any and all
present or future Taxes or Other Taxes which are required by law to be deducted or withheld from
or in respect of any sum payable hereunder to any Lender or any Issuing Bank and which are not paid
by the Borrower pursuant to and as required by this Section 3.05 will be deducted or withheld by the
Administrative Agent without any increase in the sum payable as provided in Section 3.05(d). Each
Lender agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank and hold the
Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank harmless for the full amount of any and all present or
future Taxes, Other Taxes and related liabilities (including penalties, interest, additions to tax and
expenses, and any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable to the
Administrative Agent under this Section 3.05(h)) which are imposed on or with respect to L/C
Disbursements (or the reimbursement thereof), principal, interest or fees payable to such Lender
or Issuing Bank hereunder and which are not paid by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 3.05,
whether or not such Taxes, Other Taxes or related liabilities were correctly or legally asserted.
This indemnification shall be made within 30 days from the date the Administrative Agent or
such Issuing Bank makes written demand therefor.
177
SECTION 3.06. Sharing of Payments, Etc. If other than as provided in Section 3.05, 3.08, 3.09, 3.10 or 3.11, any Lender shall obtain any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of set‑off, or otherwise) on account of any Committed Loan made by it and, after acceleration of all Obligations pursuant to Section 8.02(b), in respect of any Obligation owing to it (including with respect to any Bid Loan), in the case of the Committed Loan, in excess of its Percentage Share of payments on account of the Committed Loans obtained by all the Lenders and, after acceleration, in excess of its pro rata share of all Obligations, such Lender shall forthwith (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact and (b) purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the Committed Loans made by them or, after acceleration, in all Obligations owing to them, as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment ratably with each of the other Lenders according to their respective Percentage Shares or, after acceleration, their pro rata shares of all Obligations then owing to them; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender, such purchase shall to the extent of such recovery be rescinded and each other Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price thereto together with an amount equal to such paying Lender's ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such paying Lender's required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3.06 may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set‑off) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation. The Administrative Agent will keep records (which shall be conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error), of participations purchased pursuant to this Section 3.06 and will in each case notify the Lenders following any such purchases.
178
SECTION 3.08. Increased Costs. If any Lender or Issuing Bank shall determine that, due to either (a) the introduction of any Requirement of Law or any change (other than any change by way of imposition of or increase in reserve requirements included in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage) in or in the interpretation thereof or (b) the compliance with any guideline or request from any central bank or other Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law), there shall be any increase in the cost to such Lender or Issuing Bank of agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining any Committed Loan or any Letter of Credit or participation therein, respectively, the Borrower shall be liable for, and shall from time to time, upon demand by such Lender or Issuing Bank (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender or Issuing Bank, additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank for such increased costs. SECTION 3.10. Funding Losses. The Borrower agrees to reimburse each Lender and to hold each Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense which such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of:
(a) any failure of the Borrower to borrow, continue or convert a
Eurodollar Loan
after the Borrower has given (or is deemed to have given) a
Notice of Borrowing or a Notice
of Conversion/Continuation;
last day of the Interest Period with respect thereto;
(c) any failure of the Borrower to make any prepayment after the Borrower
has
given a notice in accordance with Section 2.07; or
179
(d) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan to a Reference Rate Loan on a day
that is not the last day of the respective Interest Period pursuant to Section 2.11;
including any such loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain its Eurodollar Loans hereunder or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained.
SECTION 3.11. Additional Interest on Eurodollar Loans. The Borrower shall pay to each Lender, at the request of such Lender (but not more frequently than once in each calendar quarter), as long as such Lender shall be required under regulations of the Federal Reserve Board to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities, additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Loan of such Lender from the date such Eurodollar Loan is made until such principal amount is paid in full, at a rate per annum equal at all times to the remainder obtained by subtracting (a) LIBOR for the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan from (b) the rate obtained by dividing such LIBOR by a percentage equal to 100% minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage of such Lender for such Interest Period, payable on each date interest in respect of such Eurodollar Loan is payable. Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous sentence, the Borrower shall not be obligated to pay to any Lender any additional interest in respect of Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender for any period commencing more than three months prior to the date on which such Lender notifies the Borrower by delivering a certificate from a financial officer of such Lender, that such Lender is required to maintain reserves with respect to Eurocurrency Liabilities. SECTION 3.13. Change of Lending Office; Replacement Lender. (a) Each Lender and each Issuing Bank agrees that upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 3.05(c) or (d) or Section 3.08 with respect to such Lender or Issuing Bank, it will if so requested by the Borrower, use reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to designate a different Lending Office for any Loans or Letters of Credit affected by such event with the object of avoiding the consequence of the event giving rise to the operation of such Section; provided, however, that such designation would not, in the judgment of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender. Nothing in this Section 3.13 shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of the Borrower or the right of any Lender or Issuing Bank provided in Section 3.05(c) or (d) or Section 3.08.180
(b) In the event the Borrower becomes obligated to pay additional amounts
to any Lender pursuant to Sections 3.05(c) or (d) or 3.08 as a result of any condition described
in any such Section, then, unless such Lender has theretofore taken steps to remove or cure,
and has removed or cured, the conditions creating the cause for such obligation to pay such
additional amounts, the Borrower may designate another Lender which is reasonably acceptable
to the Administrative Agent (such Lender being herein called a "Replacement Lender") to purchase
the Committed Loans of such Lender and such Lender's rights hereunder, without recourse to or
warranty by, or expense to, such Lender for a purchase price equal to the outstanding principal
amount of the Committed Loans payable to such Lender plus any accrued but unpaid interest on
such Loans and accrued but unpaid fees in respect of such Lender's Commitment and any other
amounts payable to such Lender under this Agreement, and to assume all the obligations of such
Lender hereunder (except for such rights as survive repayment of the Loans), and, upon such
purchase, such Lender shall no longer be a party hereto or have any rights hereunder (except those
related to any Bid Loans of such Lender which remain outstanding and those that survive full
payment hereunder) and shall be relieved from all obligations to the Borrower hereunder, and
the Replacement Lender shall succeed to the rights and obligations of such Lender hereunder.
ARTICLE
IV
Representations and Warranties
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender that:
SECTION 4.01. Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries: (a) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation;
of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its
business requires such qualification except where the failure to so qualify has no reasonable
likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, pledge,
mortgage,
hold under lease and operate its properties, and to conduct its
business as now or currently
proposed to be conducted;
181
(e) is in compliance with all other Requirements of Law except such non‑compliance
as has no reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect. (a) are within the corporate powers of the Borrower;
(b) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, including
the
consent of shareholders where required except, in the case solely of the
Acquisition and the
Merger, for such actions described on Schedule 4.02(b);
(i) contravene the certificate of incorporation or by‑laws of the Borrower;
(ii) violate any other Requirement of Law (including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,Regulations T, U and X of the Federal Reserve Board or any order or decree of any court or
other Governmental Authority);
(iii) conflict with or result in the breach of, or constitute a default
under, any Contractual
Obligation binding on or affecting the Borrower or any
of its properties, other than (in the case
of any Contractual Obligation other
than any Indenture) any such breach or default that has no
reasonable
likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect, or any order, injunction, writ
or decree
of
any Governmental Authority to which the Borrower or any of its
properties is subject; or
Borrower; and
(d) do not require the consent, authorization by or approval of or notice
to or filing
or registration with any Governmental Authority or any other
Person other than those which have
been duly obtained, made or given.
182
SECTION 4.04. Taxes. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed all Federal and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all Federal and other material taxes and assessments payable by them, to the extent the same have become due and payable and before they have become delinquent, except those which are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP, provided the non‑payment thereof has no reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower does not know of any proposed material tax assessment against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and in the opinion of the Borrower, all potential tax liabilities are adequately provided for on the books of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. The statute of limitations for assessment or collection of Federal income tax has expired for all Federal income tax returns filed by the Borrower for all tax years up to and including the tax year ended in March 1992.
SECTION 4.05. Financial Matters. (a) The consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of the fiscal year of the Borrower ended on September 30, 2000, and as of the last day of the fiscal quarters of the Borrower ended on December 31, 2000, March 31, 2001 and June 30, 2001, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year and quarters, with, in the case of said fiscal year, reports thereon by Ernst & Young LLP:
(i) are complete, accurate and fairly present the financial condition of the Borrower and itsSubsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and for the respective periods covered thereby;
(ii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout
the periods
covered thereby, except as set forth in the notes thereto; and
liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates
thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and long‑term leases.
(b) The consolidated balance sheet of IBP and its Subsidiaries as of the
last day of
the fiscal year of IBP ended on December 30, 2000, and as of
the last day of the fiscal quarter of
IBP ended on June 30, 2001, and the
related consolidated statements of earnings, changes in
stockholders' equity
and comprehensive income, and of cash flows of IBP and its Subsidiaries
for
such fiscal year and quarter, with, in the case of said fiscal year, reports
thereon by
PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP:
as of the respective dates thereof and for the periods covered thereby;
183
(ii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods
covered thereby, except as set forth in the notes thereto; and
(iii) other than as disclosed in Schedule 4.05(b), show all material
indebtedness and other
liabilities, direct or contingent, of IBP and its
consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof,
including liabilities for
taxes, material commitments and long‑term leases.
balance sheet as of March 31, 2001, prepared giving effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions
had occurred on such date and included in the model delivered by the Borrower to the Lenders prior
to the date hereof. Such pro forma consolidated balance sheet (i) has been prepared in good faith
based on assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable, (ii) is based on the best information
available to the Borrower after due inquiry, (iii) accurately reflects all adjustments necessary to give
effect to the Transactions and (iv) presents fairly, in all material respects, the pro forma financial position
of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2001, as if the Transactions had
occurred on such date.
(d) Since September 30, 2000, with respect to the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (other
than IBP and its Subsidiaries), and December 30, 2000,
with respect to IBP and its Subsidiaries, there
has been no Material Adverse
Effect and no development which has any reasonable likelihood of
having a
Material Adverse Effect.
basis, Solvent. SECTION 4.07. Subsidiaries. (a) A complete and correct list of all Subsidiaries of the Borrower after giving effect to the transactions to occur on the Effective Date, showing, as to each Subsidiary, the correct name thereof, the jurisdiction of its incorporation and the percentage of shares of each class outstanding owned by the Borrower and each other Subsidiary of the Borrower is set forth in Schedule 4.07(a).
(b) All of the outstanding shares of each of the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 4.07(a)
have been validly issued, are fully paid and non‑assessable and (other
than the shares of IBP to be
acquired by the Borrower pursuant to the Merger)
are owned by the Borrower or another Subsidiary
of the Borrower, free and clear of any Lien.
184
(c) The Borrower has no obligation to capitalize any of its Subsidiaries.
(d) A complete and correct list of all joint ventures in which the
Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries is a partner is set forth in Schedule
4.07(d).
SECTION 4.09. No Defaults. (a) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation in any respect which, individually or together with all such defaults, has a reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) No Default or Event of Default exists or would result from the incurring of anyObligations by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. SECTION 4.11. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Loan or any Letter of Credit will be used, and no Loan or Letter of Credit will otherwise be, in violation of Regulation T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.
SECTION 4.12. Assets. (a) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has good record and marketable title to all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for Permitted Liens and such defects in title as have no reasonable likelihood, individually or in the aggregate, of having a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries owns or licenses or otherwise hasthe right to use all material licenses, permits, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names,
copyrights, franchises, authorizations and other intellectual property rights that are necessary
for the operation of its business, without infringement of or conflict with the rights of any other
Person with respect thereto, except for such infringements or conflicts as have no reasonable
likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect. No material slogan or other advertising device,
product, process, method or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed,
by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries infringes upon or conflicts with any rights owned
by any other Person except for such infringements or conflicts as have no reasonable likelihood,
individually or in the aggregate, of having a Material Adverse Effect.
185
SECTION 4.13. Labor Matters. There are no strikes or other labor disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which have any reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.13, no significant unfair labor practice complaint is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries before any Governmental Authority.
SECTION 4.14. Environmental Matters. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.14:
(a) the on‑going operations of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries complyin all respects with all Environmental Laws except such non‑compliance as has no reasonable
likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have obtained all
environmental,
health and safety permits necessary or required for its
operations, all such permits are in good
standing, and the Borrower and each of
its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all terms and
conditions of such permits,
except for such failure to obtain or maintain such permits or such
non-compliance as has no reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse
Effect;
or operations (or past property or operations) is subject to any outstanding written order from
or agreement with any Governmental Authority nor subject to any judicial or docketed
administrative proceeding, respecting any Environmental Claim or Hazardous Material
which, in each case, has any reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) there are no conditions or circumstances associated with any property
of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries formerly owned and operated by the
Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their predecessors or with the former operations, including off‑site disposal
practices, of the Borrower
or its Subsidiaries or their predecessors which may give rise to
Environmental
Claims which in the aggregate have any reasonable likelihood of having a
Material
Adverse Effect; and
186
(e) there are no conditions or circumstances which may give rise to any
Environmental Claim arising from the operations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries,
including Environmental Claims associated with any operations of the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries, which have any reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect.
In addition, (i) neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any underground storage
tanks (A) that are not properly permitted under applicable Environmental Laws or (B) that to
the best of the Borrower's knowledge, are leaking or dispose of Hazardous Materials off‑
site and (ii) the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has notified all of its employees of the
existence, if any, of any health hazard arising from the conditions of their employment and
have met all notification requirements under Title III of CERCLA and under OSHA and all
other Environmental Laws. SECTION 4.16. ERISA. There has been no ERISA Event which has any reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.16, the present value of the benefit liabilities, as defined in Title IV of ERISA, of each Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) as of the most recent valuation date using the Plan actuarial assumptions at such date do not materially exceed the value of the assets of the Plan. SECTION 4.18. IBP Subsidiaries. Other than IBP Finance Company of Canada, no Subsidiary of IBP on the date of this Agreement is an obligor or guarantor in respect of any material Indebtedness for borrowed money.
ARTICLE
V
Conditions Precedent
(a) Credit Agreement and Notes. The Administrative Agent shall have
received (i)
counterparts of this
Agreement executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each of
the
Lenders and of any promissory notes requested by the Lenders pursuant to Section
2.05 executed
by the Borrower, or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent (which may include
telecopy transmission of signed counterparts) that such
parties have signed such counterparts.
187
(b) Board Resolutions; Approvals; Incumbency Certificates. The Administrative
Agent shall have received (i) copies of the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Borrower
approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this
Agreement and of each of the other Loan Documents to be delivered hereunder by it, and
authorizing the borrowing of the Loans and the other Transactions, certified as of the Effective
Date by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower; and (ii) a certificate of the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Borrower certifying the names and true signatures of
the officers of the Borrower authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and all other
Loan Documents to be delivered hereunder by it.
(c) Articles of Incorporation; By‑laws and Good Standing.
The Administrative
Agent shall have received each of the following documents:
(i) the articles or certificate of
incorporation of the Borrower as
in effect on the Effective Date, certified by the Secretary of
State of
Delaware as of a recent date and by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Borrower
as of the Effective Date and the by-laws of the Borrower and IBP as in
effect on the Effective Date,
certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary
of the Borrower as of the Effective Date; and (ii)
good standing
certificates as of a recent date for the Borrower from the Secretaries of State
of such
states as the Administrative Agent may request.
opinion, dated the Effective Date and addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders,
of corporate counsel of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to substantially the effect set forth on
Exhibit 5.01 and as to such other matters as any Lender through the Administrative Agent
may reasonably request (and the Borrower hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinion);
(e) Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a
certificate
signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, (accompanied, if
applicable, by a supporting
certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of IBP)
dated as of the Effective Date, stating that:
as of such date, as though made on and as of such date;
(ii) no Default or Event of Default exists or would result from the
initial Borrowing
hereunder; and
188
(iii) there has not occurred or become known since September 30, 2000, any condition
or change that has affected or could reasonably be expected to affect materially and adversely
the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition or material agreements of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries, including IBP and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(f) Other Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received
such other
approvals, opinions or documents as the Administrative Agent or any
Lender may request.
expenses referred to in Section 10.04 (including legal fees and expenses and the allocated
cost of in‑house counsel) for which the Borrower has been invoiced prior to the Effective
Date.
(h) IBP Guarantee. The Administrative Agent shall have
received (i) a counterpart
of the Guarantee Agreement executed by IBP or
(ii) written evidence satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent (which may
include telecopy transmission of a signed counterpart) that
IBP has signed such
counterpart, together with (A) a favorable opinion, dated the date of the
Guarantee Agreement and addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
of counsel to
IBP, to substantially the effect set forth on Exhibit 5.01 and as
to such other matters as any Lender
through the Administrative Agent may
reasonably request, (B) such documents and certificates
as the
Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the
organization,
existence and good standing of IBP, and the authorization of the
Transactions to which IBP is party
and (C) the supporting certificate
referenced to in paragraph (e) above.
the Receivables Bridge Facility) shall be in full force and effect.
(j) Termination of Existing Credit Agreement. The Existing Credit
Agreement shall
have been or shall simultaneously be terminated and the
principal of and interest accrued on all
loans outstanding thereunder and all
fees accrued thereunder shall have been or shall
simultaneously be paid in
full.
The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 10.02) at or prior to 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 15, 2001 (and, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, the Commitments shall terminate at such time).
SECTION 5.02. Conditions Precedent to All Borrowings and Issuances of Letters of Credit. The obligation of each Lender to make any Loan and of each Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit on or after the Effective Date shall be subject to the further conditions precedent that:189
(a) Notice. In the case of a Committed Borrowing, the Administrative Agent
shall have received a Notice of Borrowing as required by Section 2.02 or, in the case of the
issuance of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent
shall have received a notice requesting the issuance of such Letter of Credit as required by
Section 2.12(b).
(b) Continuation of Representations and Warranties. The
representations
and warranties contained in Article IV and in each other Loan
Document shall be true and
correct on and as of the date of borrowing with the
same effect as if made on and as of
such date (except for representations and
warranties expressly relating to an earlier date,
in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date).
continuing or shall result from the Loan being made or the Letter of Credit being issued
on such date.
(d) Other Assurances. The Administrative Agent shall have received
such
other approvals, opinions or documents as any Lender or any Issuing Bank
through the
Administrative Agent may reasonably request related to the Transactions.
Each notice under Section 2.12 requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit and each Notice of Borrowing and Competitive Bid Request submitted by the Borrower hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower hereunder, as of the date of each such notice, application or request and as of the date of each Borrowing relating thereto, that the conditions in this Section 5.02 are satisfied.
ARTICLE
VI
Affirmative Covenants
The Borrower covenants and agrees that as long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder or any Loan, or other Obligation shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied and until all Letters of Credit have been canceled or have expired and all amounts drawn thereunder have been reimbursed in full, unless the Majority Lenders waive compliance in writing:
SECTION 6.01. Compliance with Laws, Etc. The Borrower shall comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, with all applicable Requirements of Law, except such as may be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and which has no reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect.190
SECTION 6.02. Use of Proceeds. The Borrower shall use the proceeds of any Loan and request the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder on or after the Effective Date for working capital and other general corporate purposes (including capital expenditures and acquisitions and to support the issuance of commercial paper); provided, however, in each case such use of proceeds and the issuance of such Letters of Credit shall not be in contravention of any Requirement of Law and shall be consistent with the representations and warranties contained herein; provided, further, that the proceeds of any Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder may not be used to finance the purchase or other acquisition of Stock in any Person if such purchase or acquisition is opposed by the board of directors of such Person. SECTION 6.04. Insurance. The Borrower shall maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, with financially sound and reputable independent insurers, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons; provided, however, that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may self-insure to the same extent as other companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in the same general areas in which the Borrower and such Subsidiaries operate and to the extent consistent with prudent business practice. SECTION 6.06. Access. The Borrower shall permit, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to permit, representatives of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to examine and make copies of and abstracts from the records and books of account of, and visit the properties of, the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries, and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries with any of their directors, officers and independent public accountants and authorize those accountants to disclose to such Person any and all financial statements and other information of any kind, including copies of any management letter or the substance of any oral information that such accountants may have with respect to the business, financial and other affairs of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, all at the expense of the Borrower and at such times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; provided, however, that when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may visit and inspect, at the expense of the Borrower, its records and properties at any time during business hours and without advance notice.
191
SECTION 6.07. Keeping of Books. The Borrower shall maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, proper books of record and account, in which full and correct entries shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP. SECTION 6.09. Financial Statements. The Borrower shall furnish to each Lender with a copy to the Administrative Agent, in form and details satisfactory to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent:
(a) as soon as available, but not later than 45 days after the end of each
of the first
three quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the unaudited
consolidated balance
sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end
of such quarter and the related consolidated
statements of income, shareholders'
equity and cash flows for such quarter and for the period
commencing at the end
of the previous fiscal year and ending on the last day of such quarter, which
statements shall be certified by the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower as
being complete and
correct and fairly presenting, in accordance with GAAP, the
financial position and results of
operation of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries;
of the Borrower, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related consolidated statements of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows for the period commencing at the end of the previous
fiscal year and ending with the end of such fiscal year, which statements shall be certified without
qualification as to the scope of the audit by a nationally recognized independent public accounting
firm and be accompanied by (i) a certificate of such accounting firm stating that such accounting
firm has obtained no knowledge that a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, or if such accounting firm has obtained such knowledge that a Default or an Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof and (ii) copies
of any letters to the management of the Borrower from such accounting firm; and
192
(c) at the same time it furnishes each set of financial statements pursuant to
paragraph (a) or (b) above, (i) a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of the
Borrower to the effect that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
(or, if any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, describing the same in
reasonable detail and the action which the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto)
and (ii) a compliance certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit 6.09 and signed by the
Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of the Borrower, setting forth in reasonable detail the
computations necessary to determine whether the Borrower was in compliance with the
financial covenants set forth in Section 7.13 and 7.14, in each case reconciling any
differences between the numbers used in such calculations and those used in the
preparation of such financial statements. (a) promptly after the commencement thereof, notice of all actions, suits and
proceedings before any court or other Governmental Authority affecting the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries which, individually or in the aggregate, has any reasonable likelihood
of having a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) promptly but not later than three Business Days after the Borrower
becomes
aware of the existence of (i) any Default or Event of Default, (ii) any
breach or non‑performance
of, or any default under, any Contractual
Obligation to which the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party which
has any reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse
Effect, or (iii) any Material Adverse Effect or any event or other development which has a
reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect, notice specifying
the nature of
such Default, Event of Default, breach, non‑performance,
default, Material Adverse Effect,
event or development, including the
anticipated effect thereof;
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries sends to its security holders generally, and copies of all
reports and registration statements which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries files with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or any national securities exchange;
(d) promptly, but not later than five Business Days after the Borrower
becomes
aware of any change by Xxxxx'x or S&P in its Debt Rating, notice of
such change; and
193
(e) such other information respecting the business, prospects, properties, operations
or the condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as any Lender
through the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.
The reports required to be delivered pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 6.10 shall be deemed delivered on the date on which the same have been posted on the Securities and Exchange Commission's web site at xxx.xxx.xxx; provided, that the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of the reports referred to in clause (c) above to the Administrative Agent or any Lender who requests such reports in paper form.
SECTION 6.11. Notices Regarding ERISA. Without limiting the generality of the notice provisions contained in Section 6.10, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent promptly and in any event within 15 days after the Borrower or any member of its Controlled Group knows or has reason to know that any ERISA Event which has any reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect has occurred, a statement of the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower describing such ERISA Event and the action, if any, which the Borrower or such member of its Controlled Group proposes to take with respect thereto. (a) use and operate all of its facilities and properties in substantial compliancewith all Environmental Laws, keep all necessary permits, approvals, certificates, license and
other authorizations relating to environmental matters in effect and remain in substantial
compliance therewith, and handle all Hazardous Materials in substantial compliance with all
applicable Environmental Laws;
(b) promptly upon receipt of all written claims, complaints, notices or
inquiries
relating to the condition of its facilities and properties or
compliance with Environmental Laws,
evaluate such claims, complaints, notices
and inquiries and forward copies of (i) all such claims,
complaints, notices
and inquiries which individually have any reasonable likelihood of having a
Material Adverse Effect and (ii) all such claims, complaints, notices and
inquiries, arising from a
single occurrence which together have any reasonable
likelihood of having a Material Adverse
Effect, and endeavor to promptly
resolve all such actions and proceedings relating to compliance
with
Environmental Laws; and
may reasonably request from time to time to evidence compliance with this Section 6.13.
194
ARTICLE
VII
Negative Covenants
The Borrower covenants and agrees that as long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder or any Loan, or other Obligation shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied and until all Letters of Credit have been canceled or have expired and all amounts drawn thereunder have been reimbursed in full, unless the Majority Lenders waive compliance in writing:
SECTION 7.01. Limitations on Liens. The Borrower shall not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any Lien upon or with respect to any of its properties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than (subject to the final sentence of this Section 7.01) the following ("Permitted Liens"): (a) any Lien existing on the property of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries on
the Effective Date and set forth in Schedule 7.01 and any
extension, renewal and replacement of
any such Lien; provided any such
extension, renewal or replacement Lien is limited to the property
or assets
covered by the Lien extended, renewed or replaced and does not secure any
Indebtedness in addition to that secured immediately prior to such extension,
renewal and
replacement;
(c) Liens imposed by law, such as materialmen's, mechanics', warehousemen's,
carriers', lessors' or vendors' Liens incurred by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of business which secure its payment obligations to any Person, provided
(i) neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries is in default with respect to any payment
obligation to such
Person or the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary is in good faith and
by
appropriate proceedings diligently contesting such obligation for which
adequate reserves
shall have been set aside on its books and (ii) such Liens
have no reasonable likelihood of
having, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect;
yet due and payable or to the extent that non‑payment thereof shall be permitted by
Section 6.03;
(e) Liens on the property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
incurred,
or pledges and deposits made, in the ordinary course of business in
connection with worker's
compensation, unemployment insurance, old‑age
pensions and other social security
benefits, other than in respect of employee
plans subject to ERISA;
195
(f) Liens on the property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries securing (i)
the performance of bids, tenders, statutory obligations, leases and contracts (other than for
the repayment of borrowed money), (ii) obligations on surety and appeal bonds not exceeding
in the aggregate $100,000,000 and (iii) other obligations of like nature incurred as an incident
to and in the ordinary course of business, provided all such Liens in the aggregate have no
reasonable likelihood (even if enforced) of having a Material Adverse Effect;
(g) zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, reservations, restrictions
on the
use of real property or minor irregularities incident thereto which do
not impair the value of
any parcel of property material to the operation of the
business of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole or the value of
such property for the purpose of such business;
in connection with capital leases) upon or in any property acquired or held by the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to secure the purchase price of
such property or to secure Indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing the
acquisition of such property and Liens existing on such property at the time of its acquisition
(other than any such Lien created in contemplation of such acquisition) which Liens do not
extend to any other property and do not secure Indebtedness exceeding the purchase price
of such property;
(ii) Liens (including in connection with capital leases) securing
Indebtedness of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries incurred to finance all
or some of the cost of construction
of property (or to refinance Indebtedness
so incurred upon completion of such construction)
which Liens do not extend to
any other property except to the unimproved real property upon
which such construction will occur; provided the Indebtedness secured by such Liens is not
incurred more than 90 days after the later of the completion of construction or
the commencement
of full operation of such property;
advance or other payments, or performance of any other obligations, pursuant to any contract
or statute or to secure any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries incurred for
the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of construction of
property subject to Liens (including in connection with capital leases) securing Indebtedness
of the pollution control or industrial or other revenue bond type and which Liens do not
extend to any other property; and
(iv) in addition to Liens permitted under clauses (i) and (ii) above,
Liens in connection
with capital leases entered into by the
Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries in connection
with sale-leaseback transactions.
196
provided, however, that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness secured by all Liens referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of this paragraph (h) at any time outstanding, together with the Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted pursuant to paragraphs (i) and (l) below (and any extensions, renewals and refinancings of such Indebtedness) shall not, subject to the second proviso of paragraph (i) below, at any time exceed the Permitted Lien Basket;
(i) Liens on assets of any corporation existing at the time such corporationbecomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or merges into or consolidates with the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries, if such Liens (A) do not extend to any other property, (B) do not
secure Indebtedness exceeding the fair market value of such property at the time such
corporation becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or at the time of such merger or
consolidation, and (C) were not created in contemplation of such corporation becoming a
Subsidiary of the Borrower or of such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that the
aggregate amount of Indebtedness secured by Liens referred to in this paragraph (i),
together with the Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted pursuant to paragraph (h)
above and paragraph (l) below (and any extensions, renewals and refinancings of such
Indebtedness) shall not at any time exceed the Permitted Lien Basket; provided, further,
however, that notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the Borrower may incur, and
permit its Subsidiaries to incur, Indebtedness secured by Liens referred to in this paragraph
(i) which, when aggregated with the Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted pursuant to
paragraph (h) above and paragraph (l) below, exceed the Permitted Lien Basket if, and only
if, (x) such Indebtedness remains outstanding for a period of less than six months from the
date on which such Indebtedness first exceeded the Permitted Lien Basket or (y) such
Liens are released within six months;
(j) Liens in respect of the Receivables Facility and Liens in respect of
accounts sold by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to a receivables
purchase
transaction permitted by Section 7.07(f);
of Default under clause (h), (i) or (j) of Article VIII;
(l) Liens securing other Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries
not expressly permitted by paragraphs (a) through (k); provided, however,
that the aggregate
amount of Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted pursuant to paragraphs (h) and (i) above
and pursuant to this paragraph (l) (and any
extensions, renewals and refinancings of such
Indebtedness) shall not, subject
to the second proviso of paragraph (i) above, at any time
exceed the Permitted
Lien Basket; and
197
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Borrower shall not create, incur or assume, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur or assume, any Priority Debt (other than Priority Debt resulting from the securing of existing Indebtedness with Excess Margin Stock), if after giving effect to such creation, incurrence or assumption the aggregate outstanding amount of Priority Debt at the time of such creation, incurrence or assumption would exceed 15% of the total consolidated assets (calculated as if the Merger had occurred as of the Effective Date) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at the most recent fiscal quarter end of the Borrower for which financial statements have been delivered under Section 6.09(a) or (b) (or prior to the first delivery of such financial statements, at the respective dates of the most recent financial statements for the Borrower and IBP referred to in Section 4.05(a) and (b)).
SECTION 7.02. Limitation on Indebtedness. The Borrower shall not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any Indebtedness except (subject to the final sentence of this Section 7.02):
(a) the Loans, Letters of Credit and any other Indebtedness under this
Agreement
or any other Loan Document and all loans, letters of credit and other
Indebtedness under the
New Five-Year Credit Agreement and all "Loan Documents" as defined therein;
and any extension, renewal, refunding and refinancing thereof, provided that after giving
effect to such extension, renewal, refunding or refinancing, (A) the principal amount thereof
is not increased, (B) neither the tenor nor the remaining average life thereof is reduced and (C)
the interest rate thereon is not increased; provided, however, that the industrial revenue bonds
identified by an asterisk in Schedule 7.02 may be refinanced at an interest rate higher than the
rate in effect immediately prior to such refinancing;
(c) Indebtedness of the Borrower to any of its Subsidiaries, of any
wholly-owned
Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or of any wholly-owned Subsidiary of
the Borrower
to another Subsidiary of the Borrower;
in connection with the enforcement of rights or claims of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or in
connection with judgments that do not result in a Default or an Event of Default;
(e) trade debt (including Indebtedness for the purchase of farm products
from
contract growers and other similar suppliers but excluding Indebtedness for
Borrowed Money)
incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business in a manner
and to an extent consistent with their past practices and necessary or desirable
for the prudent
operation of its businesses;
to the limitations contained therein;
198
(g) Indebtedness incurred in connection with the issuance of commercial paper;
(h) Indebtedness under Hedging Agreements entered into in the ordinary
course
of business to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary
is exposed in
the conduct of its business; and
immediately after giving effect to, the incurrence of such Indebtedness, no condition or event
shall exist which constitutes an Event of Default.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Borrower shall not create, incur or assume, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur or assume, any Priority Debt (other than Priority Debt resulting from the securing of existing Indebtedness with Excess Margin Stock), if after giving effect to such creation, incurrence or assumption the aggregate outstanding amount of Priority Debt at the time of such creation, incurrence or assumption would exceed 15% of the total consolidated assets (calculated as if the Merger had occurred as of the Effective Date) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at the most recent fiscal quarter end of the Borrower for which financial statements have been delivered under Section 6.09(a) or (b) (or prior to the first delivery of such financial statements, at the respective dates of the most recent financial statements for the Borrower and IBP referred to in Section 4.05(a) and (b)).
SECTION 7.03. Sale-Leaseback Transactions. The Borrower shall not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any obligation, for the payment of rent or otherwise, in connection with a sale-leaseback transaction, except (subject to the final sentence of this Section 7.03 and subject to the limitations set forth in Section 7.01(h)) capital leases entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after the Effective Date in connection with sale‑leaseback transactions; provided (i) immediately prior to giving effect to such lease, the property subject to such lease was sold by the Borrower or any such Subsidiary to the lessor pursuant to a transaction permitted under Section 7.07 and (ii) no Event of Default exists or would occur as a result of such sale and subsequent lease.Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Borrower shall not create, incur or assume, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur or assume, any Priority Debt (other than Priority Debt resulting from the securing of existing Indebtedness with Excess Margin Stock), if after giving effect to such creation, incurrence or assumption the aggregate outstanding amount of Priority Debt at the time of such creation, incurrence or assumption would exceed 15% of the total consolidated assets (calculated as if the Merger had occurred as of the Effective Date) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at the most recent fiscal quarter end of the Borrower for which financial statements have been delivered under Section 6.09(a) or (b) (or prior to the first delivery of such financial statements, at the respective dates of the most recent financial statements for the Borrower and IBP referred to in Section 4.05(a) and (b)).
199
SECTION 7.04. Restricted Payments. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, declare, pay or authorize any Restricted Payment if (a) any such Restricted Payment is not paid out of Consolidated Net Income Available for Restricted Payments, (b) at the time of, and immediately after, the making of any such Restricted Payment (or the declaration of any dividend except a stock dividend) a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (c) the making of any such Restricted Payment would cause the Leverage Ratio to exceed the percentage pursuant to Section 7.13 which the Borrower will be required to maintain as of the end of the fiscal quarter during which such Restricted Payment is to be made. (a) the Borrower may merge with a wholly‑owned Subsidiary of the Borrower so
long as (i) the Borrower is the surviving corporation and (ii) at the time of, and immediately after
giving effect to, such merger, no condition or event shall exist which constitutes an Event of
Default;
(b) any wholly‑owned direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower may
merge
with or into any other wholly‑owned direct or indirect Subsidiary of the
Borrower or acquire
Stock of any other wholly‑owned direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower;
all of the Stock or all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, provided (i) at the time of,
and immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, no condition or event shall exist which
constitutes an Event of Default and (ii) the Borrower shall be in pro forma compliance with the
financial covenants set forth in Sections 7.13 and 7.14, assuming such acquisition occurred on the
first day of the four fiscal quarter period most recently ended; and
(d) the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge with any
other
corporation permitted to be acquired pursuant to paragraph (c) above, provided (i)
at the time
of, and immediately after giving effect to, such merger, no condition or event
shall exist which
constitutes an Event of Default and (ii) and after such merger, the surviving
corporation is
the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower, respectively.
200
(a) Permitted Investments;
(b) investments existing on the date hereof in any Person;
(c) loans, advances, credit support, or other investments in any Person orPersons, in amounts which do not exceed in the aggregate at any time outstanding 5% of
the consolidated total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the last day of the
most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower;
(d) the acquisition by the Borrower or any of its wholly‑owned
Subsidiaries
of Stock of a Subsidiary of the Borrower;
(f) loans or advances made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to
employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries not to exceed an aggregate
of $5,000,000.
(a) the sale or disposition of inventory and farm products in the ordinary
course
of business;
which have become obsolete or surplus to the business of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, or has no remaining useful life, in each case as reasonably determined in good
faith by the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be;
(c) the periodic sales to third parties of live inventory and related
products and
services under grow out contracts;
(e) the sale or disposition of Permitted Investments;
(f) the sale of accounts or other receivables by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries inconnection with the Receivables Facility or to a special purpose bankruptcy remote Subsidiary or
a third party for not less than the fair value thereof, without recourse (other than to any such special
purpose Subsidiary), in connection with a receivables purchase transaction; and
201
(g) the sale or disposition of Excess Margin Stock for not less than the fair
value thereof. SECTION 7.09. Transactions with Affiliates, Etc. The Borrower shall not:
(a) enter into or be a party to, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to
enter into
or be a party to, any transaction with any Affiliate of the Borrower
or any such Subsidiary
except (i) as otherwise expressly permitted herein or
(ii) in the ordinary course of business,
to the extent consistent with past
practices, so long as any such transaction individually and
in the aggregate with other such transactions has no reasonable likelihood of having a
Material
Adverse Effect; or
that prohibits, limits or restricts any repayment of loans or advances or other distributions
to the Borrower by any of its respective Subsidiaries, or that restricts any such Subsidiary's
ability to declare or make any dividend payment or other distribution on account of any shares
of any class of its capital stock or on its ability to acquire or make a payment in respect thereof;
provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law or
by this Agreement, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions existing on
the date hereof identified on Schedule 7.09 (but shall apply to any extension, renewal, amendment
or modification that expands the scope of any such restriction or condition) and (iii) the foregoing
shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the
sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to
the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder.
SECTION 7.10. Margin Regulations. (a) The Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Loan or any Letter of Credit in violation of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
(b) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (otherthan in connection with the Acquisition) purchase or otherwise acquire Margin Stock if, after
giving effect to any such purchase or acquisition, Margin Stock owned by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries would represent more than 25% of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on
a consolidated basis (valued in accordance with Regulation U).
202
SECTION 7.11. Compliance with ERISA. The Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, permit any member of the Controlled Group of the Borrower to, directly or indirectly permit to exist any ERISA Event which has any reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect, or make a complete or partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA) from any Multiemployer Plan so as to result in any liability to the Borrower or any member of its Controlled Group which has any reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect. SECTION 7.13. Leverage Ratio. The Borrower shall not permit the Leverage Ratio at any time during any of the periods set forth below to exceed the ratio set forth opposite such period:
Period |
Ratio |
December 29, 2001 through March 29, 2002 |
5.25:1.00 |
March 30, 2002 through June 28, 2002 |
4.95:1.00 |
June 29, 2002 through September 27, 2002 |
4.75:1.00 |
September 28, 2002 through December 27, 2002 |
4.50:1.00 |
December 28, 2002 through March 29, 2003 |
4.25:1.00 |
March 30, 2003 through September 27, 2003 |
4.00:1.00 |
September 28, 2003 through October 2, 2004 |
3.75:1.00 |
October 3, 2004 through October 1, 2005 |
3.50:1.00 |
October 2, 2005 and thereafter |
3.00:1.00 |
203
Period |
Ratio |
December 29, 2001 |
2.50:1.00 |
December 30, 2001 through March 30, 2002 |
2.75:1.00 |
March 31, 2002 through June 28, 2003 |
3.00:1.00 |
June 29, 2003 through June 26, 2004 |
3.25:1.00 |
June 27, 2004 and thereafter |
3.50:1.00 |
ARTICLE
VIII
Events of Default
(a) Non‑Payment. The Borrower shall (i) fail to pay when and
as required to be
paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan or any
reimbursement with respect to any
L/C Disbursement; or (ii) fail to pay within
three Business Days after the same shall become
due and payable, any amount of
interest on any Loan or any L/C Disbursement or any fee or
other amount payable
hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any other Obligation;
the Borrower in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, or which is contained in any
certificate, document or financial or other statement delivered at any time under or in connection
with this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall prove to have been incorrect or untrue
in any material respect when made or deemed made;
(c) Specific Defaults. The Borrower shall fail to perform or
observe any term,
covenant or agreement contained in Article VII or Section
6.02, 6.05 (with respect to the
Borrower's existence), or 6.10(b);
or covenant contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and such Default shall
continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the date upon which written notice thereof
shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent;
(e) Default under Other Agreements. Any default shall occur under
the New
Five-Year Credit Agreement, the Bridge Facility, the Receivables
Facility, the Receivables Bridge
Facility or under any other Indebtedness of
the Borrower (other than any default under any
agreement to which the Borrower
and one or more Lenders are party to the extent such
default results from the
transfer or pledge of Excess Margin Stock) or any of its Subsidiaries
having an
aggregate outstanding principal amount of $50,000,000 or more or
under one or more
Hedging Agreements of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries resulting in
aggregate net
obligations of $50,000,000 or more and such default shall:
204
(i) consist of the failure to pay any Indebtedness when due (whether at scheduled
maturity, by required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise) after giving effect
to any applicable grace or notice period; or
(ii) result in, or continue unremedied for a period of time sufficient to
permit, the
acceleration of such Indebtedness or the early termination of such
Hedging Agreement;
(other than an Inactive Subsidiary) shall
(i) cease to be Solvent or generally fail to pay, or admit in writing its
inability to
pay, its debts as they become due;
(iii) voluntarily cease to conduct its business in the ordinary course; or
(iv) take any action to effectuate or authorize any of the foregoing;(g) Involuntary Proceedings.
(i) An involuntary Insolvency Proceeding shall be commenced against the Borroweror any of its Subsidiaries (other than an Inactive Subsidiary) or any writ, judgment, warrant
of attachment, execution or similar process shall be issued or levied against a substantial
part of the Borrower's, or any of its Subsidiaries' properties (other than properties of an Inactive
Subsidiary), and any such proceeding or petition shall not be dismissed, or such writ, judgment,
warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall not be released, vacated or fully bonded
within 60 days after commencement, filing or levy;
(ii) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than an Inactive
Subsidiary) shall admit
in writing the material allegations of a petition
against it in any Insolvency Proceeding, or an
order for relief (or similar
order under non‑United States law) against the Borrower or such
Subsidiary
(other than an Inactive Subsidiary) shall be ordered in any Insolvency
Proceeding; or
acquiesce in the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator,
mortgagee in possession (or agent therefor) or other similar Person for itself or a substantial
portion of its property or business;
205
(h) Judgments. One or more judgments for the payment of money in an
aggregate amount in excess of $50,000,000 shall be rendered against the Borrower, any
Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period
of 30 days (or such longer period (not to exceed 90 days) allowed by law during which
execution can be effectively stayed) and during such period execution shall not be effectively
stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon
any assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;
(i) ERISA. With respect to any Plan the Borrower or any member of
its
Controlled Group shall incur any withdrawal liability in the aggregate in
excess of $50,000,000
as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from a Multiemployer Plan within the meaning of
Section 4203 or 4205 of ERISA, or any
ERISA Event which has any reasonable likelihood of
having a Material Adverse
Effect shall have occurred, and 30 days thereafter such ERISA
Event shall
not have been corrected.
"members of the same family" of Mr. Xxx Xxxxx as defined in Section 447(e) of the Code
shall cease to have at least 51% of the total combined voting power of the outstanding Stock
of the Borrower; or
(k) Guarantee Agreement. At any time after the delivery of the Guarantee
Agreement, the Guarantee Agreement shall not for any reason be, or shall be
asserted by
the Borrower or TFM not to be, in full force and effect and enforceable against TFM in all
material respects in accordance with its terms.
(a) declare by written notice to the Borrower pursuant to Section 10.01
the
Commitment of each Lender and any obligation of the Issuing Banks to issue
Letters of
Credit to be terminated, whereupon such Commitment and such obligations shall forthwith
be terminated; and/or
the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest accrued and unpaid
thereon, (ii) an amount equal to the maximum aggregate amount that is or at any time thereafter
may become available for drawing under any outstanding Letters of Credit (whether or not any
beneficiary shall have presented, or shall be entitled at such time to present, the drafts or other
documents required to draw under such Letters of Credit), and (iii) all other Obligations payable
hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, whereupon
the Loans, all such interest, the amounts payable under clause (ii) and all such Obligations shall
become and be forthwith due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice
of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;
206
provided, however, that upon the occurrence of any event specified in Section 8.01(f) or (g) with respect to the Borrower, the Commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit shall automatically terminate and the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest accrued thereon, all amounts payable under paragraph (b)(ii) and all other Obligations shall automatically become due and payable without further action of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender.
SECTION 8.03. Rights Not Exclusive. The rights provided for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights, powers, privileges or remedies provided by law or in equity, or under any other instrument, document or agreement now existing or hereafter arising; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent will not have the right to exercise the remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (other than those arising out of Events of Default defined in Sections 8.01(f) and (g) with respect to the Borrower) other than by written notice to the Borrower as contemplated by Sections 8.02(a) or (b).
ARTICLE
IX
The Administrative Agent
207
SECTION 9.03. Liabilities of Agents. (a) Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys‑in‑fact or Affiliates shall be (a) liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or (b) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders or any Issuing Bank for any recital, statement, representation or warranty made by the Borrower or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value of any collateral or the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any failure of the Borrower to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Administrative Agent shall not be under any obligation to any Lender or Issuing Bank to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that none of the Syndication
Agent,
the Documentation Agent or any of the Co-Documentation Agents shall have
any duties,
responsibilities, obligations or authority under this Agreement or
any other Loan Document
in such capacity.
(b) For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified
in
Section 5.01, each Lender and each Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have
consented to,
approved or accepted or to be satisfied with each document or
other matter required thereunder
to be consented to or approved by or
acceptable or satisfactory to the Lenders or the Issuing
Banks unless an
officer of the Administrative Agent responsible for the transactions
contemplated by the Loan Documents shall have received notice from such Lender
or
such Issuing Bank prior to the Effective Date specifying its objection
thereto and either
such objection shall not have been withdrawn by notice to
the Administrative Agent to
that effect or, in the case of a Lender, such
Lender shall not have made available to the
Administrative Agent such Lender's
Percentage Share of such Borrowing.
208
SECTION 9.05. Notice of Default. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, except with respect to payment defaults, unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender, an Issuing Bank or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a "notice of default". In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be requested by the Majority Lenders in accordance with Article VIII; provided however, that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received any such request from the Majority Lenders, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks. SECTION 9.07. Indemnification. To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent under Section 10.04 or 10.05, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, such Lender's respective Percentage Share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount;
209
provided that the unreimbursed cost or expense or indemnified claim, action, proceeding, suit, damage, loss, liability or related cost or expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such. Each Lender severally agrees to reimburse each Issuing Bank to the same extent and subject to the same limitations as provided above for the Administrative Agent, modified so that each reference to the Administrative Agent shall be deemed to be a reference to such Issuing Bank. SECTION 9.09. Successor Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Majority Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a commercial bank organized or chartered under the laws of the United States of America or of any State thereof and having combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the notice of resignation of the retiring Administrative Agent, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, with the consent of the Borrower, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a commercial bank organized or chartered under the laws of the United States of America or of any State thereof and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. After any retiring Administrative Agent's resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Article IX and Sections 10.04 and 10.05 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
210
ARTICLE
X
Miscellaneous
any Lender to any additional monetary obligation without the written consent of such Lender;
(b) reduce the principal of, or interest on, any Committed Loan or any
fees payable
hereunder without the written consent of each Lender affected
thereby;
the Committed Loans or any fees payable hereunder without the written consent of each
Lender affected thereby;
(d) change Section 2.06(b) in a manner that would alter the pro rata
treatment of
Lenders required thereby or change Section 3.06 in a manner that
would alter the pro rata
sharing of payments required thereby, without the
written consent of each Lender;
211
(e) release IBP from its obligations under the Guarantee Agreement, without
the written consent of each Lender;
(f) change the percentage of the Commitments or the percentage of the
aggregate
unpaid principal amount of the Loans which shall be required for the
Lenders or any of them to
take any action hereunder without the written consent
of each Lender; or
(a) all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative
Agent,
the Syndication Agent or the Documentation Agent in connection with the
preparation,
execution, delivery, administration, modification and amendment of this Agreement or any
other Loan Document or any other document to be delivered
hereunder or thereunder or in
connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby, or with respect to advising
the Administrative Agent as to
its rights and responsibilities under the Loan Documents,
including the
reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative
Agent, the Syndication Agent or the Documentation Agent (including the
allocated cost of
in‑house counsel);
any Lender or Issuing Bank in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in connection with any restructuring
or "work‑out" (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise), including the
reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent or such
Lender or Issuing Bank (including the allocated cost of in‑house counsel); and
(c) all reasonable costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent incurred
in
connection with due diligence, transportation, use of computers,
duplication, appraisals,
surveys, audits, insurance, consultants and search
reports and all filing and recording fees
and title insurance premiums.
212
SECTION 10.05. Indemnity. (a) The Borrower agrees to indemnify, defend, reimburse and hold harmless the Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent, the Documentation Agent, each Co‑Documentation Agent, each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each of their Affiliates, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors (each, an "Indemnified Party") from and against all claims, actions, proceedings, suits, damages, losses, liabilities, costs and expenses, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel (including the allocated cost of in‑house counsel) which may be incurred by or asserted against any Indemnified Party in connection with, or arising out of, or relating to (i) any transaction or proposed transaction (whether or not consummated) financed or to be financed, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of any Borrowing or otherwise contemplated in this Agreement; (ii) the entering into and performance of this Agreement and any other Loan Document by the Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent, the Documentation Agent, any Co-Documentation Agent or any Lender or Issuing Bank or any action or omission of the Borrower in connection therewith; or (iii) any investigation, litigation, suit, action or proceeding (regardless of whether an Indemnified Party is a party thereto) which relates to any of the foregoing or to any Environmental Claim, unless and to the extent such claim, action, proceeding, suit, damage, loss, liability, cost or expense was solely attributable to such Indemnified Party's gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(b) The Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent, the Documentation
Agent,
each Co-Documentation Agent and each Lender and each Issuing Bank agree
that in the event
that any investigation, litigation, suit, action or
proceeding is asserted or threatened in writing
or instituted against it or any
other Indemnified Party, or any remedial, removal or response action
is
requested of it or any other Indemnified Party, for which the Administrative
Agent, the
Syndication Agent, the Documentation Agent, any Co-Documentation
Agent or any Lender or
Issuing Bank may desire indemnity or defense hereunder, the Administrative Agent, the
Syndication Agent, the Documentation Agent, such
Co-Documentation Agent or such Lender or
such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify
the Borrower in writing.
the Documentation Agent, any Co-Documentation Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank shall
have the obligation to defend against such investigation, litigation, suit, action or proceeding or
requested remedial, removal or response action, and the Administrative Agent, the Syndication
Agent, the Documentation Agent and the Co-Documentation Agents, in any event, may participate
in the defense thereof with legal counsel of the Administrative Agent's choice. In the event that the
Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent, the Documentation Agent, any Co-Documentation
Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank requests the Borrower to defend against such investigation,
litigation, suit, action or proceeding or requested remedial, removal or response action, the Borrower
shall promptly do so and the Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent, the Documentation Agent,
the affected Co-Documentation Agent or the affected Lender or Issuing Bank shall have the right to
have legal counsel of its choice participate in such defense. No action taken by legal counsel chosen
by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or Issuing Bank in defending against any such investigation,
litigation, suit, action or proceeding or requested remedial, removal or response action shall vitiate or any
way impair the Borrower's obligations and duties hereunder to indemnify and hold harmless any
Indemnified Party.
213
SECTION 10.06. Right of Set‑off. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any Event of Default, each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the Obligations, whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower after any such set‑off and application made by such Lender; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set‑off and application. The rights of each Lender under this Section 10.06 are in addition to any other rights and remedies (including other rights of set‑off) which such Lender may have. SECTION 10.08. Assignments, Participations, Etc. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of each Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of each Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (e) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Affiliates of each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and Issuing Banks) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below,
any Lender
may assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights
and obligations under this
Agreement (including all or a portion of its
Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it)
with the prior written
consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:
214
(A) the Borrower, provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an
assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, or, if an Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing, any other assignee,
(B) the Administrative Agent; and
(C) each Issuing Bank.(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or anassignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender's Commitment or Committed
Loans, the amount of the Commitment or Committed Loans of the assigning Lender subject to
each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect
to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000
unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent; provided, that no
such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing;
(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a
proportionate part
of all the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under
this Agreement, except that this
clause (B) shall not apply to rights in
respect of outstanding Bid Loans,
deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, together with a processing
and recordation fee of $3,500, and
(D) the Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the
Administrative
Agent an Administrative Questionnaire. Subject to acceptance
and recording thereof pursuant
to paragraph (d) of this Section, from and
after the effective date specified in each Assignment
and Acceptance the
Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest
assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of
a Lender
under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to
the extent of the interest
assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this
Agreement (and, in the case of an
Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning
Lender's rights and
obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party
hereto
but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of
Sections 3.05, 3.08,
3.09, 3.10, 3.11
and 10.05)(but only to the extent such Lender notifies the Borrower of any claim under such
Section within 90 days after it obtains
knowledge thereof). Any assignment or transfer by a
Lender of rights or
obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph
shall
be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation
in
such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (e) of this
Section.
215
(c) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower,
shall maintain at one of its offices in the United States a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance
delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the
Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms
hereof from time to time (the "Register"). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the
Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders may treat each Person
whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all
purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available
for inspection by the Borrower, and any Lender and any Issuing Bank, at any reasonable time and
from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance
executed
by an assigning Lender and an Assignee, the Assignee's completed
Administrative Questionnaire
(unless the Assignee shall already be a Lender
hereunder), the processing and recordation fee
referred to in paragraph (b)
of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by
paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such
Assignment and Acceptance
and record the information contained therein in the
Register. No assignment shall be effective for
purposes of this Agreement
unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.
or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (each a
"Participant") in all or a portion of such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement
(including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such
Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain
solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the
Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to
deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and obligations
under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a
participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement
and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement;
provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the
consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the proviso
to Section 10.02 that affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (f) of this Section, the
Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.05 (other than
3.05(f)), 3.06, 3.08, 3.09 and 3.10 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its
interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by
law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.06 as though it were a
Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 3.06 as though it were a Lender.
216
(f) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section
3.05, 3.08, 3.09 or 3.10 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect
to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant
is made with the Borrower's prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if
it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.05 unless the Borrower is notified
of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the
Borrower, to comply with Section 3.05(f) as though it were a Lender.
(g) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all
or any
portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such
Lender to (i) a Federal
Reserve Bank or (ii) the Farm Credit Funding Corp. or
to any other entity organized under the
Farm Credit Act, as amended, and this
Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment
of a security
interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security
interest shall
release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or
substitute any such pledgee or Assignee
for such Lender as a party hereto.
217
SECTION 10.10. Survival. The obligations of the Borrower under Sections 3.05, 3.08, 3.09, 3.10, 3.11, 10.04 and 10.05, and the obligations of the Lenders under Sections 3.05(h) and 9.07, shall in each case survive repayment or purchase of the Loans, the cancelation or expiration of any Letter of Credit or any termination of this Agreement and the Commitments. The representations and warranties made by the Borrower in this Agreement and in each other Loan Document shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and each other Loan Document. SECTION 10.12. Governing Law and Jurisdiction. (a) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; and
(b) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS
AGREEMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
OR OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW
YORK, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF
THIS AGREEMENT, THE BORROWER
HEREBY CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS
PROPERTY, TO THE
NON‑EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS. THE
BORROWER
HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO
THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS,
WHICH IT
MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING IN SUCH
JURISDICTION IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO.
218
SECTION 10.15. Waiver of Jury Trial. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE LENDERS AND THE BORROWER HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE LENDERS OR THE BORROWER. THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDERS TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT. SECTION 10.17. USA Patriot Act. Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the "Act"), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.
219
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.
TYSON FOODS, INC.,
By
________________________________
Name:
Title:
Address for notices:
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
With a copy to:
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: R. Read Xxxxxx
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
220
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
individually and as Administrative Agent,
by
________________________________
Name:
Title:
Address for notices:
Loan and Agency Services Group
0000 Xxxxxx Xx., 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Address for payments:
ABA # 000000000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, (713) 750-3523
1111 Xxxxxx St., 10th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Credit to Account number:
323225705
Reference: Tyson Foods, Inc.
With a copy to:
JPMorgan Chase Bank
270 Park Avenue
New York NY 10017
Attention of.: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
221
XXXXXXX XXXXX
CAPITAL CORPORATION,
individually and as Syndication Agent,
by
________________________________
Name:
Title:
SUNTRUST BANK, individually and as Documentation Agent,
By
________________________________
Name:
Title:
SIGNATURE PAGE
to the FIVE-YEAR
CREDIT AGREEMENT among TYSON
FOODS, INC., the banks parties
hereto,
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, as
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks
(as
defined in Article I thereto), XXXXXXX
XXXXX CAPITAL CORPORATION, as
Syndication Agent, and SUNTRUST BANK,
as Documentation Agent, and MIZUHO
FINANCIAL GROUP and RABOBANK
INTERNATIONAL, as Co-Documentation
Agents.
Name of Institution:
By
Name:
Title:
222