EXHIBIT 10.9
AGREEMENT
This Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into this 30th day of January,
2003, by and among the PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION ("PBGC"), a United
States government corporation and agency of the United States, WKI HOLDING
COMPANY, INC. ("WKI"), a corporation organized under the laws of the State of
Delaware, and BW HOLDINGS, LLC ("BW"), a limited liability company organized
under the laws of the State of Delaware.
RECITALS
--------
WHEREAS, WKI and several of its affiliates filed voluntary petitions for
reorganization under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. 101 -1330 on
May 31, 2002 ("WKI Bankruptcy Case");
WHEREAS, WKI is the contributing sponsor, as that term is defined in 29
U.S.C. 1301(a)(13), of the World Kitchen, Inc. Pension Plan ("WKI Pension
Plan");
WHEREAS, as of May 31, 2002, BW was a member of the same Controlled Group
(as such term is hereinafter defined) with WKI (the "BW Controlled Group"), and
thus, jointly and severally liable under Title IV of ERISA for the WKI Pension
Plan's unfunded benefit liabilities under 29 U.S.C. 1362(b), in the event of the
termination of the WKI Pension Plan while WKI was a member of the BW Controlled
Group;
WHEREAS, upon the Effective Date (as such term is hereinafter defined) WKI
will no longer be a member of the BW Controlled Group;
WHEREAS, PBGC, has asserted that, without certain agreements, the removal
of WKI from the BW Controlled Group may reasonably be expected to cause PBGC's
long run loss with respect to the WKI Pension Plan to increase unreasonably; and
WHEREAS, PBGC desires to provide protection for the WKI Pension Plan in the
event the WKI Pension Plan terminates in the future under Title IV of ERISA; and
WHEREAS, WKI and BW have agreed to provide certain assurances to PBGC
concerning the WKI Pension Plan, and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration for the mutual covenants contained herein
and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
I. DEFINITIONS
-----------
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meaning set
forth below:
"Agreement" shall mean this agreement by and among PBGC, WKI and BW.
---------
"BW" shall mean BW Holdings, LLC.
---
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
-----
"Controlled Group" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto under 29 U.S.C.
-----------------
1301(a)(14).
"Effective Date" shall mean the effective date of WKI's Plan of
---------------
Reorganization.
"Enhanced Contributions" shall mean the contributions in the aggregate
-----------------------
amount of Seven Million dollars ($7,000,000) to be made by WKI to the WKI
Pension Plan under section III of this Agreement.
2
"ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
------
amended.
"IRS" shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.
---
"Maximum Tax Deductible Contribution Amount" shall have the meaning set
------------------------------------------
forth in section III of this Agreement.
"PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
-----
"Pension Plans" shall mean the WKI Pension Plan and the Xxxxxx Chemical,
--------------
Inc. Employee Retirement Income Plan (or any successor plan).
"Plan Year" shall mean the WKI Pension Plan plan year, which, as of the
----------
date of this Agreement, is the period January 1 to December 31 (or such other
period as may be changed in accordance with section VI.D. of this Agreement).
"Required Credit Balance" shall have the meaning set forth in section III
------------------------
of this Agreement.
"Standard Termination" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto under 29
---------------------
U.S.C. 1341(b).
"Unfunded Benefit Liabilities" shall mean the amount of the WKI Pension
-----------------------------
Plan's unfunded benefit liabilities (as defined in 29 U.S.C. 1301(a)(18)).
"WKI" shall mean WKI Holding Company, Inc. (prior to and after the
----
Effective Date).
"WKI Controlled Group" shall mean the Controlled Group of which WKI is a
---------------------
member from and after the Effective Date.
"WKI Pension Plan" shall mean the World Kitchen, Inc. Pension Plan (or any
-----------------
successor plan).
3
"WKI's Plan of Reorganization" shall mean the Second Amended Joint Plan of
-----------------------------
Reorganization of World Kitchen, Inc., Its Parent Corporation and Its Subsidiary
Debtors (as such terms are defined therein), dated November 15, 2002, as
modified, which was confirmed by an order of the Bankruptcy Court in the WKI
Bankruptcy Case, dated December 23, 2002 (copies of which have been provided to
the PBGC).
II. PBGC'S OBLIGATIONS
------------------
In consideration of WKI's and BW's obligations described in this Agreement,
PBGC will (A) forebear from instituting proceedings to terminate the Pension
Plans in advance of the Effective Date and (B) withdraw with prejudice all of
the claims filed by PBGC with respect to the Pension Plans in the WKI Bankruptcy
Case. This Agreement shall not otherwise limit PBGC's rights under ERISA with
respect to the Pension Plans, including the right to seek termination of the
Pension Plans after the Effective Date.
III. WKI'S OBLIGATIONS
-----------------
WKI shall have the following obligations under this Agreement:
A. WKI shall pay in cash to the WKI Pension Plan Enhanced
Contributions in the aggregate amount of $7,000,000, as follows:
(1) For Plan Year 2003, WKI will pay $2,000,000;
(2) For Plan Year 2005, WKI will pay $2,500,000; and
(3) For Plan Year 2006, WKI will pay $2,500,000.
The Enhanced Contributions due for a particular Plan Year shall
be paid in equal quarterly installments on the same dates (April
15, July 15, October 15 and January 15) that the statutorily
required quarterly minimum funding contributions are due for such
Plan Year. The Enhanced Contributions will be in addition to any
minimum funding contributions owed to the WKI Pension Plan for
Plan Years 2003, 2005, and 2006.
4
B. Notwithstanding section III.A above, WKI shall contribute no less
than $13,000,000 for Plan Year 2003 and $10,000,000 for Plan Year
2004.
C. WKI shall maintain a Required Credit Balance for the WKI Pension
Plan throughout the term of the Agreement. WKI shall make
contributions necessary to maintain the Required Credit Balance
for the WKI Pension Plan. Any contributions necessary to meet the
Required Credit Balance for a particular Plan Year shall be made
no later than January 15th following the end of the Plan Year
(provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall require
or otherwise accelerate the timing of the payment of the regular
minimum funding contribution which is due no later than September
15th of the following Plan Year).
For purposes of this Agreement, Required Credit Balance shall
mean the following:
(1) For Plan Year ending December 31, 2003, the Required Credit
Balance shall mean the greater of:
(a) The credit balance in the WKI Pension Plan as of
December 31, 2002 plus interest at the WKI Pension
Plan's funding standard account rate plus $2,000,000,
or
(b) The credit balance that results in the WKI Pension
Plan's funding standard account as of December 31, 2003
if $13,000,000 is contributed to the WKI Pension Plan
for 2003.
(2) For the Plan Year ending December 31, 2004, the Required
Credit Balance shall mean the greater of:
(a) The Required Credit Balance as of December 31, 2003
plus interest at the WKI Pension Plan's funding
standard account rate, or
(b) The Required Credit Balance as of December 31, 2003
plus interest at the WKI's Pension Plan's funding
standard account rate plus any additional credit
balance that results if $10,000,000 is contributed to
the WKI Pension Plan for 2004.
5
(3) For each Plan Year ending December 31, 2005 and thereafter
for so long as the Agreement in effect, the Required Credit
Balance shall equal the sum of
(a) The Required Credit Balance as of the end of the prior
Plan Year plus interest at the WKI Pension Plan's
funding standard account rate, plus
(b) The Enhanced Contribution, if any, due for the Plan
Year.
D. The Enhanced Contributions cannot be used to offset the quarterly
contributions under 26 U.S.C. 412(m) and 29 U.S.C. 1082(e).
E. Maximum Tax Deductible Contribution Amount means, with respect to
a Plan Year, the maximum amount of contributions to the WKI
Pension Plan for such Plan Year that would be tax deductible
pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 404, determined as if the applicable
interest rate is the lowest interest rate in the "permissible
range" prescribed by 26 U.S.C. 412(b)(5)(B)(ii), as modified by
26 U.S.C. 412(l)(7)(C), or any successor provision thereto to
determine "current liability" as defined under 26 U.S.C. 412.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, contributions to the
WKI Pension Plan for any given Plan Year will not be required to
exceed WKI Pension Plan's Maximum Tax Deductible Contribution
Amount. If any portion of an Enhanced Contribution is not
deductible, then that portion shall be carried over and paid in
the next taxable year in which it is deductible. Any such
carryover payment will be in addition to any other Enhanced
Contributions required for such next year.
The Required Credit Balance shall reflect the full contributions
required under section III.A and III.B above, regardless as to
whether the actual contributions have been limited by this
section III.E.
If at the end of the Plan Year the actual credit balance is less
than the Required Credit Balance as a result of the limitations
of tax-deductibility for a Plan Year or any earlier Plan Year,
WKI shall make contributions sufficient to bring the actual
credit balance up to the Required Credit Balance, but only to the
extent that such contributions are deductible.
IV. BW'S OBLIGATIONS
----------------
6
On or before the Effective Date, BW shall provide to PBGC an irrevocable
Letter of Credit ("Letter of Credit") payable to PBGC. The Letter of Credit
shall have the following terms:
A. Amount and Duration: BW shall cause a financial institution reasonably
-------------------
acceptable to PBGC to issue for the benefit of PBGC, in form, scope
and substance reasonably acceptable to PBGC, in the amount of
$15,000,000. The Letter of Credit shall have a term of not less than
one year, shall be irrevocable and shall be renewable for successive
periods of at least one year following expiration until drawn down in
whole or in part, subject to the termination provisions set forth
below. Additionally, PBGC acknowledges and agrees that the Letter of
Credit attached as Exhibit A hereto, including the financial
institution referred to therein, satisfies the requirements of this
section IV.A.
B. Annual Notice and Replacement: The Letter of Credit shall be deemed
-----------------------------
automatically extended for one year from its expiration date unless at
least sixty (60) days prior to any such expiration date, the
applicable issuing financial institution shall notify PBGC by
registered mail or courier mail that the applicable issuing financial
institution elects not to renew the Letter of Credit. If the issuing
financial institution does not intend to renew, BW must provide PBGC a
replacement Letter of Credit before the thirtieth (30) day prior to
the expiration of the Letter of Credit then in place.
C. Draw Events: The Letter of Credit shall permit a draw of its entire
-----------
amount if:
(1) During the life of the Agreement, BW fails to cause the
Letter of Credit to be renewed no later than thirty (30) days prior to
the Letter of Credit's expiration date,
(2) PBGC receives a Notice of Intent to Terminate the WKI Pension
Plan pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 1341(c), or
(3) PBGC issues a Notice of Determination with respect to the WKI
Pension Plan pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 1342;
provided, however, that upon occurrence of either of the events listed
in (2) and (3) above, the entire amount of the Letter of Credit ("LC
Amount") shall be transferred into an escrow account (to be
established as reasonably agreed by BW and PBGC) and shall remain in
such escrow account until the earlier to occur of (x) such time as BW
and PBGC agree in writing that the WKI Pension Plan has terminated
pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 1341 or 1342, or has not so terminated, and
therefore, that such amount should be released to PBGC or BW, as
applicable, or (y) the issuance of a final order by a court of
competent jurisdiction that the WKI
7
Pension Plan has terminated or will terminate, as of a particular
date, or that no such termination has or will occur as of a particular
date, at which time the LC Amount shall be released to PBGC or BW, as
applicable, plus interest thereon, as determined by, and subject to,
the next succeeding paragraph.
During the period between the date the LC Amount is drawn ("Transfer
Date") and the date the LC Amount is finally released ("Release
Date"), the LC Amount shall be invested in United States Treasury
securities. In the event that the LC Amount is released to PBGC, all
interest earned on the LC Amount between the Transfer Date and the
termination date of the WKI Pension Plan, as finally determined, shall
be transferred to BW and the balance of the escrow amount shall be
transferred to PBGC. In the event that the LC Amount is released to
BW, all interest earned on the LC Amount shall also be transferred to
BW.
If the Unfunded Benefit Liabilities in the WKI Pension Plan on the
termination date of the WKI Pension Plan, or in the case of (1) above,
the Transfer Date, is less than $15,000,000, PBGC shall also return
any such excess to BW, as soon as practicable, plus interest earned,
if any, on such excess from the Transfer Date to the date such excess
is returned.
D. Assignment. BW may assign (without the consent of any party hereto)
----------
its rights and obligations hereunder to one or more affiliates or WKI
or their respective successors. The parties hereto acknowledge and
agree that this Agreement contemplates that BW will assign its rights
and obligations hereunder to WKI on the fifth anniversary of the
Effective Date. Once WKI has started causing a letter of credit
reasonably acceptable to PBGC to be issued for the benefit of PBGC,
WKI or its successor shall be substituted for BW for purposes of this
Agreement.
E. Termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything herein to the
-----------
contrary, the Letter of Credit and BW's obligations hereunder shall
terminate immediately upon (1) any draw down on the Letter of Credit,
in whole or in part or (2) the termination of this Agreement pursuant
to section V.A
8
V. TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT
----------------------------
A. This Agreement shall terminate in its entirety on the date that PBGC
is required to provide written notice pursuant to section V.B. below that any
one of the following events described in (1), (2), (3) or (4) below has
occurred. The termination of this Agreement shall be effective for all purposes
as the date of the occurrence of the first to occur of any such events.
(1) The date on which WKI demonstrates that the WKI Pension Plan has
Unfunded Benefit Liabilities of zero as of the last day of a Plan
Year for two consecutive full Plan Years (the first date this
test can be measured is for Plan Years ending December 31, 2006
and December 31, 2007), or
(2) The date on which WKI obtains a rating of at least BBB and Baa2,
respectively, on its unsecured debt from Standard & Poor's and
Xxxxx'x, but no earlier than five years after the Effective Date,
or
(3) The date on which WKI meets the following financial condition:
the average ratio of WKI's consolidated earnings before interest
and taxes to interest expense for three consecutive years has
been at least 2.4 and is at least 2.4 in the third such year,
with the consecutive three-year test beginning no earlier than
the 2005 fiscal year, or
(4) The date on which PBGC receives a Form 501 - Post Distribution
Certification for the WKI Pension Plan indicating that the WKI
Pension Plan has terminated in a Standard Termination under 29
U.S.C. 1341(b).
B. Upon the occurrence of any one of the events in section V.A above,
WKI will provide written notice to PBGC and, if applicable (i.e., prior to any
assignment by BW of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to WKI), BW
evidencing such occurrence. Within thirty (30) days after receipt of that
notification, PBGC will, if one of the events in section V.A. above has
occurred, provide written notice to WKI and (if applicable) BW acknowledging
that such an event has occurred.
VI. NOTICE REQUIREMENTS
-------------------
9
From and after the Effective Date, WKI shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to PBGC's Corporate Finance and Negotiations Department the following:
A. Actuarial Valuation Report no later than October 31 of the current
Plan Year, for the WKI Pension Plan.
B. Within ten (10) days after filing with the IRS, Form 5500 with
attachments for the WKI Pension Plan.
C. Written notice thirty (30) days prior to any plan merger and/or
transfers of liabilities or assets described in 26 U.S.C. 414(l) to or
from the WKI Pension Plan (other than de minimis mergers and
transfers), which merger and/or transfers shall be subject to PBGC's
written consent in advance, such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld. Any merger and/or transfers under 26 U.S.C. 414(l) shall be
made using PBGC safe harbor assumptions.
D. Written notice thirty (30) days prior to any change in the Plan Year
for the WKI Pension Plan, which change shall be subject to PBGC's
written consent in advance, such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld.
E. A copy of any reportable event notice at the same time such notice is
filed in accordance with 29 C.F.R. Part 4043, as well as copies of any
notices otherwise required to be filed with the IRS or PBGC concerning
the WKI Pension Plan at the time filing is made.
F. Written notice within thirty (30) days of any event of default under
any debt instrument with an outstanding balance of $20,000,000 or
more, unless the event of default is cured or waived within such
thirty day period.
G. Written notice within thirty (30) days of the adoption of amendments
to the WKI Pension Plan together with copies of the amendments.
H. Written notice thirty (30) days prior to any sale, transfer or other
disposition of assets of any member of the post-emergence WKI
Controlled Group where such assets (1) represent fifteen percent (15%)
or more of the book value of the assets of the WKI Controlled Group on
a consolidated basis, or (2) generated fifteen percent (15%) or more
of the consolidated revenues or operating income.
I. Written notice of the date and amount of contributions and the
Enhanced Contributions made to the WKI Pension Plan within ten (10)
days after the contributions and Enhanced Contributions are made, or
written notice of the
10
failure to make any contributions or Enhanced Contributions within two
(2) days after the due date of the contributions and Enhanced
Contributions.
J. Within ten (10) days after the final contribution for the 2002 Plan
Year is made, but no later than October 31, 2003, a certificate from
the WKI Pension Plan's enrolled actuary stating the credit balance in
the WKI Pension Plan as of December 31, 2002.
K. By January 31, 2004 and annually thereafter, a certificate from the
WKI Pension Plan's enrolled actuary setting forth the calculation of
the Required Credit Balance as of the immediately preceding December
31 and the amount of the payment required to maintain the Required
Credit Balance (assuming in both cases that any additional amounts
which are due to be contributed to the WKI Pension Plan as minimum
funding contributions for such year are actually contributed for such
Plan Year by September 15th of the following year). The certification
should include a statement that the contribution necessary to maintain
the WKI Pension Plan's Required Credit Balance is not limited by the
maximum amount deductible for the Plan Year, or, if the contribution
is limited, the statement shall contain detail showing the
calculations of the limitation and the reallocation to later Plan
Years.
L. Written notice thirty (30) days prior to any change in any of the WKI
Pension Plan's actuarial assumptions or methods for the purpose of the
minimum funding standard of 26 U.S.C. 412, which change shall be
subject to PBGC's written consent in advance of any such change, such
consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
VII. DEFAULT.
-------
A. The occurrence of any one of the following events, subsequent to the
Effective Date, shall constitute an "Event of Default" under this Agreement:
(1) WKI fails to make any payment to the WKI Pension Plan required by
section III above within fifteen (15) days of the due date; or
(2) WKI files a petition seeking relief for itself under the
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws of any jurisdiction or
files an answer consenting to, admitting the material allegations
of, or otherwise not controverting, or failing timely to
controvert, such a petition; or
(3) An order for relief is entered against WKI under any bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar law, which order is not stayed, adjudging
it a
11
bankrupt or insolvent, or appointing a receiver, liquidator or
trustee of WKI or any substantial part of its properties, or
ordering the reorganization, winding-up or liquidation of its
affairs; or upon the expiration of 90 days after the filing of
any involuntary petition against WKI seeking any such relief
without the petition being dismissed prior to that time; or
(4) WKI (1) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its
creditors, or (2) consents to the appointment of or taking
possession by a receiver, liquidator or trustee of WKI or any
substantial part of its property, or (3) admits its insolvency or
inability to pay its debts generally as such debts become due, or
(4) fails generally to pay its debts as such debts become due, or
(5) takes or permits any action looking to the dissolution or
liquidation of WKI.
B. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, all Enhanced
Contributions required by section III not already made by WKI to the WKI Pension
Plan shall be immediately due and payable.
VIII. RIGHTS AND REMEDIES
-------------------
A. Upon an Event of Default, PBGC may exercise any and all legal and
equitable remedies available to it under ERISA and/or other law to enforce WKI's
obligations under section III of this Agreement.
B. The rights and remedies of PBGC hereunder, whether provided for
herein or existing at law, in equity or by statute, shall be cumulative and
concurrent and any exercise of such right or remedy shall not preclude the
simultaneous or later exercise of all other rights and remedies.
IX. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
------------------------------
A. PBGC represents and warrants to WKI and BW, as of the date of this
Agreement, as follows:
12
(1) Authorizations. PBGC possesses full corporate power and authority
--------------
to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement. The officers of
PBGC executing this Agreement have been duly authorized to
execute and deliver this Agreement.
(2) Binding Effect. This Agreement has been duly executed and
--------------
delivered by PBGC and constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of PBGC and is enforceable against it in accordance
with its terms.
(3) Reliance. PBGC recognizes and acknowledges that WKI and BW have
--------
relied on the representations and warranties contained in this
section IX.A in entering into this Agreement and that these
representations and warranties shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Agreement.
B. WKI represents and warrants to PBGC, and BW, as of the date of this
Agreement as follows:
(1) Authorization. WKI is a corporation duly organized, existing and
-------------
in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. WKI
possesses full corporate power and authority to execute, deliver
and perform this Agreement. Any person or entity executing this
Agreement on behalf of WKI has been duly authorized to do so.
(2) Binding Effect. This Agreement has been duly executed and
--------------
delivered by WKI and constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of WKI and enforceable against WKI in accordance with
its terms, subject to the effects of applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium and other similar
laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally,
general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and
fair dealing.
(3) No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance of this
-----------
Agreement by WKI is not in contravention of, and does not
constitute a default under, the terms of any of WKI's respective
articles of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational
documentation, or any law, regulation, decree, order, judgment,
indenture, agreement or undertaking to which WKI is a party or by
which WKI or any of its properties are bound or result in the
creation of imposition of any lien on any of the respective
properties of WKI.
(4) No Consents Required. No consent, approval, authorization,
--------------------
filing, registration or other similar formality of or with any
governmental authority, agency or instrumentality, or any other
person or entity is
13
required in connection with the execution, delivery or
performance by WKI of this Agreement.
(5) Reliance. WKI recognizes and acknowledges that PBGC and BW have
--------
relied on the representations and warranties contained in this
section IX.B in entering into this Agreement and that these
representations and warranties shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Agreement.
C. BW represents and warrants to PBGC, and WKI, as of the date of this
Agreement as follows:
(1) Authorization. BW is a limited liability company duly organized,
-------------
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware. BW possesses full corporate power and authority to
execute, deliver and perform this Agreement. Any person or entity
executing this Agreement on behalf of BW has been duly authorized
to do so.
(2) Binding Effect. This Agreement has been duly executed and
--------------
delivered by BW and constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of BW and enforceable against BW in accordance with
its terms, subject to the effects of applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium and other similar
laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally,
general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and
fair dealing.
(3) No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance of this
-----------
Agreement by BW is not in contravention of, and does not
constitute a default under, the terms of any of BW's respective
articles of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational
documentation, or any law, regulation, decree, order, judgment,
indenture, agreement or undertaking to which BW is a party or by
which BW or any of its properties are bound or result in the
creation of imposition of any lien on any of the respective
properties of BW.
(4) No Consents Required. No consent, approval, authorization,
--------------------
filing, registration or other similar formality of or with any
governmental authority, agency or instrumentality, or any other
person or entity is required in connection with the execution,
delivery or performance by BW of this Agreement.
(5) Reliance. BW recognizes and acknowledges that PBGC and WKI have
--------
relied on the representations and warranties contained in this
section IX.C
14
in entering into this Agreement and that these representations
and warranties shall survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement.
X. GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the
-------------
parties hereunder shall, except to the extent preempted by federal law, be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
B. Enforceability. This Agreement may be enforced only by the parties
--------------
hereto. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and is
not intended to confer upon any person except the parties hereto any rights or
remedies hereunder.
C. Entire Agreement. Except as provided in section X.F below, this
----------------
Agreement and any instruments or documents delivered or to be delivered in
connection herewith represent the entire agreement and understanding concerning
the subject matter between the parties hereto, and supersede all other prior
agreements, understandings, negotiations, discussions, proposals and offers
concerning the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written.
D. Successors and Assigns; Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement
----------------------------------------------
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each of the parties affected
thereby and their respective successors and assigns, provided that, except as
provided in section IV.D of the Agreement, any purported assignment, delegation
or transfer, by WKI and BW of any respective rights or obligations hereunder
without PBGC's prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld, shall be null and void. Neither this Agreement nor any provision
thereof shall be amended, modified, waived or discharged orally or by course of
conduct, but only by a written agreement which shall be signed by all parties
hereto, as the case may be.
15
E. Notices. All notices and other communications made pursuant to
-------
this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the intended
recipient at the address so specified below or at such other address as shall be
designated by any of them in a notice to each other party set forth herein. A
notice or other communication will be deemed to have been given on the date
received, except that if received on a Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday, the
notice or other communication will be deemed to have been given on the first day
following the date received that is not a Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday.
WKI:
---
WKI Holding Company, Inc.
00000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: General Counsel
16
With copy to:
------------
Xxxxx Day
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
BW:
--
BW Holdings, LLC
c/x Xxxxxx Holdings, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
With copy to:
------------
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Esq.
PBGC: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
----
0000 X Xxxxxx, XX, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Director, Corporate Finance and Negotiations Department
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
With copy to:
------------
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
0000 X Xxxxxx, XX, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
F. Confidentiality. The confidentiality agreements currently in effect
---------------
between PBGC and BW and between PBGC and WKI shall each remain in effect
throughout the term of this Agreement. In addition, BW agrees (1) to treat any
confidential information disclosed or furnished by WKI under this Agreement,
regarding WKI or the WKI Pension Plan as confidential
17
commercial and financial information and (2) not to disclose such information
except as required by law or as may be necessary in connection with any court or
administrative proceedings.
G. Section Headings. The titles used in the section headings of this
----------------
Agreement are solely for the convenience of the parties and shall not be
controlling for purposes of the interpretation of the Agreement.
H. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in identical
------------
counterparts, each of which shall be an original as against the party that
signed it, and all which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
No party to this Agreement shall be bound by this Agreement until a counterpart
has been executed by or on behalf of all parties.
18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered as
of the day and year first set forth above.
WKI HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: Treasurer
BW HOLDINGS, LLC
BY: WHITEHALL ASSOCIATES, L.P.
ITS MANAGING MEMBER
BY: KKR ASSOCIATES, L.P.
ITS GENERAL PARTNER
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: General Partner
PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Director, Corporate Finance and Negotiations Department
19
