Dated as of December 17, 2009 From THE GUARANTORS NAMED HEREIN and THE ADDITIONAL GUARANTORS REFERRED TO HEREIN as Guarantors in favor of THE SECURED PARTIES REFERRED TO IN THE CREDIT AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN
Exhibit 10.25
EXECUTION VERSION
Dated as of December 17, 2009
From
THE GUARANTORS NAMED HEREIN
and
THE ADDITIONAL GUARANTORS REFERRED TO HEREIN
as Guarantors
in favor of
THE SECURED PARTIES REFERRED TO IN
THE CREDIT AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN
THE CREDIT AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Section | Page | |||
Section 1. Guaranty; Limitation of Liability |
1 | |||
Section 2. Guaranty Absolute |
2 | |||
Section 3. Waivers and Acknowledgments |
3 | |||
Section 4. Subrogation |
4 | |||
Section 5. Payments Free and Clear of Taxes, Etc. |
4 | |||
Section 6. Representations and Warranties |
5 | |||
Section 7. Covenants |
5 | |||
Section 8. Amendments, Guaranty Supplements, Etc. |
5 | |||
Section 9. Notices, Etc. |
5 | |||
Section 10. No Waiver; Remedies |
6 | |||
Section 11. Right of Set-off |
6 | |||
Section 12. Indemnification |
6 | |||
Section 13. Subordination |
7 | |||
Section 14. Continuing Guaranty; Assignments under the Credit Agreement |
7 | |||
Section 15. Execution in Counterparts |
8 | |||
Section 16. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc. |
8 | |||
Exhibit A — Guaranty Supplement |
U.S. GUARANTY, dated as of December 17, 2009, made by Nortek, Inc. (the “Specified
U.S. Borrower”), the Persons listed on the signature pages hereof and the Additional Guarantors
(as defined in Section 8(b)) (the Specified U.S. Borrower, such Persons so listed and the
Additional Guarantors being, collectively, the “Guarantors” and, individually, each a
“Guarantor”)
in favor of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below).
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT. The Specified U.S. Borrower and the other Loan Parties party thereto
are parties to a Credit Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2009 (as amended, restated, amended
and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement” the
capitalized terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein
defined), with certain Lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent for
such Lenders, and the Collateral Agents party thereto. Each Guarantor may receive, directly or
indirectly, a portion of the proceeds of the Loans under the Credit Agreement and will derive
substantial direct and indirect benefits from the transactions contemplated by the Credit
Agreement. It is a condition precedent to the making of Loans by Lenders and the issuance of
Letters of Credit by the L/C Issuers under the Credit Agreement, the entry by the Hedge Banks into
Secured Hedge Agreements and the entry by the Cash Management Banks into Secured Cash Management
Agreements from time to time, that each Guarantor shall have executed and delivered this Guaranty.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to induce the Lenders to make
Loans and the L/C Issuers to issue Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement, the Hedge Banks
to enter into Secured Hedge Agreements and the Cash Management Banks to enter into Secured Cash
Management Agreements from time to time, each Guarantor, jointly and severally with each other
Guarantor, hereby agrees as follows:
Section 1. Guaranty; Limitation of Liability. (a) Each Guarantor hereby absolutely,
unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the punctual payment when due, whether at scheduled
maturity or on any date of a required prepayment or by acceleration, demand or otherwise, of all
Obligations of each other Loan Party now or hereafter existing under or in respect of the Loan
Documents (including, without limitation, any extensions, modifications, substitutions, amendments
or renewals of any or all of the foregoing Obligations), whether direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, and whether for principal, interest, premiums, fees, indemnities, contract causes of
action, costs, expenses or otherwise (such Obligations being the “Guaranteed Obligations”), and
agrees to pay any and all documented out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, fees
and expenses of counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party in
enforcing any rights under this Guaranty or any other Loan Document. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor’s liability shall extend to all amounts that constitute
part of the Guaranteed Obligations and would be owed by any other Loan Party to any Secured Party
under or in respect of the Loan Documents but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not
allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving such
other Loan Party.
(b) Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of this Guaranty, the Administrative Agent and each
other Secured Party, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such Persons that this
Guaranty and the Obligations of each Guarantor hereunder not constitute a fraudulent transfer or
conveyance for purposes of Debtor Relief Laws, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform
Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar foreign, federal or state law to the extent applicable to
this Guaranty and the Obligations of each Guarantor hereunder. To effectuate the foregoing
intention, the Administrative Agent, the other Secured Parties and the Guarantors hereby
irrevocably agree that the Obligations of each Guarantor under this Guaranty at any time shall be
limited to the maximum amount
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as will result in the Obligations of such Guarantor under this Guaranty not constituting a
fraudulent transfer or conveyance.
(c) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that in the event any
payment shall be required to be made to any Secured Party under this Guaranty or any other
guaranty, such Guarantor will contribute, to the maximum extent permitted by law, such amounts to
each other Guarantor and each other guarantor so as to maximize the aggregate amount paid to the
Secured Parties under or in respect of the Loan Documents.
Section 2. Guaranty Absolute. Each Guarantor guarantees that the Guaranteed
Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, regardless
of any Law now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the
rights of any Secured Party with respect thereto. The Obligations of each Guarantor under or in
respect of this Guaranty are independent of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Obligations of
any other Loan Party under or in respect of the Loan Documents, and a separate action or actions
may be brought and prosecuted against each Guarantor to enforce this Guaranty, irrespective of
whether any action is brought against the Borrowers or any other Loan Party or whether any
Borrower or any other Loan Party is joined in any such action or actions. The liability of each
Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be irrevocable, absolute and unconditional irrespective of,
and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any defenses (other than indefeasible payment in full
of the Guaranteed Obligations) it may now have or hereafter acquire in any way relating to, any or
all of the following:
(a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any agreement or
instrument relating thereto;
(b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all
or any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Obligations of any other Loan Party under
or in respect of the Loan Documents, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to
departure from any Loan Document, including, without limitation, any increase in the
Guaranteed Obligations resulting from the extension of additional credit to any Loan Party
or any of its Subsidiaries or otherwise;
(c) any taking, exchange, release or non-perfection of any Collateral or any other
collateral, or any taking, release or amendment or waiver of, or consent to departure from,
any other guaranty, for all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations;
(d) any manner of application of Collateral or any other collateral, or proceeds
thereof, to all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any manner of sale or other
disposition of any Collateral or any other collateral for all or any of the Guaranteed
Obligations or any other Obligations of any Loan Party under the Loan Documents or any other
assets of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries;
(e) any change, restructuring or termination of the corporate structure or existence of
any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries;
(f) any failure of any Secured Party to disclose to any Loan Party any information
relating to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance,
properties or prospects of any other Loan Party now or hereafter known to such Secured Party
(each Guarantor waiving any duty on the part of the Secured Parties to disclose such
information);
(g) the failure of any other Person to execute or deliver this Guaranty, any
Guaranty
3
Supplement (as hereinafter defined) or any other guaranty or agreement or the release or
reduction of liability of any Guarantor or other guarantor or surety with respect to the
Guaranteed Obligations; or
(h) any other circumstance (including, without limitation, any statute of limitations)
or any existence of or reliance on any representation by any Secured Party that might
otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Loan Party or any other
guarantor or surety.
This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time
any payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by any
Secured Party or any other Person upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any
Borrower or any other Loan Party or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.
Section 3. Waivers and Acknowledgments. (a) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and
irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, promptness, diligence, notice of
acceptance, presentment, demand for performance, notice of nonperformance, default, acceleration,
protest or dishonor and any other notice with respect to any of the Guaranteed Obligations and this
Guaranty and any requirement that any Secured Party protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien or
any property subject thereto or exhaust any right or take any action against any Loan Party or any
other Person or any Collateral.
(b) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, any right to revoke this Guaranty and acknowledges that this Guaranty is
continuing in nature and applies to all Guaranteed Obligations, whether existing now or in the
future.
(c) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, (i) any defense arising by reason of any claim or defense based upon an election
of remedies by any Secured Party that in any manner impairs, reduces, releases or otherwise
adversely affects the subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification
rights of such Guarantor or other rights of such Guarantor to proceed against any of the other Loan
Parties, any other guarantor or any other Person or any Collateral and (ii) any defense based on
any right of set-off or counterclaim against or in respect of the Obligations of such Guarantor
hereunder.
(d) Each Guarantor acknowledges that the Administrative Agent may, in accordance with the
terms of the Loan Documents, without notice to or demand upon such Guarantor and without affecting
the liability of such Guarantor under this Guaranty, foreclose under any mortgage by nonjudicial
sale, and each Guarantor hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any defense to the
recovery by the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties against such Guarantor of any
deficiency after such nonjudicial sale and any defense or benefits that may be afforded by
applicable Law.
(e) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, any duty on the part of any Secured Party to disclose to such Guarantor any
matter, fact or thing relating to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations,
performance, properties or prospects of any other Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries now or
hereafter known by such Secured Party.
(f) Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive substantial direct and indirect benefits
from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Loan Documents and that the waivers set forth
in Section 2 and this Section 3 are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.
4
Section 4. Subrogation. Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees
not to exercise any rights that it may now have or hereafter acquire against the Borrowers, any
other Loan Party or any other insider guarantor that arise from the existence, payment,
performance or enforcement of such Guarantor’s Obligations under or in respect of this Guaranty or
any other Loan Document, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement,
exoneration, contribution or indemnification and any right to participate in any claim or remedy
of any Secured Party against the Borrowers, any other Loan Party or any other insider guarantor or
any Collateral, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract,
statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the
Borrowers, any other Loan Party or any other insider guarantor, directly or indirectly, in cash or
other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim,
remedy or right, unless and until (i) the Aggregate Commitments shall have been terminated and all
Obligations shall have been paid in full (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as
to which no claim has been asserted and (B) obligations and liabilities under Secured Cash
Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements as to which arrangements reasonably
satisfactory to the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank shall have been made) and (ii)
all Letters of Credit shall have terminated or expired (other than Letters of Credit as to which
other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C
Issuer shall have been made). If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the
immediately preceding sentence at any time prior to the termination of the Aggregate Commitments
and payment in full of all Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as
to which no claim has been asserted and (B) obligations and liabilities under Secured Cash
Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements as to which arrangements reasonably
satisfactory to the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank shall have been made) and the
expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit (other than Letters of Credit as to which other
arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer
shall have been made), such amount shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of the
Secured Parties, shall be segregated from other property and funds of such Guarantor and shall
forthwith be paid or delivered to the Administrative Agent in the same form as so received (with
any necessary endorsement or assignment) to be credited and applied to the Guaranteed Obligations
and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance
with the terms of the Loan Documents, or to be held as Collateral for any Guaranteed Obligations
or other amounts payable under this Guaranty thereafter arising. If (i) any Guarantor shall make
payment to any Secured Party of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) the Aggregate
Commitments shall have been terminated and all Obligations shall have been paid in full (other
than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and (B)
obligations and liabilities under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements
as to which arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge
Bank shall have been made) and (iii) all Letters of Credit shall have terminated or expired (other
than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer shall have been made), the Secured Parties
will, at such Guarantor’s request and expense, execute and deliver to such Guarantor appropriate
documents, without recourse and without representation or warranty, necessary to evidence the
transfer by subrogation to such Guarantor of an interest in the Guaranteed Obligations resulting
from such payment made by such Guarantor pursuant to this Guaranty.
Section 5. Payments Free and Clear of Taxes, Etc. Any and all payments made by any
Guarantor under or in respect of this Guaranty or any other Loan Document shall be made in
accordance with Sections 2.12 and 3.01 of the Credit Agreement, and such Guarantor shall make such
payments free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future Taxes and shall
indemnify each Secured Party for Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes, in each case on the same terms
and to the same extent that payments by the Borrowers are required to be made free and clear of
such Taxes or the Borrowers are required to indemnify such Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes,
pursuant to the terms of
5
the Credit Agreement.
Section 6. Representations and Warranties. Each Guarantor hereby makes each
representation and warranty made in the Loan Documents by the Borrowers with respect to such
Guarantor and each Guarantor hereby further represents and warrants as follows:
(a) There are no conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Guaranty that have
not been satisfied or waived.
(b) Each Guarantor has, independently and without reliance upon any Secured Party and
based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into this Guaranty and each other Loan Document to which it
is or is to be a party, and such Guarantor has established adequate means of obtaining from
each other Loan Party on a continuing basis information pertaining to, and is now and on a
continuing basis will be reasonably familiar with, the business, condition (financial or
otherwise), operations, performance, properties and prospects of such other Loan Party.
Section 7. Covenants. Each Guarantor covenants and agrees that, until (i) the
Aggregate Commitments shall have been terminated and all Obligations shall have been paid in full
(other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and
(B) obligations and liabilities under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge
Agreements as to which arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Cash Management Bank
or Hedge Bank shall have been made) and (ii) all Letters of Credit shall have terminated or
expired (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer shall have been made), such Guarantor will
perform and observe, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to perform and observe, all of the terms,
covenants and agreements set forth in the Loan Documents on its or their part to be performed or
observed or that the Borrowers have agreed to cause such Guarantor or such Subsidiaries to perform
or observe.
Section 8. Amendments, Guaranty Supplements, Etc. (a) No amendment or waiver of any
provision of this Guaranty and no consent to any departure by any Guarantor therefrom shall in any
event be effective unless the same shall be in writing executed in accordance with and subject to
the terms and conditions of Section 11.01 of the Credit Agreement, and then such waiver or consent
shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.
(b) Upon the execution and delivery by any Person of a guaranty supplement in substantially
the form of Exhibit A hereto (each, a “Guaranty Supplement”), (i) such Person shall be referred to
as an “Additional Guarantor” and shall become and be a Guarantor hereunder, and each reference in
this Guaranty to a “Guarantor” shall also mean and be a reference to such Additional Guarantor,
and each reference in any other Loan Document to a “U.S. Guarantor” or a “Guarantor” shall also
mean and be a reference to such Additional Guarantor, and (ii) each reference herein to “this
Guaranty”, “hereunder”, “hereof or words of like import referring to this Guaranty, and each
reference in any other Loan Document to the “U.S. Guaranty”, “thereunder”, “thereof or words of
like import referring to this Guaranty, shall mean and be a reference to this Guaranty as
supplemented by such Guaranty Supplement.
Section 9. Notices, Etc. All notices and other communications provided for hereunder
shall be in writing (including telegraphic, telecopy or telex communication) and mailed,
telegraphed, telecopied, telexed or delivered to the appropriate recipient, if to any Guarantor,
addressed to it in care of the Borrowers at the Borrowers’ addresses specified in Section 11.02 of
the Credit Agreement, if to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, at its address specified in
Section 11.02 of the Credit Agreement, if
6
to any Hedge Bank, at its address specified in the Secured Hedge Agreement to which it is a party,
if to any Cash Management Bank, at its address specified in the Secured Cash Management Agreement
to which it is a party, or, as to any party, at such other address as shall be designated by such
party in a written notice to each other party. All such notices and other communications shall,
when mailed, telegraphed, telecopied or telexed, be effective when deposited in the mails,
delivered to the telegraph company, transmitted by telecopier or confirmed by telex answerback,
respectively. Delivery by telecopier, or in “pdf” or similar format by electronic mail of an
executed counterpart of a signature page to any amendment or waiver of any provision of this
Guaranty or of any Guaranty Supplement to be executed and delivered hereunder shall be effective
as delivery of an original executed counterpart thereof.
Section 10. No Waiver; Remedies. No failure on the part of any Secured Party to
exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor
shall any single or partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not
exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
Section 11. Right of Set-off. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any
Event of Default, each Lender and each L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is
hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by 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 obligations at any time owing by such Lender, such L/C Issuer or such
Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Guarantor against any and all of the
Obligations of such Guarantor now or hereafter existing under the Loan Documents, irrespective of
whether such Lender, such L/C Issuer or such Affiliate shall have made any demand under this
Guaranty or any other Loan Document and although such Obligations may be unmatured. Each Agent and
each Lender agrees promptly to notify such Guarantor after any such set-off and application;
provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such
set-off and application. The rights of each Agent and each Lender and their respective Affiliates
under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation,
other rights of set-off) that such Agent, such Lender and their respective Affiliates may have.
Section 12. Indemnification. (a) Without limitation on any other Obligations of any
Guarantor or remedies of the Secured Parties under this Guaranty, each Guarantor shall, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless each Secured
Party and their respective Related Parties (each, an “Indemnified Party”) from any and all claims,
damages, losses, liabilities and reasonably related expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel) that may be incurred by or
asserted against any Indemnified Party in connection with or as a result of any failure of any
Guaranteed Obligations to be the legal, valid and binding obligations of any Loan Party enforceable
against such Loan Party in accordance with their terms; provided that such indemnity shall
not, as to any Indemnified Party, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final
and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful
misconduct of such Indemnified Party or (y) result from a claim brought by such Guarantor against
an Indemnified Party for breach of such Indemnified Party’s obligations hereunder or under any Loan
Document, if such Guarantor has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such
claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(b) Each Guarantor hereby also agrees that none of the Indemnified Parties shall have any
liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to any of the Guarantors or
any of their respective Related Parties, and each Guarantor hereby agrees not to assert any claim
against
7
any Indemnified Party on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive
damages, in each case arising out of or otherwise relating to the Facilities, the actual or
proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit, the Loan Documents or any of
the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.
(c) Without prejudice to the survival of any of the other agreements of any Guarantor under
this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents, the agreements and obligations of each Guarantor
contained in Section 1(a) (with respect to enforcement expenses), the last sentence of Section 2,
Section 5 and this Section 12 shall survive the payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and
all of the other amounts payable under this Guaranty.
Section 13. Subordination. Each Guarantor hereby subordinates any and all debts,
liabilities and other Obligations owed to such Guarantor by each other Loan Party (the
“Subordinated Obligations”) to the Guaranteed Obligations to the extent and in the manner
hereinafter set forth in this Section 13:
(a) Prohibited Payments, Etc. Except during the continuance of an Event of
Default, each Guarantor may receive regularly scheduled payments from any other Loan Party
on account of the Subordinated Obligations. After the occurrence and during the continuance
of any Event of Default, however, unless the Administrative Agent otherwise agrees, no
Guarantor shall demand, accept or take any action to collect any payment on account of the
Subordinated Obligations.
(b) Prior Payment of Guaranteed Obligations. In any proceeding under any
Debtor Relief Law relating to any other Loan Party, each Guarantor agrees that the Secured
Parties shall be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of all Guaranteed Obligations
(including all interest and expenses accruing after the commencement of a proceeding under
any Debtor Relief Law, whether or not constituting an allowed claim in such proceeding
(“Post Petition Interest”)) before such Guarantor receives payment of any Subordinated
Obligations.
(c) Turn-Over. After the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event
of Default, each Guarantor shall, if the Administrative Agent so requests, collect, enforce
and receive payments on account of the Subordinated Obligations as trustee for the Secured
Parties and deliver such payments to the Administrative Agent on account of the Guaranteed
Obligations (including all Post Petition Interest), together with any necessary endorsements
or other instruments of transfer, but without reducing or affecting in any manner the
liability of such Guarantor under the other provisions of this Guaranty.
(d) Administrative Agent Authorization. After the occurrence and during the
continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent is authorized and empowered
(but without any obligation to so do), in its discretion, (i) in the name of each Guarantor,
to collect and enforce, and to submit claims in respect of, Subordinated Obligations and to
apply any amounts received thereon to the Guaranteed Obligations (including any and all Post
Petition Interest), and (ii) to require each Guarantor (A) to collect and enforce, and to
submit claims in respect of, Subordinated Obligations and (B) to pay any amounts received on
such obligations to the Administrative Agent for application to the Guaranteed Obligations
(including any and all Post Petition Interest).
Section 14. Continuing Guaranty; Assignments under the Credit Agreement. This
Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the
termination of the Aggregate Commitments and payment in full of all Obligations and the expiration
or termination of all
8
Letters of Credit, (b) be binding upon the Guarantor, its successors and assigns and (c) inure to
the benefit of and be enforceable by the Secured Parties and their successors, transferees and
assigns. Without limiting the generality of clause (c) of the immediately preceding sentence, any
Secured Party may assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations
under the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, all or any portion of its Commitments,
the Loans owing to it and the Note or Notes held by it) to any other Person, and such other Person
shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such Secured
Party herein or otherwise, in each case as and to the extent provided in Section 11.06 of the
Credit Agreement. No Guarantor shall have the right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest
herein without the prior written consent of the Secured Parties.
Section 15. Execution in Counterparts. This Guaranty and each amendment, waiver and
consent with respect hereto may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties
thereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an
executed counterpart of a signature page to this Guaranty by telecopier or in “pdf” or similar
format by electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of
this Guaranty.
Section 16. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc. (a) This Guaranty
shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
(b) Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its
property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or federal court of the United
States of America sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action
or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents to
which it is or is to be a party, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each
Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such
action or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such New York State court or, to the extent
permitted by law, in such federal court. Each Guarantor agrees that a final judgment in any such
action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the
judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Guaranty or any other Loan
Document shall affect any right that any party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding
relating to this Guaranty or any other Loan Document in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(c) Each Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may
legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of
venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty or any of the
other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party in any New York State or federal court.
Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an
inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such suit, action or proceeding in any such court.
(d) EACH GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION,
PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, THE CREDIT EXTENSIONS OR THE ACTIONS OF ANY SECURED PARTY IN
THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Guarantor has caused this Guaranty to be duly executed and
delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.
NORTEK, INC. |
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By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: | Vice President & Treasurer | |||
[Signature Page to U.S. Guaranty]
AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.
BROAN-MEXICO HOLDINGS, INC.
BROAN-NUTONE LLC
BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP
CES GROUP, INC.
CES INTERNATIONAL LTD.
CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.
GATES THAT OPEN, LLC
GEFEN, LLC
GOVERNAIR CORPORATION
HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.
HUNTAIR, INC.
INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, LLC
LINEAR LLC
LITE TOUCH, INC.
MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.
MAMMOTH-WEBCO, INC.
NILES AUDIO CORPORATION
NORDYNE LLC
NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NUTONE LLC
OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.
OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.
PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD INC.
PANAMAX LLC
RANGAIRE GP, INC.
RANGAIRE LP, INC.
SECURE WIRELESS, INC.
SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC
TEMTROL, INC.
XANTECH LLC
ZEPHYR VENTILATION, LLC
BROAN-MEXICO HOLDINGS, INC.
BROAN-NUTONE LLC
BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP
CES GROUP, INC.
CES INTERNATIONAL LTD.
CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.
GATES THAT OPEN, LLC
GEFEN, LLC
GOVERNAIR CORPORATION
HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.
HUNTAIR, INC.
INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, LLC
LINEAR LLC
LITE TOUCH, INC.
MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.
MAMMOTH-WEBCO, INC.
NILES AUDIO CORPORATION
NORDYNE LLC
NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NUTONE LLC
OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.
OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.
PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD INC.
PANAMAX LLC
RANGAIRE GP, INC.
RANGAIRE LP, INC.
SECURE WIRELESS, INC.
SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC
TEMTROL, INC.
XANTECH LLC
ZEPHYR VENTILATION, LLC
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: | Vice President & Treasurer (of entity listed or as an officer of the managing member, sole member or general partner) |
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[Signature Page to U.S. Guaranty]
FORM OF U.S. GUARANTY SUPPLEMENT
,
Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent
[Address of Administrative Agent]
[Address of Administrative Agent]
Attention:
Credit Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2009, among
Nortek, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Specified U.S. Borrower’’), the other
Loan Parties thereto, the Lenders party to the Credit Agreement,
Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders,
and the Collateral Agents party thereto.
Nortek, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Specified U.S. Borrower’’), the other
Loan Parties thereto, the Lenders party to the Credit Agreement,
Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders,
and the Collateral Agents party thereto.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the above-captioned Credit Agreement and to the U.S. Guaranty referred
to therein (such U.S. Guaranty, as in effect on the date hereof and as it may hereafter be
amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
together with this Guaranty Supplement, being the “U.S. Guaranty”). The capitalized terms defined
in the U.S. Guaranty or in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein are used herein
as therein defined.
Section 1. Guaranty; Limitation of Liability. (a) The undersigned hereby absolutely,
unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the punctual payment when due, whether at scheduled
maturity or on any date of a required prepayment or by acceleration, demand or otherwise, of all
Obligations of each other Loan Party now or hereafter existing under or in respect of the Loan
Documents (including, without limitation, any extensions, modifications, substitutions, amendments
or renewals of any or all of the foregoing Obligations), whether direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, and whether for principal, interest, premium, fees, indemnities, contract causes of
action, costs, expenses or otherwise (such Obligations being the “Guaranteed Obligations”), and
agrees to pay any and all documented out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, fees
and expenses of counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party in
enforcing any rights under this Guaranty Supplement, the U.S. Guaranty, any Secured Hedge Agreement
or any Secured Cash Management Agreement or any other Loan Document. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the undersigned’s liability shall extend to all amounts that
constitute part of the Guaranteed Obligations and would be owed by any other Loan Party to any
Secured Party under or in respect of the Loan Documents but for the fact that they are
unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar
proceeding involving such other Loan Party.
(b) The undersigned, and by its acceptance of this Guaranty Supplement, the Administrative
Agent and each other Secured Party, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such Persons
that this Guaranty Supplement, the U.S. Guaranty and the Obligations of the undersigned hereunder
and thereunder not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Debtor Relief
Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar
2
foreign, federal or state law to the extent applicable to this Guaranty Supplement, the U.S.
Guaranty and the Obligations of the undersigned hereunder and thereunder. To effectuate the
foregoing intention, the Administrative Agent, the other Secured Parties and the undersigned
hereby irrevocably agree that the Obligations of the undersigned under this Guaranty Supplement
and the U.S. Guaranty at any time shall be limited to the maximum amount as will result in the
Obligations of the undersigned under this Guaranty Supplement and the U.S. Guaranty not
constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.
(c) The undersigned hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that in the event any
payment shall be required to be made to any Secured Party under this Guaranty Supplement, the U.S.
Guaranty or any other guaranty, the undersigned will contribute, to the maximum extent permitted
by applicable law, such amounts to each other Guarantor and each other guarantor so as to maximize
the aggregate amount paid to the Secured Parties under or in respect of the Loan Documents.
Section 2. Obligations Under the Guaranty. The undersigned hereby agrees, as of the
date first above written, to be bound as a Guarantor by all of the terms and conditions of the
U.S. Guaranty to the same extent as each of the other Guarantors thereunder. The undersigned
further agrees, as of the date first above written, that each reference in the U.S. Guaranty to an
“Additional Guarantor” or a “Guarantor” shall also mean and be a reference to the undersigned, and
each reference in any other Loan Document to a “U.S. Guarantor”, a “Guarantor” or a “Loan Party”
shall also mean and be a reference to the undersigned.
Section 3. Representations and Warranties. The undersigned hereby makes each
representation and warranty set forth in Section 6 of the U.S. Guaranty to the same extent as each
other Guarantor.
Section 4. Delivery by Telecopier. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature
page to this Guaranty Supplement by telecopier or in “pdf” or similar format by electronic mail
shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Guaranty Supplement.
Section 5. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc. (a) This Guaranty
Supplement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New
York.
(b) The undersigned hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its
property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or any federal court of the
United States of America sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty Supplement, the U.S. Guaranty or
any of the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party, or for recognition or
enforcement of any judgment, and the undersigned hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that
all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such New
York State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. The undersigned agrees
that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in
other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in
this Guaranty Supplement or the U.S. Guaranty or any other Loan Document shall affect any right
that any party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Guaranty
Supplement, the U.S. Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party
in the courts of any other jurisdiction.
(c) The undersigned irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may
legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of
venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty Supplement, the
U.S. Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party in any New York
State or federal court. The undersigned hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted
by law, the defense of
3
an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such suit, action or proceeding in any such court.
(d) THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION,
PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, THE CREDIT EXTENSIONS OR THE ACTIONS OF ANY SECURED PARTY IN
THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.
Very truly yours, [NAME OF ADDITIONAL GUARANTOR] |
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By | ||||
Title: | ||||