LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
This
LOAN
AND SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of December 18, 2006 (this “Agreement”), is
executed by and between HILL INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
“Borrower”), which has its chief executive office located at 000 Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000, and LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a
national banking association (“Lender”), whose address is 000 Xxxxx XxXxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000.
RECITALS:
A. The
Borrower desires to borrow funds and obtain other financial accommodations
from
Lender.
B. Pursuant
to the Borrower’s request, Lender is willing to extend such financial
accommodations to the Borrower under the terms and conditions set forth
herein.
NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and the mutual covenants and
agreements set forth herein, the Borrower agrees to borrow from Lender, and
Lender agrees to lend to the Borrower, subject to and upon the following terms
and conditions:
AGREEMENTS:
Section
1. DEFINITIONS.
1.1 Defined
Terms.
For the
purposes of this Agreement, the following capitalized words and phrases shall
have the meanings set forth below.
“Affiliate”
of
any
Person shall mean (a) any other Person which, directly or indirectly, controls
or is controlled by or is under common control with such Person, (b) any officer
or director of such Person, and (c) with respect to Lender, any entity
administered or managed by Lender, or an Affiliate or investment advisor thereof
and which is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing
in
commercial loans. A Person shall be deemed to be “controlled by” any other
Person if such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, power to direct or
cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by
contract, ownership of voting securities, membership interests or
otherwise.
“Applicable
Margin”
shall
mean the rate per annum added to the Prime Rate and/or LIBOR to determine
the
Revolving Interest Rate as
determined by the ratio of Borrower’s consolidated Total Debt to EBITDA
calculated on a trailing twelve (12) month basis as of the last day of each
fiscal quarter, as set forth below:
Ratio
of Total Debt to EBITDA
|
Applicable
Margin for Prime Loans
|
Applicable
Margin for LIBOR Loans
|
||
Greater
than or equal to 3.00 to 1:00
|
50
bps
|
262.5
bps
|
||
Greater
than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00; less than 3.00 to 1.00
|
25
bps
|
225
bps
|
||
Greater
than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00; less than 2.00 to 1.00
|
0
bps
|
187.5
bps
|
||
Less
than 1.00 to 1:00
|
0
bps
|
150
bps
|
The
Applicable Margin as of the date hereof is twenty-five (25) basis points for
Prime Loans and two hundred twenty-five (225) basis points for LIBOR Loans
and
shall be adjusted as of each Interest Rate Change Date.
“Asset
Disposition”
shall
mean the sale, lease, assignment or other transfer for value (each a
“Disposition”) by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to any Person (other than the
Borrower or any Subsidiary) of any asset or right of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary (including, the loss, destruction or damage of any thereof or any
actual or threatened (in writing to the Borrower or such Subsidiary)
condemnation, confiscation, requisition, seizure or taking thereof), other
than
(a) the Disposition of any asset which is to be replaced, and is in fact
replaced, within thirty (30) days with another asset performing the same or
a
similar function, and (b) the sale or lease of inventory in the ordinary course
of business.
“Bank
Product Agreements”
shall
mean those certain agreements entered into from time to time by the Borrower
or
any Subsidiary with Lender or any Affiliate of Lender concerning Bank
Products.
“Bank
Product Obligations”
shall
mean all obligations, liabilities, contingent reimbursement obligations, fees,
and expenses owing by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to Lender or any Affiliate
of Lender pursuant to or evidenced by Bank Product Agreements and irrespective
of whether for the payment of money, whether direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter
arising.
“Bank
Products”
shall
mean any service or facility extended to the Borrower or any Subsidiary by
Lender or any Affiliate of Lender, including: (a) credit cards, (b) credit
card
processing services, (c) debit cards, (d) purchase cards, (e) ACH Transactions,
(f) cash management, including controlled disbursement, accounts or services,
or
(g) Hedging Agreements.
“Bankruptcy
Code”
shall
mean the United States Bankruptcy Code, as now existing or hereafter
amended.
2
“Business
Day”
shall
mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday on which banks
are
authorized or required to be closed for the conduct of commercial banking
business in Chicago, Illinois.
“Capital
Expenditures”
shall
mean all expenditures (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) which, in
accordance with GAAP, would be required to be capitalized and shown on the
consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower, but excluding expenditures made
in
connection with the replacement, substitution or restoration of assets to the
extent financed (i) from insurance proceeds (or other similar recoveries) paid
on account of the loss of or damage to the assets being replaced or restored
or
(ii) with awards of compensation arising from the taking by eminent domain
or
condemnation of the assets being replaced.
“Capital
Lease”
shall
mean, as to any Person, a lease
of
any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed,
or tangible or intangible, by such Person, as lessee, that is, or should be,
in
accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 13, as
amended from time to time, or, if such statement is not then in effect, such
statement of GAAP as may be applicable, recorded as a “capital lease” on the
financial statements of such Person prepared in accordance with
GAAP.
“Capital
Securities”
shall
mean, with respect to any Person, all shares, interests, participations or
other
equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) of such Person’s
capital, whether now outstanding or issued or acquired after the date hereof,
including common shares, preferred shares, membership interests in a limited
liability company, limited or general partnership interests in a partnership
or
any other equivalent of such ownership interest.
“Capitalized
Lease Obligations”
shall
mean, as to any Person, all rental obligations of such Person, as lessee under
a
Capital Lease which are or will be required to be capitalized on the books
of
such Person.
“Cash
Equivalent Investment”
shall
mean, at any time, (a) any evidence of Debt, maturing not more than one year
after such time, issued or guaranteed by the United States government or any
agency thereof, (b) commercial paper, maturing not more than one year from
the
date of issue, or corporate demand notes, in each case (unless issued by Lender
or its holding company) rated at least A-l by Standard & Poor’s Ratings
Services, a division of The XxXxxx-Xxxx Companies, Inc. or P-l by Xxxxx’x
Investors Service, Inc., (c) any certificate of deposit, time deposit or
banker’s acceptance, maturing not more than one year after such time, or any
overnight Federal Funds transaction that is issued or sold by Lender or its
holding company (or by a commercial banking institution that is a member of
the
Federal Reserve System and has a combined capital and surplus and undivided
profits of not less than $500,000,000), (d) any repurchase agreement entered
into with Lender, or other commercial banking institution of the nature referred
to in clause
(c),
which
(i) is secured by a fully perfected security interest in any obligation of
the
type described in any of clauses
(a)
through
(c)
above,
and (ii) has a market value at the time such repurchase agreement is entered
into of not less than 100% of the repurchase obligation of Lender, or other
commercial banking institution, thereunder, (e) money market accounts or mutual
funds which invest exclusively in assets satisfying the foregoing requirements,
and (f) other short term liquid investments approved in writing by
Lender.
3
“Collateral”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section
6.1
hereof.
“Collateral
Access Agreement”
shall
mean an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender
pursuant to which a mortgagee or lessor of real property on which Collateral
is
stored or otherwise located, or a warehouseman, processor or other bailee of
Inventory or other property owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary,
acknowledges the Liens of Lender and waives any Liens held by such Person on
such property, and, in the case of any such agreement with a mortgagee or
lessor, permits Lender reasonable access to and use of such real property
following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default
to
assemble, complete and sell any collateral stored or otherwise located
thereon.
“Contingent
Liability”
and
“Contingent
Liabilities”
shall
mean, respectively, each obligation and liability of the Borrower and all such
obligations and liabilities of the Borrower incurred pursuant to any agreement,
undertaking or arrangement by which the Borrower: (a) guarantees, endorses
or
otherwise becomes or is contingently liable upon (by direct or indirect
agreement, contingent or otherwise, to provide funds for payment, to supply
funds to, or otherwise to invest in, a debtor, or otherwise to assure a creditor
against loss) the indebtedness, dividend, obligation or other liability of
any
other Person in any manner (other than by endorsement of instruments in the
course of collection), including without limitation, any indebtedness, dividend
or other obligation which may be issued or incurred at some future time; (b)
guarantees the payment of dividends or other distributions upon the shares
or
ownership interest of any other Person; (c) undertakes or agrees (whether
contingently or otherwise): (i) to purchase, repurchase, or otherwise acquire
any indebtedness, obligation or liability of any other Person or any property
or
assets constituting security therefor, (ii) to advance or provide funds for
the
payment or discharge of any indebtedness, obligation or liability of any other
Person (whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital
contributions or otherwise), or to maintain solvency, assets, level of income,
working capital or other financial condition of any other Person, or (iii)
to
make payment to any other Person other than for value received; (d) agrees
to
lease property or to purchase securities, property or services from such other
Person with the purpose or intent of assuring the owner of such indebtedness
or
obligation of the ability of such other Person to make payment of the
indebtedness or obligation; (e) to induce the issuance of, or in connection
with
the issuance of, any letter of credit for the benefit of such other Person;
or
(f) undertakes or agrees otherwise to assure a creditor against loss. The amount
of any Contingent Liability shall (subject to any limitation set forth herein)
be deemed to be the outstanding principal amount (or maximum permitted principal
amount, if larger) of the indebtedness, obligation or other liability guaranteed
or supported thereby.
“Debt”
shall
mean, as to any Person, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such
Person; (b) all borrowed money of such Person (including principal, interest,
fees and charges), whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or
similar instruments; (c) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price
of
property or services; (d) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, with respect
to the maximum face amount of all letters of credit (whether or not drawn),
bankers’ acceptances and similar obligations issued for the account of such
Person (including the Letters of Credit), and all unpaid drawings in respect
of
such letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and similar obligations; (e) all
indebtedness secured by any Lien on any property owned by such Person, whether
or not such indebtedness has been assumed by such Person (provided, however,
if
such Person has not assumed or otherwise become liable in respect of such
indebtedness, such indebtedness shall be deemed to be in an amount equal to
the
fair market value of the property subject to such Lien at the time of
determination); (f) the aggregate amount of all Capitalized Lease Obligations
of
such Person; (g) all Contingent Liabilities of such Person, whether or not
reflected on its balance sheet; (h) all Hedging Obligations of such Person;
(i)
all Debt of any partnership of which such Person is a general partner; and
(j)
all monetary obligations of such Person under (i) a so-called synthetic,
off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (ii) an agreement for the use
or
possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance
sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such
Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without
regard to accounting treatment). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Debt shall
not
include trade payables, accrued expenses and current operating liabilities
incurred by such Person in accordance with customary practices and in the
ordinary course of business of such Person.
4
“Default
Rate”
shall
mean a per annum rate of interest equal to the Prime Rate plus
three
percent (3%).
“Depreciation”
shall
mean the total amounts added to depreciation, amortization, obsolescence,
valuation and other proper reserves, as reflected on the Borrower’s financial
statements and determined in accordance with GAAP.
“EBITDA”
shall
mean, for any period, the sum for such period of: (i) Net Income, plus
(ii)
Interest Charges, plus
(iii)
foreign, federal, state and all other income taxes, plus
(iv)
Depreciation, plus
(v)
non-cash management compensation expense, plus
(vi) all
other non-cash charges.
“Employee
Plan”
includes any pension, stock bonus, employee stock ownership plan, retirement,
profit sharing, deferred compensation, stock option, bonus or other incentive
plan, whether qualified or nonqualified, or any disability, medical, dental
or
other health plan, life insurance or other death benefit plan, vacation benefit
plan, severance plan or other employee benefit plan or arrangement, including
those pension, profit-sharing and retirement plans of the Borrower described
from time to time in the financial statements of the Borrower and any pension
plan, welfare plan, Defined Benefit Pension Plans (as defined in ERISA) or
any
multi-employer plan, maintained or administered by the Borrower or to which
the
Borrower is a party or may have any liability or by which the Borrower is
bound.
“Environmental
Laws”
shall
mean all present or future federal, state or local laws, statutes, common law
duties, rules, regulations, ordinances and codes, together with all
administrative or judicial orders, consent agreements, directed duties,
requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any
governmental authority, in each case relating to any matter arising out of
or
relating to public health and safety, or pollution or protection of the
environment or workplace, including any of the foregoing relating to the
presence, use, production, generation, handling, transport, treatment, storage,
disposal, distribution, discharge, emission, release, threatened release,
control or cleanup of any Hazardous Substance.
5
“ERISA”
shall
mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time
to time.
“Event
of Default”
shall
mean any of the events or conditions which are set forth in Section
11
hereof.
“Federal
Funds Rate”
shall
mean, for any day, a fluctuating interest rate 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 Lender
from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by Lender.
Lender’s determination of such rate shall be binding and conclusive absent
manifest error.
“Funded
Debt”
shall
mean, as to any Person, all Debt of such Person that matures more than one
year
from the date of its creation (or is renewable or extendible, at the option
of
such Person, to a date more than one year from such date).
“GAAP”
shall
mean generally accepted accounting principles set forth from time to time 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 agencies with similar functions
of
comparable stature and authority within the U.S. accounting profession), which
are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, provided,
however, that interim financial statements or reports shall be deemed in
compliance with GAAP despite the absence of footnotes and fiscal year-end
adjustments as required by GAAP.
“Guarantor”
and
“Guarantors”
shall
mean, respectively, each of and collectively, any Person that provides a
guaranty of all or any portion of the Obligations.
“Guaranty”
shall
mean any guaranty of all or any part of the Obligations executed and delivered
in favor of Lender.
“Hazardous
Substances”
shall
mean (a) any petroleum or petroleum products, radioactive materials,
asbestos in any form that is or could become friable, urea formaldehyde foam
insulation, dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls,
radon gas and mold; (b) any chemicals, materials, pollutant or substances
defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances”, “hazardous
waste”, “hazardous materials”, “extremely hazardous substances”, “restricted
hazardous waste”, “toxic substances”, “toxic pollutants”, “contaminants”,
“pollutants” or words of similar import, under any applicable Environmental Law;
and (c) any other chemical, material or substance, the exposure to, or
release of which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any governmental
authority or for which any duty or standard of care is imposed pursuant to,
any
Environmental Law.
6
“Hedging
Agreement”
shall
mean any interest rate, currency or commodity swap agreement, cap agreement
or
collar agreement, and any other agreement or arrangement designed to protect
a
Person against fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates or
commodity prices.
“Hedging
Obligation”
shall
mean, with respect to any Person, any liability of such Person under any Hedging
Agreement.
“Hill
Luxembourg”
shall
mean Hill International S.A.
“Hill
Middle East”
shall
mean Hill International (Middle East) Ltd.
“Hill
UK”
shall
mean Hill International (UK) Ltd.
“Indemnified
Party”
and
“Indemnified
Parties”
shall
mean, respectively, each of Lender and any parent corporation, Affiliate or
Subsidiary of Lender, and each of their respective officers, directors,
employees, attorneys and agents, and all of such parties and
entities.
“Intellectual
Property”
shall
mean the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating
to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational
or
foreign laws or otherwise, including copyrights, patents, service marks and
trademarks, and all registrations and applications for registration therefor
and
all licensees thereof, trade names, domain names, technology, know-how and
processes, and all rights to xxx at law or in equity for any infringement or
other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and
damages therefrom.
“Interest
Charges”
shall
mean, for any period, the sum of: (a) all interest, charges and related expenses
payable with respect to that fiscal period to a lender in connection with
borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of assets that are treated as
interest in accordance with GAAP, plus
(b) the
portion of Capitalized Lease Obligations with respect to that fiscal period
that
should be treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, plus
(c) all
charges paid or payable (without duplication) during that period with respect
to
any Hedging Agreements.
“Interest
Period”
shall
mean successive one, two or three month periods, beginning and ending as
provided in this Agreement.
"Interest
Rate Change Date"
shall
mean the date two (2) Business Days after the delivery to Lender of the
quarterly or year-end financial statements of the Borrower, which initial Change
Date shall occur after the delivery to Lender of the financial statements of
the
Borrower for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006.
7
“Investment”
shall
mean, with respect to any Person, any investment in another Person, whether
by
acquisition of any debt or equity security, by making any loan or advance,
by
becoming obligated with respect to a Contingent Liability in respect of
obligations of such other Person (other than travel and similar advances to
employees in the ordinary course of business).
“JKH”
shall
mean Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx (Holdings) Ltd., an English limited company.
“Letter
of Credit”
and
“Letters
of Credit”
shall
mean, respectively, a letter of credit and all such letters of credit issued
by
Lender, in its sole discretion, upon the execution and delivery by the Borrower
and the acceptance by Lender of a Master Letter of Credit Agreement and a Letter
of Credit Application, as set forth in Section 2.5 of this
Agreement.
“Letter
of Credit Applicable Margin”
shall
mean the rate per annum to determine the standby Letter of Credit
fee as
determined by the ratio of Borrower’s consolidated Total Debt to EBITDA
calculated on a trailing twelve (12) month basis as of the last day of each
fiscal quarter, as set forth below:
Ratio
of Total Debt to EBITDA
|
Letter
of Credit Applicable Margin
|
|
Greater
than or equal to 3.00 to 1:00
|
262.5
bps
|
|
Greater
than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00; less than 3.00 to 1.00
|
225
bps
|
|
Greater
than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00; less than 2.00 to 1.00
|
187.5
bps
|
|
Less
than or equal to 1.00 to 1:00
|
150
bps
|
The
Letter of Credit Applicable Margin as of the date hereof is 225 basis points
and
shall be adjusted as of each Interest Rate Change Date.
“Letter
of Credit Application”
shall
mean, with respect to any request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit, a
letter of credit application in the form being used by Lender at the time of
such request for the type of Letter of Credit requested.
“Letter
of Credit Commitment”
shall
mean, at any time, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the Revolving Loan
Commitment minus
the
aggregate amount of all Revolving Loans outstanding, or (b) Ten Million and
no/100 Dollars ($10,000,000).
“Letter
of Credit Maturity Date”
shall
mean the Revolving Loan Maturity Date.
8
“Letter
of Credit Obligations”
shall
mean, at any time, an amount equal to the aggregate of the original face amounts
of all Letters of Credit minus the sum of (i) the amount of any reductions
in
the original face amount of any Letter of Credit which did not result from
a
draw thereunder, (ii) the amount of any payments made by Lender with respect
to
any draws made under a Letter of Credit for which the Borrower has reimbursed
Lender, (iii) the amount of any payments made by Lender with respect to any
draws made under a Letter of Credit which have been converted to a Revolving
Loan as set forth in Section
2.2,
and
(iv) the portion of any issued but expired Letter of Credit which has not been
drawn by the beneficiary thereunder. For purposes of determining the outstanding
Letter of Credit Obligations at any time, Lender’s acceptance of a draft drawn
on Lender pursuant to a Letter of Credit shall constitute a draw on the
applicable Letter of Credit at the time of such acceptance.
“Liabilities”
shall
mean at all times all liabilities of the Borrower that would be shown as such
on
a balance sheet of the Borrower prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“LIBOR”
shall
mean a rate of interest equal to (a) the per annum rate of interest at which
United States dollar deposits for a period equal to the relevant Interest Period
are offered in the London Interbank Eurodollar market at 11:00 a.m. (London
time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period (or
three Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period if banks
in London, England were not open and dealing in offshore United States dollars
on such second preceding Business Day), as displayed in the Bloomberg
Financial Markets
system
(or other authoritative source selected by Lender in its sole discretion),
divided by (b) a number determined by subtracting from 1.00 the then stated
maximum reserve percentage for determining reserves to be maintained by member
banks of the Federal Reserve System for Eurocurrency funding or liabilities
as
defined in Regulation D (or any successor category of liabilities under
Regulation D), or as LIBOR is otherwise determined by Lender in its sole and
absolute discretion. Lender’s determination of LIBOR shall be conclusive, absent
manifest error.
“LIBOR
Loan”
or
“LIBOR
Loans”
shall
mean that portion, and collectively those portions, of the aggregate outstanding
principal balance of the Loans that bear interest at the LIBOR Rate, of which
at
any time, the Borrower may identify no more than three (3) advances of the
Revolving Loans which
bear interest at the LIBOR Rate.
“LIBOR
Rate”
shall
mean a per annum rate of interest equal to LIBOR for the relevant Interest
Period, plus
the
Applicable Margin, which LIBOR Rate shall remain fixed during such Interest
Period.
“Lien”
shall
mean, with respect to any Person, any interest granted by such Person in any
real or personal property, asset or other right owned or being purchased or
acquired by such Person (including an interest in respect of a Capital Lease)
which secures payment or performance of any obligation and shall include any
mortgage, lien, encumbrance, title retention lien, charge or other security
interest of any kind, whether arising by contract, as a matter of law, by
judicial process or otherwise.
9
“Loans”
shall
mean, collectively, all Revolving Loans made by Lender to the Borrower and
all
Letter of Credit Obligations, under and pursuant to this Agreement.
“Loan
Documents”
shall
mean each
of
the agreements, documents, instruments and certificates set
forth
in Section
3.1
hereof,
and
any
and all such other instruments, documents, certificates and agreements from
time
to time executed and delivered by the Borrower, the Guarantors or any of their
Subsidiaries for the benefit of Lender pursuant to any of the foregoing, and
all
amendments, restatements, supplements and other modifications
thereto.
“Master
Letter of Credit Agreement”
shall
mean, at any time, with respect to the issuance of Letters of Credit, a Master
Letter of Credit Agreement in the form being used by Lender at such
time.
“Material
Adverse Effect”
shall
mean (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the
assets, business, properties, prospects, condition
(financial or otherwise) or results of operations of
the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) a material impairment of
the
ability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to perform any of the Obligations
under any of the Loan Documents, or (c) a material adverse effect on (i) any
substantial portion of the Collateral, (ii) the legality, validity, binding
effect or enforceability against the Borrower and its Subsidiaries of any of
the
Loan Documents, (iii)
the
perfection or priority of any Lien granted to Lender under any Loan Document,
or
(iv) the rights or remedies of Lender under any Loan Document.
“Net
Income”
shall
mean, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, the
consolidated net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
such
period as determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding
any
gains from Asset Dispositions, any extraordinary gains and any gains from
discontinued operations.
“Net
Worth”
shall
mean the total of all assets appearing on a consolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP, less the total
of all liabilities appearing on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower
and
its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“Non-Excluded
Taxes”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a) hereof.
“Note”
and
“Notes” shall
mean, respectively, each of and collectively, the Revolving Note and any other
promissory notes executed and delivered by Borrower to Lender under this
Agreement.
“Obligations”
shall
mean the Loans, as evidenced by any Note, all interest accrued thereon
(including interest which would be payable as post-petition in connection with
any bankruptcy or similar proceeding, whether or not permitted as a claim
thereunder), any fees due Lender hereunder, any expenses incurred by Lender
hereunder, including without limitation, all liabilities and obligations under
this Agreement, under any other Loan Document, any reimbursement obligations
of
the Borrower in respect of Letters of Credit and surety bonds, all Hedging
Obligations of the Borrower which are owed to Lender or any Affiliate of Lender,
and all Bank Product Obligations of the Borrower, and any and all other
liabilities and obligations owed by the Borrower to Lender from time to time,
howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, joint
or
several, absolute or contingent, now or hereafter existing, or due or to become
due, together with any and all renewals, extensions, restatements or
replacements of any of the foregoing.
10
“Obligor”
shall
mean the Borrower, any of the Guarantors, accommodation endorser, third party
pledgor, or any other party liable with respect to the Obligations.
“Organizational
Identification Number”
means,
with respect to Borrower, the organizational identification number assigned
to
Borrower by the applicable governmental unit or agency of the jurisdiction
of
organization of the Borrower.
“Other
Taxes”
shall
mean any present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or
property taxes, charges or similar levies which arise from the execution,
delivery, enforcement or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.
“Permitted
Acquisition”
shall
mean the Borrower’s acquisition of the Capital Securities or substantially all
of the assets of a single Person or group of related Persons (A) which meets
the
following requirements and conditions: (a) Borrower shall have notified Lender
of such proposed acquisition not less than 30 days prior to the closing thereof
and shall have provided Lender with all information requested by Lender in
connection with such acquisition; (b) the sum of the cash paid and debt incurred
(including drawings under the Revolving Loan) for each such acquisition shall
not exceed Ten Million and no/100 Dollars ($10,000,000.00); (c) no
Event
of Default or Unmatured Event of Default then exists; (d) Borrower shall have
provided proof to Lender that on a pro-forma basis, immediately after giving
effect to the proposed acquisition, Borrower will be in compliance with the
financial covenants set forth in Section 10 below;
(e) if
Borrower acquires a foreign entity deemed material by Lender in Lender’s sole
and absolute discretion, then Borrower shall grant to Lender a first priority
lien in 66 2/3% of the issued and outstanding stock of such foreign entity;
and
(f) contemporaneously with any such acquisition of a United States domestic
entity or substantially all of the assets thereof, (i) Lender shall be granted
a
first priority lien in all of the assets of such domestic entity, and (ii)
the
acquired entity shall execute and deliver to Lender such agreements, documents
and instruments as required by Lender to make such entity a co-Borrower or
Guarantor of the Obligations, as selected by Lender in its sole discretion,
or
(B) as approved by Lender in writing in its sole and absolute
discretion.
“Permitted
Liens”
shall
mean (a) Liens
for
Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not at the time delinquent
or
thereafter payable without penalty or being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and, in each case, for which it maintains adequate
reserves in accordance with GAAP and in respect of which no Lien has been filed;
(b) Liens arising in the ordinary course of business (such as (i) Liens of
carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen and other similar Liens
imposed by law, and (ii) Liens in the form of deposits or pledges incurred
in
connection with worker’s compensation, unemployment compensation and other types
of social security (excluding Liens arising under ERISA) or in connection with
surety bonds, bids, performance bonds and similar obligations) for sums not
overdue or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and not
involving any advances or borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of
property or services, which do not in the aggregate materially detract from
the
value of the property or assets of the Borrower or materially impair the use
thereof in the operation of the Borrower’s business and, in each case, for which
it maintains adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP and in respect of which
no Lien has been filed; (c) Liens described on Schedule
9.2
as of
the Closing Date; (d) attachments,
appeal bonds, judgments and other similar Liens, for sums not exceeding One
Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($100,000) arising in connection with court
proceedings, provided
the
execution or other enforcement of such Liens is effectively stayed and the
claims secured thereby are being actively contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings and to
the
extent such judgments or awards do not constitute an Event of Default under
Section 11.8 hereof;
(e)
easements, rights of way, restrictions, minor defects or irregularities in
title
and other similar Liens not interfering in any material respect with the
ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(f)
subject to the limitation set forth in Section
9.1(f),
Liens
for Capital Expenditures (including Liens that constitute purchase money
security interests on any property securing Debt incurred for the purpose of
financing all or any part of the cost of acquiring such property), provided
that any
such Lien attaches to such property within twenty (20) days of the acquisition
thereof and attaches solely to the property so acquired; (g) deposits or Liens
to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory
obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations
of
a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business;
provided that no Liens shall be granted in favor of such surety encumbering
Inventory, Accounts or Equipment; and (h) Liens
granted to Lender hereunder and under the Loan Documents.
11
“Person”
shall
mean any natural person, partnership, limited liability company, corporation,
trust, joint venture, joint stock company, association, unincorporated
organization, government or agency or political subdivision thereof, or other
entity, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other
capacity.
“Prime
Loan”
or
“Prime
Loans”
shall
mean that portion, and collectively, those portions of the aggregate outstanding
principal balance of the Loans that bear interest at the Prime Rate plus the
Applicable Margin.
“Prime
Rate”
shall
mean the floating per annum rate of interest which at any time, and from time
to
time, shall be most recently announced by Lender as its Prime Rate, which is
not
intended to be Lender’s lowest or most favorable rate of interest at any one
time. The effective date of any change in the Prime Rate shall for purposes
hereof be the date the Prime Rate is changed by Lender. Lender shall not be
obligated to give notice of any change in the Prime Rate.
“Regulatory
Change”
shall
mean the introduction of, or any change in any applicable law, treaty, rule,
regulation or guideline or in the interpretation or administration thereof
by
any governmental authority or any central bank or other fiscal, monetary or
other authority having jurisdiction over Lender or its lending
office.
12
“Revolving
Interest Rate”
shall
mean the Borrower’s from time to time option of (i) a floating per annum rate of
interest equal to the Prime Rate plus
the
Applicable Margin, or (ii) the LIBOR Rate.
“Revolving
Loan”
and
“Revolving
Loans”
shall
mean, respectively, each direct advance and the aggregate of all such direct
advances made by Lender to the Borrower under and pursuant to this Agreement,
as
set forth in Section
2.1
of this
Agreement.
“Revolving
Loan Availability”
shall
mean, at any time, an amount equal to the Revolving Loan Commitment minus
the
Letter of Credit Obligations.
“Revolving
Loan Commitment”
shall
mean Twenty-Five Million and 00/100 Dollars ($25,000,000.00).
“Revolving
Loan Maturity Date”
shall
mean January 1, 2010, unless extended by Lender pursuant to any modification,
extension or renewal note executed by the Borrower and accepted by Lender in
its
sole and absolute discretion in substitution for the Revolving
Note.
“Revolving
Note”
shall
mean a revolving note in the form prepared by and acceptable to Lender, dated
as
of the date hereof, in the amount of the Revolving Loan Commitment and maturing
on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, duly executed by the Borrower and payable
to the order of Lender, together with any and all renewal, extension,
modification or replacement notes executed by the Borrower and delivered to
Lender and given in substitution therefor.
“Subordinated
Debt”
shall
mean that portion of the Debt of the Borrower which is subordinated to the
Obligations in a manner satisfactory to Lender, including right and time of
payment of principal and interest.
“Subsidiary”
and
“Subsidiaries”
shall
mean, respectively, with respect to any Person, each and all such corporations,
partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, limited
liability partnerships, joint ventures or other entities of which or in which
such Person owns, directly or indirectly, such number of outstanding Capital
Securities as have more than fifty percent (50.00%) of the ordinary voting
power
for the election of directors or other managers of such corporation,
partnership, limited liability company or other entity. Unless the context
otherwise requires, each reference to Subsidiaries herein shall be a reference
to Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
“Taxes”
shall
mean any and all present and future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions,
assessments, charges or withholdings, and any and all liabilities (including
interest and penalties and other additions to taxes) with respect to the
foregoing.
13
“Total
Debt”
shall
mean, at any date of determination, all Debt of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis, excluding (i) Contingent
Liabilities (except to the extent constituting Contingent Liabilities in respect
of the Debt of a Person other than the Borrower or any Subsidiaries), (ii)
Hedging Obligations, (iii) Debt of the Borrower to Subsidiaries and Debt of
Subsidiaries to the Borrower or to other Subsidiaries, (iv) contingent
obligations in respect of undrawn Letters of Credit, and (v) all Subordinated
Debt.
“UCC”
shall
mean the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the state of Illinois from time
to
time.
“Unmatured
Event of Default”
shall
mean any event which, with the giving of notice, the passage of time or both,
would constitute an Event of Default.
“Voidable
Transfer”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 13.21 hereof.
“Warrants”
shall
mean those certain Warrants dated June 23, 2004 and described as common stock
purchase warrants exercisable for $5.00 per share and expiring on June 23,
2008.
“Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary”
shall
mean any Subsidiary of which or in which the Borrower owns, directly or
indirectly, one hundred percent (100%) of the Capital
Securities of such Subsidiary.
“Working
Capital”
shall
mean the total of cash on hand, cash equivalents, marketable securities,
Accounts minus
adequate
reserves for doubtful Accounts, and readily salable Inventory at the lower
of
cost or market value, minus the total of all liabilities payable within one
year, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.
1.2 Accounting
Terms.
Any
accounting terms used in this Agreement which are not specifically defined
herein shall have the meanings customarily given them in accordance with GAAP.
Calculations and determinations of financial and accounting terms used and
not
otherwise specifically defined hereunder and the preparation of financial
statements to be furnished to Lender pursuant hereto shall be made and prepared,
both as to classification of items and as to amount, in accordance with sound
accounting practices and GAAP as used in the preparation of the financial
statements of the Borrower on the date of this Agreement. If any changes in
accounting principles or practices from those used in the preparation of the
financial statements are hereafter occasioned by the promulgation of rules,
regulations, pronouncements and opinions by or required by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board or the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants (or any successor thereto or agencies with similar functions),
which
results in a material change in the method of accounting in the financial
statements required to be furnished to Lender hereunder or in the calculation
of
financial covenants, standards or terms contained in this Agreement, the parties
hereto agree to enter into good faith negotiations to amend such provisions
so
as equitably to reflect such changes to the end that the criteria for evaluating
the financial condition and performance of the Borrower will be the same after
such changes as they were before such changes; and if the parties fail to agree
on the amendment of such provisions, the Borrower will furnish financial
statements in accordance with such changes, but shall provide calculations
for
all financial covenants, perform all financial covenants and otherwise observe
all financial standards and terms in accordance with applicable accounting
principles and practices in effect immediately prior to such changes.
Calculations with respect to financial covenants required to be stated in
accordance with applicable accounting principles and practices in effect
immediately prior to such changes shall be reviewed and certified by the
Borrower’s accountants.
14
1.3 Other
Terms Defined in UCC.
All
other capitalized words and phrases used herein and not otherwise specifically
defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in
the
UCC, to the extent the same are used or defined therein.
1.4 Other
Interpretive Provisions.
(a) The
meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural
forms of the defined terms. Whenever the context so requires, the neuter gender
includes the masculine and feminine, the single number includes the plural,
and
vice versa, and in particular the word “Borrower” shall be so
construed.
(b) Section
and Schedule references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. The
words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used
in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular provision of this Agreement
(c) The
term
“including” is not limiting, and means “including, without
limitation”.
(d) In
the
computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date,
the word “from” means “from and including”; the words “to” and “until” each mean
“to but excluding”, and the word “through” means “to and
including”.
(e) Unless
otherwise expressly provided herein, (i) references to agreements
(including this Agreement and the other Loan Documents) and other contractual
instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements,
supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent such
amendments, restatements, supplements and other modifications are not prohibited
by the terms of any Loan Document, and (ii) references to any statute or
regulation shall be construed as including all statutory and regulatory
provisions amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such statute
or
regulation.
(f) To
the
extent any of the provisions of the other Loan Documents are inconsistent with
the terms of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall
govern.
15
(g) This
Agreement and the other Loan Documents may use several different limitations,
tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar matters. All such
limitations, tests and measurements are cumulative and each shall be performed
in accordance with its terms.
Section
2. COMMITMENT
OF LENDER.
2.1 Revolving
Loans.
(a) Revolving
Loan Commitment.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
and
in reliance upon the representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth
herein and in the other Loan Documents, Lender agrees to make such Revolving
Loans at such times as the Borrower may from time to time request until, but
not
including, the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, and in such amounts as the Borrower
may from time to time request, provided, however, that the aggregate principal
balance of all Revolving Loans outstanding at any time shall not exceed the
Revolving Loan Availability. Revolving Loans made by Lender may be repaid and,
subject to the terms and conditions hereof, borrowed again up to, but not
including the Revolving Loan Maturity Date unless the Revolving Loans are
otherwise accelerated, terminated or extended as provided in this Agreement.
The
Revolving Loans shall be used by the Borrower for the purpose of working capital
and to finance Permitted Acquisitions.
(b) Revolving
Loan Interest and Payments.
Except
as otherwise provided in this Section
2.1(b),
the
principal amount of the Revolving Loans outstanding from time to time shall
bear
interest at the applicable Revolving Interest Rate. Accrued and unpaid interest
on the unpaid principal balance of all Revolving Loans outstanding from time
to
time which are Prime Loans, shall be due and payable quarterly, in arrears,
commencing on December 31, 2006 and continuing on the last day of each calendar
quarter thereafter, and on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date. Accrued and unpaid
interest on the unpaid principal balance of all Revolving Loans outstanding
from
time to time which are LIBOR Loans shall be payable on the last Business Day
of
each Interest Period, commencing on the first such date to occur after the
date
hereof, on the date of any principal repayment of a LIBOR Loan and on the
Revolving Loan Maturity Date. From and after maturity, or after the occurrence
and during the continuation of an Event of Default, interest on the outstanding
principal balance of the Revolving Loans, at the option of Lender, may accrue
at
the Default Rate and shall be payable upon demand from Lender.
(c) Revolving
Loan Principal Payments.
(i) Revolving
Loan Mandatory Payments.
All
Revolving Loans hereunder shall be repaid by the Borrower on the Revolving
Loan
Maturity Date, unless payable sooner pursuant to the provisions of this
Agreement. In the event the aggregate outstanding principal balance of all
Revolving Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations hereunder exceeds the Revolving
Loan Availability, the Borrower shall, without notice or demand of any kind,
immediately make such repayments of the Revolving Loans or take such other
actions as are satisfactory to Lender as shall be necessary to eliminate such
excess. Also, if the Borrower chooses not to convert any Revolving Loan which
is
a LIBOR Loan to a Prime Loan as provided in Section
2.2(b)
and
Section
2.2(c),
then
such Revolving Loan shall immediately be due and payable on the last Business
Day of the then existing Interest Period or on such earlier date as required
by
law, all without further demand, presentment, protest or notice of any kind,
all
of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
16
(ii) Optional
Prepayments.
The
Borrower may from time to time prepay the Revolving Loans which are Prime Loans,
in whole or in part, without any prepayment penalty whatsoever, provided that
any prepayment of the entire principal balance of the Prime Loans shall include
accrued interest on such Prime Loans to the date of such
prepayment.
2.2 Additional
LIBOR Loan Provisions.
(a) LIBOR
Loan Prepayments.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the principal balance
of any LIBOR Loan may not be prepaid in whole or in part at any time. If, for
any reason, a LIBOR Loan is paid prior to the last Business Day of any Interest
Period, whether voluntary, involuntary, by reason of acceleration or otherwise,
each such prepayment of a LIBOR Loan will be accompanied by the amount of
accrued interest on the amount prepaid and any and all costs, expenses,
penalties and charges incurred by Lender as a result of the early termination
or
breakage of a LIBOR Loan, plus the amount, if any, by which (i) the additional
interest which would have been payable during the Interest Period on the LIBOR
Loan prepaid had it not been prepaid, exceeds (ii) the interest which would
have
been recoverable by Lender by placing the amount prepaid on deposit in the
domestic certificate of deposit market, the eurodollar deposit market, or other
appropriate money market selected by Lender, for a period starting on the date
on which it was prepaid and ending on the last day of the Interest Period for
such LIBOR Loan. The amount of any such loss or expense payable by the Borrower
to Lender under this section shall be determined in Lender’s sole discretion
based upon the assumption that Lender funded its loan commitment for LIBOR
Loans
in the London Interbank Eurodollar market and using any reasonable attribution
or averaging methods which Lender deems appropriate and practical, provided,
however, that Lender is not obligated to accept a deposit in the London
Interbank Eurodollar market in order to charge interest on a LIBOR Loan at
the
LIBOR Rate.
(b) LIBOR
Unavailability.
If
Lender determines in good faith (which determination shall be conclusive, absent
manifest error) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period that (i) the
making or maintenance of any LIBOR Loan would violate any applicable law, rule,
regulation or directive, whether or not having the force of law, (ii) United
States dollar deposits in the principal amount, and for periods equal to the
Interest Period for funding any LIBOR Loan are not available in the London
Interbank Eurodollar market in the ordinary course of business, (iii) by reason
of circumstances affecting the London Interbank Eurodollar market, adequate
and
fair means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBOR Rate to be applicable to
the
relevant LIBOR Loan, or (iv) the LIBOR Rate does not accurately reflect the
cost
to Lender of a LIBOR Loan, Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower thereof
and, so long as the foregoing conditions continue, none of the Loans may be
advanced as a LIBOR Loan thereafter. In addition, at the Borrower’s option, each
existing LIBOR Loan shall be immediately (i) converted to a Prime Loan on the
last Business Day of the then existing Interest Period, or (ii) due and payable
on the last Business Day of the then existing Interest Period, without further
demand, presentment, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby
waived by the Borrower.
17
(c) Regulatory
Change.
In
addition, if, after the date hereof, a Regulatory Change shall, in the
reasonable determination of Lender, make it unlawful for Lender to make or
maintain the LIBOR Loans, then Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and
none of the Loans may be advanced as a LIBOR Loan thereafter. In addition,
at
the Borrower’s option, each existing LIBOR Loan shall be immediately (i)
converted to a Prime Loan on the last Business Day of the then existing Interest
Period or on such earlier date as required by law, or (ii) due and payable
on
the last Business Day of the then existing Interest Period or on such earlier
date as required by law, all without further demand, presentment, protest or
notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
(d) LIBOR
Indemnity.
If any
Regulatory Change, or compliance by Lender or any Person controlling Lender
with
any request or directive of any governmental authority, central bank or
comparable agency (whether or not having the force of law) shall (a) impose,
modify or deem applicable any assessment, reserve, special deposit or similar
requirement against assets held by, or deposits in or for the account of or
loans by, or any other acquisition of funds or disbursements by, Lender; (b)
subject Lender or any LIBOR Loan to any tax, duty, charge, stamp tax or fee
or
change the basis of taxation of payments to Lender of principal or interest
due
from the Borrower to Lender hereunder (other than a change in the taxation
of
the overall net income of Lender); or (c) impose on Lender any other condition
regarding such LIBOR Loan or Lender’s funding thereof, and Lender shall
determine (which determination shall be conclusive, absent manifest error)
that
the result of the foregoing is to increase the cost to, or to impose a cost
on,
Lender or such controlling Person of making or maintaining such LIBOR Loan
or to
reduce the amount of principal or interest received by Lender hereunder, then
the Borrower shall pay to Lender or such controlling Person, on demand, such
additional amounts as Lender shall, from time to time, determine are sufficient
to compensate and indemnify Lender for such increased cost or reduced
amount.
2.3 Interest
and Fee Computation; Collection of Funds.
Except
as otherwise set forth herein, all interest and fees shall be calculated on
the
basis of a year consisting of 360 days and shall be paid for the actual number
of days elapsed. Principal payments submitted in funds not immediately available
shall continue to bear interest until collected. If any payment to be made
by
the Borrower hereunder or under any Note shall become 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 be included in computing any interest in respect
of
such payment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
final payment due under any of the Loans must be made by wire transfer or other
immediately available funds. All payments made by the Borrower hereunder or
under any of the Loan Documents shall be made without setoff, counterclaim,
or
other defense. To the extent permitted by applicable law, all payments hereunder
or under any of the Loan Documents (including any payment of principal,
interest, or fees) to, or for the benefit, of any Person shall be made by the
Borrower free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for, or account
of, any taxes now or hereinafter imposed by any taxing authority.
18
2.4 Late
Charge.
If any
payment of interest or principal due hereunder is not made within ten (10)
days
after such payment is due in accordance with the terms hereof, then, in addition
to the payment of the amount so due, the Borrower shall pay to Lender a “late
charge” of five cents for each whole dollar so overdue to defray part of the
cost of collection and handling such late payment. The Borrower agrees that
the
damages to be sustained by Lender for the detriment caused by any late payment
are extremely difficult and impractical to ascertain, and that the amount of
five cents for each one dollar due is a reasonable estimate of such damages,
does not constitute interest, and is not a penalty.
2.5 Letters
of Credit.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and upon (i) the execution by
the
Borrower and Lender of a Master Letter of Credit Agreement in form and substance
acceptable to Lender (together with all amendments, modifications and
restatements thereof, the “Master Letter of Credit Agreement”), and (ii) the
execution and delivery by the Borrower, and the acceptance by Lender, in its
sole and absolute discretion, of a Letter of Credit Application, Lender agrees
to issue for the account of the Borrower such Letters of Credit in the standard
form of Lender and otherwise in form and substance acceptable to Lender, from
time to time during the term of this Agreement, provided that the Letter of
Credit Obligations may not at any time exceed the Letter of Credit Commitment
and provided further, that no Letter of Credit shall have an expiration date
later than the Letter of Credit Maturity Date. The amount of any payments made
by Lender with respect to draws made by a beneficiary under a Letter of Credit
for which the Borrower has failed to reimburse Lender upon the earlier of (i)
Lender’s demand for repayment, or (ii) five (5) days from the date of such
payment to such beneficiary by Lender, shall be deemed to have been converted
to
a Revolving Loan as of the date such payment was made by Lender to such
beneficiary. Upon the occurrence of an Event of a Default and at the option
of
Lender, all Letter of Credit Obligations shall be converted to Revolving Loans
consisting of Prime Loans, all without demand, presentment, protest or notice
of
any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower. To the extent the
provisions of the Master Letter of Credit Agreement differ from, or are
inconsistent with, the terms of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement
shall govern.
2.6 Taxes.
(a) All
payments made by the Borrower under this Agreement shall be made free and clear
of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any present
or
future income, stamp or other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees,
deductions or withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected,
withheld or assessed by any governmental authority, excluding net income taxes
and franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of net income taxes) imposed on Lender
as a
result of a present or former connection between Lender and the jurisdiction
of
the governmental authority imposing such tax or any political subdivision or
taxing authority thereof or therein (other than any such connection arising
solely from Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations
or
received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or any other Loan
Document). If any such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges,
fees, deductions or withholdings (collectively, “Non-Excluded Taxes”) or Other
Taxes are required to be withheld from any amounts payable to Lender hereunder,
the amounts so payable to Lender shall be increased to the extent necessary
to
yield to Lender (after payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes)
interest or any such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the
amounts specified in this Agreement, provided, however, that the Borrower shall
not be required to increase any such amounts payable to Lender with respect
to
any Non-Excluded Taxes that are attributable to Lender’s failure to comply with
the requirements of subsection 2.8(c).
19
(b) The
Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant governmental authority in
accordance with applicable law.
(c) At
the
request of the Borrower and at the Borrower’s sole cost, Lender shall take
reasonable steps to (i) contest its liability for any Non-Excluded Taxes or
Other Taxes that have not been paid, or (ii) seek a refund of any Non-Excluded
Taxes or Other Taxes that have been paid.
(d) Whenever
any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are payable by the Borrower, as promptly
as possible thereafter the Borrower shall send to Lender a certified copy of
an
original official receipt received by the Borrower showing payment thereof.
If
the Borrower fails to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes when due to
the
appropriate taxing authority or fails to remit to Lender the required receipts
or other required documentary evidence or if any governmental authority seeks
to
collect a Non-Excluded Tax or Other Tax directly from Lender for any other
reason, the Borrower shall indemnify Lender on an after-tax basis for any
incremental taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable by
Lender.
(e) The
agreements in this Section shall survive the satisfaction and payment of the
Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
2.7
All
Loans to Constitute Single Obligation.
The
Loans shall constitute one general obligation of the Borrower, and shall be
secured by Bank’s priority security interest in and Lien upon all of the
Collateral and by all other security interests, Liens, claims and encumbrances
heretofore, now or at any time or times hereafter granted by the Borrower and/or
any Subsidiary to Bank.
20
Section
3.CONDITIONS
OF BORROWING.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, Lender shall not be required to disburse,
make or continue all or any portion of the Loans, if any of the following
conditions shall have occurred.
3.1 Loan
Documents.
The
Borrower shall have failed to execute and deliver to Lender any of the following
Loan Documents, all of which must be satisfactory to Lender and Lender’s counsel
in form, substance and execution:
(a) Loan
Agreement.
Two
copies of this Agreement duly executed by the Borrower.
(b) Revolving
Note.
A
Revolving Note duly executed by the Borrower, in the form prepared by and
acceptable to Lender.
(c) Master
Letter of Credit Agreement.
A
Master Letter of Credit Agreement prepared by and acceptable to Lender, duly
executed by the Borrower in favor of Lender.
(d) Stock
Pledge Agreement.
A
separate Stock Pledge Agreement in favor of Lender in the form prepared by
and
acceptable to Lender, together with original stock certificates and stock powers
duly executed in blank for all stock pledged to Lender, pledging to Lender
66.67% of the issued and outstanding Capital Securities of Hill Luxembourg,
Hill
UK, Hill Middle East and JKH.
(e) Collateral
Access Agreement.
Unless
waived by Lender, Collateral Access Agreements dated as of the date of this
Agreement, from the owner, lessor or mortgagee, as the case may be, of any
real
estate whereon any Collateral is stored or otherwise located, in the form
prepared by and acceptable to Lender. Lender hereby acknowledges and agrees
that
no Collateral Access Agreements will be required to close the Loans referenced
in this Agreement; provided, however, Lender reserves the right to request
Collateral Access Agreements at any time hereafter, in which case Borrower
shall
use its commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain such Collateral Access
Agreements and shall provide proof thereof to Lender.
(f) Search
Results; Lien Terminations.
Copies
of UCC search reports dated such a date as is reasonably acceptable to Lender,
listing all effective financing statements which name the Borrower under its
present name and any previous names, as debtor, together with (i) copies of
such
financing statements, (ii) payoff letters evidencing repayment in full of all
existing Debt to be repaid with the Loans, the termination of all agreements
relating thereto and the release of all Liens granted in connection therewith,
with UCC or other appropriate termination statements and documents effective
to
evidence the foregoing (other than Permitted Liens), and (iii) such other UCC
termination statements as Lender may reasonably request.
21
(g) Organizational
and Authorization Document.
Copies
of (i) the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of
the
Borrower; (ii) resolutions of the board of directors of the Borrower approving
and authorizing such Person’s execution, delivery and performance of the Loan
Documents to which it is party and the transactions contemplated thereby; (iii)
signature and incumbency certificates of the officers of the Borrower executing
any of the Loan Documents, each of which the Borrower hereby certifies to be
true and complete, and in full force and effect without modification, it being
understood that Lender may conclusively rely on each such document and
certificate until formally advised by the Borrower of any changes therein;
and
(iv) good standing certificates in the state of incorporation of the Borrower
and in each other state requested by Lender.
(h) Insurance.
Evidence satisfactory to Lender of the existence of insurance required to be
maintained pursuant to Section
8.6,
together with evidence that Lender has been named as a lender’s loss payee on
all related insurance policies.
(i) Additional
Documents.
Such
other certificates, financial statements, schedules, resolutions, opinions
of
counsel, notes and other documents which are provided for hereunder or which
Lender shall require.
3.2 Event
of Default.
Any
Event of Default, or Unmatured Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing.
3.3 Material
Adverse Effect.
The
occurrence of any event having a Material Adverse Effect upon the
Borrower.
3.4 Litigation.
Any
litigation or governmental proceeding shall have been instituted against the
Borrower or any of its officers or shareholders having a Materially Adverse
Effect upon the Borrower.
3.5 Representations
and Warranties.
Any
representation or warranty of the Borrower contained herein or in any Loan
Document shall be untrue or incorrect as of the date of any Loan as though
made
on such date, except to the extent such representation or warranty expressly
relates to an earlier date.
3.6 Commitment
Fee.
The
Borrower shall have failed to pay to Lender a commitment fee in the amount
of
Two Hundred Fifty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($250,000), payable on or before
the execution of this Agreement. Up to $15,000 of Borrower’s closing costs shall
be paid from the commitment fee. All closing costs in excess of $15,000 shall
be
paid by Borrower to Lender in accordance with this Agreement.
Section
4. NOTES
EVIDENCING LOANS.
4.1 Revolving
Note.
The
Revolving Loans and the Letter of Credit Obligations shall be evidenced by
the
Revolving Note. At the time of the initial disbursement of a Revolving Loan
and
at each time any additional Revolving Loan shall be requested hereunder or
a
repayment made in whole or in part thereon, a notation thereof shall be made
on
the books and records of Lender. All amounts recorded shall be, absent manifest
error, conclusive and binding evidence of (i) the principal amount of the
Revolving Loans advanced hereunder and the amount of all Letter of Credit
Obligations, (ii) any accrued and unpaid interest owing on the Revolving Loans,
and (iii) all amounts repaid on the Revolving Loans or the Letter of Credit
Obligations. The failure to record any such amount or any error in recording
such amounts shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligations
of
the Borrower under the Revolving Note to repay the principal amount of the
Revolving Loans, together with all interest accruing thereon.
22
Section
5. MANNER
OF BORROWING.
5.1 Borrowing
Procedures.
Each
Revolving Loan may
be
advanced either as a Prime Loan or a LIBOR Loan, provided, however, that at
any
time, the Borrower may identify no more than three (3) Revolving
Loans which
may
be LIBOR Loans. Each Loan shall be made available to the Borrower upon any
written, verbal, electronic, telephonic or telecopy loan request which Lender
in
good faith believes to emanate from a properly authorized representative of
the
Borrower, whether or not that is in fact the case. Each such notice shall be
effective upon receipt by Lender, shall be irrevocable, and shall specify the
date, amount and type of borrowing and, in the case of a LIBOR Loan, the initial
Interest Period therefor. The Borrower shall select Interest Periods so as
not
to require a payment or prepayment of any LIBOR Loan during an Interest Period
for such LIBOR Loan. The final Interest Period for any LIBOR Loan must be such
that its expiration occurs on or before the Maturity Date of such Loan. A
request for a Prime Loan must be received by Lender no later than 11:00 a.m.
Chicago, Illinois time,
on
the day it is to be funded. A request for a LIBOR Loan must be (i) received
by
Lender no later than 11:00 a.m. Chicago, Illinois time, three days before the
day it is to be funded, and (ii) in an amount equal to One Hundred Thousand
and
00/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) or a higher integral multiple of One Hundred
Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($100,000.00). The proceeds of each Loan shall
be
made available at the office of Lender by credit to the account of the Borrower
or by other means requested by the Borrower and acceptable to Lender. The
Borrower does hereby irrevocably confirm, ratify and approve all such advances
by Lender and does hereby indemnify Lender against losses and expenses
(including court costs, attorneys’ and paralegals’ fees) and shall hold Lender
harmless with respect thereto.
5.2. LIBOR
Conversion and Continuation Procedures.
Each
LIBOR Loan shall automatically renew for the Interest Period specified in the
initial request received by Lender pursuant to Section 5.1, at the then current
LIBOR Rate unless the Borrower, pursuant to a subsequent written notice received
by Lender, shall elect a different Interest Period or the conversion of all
or a
portion of such LIBOR Loan to a Prime Loan.
Each
Interest Period occurring after the initial Interest Period with respect to
any
LIBOR Loan shall commence on the same day of each applicable month as the first
day of the initial Interest Period. Whenever the last day of any Interest Period
with respect to any LIBOR Loan would otherwise occur on a day other than a
Business Day, the last day of such Interest Period shall be extended to occur
on
the next succeeding Business Day. Whenever an Interest Period with respect
to
any LIBOR Loan would otherwise end on a day of a month for which there is no
numerically corresponding day in the calendar month, such Interest Period shall
end on the last day of such calendar month, unless such day is not a Business
Day, in which event such Interest Period shall be extended to end on the next
Business Day. Upon
receipt by Lender of such subsequent notice, the Borrower may, subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, elect, as of the last day of the
applicable Interest Period, to continue any LIBOR Loan having an Interest Period
expiring on such day for a different Interest Period, or to convert any such
LIBOR Loan to a Prime Loan. Such notice shall, in the case of a conversion
to a
Prime Loan, be given before 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, on the proposed date
of
such conversion, and in the case of conversion to a LIBOR Loan having a
different Interest Period, be given before 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, at least
three Business Days prior to the proposed date of such conversion, specifying:
(i) the proposed date of conversion; (ii) the aggregate amount of Loans to
be
converted; (iii) the type of Loans resulting from the proposed conversion;
and
(iv) the duration of the requested Interest Period. The Borrower may not elect
a
LIBOR Rate, and an Interest Period for a LIBOR Loan shall not automatically
renew, with respect to any principal amount which is scheduled to be repaid
before the last day of the applicable Interest Period, and any such amounts
shall bear interest at the Prime Rate plus
the
Applicable Margin until repaid.
23
5.3. Letters
of Credit.
All
Letters of Credit shall bear such application, issuance, renewal, negotiation
and other fees and charges, and bear such interest as charged by Lender or
otherwise payable pursuant to the Master Letter of Credit Agreement. In addition
to the foregoing, each standby Letters of Credit issued under and pursuant
to
this Agreement shall bear an issuance fee equal to the Letter of Credit
Applicable Margin multiplied by the face amount of such standby Letter of
Credit, payable by the Borrower quarterly in arrears, until (i) such Letter
of
Credit has expired or has been returned to Lender, or (ii) Lender has paid
the
beneficiary thereunder the full face amount of such Letter of
Credit.
5.4 Automatic
Debit.
In
order to effectuate the timely payment of any of the Obligations when due,
the
Borrower hereby authorizes and directs Lender, at Lender’s option, to (a) debit
the amount of the Obligations to any ordinary deposit account of the Borrower,
or (b) make a Revolving Loan hereunder to pay the amount of the
Obligations.
5.5 Discretionary
Disbursements.
Lender,
in its sole and absolute discretion, may immediately upon notice to the
Borrower, disburse any or all proceeds of the Loans made or available to the
Borrower pursuant to this Agreement to pay any fees, costs, expenses or other
amounts required to be paid by the Borrower hereunder and not so paid. All
monies so disbursed shall be a part of the Obligations, payable by the Borrower
on demand from Lender.
24
Section
6. SECURITY
FOR THE OBLIGATIONS.
6.1 Security
for Obligations.
As
security for the payment and performance of the Obligations, the Borrower does
hereby pledge, assign, transfer, deliver and grant to Lender, for its own
benefit and as agent for its Affiliates, a continuing and unconditional first
priority security interest in and to any and all property of the Borrower,
of
any kind or description, tangible or intangible, wheresoever located and whether
now existing or hereafter arising or acquired, including the following (all
of
which property, along with the products and proceeds therefrom, are individually
and collectively referred to as the “Collateral”):
(a) all
property of, or for the account of, the Borrower now or hereafter coming into
the possession, control or custody of, or in transit to, Lender or any agent
or
bailee for Lender or any parent, Affiliate or Subsidiary of Lender or any
participant with Lender in the Loans (whether for safekeeping, deposit,
collection, custody, pledge, transmission or otherwise), including all earnings,
dividends, interest, or other rights in connection therewith and the products
and proceeds therefrom, including the proceeds of insurance thereon;
and
(b) the
additional property of the Borrower, whether now existing or hereafter arising
or acquired, and wherever now or hereafter located, together with all additions
and accessions thereto, substitutions, betterments and replacements therefor,
products and Proceeds therefrom, and all of the Borrower’s books and records and
recorded data relating thereto (regardless of the medium of recording or
storage), together with all of the Borrower’s right, title and interest in and
to all computer software required to utilize, create, maintain and process
any
such records or data on electronic media, identified and set forth as
follows:
(i)
|
All
Accounts and all Goods whose sale, lease or other disposition by
the
Borrower has given rise to Accounts and have been returned to, or
repossessed or stopped in transit by, the Borrower, or rejected or
refused
by an Account Debtor;
|
(ii)
|
All
Inventory, including, without limitation, raw materials, work-in-process
and finished goods;
|
(iii)
|
All
Goods (other than Inventory), including, without limitation, embedded
software, Equipment, vehicles, furniture and
Fixtures;
|
(iv)
|
All
Software and computer programs;
|
(v)
|
All
Securities, Investment Property, Financial Assets and Deposit
Accounts;
|
(vi)
|
All
Chattel Paper, Electronic Chattel Paper, Instruments, Documents,
Letter of
Credit Rights, all proceeds of letters of credit, Health-Care-Insurance
Receivables, Supporting Obligations, notes secured by real estate,
Commercial Tort Claims and General Intangibles, including Payment
Intangibles; and
|
25
(vii)
|
All
Proceeds (whether Cash Proceeds or Noncash Proceeds) of the foregoing
property, including, without limitation, all insurance policies and
proceeds of insurance payable by reason of loss or damage to the
foregoing
property, including unearned premiums, and of eminent domain or
condemnation awards.
|
6.2 Other
Collateral.
In
addition, the Obligations are also secured by (a) that certain Stock Pledge
Agreement of even date herewith executed and delivered by Borrower to Lender,
and (b) that certain Stock Pledge Agreement of even date herewith executed
and
delivered by Hill Luxembourg to Lender.
6.3 Possession
and Transfer of Collateral.
Unless
an Event of Default exists hereunder, the Borrower shall be entitled to
possession or use of the Collateral (other
than Instruments or Documents, Tangible Chattel Paper, Investment Property
consisting of certificated securities and other Collateral required to be
delivered to Lender pursuant to this Section 6).
The
cancellation or surrender of any Note, upon payment or otherwise, shall not
affect the right of Lender to retain the Collateral for any other of the
Obligations. The Borrower shall not sell, assign (by operation of law or
otherwise), license, lease or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with
respect to any of the Collateral, except that the Borrower may sell Inventory
in
the ordinary course of business.
6.4 Financing
Statements.
The
Borrower shall, at Lender’s request, at any time and from time to time, execute
and deliver to Lender such financing statements, amendments and other documents
and do such acts as Lender deems necessary in order to establish and maintain
valid, attached and perfected first priority security interests in the
Collateral in favor of Lender, free and clear of all Liens and claims and rights
of third parties whatsoever, except Permitted Liens. The Borrower hereby
irrevocably authorizes Lender at any time, and from time to time, to file in
any
jurisdiction any initial financing statements and amendments thereto without
the
signature of the Borrower that (a) indicate the Collateral (i) is comprised
of
all assets of the Borrower or words of similar effect, regardless of whether
any
particular asset comprising a part of the Collateral falls within the scope
of
Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the jurisdiction wherein such
financing statement or amendment is filed, or (ii) as being of an equal or
lesser scope or within greater detail as the grant of the security interest
set
forth herein, and (b) contain any other information required by Section 5 of
Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the jurisdiction wherein such
financing statement or amendment is filed regarding the sufficiency or filing
office acceptance of any financing statement or amendment, including (i) whether
the Borrower is an organization, the type of organization and any Organizational
Identification Number issued to the Borrower, and (ii) in the case of a
financing statement filed as a fixture filing or indicating Collateral as
as-extracted collateral or timber to be cut, a sufficient description of the
real property to which the Collateral relates. The
Borrower hereby agrees that a photocopy or other reproduction of this Agreement
is sufficient for filing as a financing statement and the Borrower authorizes
Lender to file this Agreement as a financing statement in any jurisdiction.
The
Borrower agrees to furnish any such information to Lender promptly upon request.
The Borrower further ratifies and affirms its authorization for any financing
statements and/or amendments thereto, executed and filed by Lender in any
jurisdiction prior to the date of this Agreement. In addition, the Borrower
shall make appropriate entries on its books and records disclosing Lender’s
security interests in the Collateral.
26
6.5 Additional
Collateral.
The
Borrower shall deliver to Lender immediately upon its demand, such other
collateral as Lender may from time to time request, should the value of the
Collateral, in Lender’s sole and absolute discretion, decline, deteriorate,
depreciate or become impaired, and does hereby grant to Lender a continuing
security interest in such other collateral, which, when pledged, assigned and
transferred to Lender shall be and become part of the Collateral. Lender’s
security interests in all of the foregoing Collateral shall be valid, complete
and perfected whether or not covered by a specific assignment.
6.6 Preservation
of the Collateral.
Lender
may, but is not required, to take such actions from time to time as Lender
deems
appropriate to maintain or protect the Collateral. Lender shall have exercised
reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the Collateral if Lender
takes such action as the Borrower shall reasonably request in writing which
is
not inconsistent with Lender’s status as a secured party, but the failure of
Lender to comply with any such request shall not be deemed a failure to exercise
reasonable care; provided, however, Lender’s
responsibility for the safekeeping of the Collateral shall (i) be deemed
reasonable if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to
that
which Lender accords its own property, and (ii) not extend to matters beyond
the
control of Lender, including acts of God, war, insurrection, riot or
governmental actions.
In
addition, any failure of Lender to preserve or protect any rights with respect
to the Collateral against prior or third parties, or to do any act with respect
to preservation of the Collateral, not so requested by the Borrower, shall
not
be deemed a failure to exercise reasonable care in the custody or preservation
of the Collateral. The Borrower shall have the sole responsibility for taking
such action as may be necessary, from time to time, to preserve all rights
of
the Borrower and Lender in the Collateral against prior or third parties.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, where Collateral consists
in
whole or in part of securities, the Borrower represents to, and covenants with,
Lender that the Borrower has made arrangements for keeping informed of changes
or potential changes affecting the securities (including rights to convert
or
subscribe, payment of dividends, reorganization or other exchanges, tender
offers and voting rights), and the Borrower agrees that Lender shall have no
responsibility or liability for informing the Borrower of any such or other
changes or potential changes or for taking any action or omitting to take any
action with respect thereto.
6.7 Other
Actions as to any and all Collateral. The
Borrower further agrees to take any other action reasonably requested by Lender
to ensure the attachment, perfection and first priority of, and the ability
of
Lender to enforce, Lender’s security interest in any and all of the Collateral
including (a) causing Lender’s name to be noted as secured party on any
certificate of title for a titled good if such notation is a condition to
attachment, perfection or priority of, or ability of the bank to enforce,
Lender’s security interest in such Collateral, (b) complying with any provision
of any statute, regulation or treaty of the United States as to any Collateral
if compliance with such provision is a condition to attachment, perfection
or
priority of, or ability of Lender to enforce, Lender’s security interest in such
Collateral, (c) obtaining governmental and other third party consents and
approvals, including any consent of any licensor, lessor or other Person
obligated on Collateral, (d) obtaining waivers from mortgagees and landlords
in
form and substance satisfactory to Lender, and (e) taking all actions required
by the UCC in effect from time to time or by other law, as applicable in any
relevant UCC jurisdiction, or by other law as applicable in any foreign
jurisdiction. The Borrower further agrees to indemnify and hold Lender harmless
against claims of any Persons not a party to this Agreement concerning disputes
arising over the Collateral.
27
6.8 Collateral
in the Possession of a Warehouseman or Bailee.
If any
of the Collateral at any time is in the possession of a warehouseman or bailee,
the Borrower shall promptly notify Lender thereof, and shall promptly obtain
a
Collateral Access Agreement. Lender agrees with the Borrower that Lender shall
not give any instructions to such warehouseman or bailee pursuant to such
Collateral Access Agreement unless an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, or would occur after taking into account any action by the Borrower
with respect to the warehouseman or bailee.
6.9 Letter-of-Credit
Rights.
If the
Borrower at any time is a beneficiary under a letter of credit now or hereafter
issued in favor of the Borrower, the Borrower shall promptly notify Lender
thereof and, at the request and option of Lender, the Borrower shall, pursuant
to an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, either (i) arrange
for the issuer and any confirmer of such letter of credit to consent to an
assignment to Lender of the proceeds of any drawing under the letter of credit,
or (ii) arrange for Lender to become the transferee beneficiary of the letter
of
credit, with Lender agreeing, in each case, that the proceeds of any drawing
under the letter to credit are to be applied as provided in this
Agreement.
6.10 Commercial
Tort Claims.
If the
Borrower shall at any time hold or acquire a Commercial Tort Claim, the Borrower
shall immediately notify Lender in writing signed by the Borrower of the details
thereof and grant to Lender in such writing a security interest therein and
in
the proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement, in each case in
form
and substance satisfactory to Lender, and shall execute any amendments hereto
deemed reasonably necessary by Lender to perfect its security interest in such
Commercial Tort Claim.
6.11 Electronic
Chattel Paper and Transferable Records.
If the
Borrower at any time holds or acquires an interest in any electronic chattel
paper or any “transferable record”, as that term is defined in Section 201 of
the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, or in
Section 16 of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act as in effect in any
relevant jurisdiction, the Borrower shall promptly notify Lender thereof and,
at
the request of Lender, shall take such action as Lender may reasonably request
to vest in Lender control under Section 9-105 of the UCC of such electronic
chattel paper or control under Section 201 of the federal Electronic Signatures
in Global and National Commerce Act or, as the case may be, Section 16 of the
Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, as so in effect in such jurisdiction,
of
such transferable record. Lender agrees with the Borrower that Lender will
arrange, pursuant to procedures satisfactory to Lender and so long as such
procedures will not result in Lender’s loss of control, for the Borrower to make
alterations to the electronic chattel paper or transferable record permitted
under Section 9-105 of the UCC or, as the case may be, Section 201 of the
federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act or Section
16
of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act for a party in control to make
without loss of control.
28
Section
7. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES.
To
induce
Lender to make the Loans, the Borrower makes the following representations
and
warranties to Lender, each of which shall survive the execution and delivery
of
this Agreement:
7.1 Borrower
Organization and Name.
The
Borrower is a corporation duly organized, existing and in good standing under
the laws of the State of Delaware, with full and adequate power to carry on
and
conduct its business as presently conducted and
each
Subsidiary is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its organization. The Borrower is duly licensed or qualified
in
all foreign jurisdictions wherein the nature of its activities require such
qualification or licensing, except for such jurisdictions where the failure
to
so qualify would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower’s
Organizational Identification Number is 3785704. The exact legal name of the
Borrower is as set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement, and the
Borrower currently does not conduct, nor has it during the last five (5) years
conducted, business under any other name or trade name, other than Arpeggio
Acquisition Corporation.
7.2 Authorization.
The
Borrower has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement,
to
make the borrowings and execute and deliver the Loan Documents as provided
herein and to perform all of its duties and obligations under this Agreement
and
the other Loan Documents. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the
other Loan Documents will not, nor will the observance or performance of any
of
the matters and things herein or therein set forth, violate or contravene any
provision of law or of the articles/certificate of incorporation or
bylaws of
the
Borrower. All necessary and appropriate action has been taken on the part of
the
Borrower to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
Loan
Documents.
7.3 Validity
and Binding Nature.
This
Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance
with
their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting the
enforceability of creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of
equity.
7.4 Consent;
Absence of Breach.
The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents
and any other documents or instruments to be executed and delivered by the
Borrower in connection with the Loans, and the borrowings by the Borrower
hereunder, do not and will not (a) require any consent, approval, authorization
of, or filings with, notice to or other act by or in respect of,
any
governmental authority or any other Person (other than any consent or approval
which has been obtained and is in full force and effect); (b) conflict with
(i)
any provision of law or any applicable regulation, order, writ, injunction
or
decree of any court or governmental authority, (ii) the articles of
incorporation or bylaws of
the
Borrower or
any of
its Subsidiaries, or (iii) any material agreement, indenture, instrument or
other document, or any judgment, order or decree, which is binding upon the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or
assets; or (c) require, or result in, the creation or imposition of any Lien
on
any asset of Borrower or
any of
its Subsidiaries, other than Liens in favor of Lender created pursuant to this
Agreement.
29
7.5 Ownership
of Properties; Liens.
The
Borrower is the sole owner of all of its properties and assets, real and
personal, tangible and intangible, of any nature whatsoever (including patents,
trademarks, trade names, service marks and copyrights), free and clear of all
Liens, charges and claims (including infringement claims with respect to
patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights and the like), other than
Permitted Liens.
7.6 Equity
Ownership.
All
issued and outstanding Capital
Securities of
the
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries are duly authorized and validly issued,
fully paid, non-assessable, and such securities were issued in compliance with
all applicable state and federal laws concerning the issuance of securities.
All
issued and outstanding Capital Securities of each of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries
are free and clear of all Liens other than those in favor of Lender. As of
the
date hereof, there are no pre-emptive or other outstanding rights, options,
warrants, conversion rights or other similar agreements or understandings for
the purchase or acquisition of any Capital
Securities of
the
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, other than the Warrants.
7.7 Intellectual
Property.
The
Borrower owns and possesses or has a license or other right to use all
Intellectual Property,
as
are
necessary for the conduct of the businesses of the Borrower, without any
infringement upon rights of others which could reasonably be expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect upon the Borrower, and no
material claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person challenging or
questioning the use of any Intellectual Property or the validity or
effectiveness of any Intellectual Property nor does the Borrower know of any
valid basis for any such claim.
7.8 Financial
Statements.
All
financial statements submitted to Lender have been prepared in accordance with
sound accounting practices and GAAP on a basis, except as otherwise noted
therein, consistent with the previous fiscal year and present fairly the
financial condition of the Borrower and the results of the operations for the
Borrower as of such date and for the periods indicated. Since the date of the
most recent financial statement submitted by the Borrower to Lender, there
has
been no change in the financial condition or in the assets or liabilities of
the
Borrower having a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower.
7.9 Litigation
and Contingent Liabilities.
There
is no litigation, arbitration proceeding, demand, charge, claim, petition or
governmental investigation or proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of the
Borrower, threatened, against the Borrower, which, if adversely determined,
which might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect upon the
Borrower, except as set forth in Schedule
7.9.
Other
than any liability incident to such litigation or proceedings, the Borrower
has
no material guarantee
obligations, contingent
liabilities, liabilities
for taxes, or any long-term leases or unusual forward or long-term commitments,
including any interest rate or foreign currency swap or exchange transaction
or
other obligation in respect of derivatives, that are not fully-reflected or
fully reserved for in the most recent audited financial statements delivered
pursuant to subsection 8.8(a) or fully-reflected or fully reserved for in the
most recent quarterly financial statements delivered pursuant to subsection
8.8(b) and not
permitted by Section
9.1.
30
7.10 Event
of Default.
No
Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default exists or would result from
the
incurrence by the Borrower of any of the Obligations hereunder or under any
of
the other Loan Document, and the Borrower is not in default (without regard
to
grace or cure periods) under any other contract or agreement to which it is
a
party, the effect of which would have a Material Adverse Effect upon the
Borrower.
7.11 Adverse
Circumstances.
No
condition, circumstance, event, agreement, document, instrument, restriction,
litigation or proceeding (or threatened litigation or proceeding or basis
therefor) exists which (a) would have a Material Adverse Effect upon the
Borrower, or (b) would constitute an Event of Default or an Unmatured Event
of
Default.
7.12 Environmental
Laws and Hazardous Substances.
The
Borrower has not generated, used, stored, treated, transported, manufactured,
handled, produced or disposed of any Hazardous Substances, on or off any of
the
premises of the Borrower (whether or not owned by it) in any manner which at
any
time violates any Environmental Law or any license, permit, certificate,
approval or similar authorization thereunder. The Borrower will comply in all
material respects with all Environmental Laws and will obtain all licenses,
permits certificates, approvals and similar authorizations thereunder. There
has
been no investigation, proceeding, complaint, order, directive, claim, citation
or notice by any governmental authority or any other Person, nor is any pending
or, to the best of the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened, and the Borrower shall
immediately notify Lender upon becoming aware of any such investigation,
proceeding, complaint, order, directive, claim, citation or notice, and shall
take prompt and appropriate actions to respond thereto, with respect to any
non-compliance with, or violation of, the requirements of any Environmental
Law
by the Borrower or the release, spill or discharge, threatened or actual, of
any
Hazardous Material or the generation, use, storage, treatment, transportation,
manufacture, handling, production or disposal of any Hazardous Material or
any
other environmental, health or safety matter, which affects the Borrower or
its
business, operations or assets or any properties at which the Borrower has
transported, stored or disposed of any Hazardous Substances. The Borrower has
no
material liability, contingent or otherwise, in connection with a release,
spill
or discharge, threatened or actual, of any Hazardous Substances or the
generation, use, storage, treatment, transportation, manufacture, handling,
production or disposal of any Hazardous Material. The Borrower further agrees
to
allow Lender or its agent access to the properties of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries to confirm compliance with all Environmental Laws, and the Borrower
shall, following determination by Lender that there is non-compliance, or any
condition which requires any action by or on behalf of the Borrower in order
to
avoid any non-compliance, with any Environmental Law, at the Borrower’s sole
expense, cause an independent environmental engineer acceptable to Lender to
conduct such tests of the relevant site as are appropriate, and prepare and
deliver a report setting forth the result of such tests, a proposed plan for
remediation and an estimate of the costs thereof.
31
7.13 Solvency,
etc.
As of
the date hereof, and immediately prior to and after giving effect to the
issuance of each Letter of Credit and each Loan hereunder and the use of the
proceeds thereof, (a) the fair value of the Borrower’s assets is greater than
the amount of its liabilities (including disputed, contingent and unliquidated
liabilities) as such value is established and liabilities evaluated as required
under the Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) the present fair saleable
value of the Borrower’s assets is not less than the amount that will be required
to pay the probable liability on its debts as they become absolute and matured,
(c) the Borrower is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other
liabilities (including disputed, contingent and unliquidated liabilities) as
they mature in the normal course of business, (d) the Borrower does not intend
to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond its
ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, and (e) the Borrower is
not
engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business
or
a transaction, for which its property would constitute unreasonably small
capital.
7.14 ERISA
Obligations.
All
Employee Plans of the Borrower meet the minimum funding standards of Section
302
of ERISA and 412 of the Internal Revenue Code where applicable, and each such
Employee Plan that is intended to be qualified within the meaning of Section
401
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is qualified. No withdrawal liability
has
been incurred under any such Employee Plans and no “Reportable Event” or
“Prohibited Transaction” (as such terms are defined in ERISA), has occurred with
respect to any such Employee Plans, unless approved by the appropriate
governmental agencies. The Borrower has promptly paid and discharged all
obligations and liabilities arising under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) of a character which if unpaid or unperformed
might result in the imposition of a Lien against any of its properties or
assets.
7.15 Labor
Relations.
Except
as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i)
there
are no strikes, lockouts or other labor disputes against the Borrower or, to
the
best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, (ii) hours worked by and payment
made to employees of the Borrower have not been in violation of the Fair Labor
Standards Act or any other applicable law, and (ii) no unfair labor practice
complaint is pending against the Borrower or, to the best knowledge of the
Borrower, threatened before any governmental authority.
7.16 Security
Interest.
This
Agreement creates a valid security interest in favor of Lender in the Collateral
and, when properly perfected by filing in the appropriate jurisdictions, or
by
possession or Control of such Collateral by Lender or delivery of such
Collateral to Lender, shall constitute a valid, perfected, first-priority
security interest in such Collateral.
7.17 Lending
Relationship.
The
relationship hereby created between the Borrower and Lender is and has been
conducted on an open and arm’s length basis in which no fiduciary relationship
exists, and the Borrower has not relied and is not relying on any such fiduciary
relationship in executing this Agreement and in consummating the Loans. Lender
represents that it will receive any Note payable to its order as evidence of
a
bank loan.
32
7.18 Business
Loan.
The
Loans, including interest rate, fees and charges as contemplated hereby, (i)
are
business loans within the purview of 815 ILCS 205/4(1)(c), as amended from
time
to time, (ii) are an exempted transaction under the Truth In Lending Act, 12
U.S.C. 1601 et seq.,
as
amended from time to time, and (iii) do not, and when disbursed shall not,
violate the provisions of the Illinois usury laws, any consumer credit laws
or
the usury laws of any state which may have jurisdiction over this transaction,
the Borrower or any property securing the Loans.
7.19 Taxes.
The
Borrower has timely filed all tax returns and reports required by law to have
been filed by it and has paid all taxes, governmental charges and assessments
due and payable with respect to such returns, except any such taxes or charges
which are being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP shall have been set
aside on its books, are
insured against or bonded over to the satisfaction of Lender and the contesting
of such payment does not create a Lien on the Collateral which is not a
Permitted Lien.
There
is no controversy or objection pending, or to the knowledge of the Borrower,
threatened in respect of any tax returns of the Borrower. The Borrower has
made
adequate reserves on its books and records in accordance with GAAP for all
taxes
that have accrued but which are not yet due and payable.
7.20 Compliance
with Regulation U.
No
portion of the proceeds of the Loans shall be used by the Borrower, or any
Affiliate of the Borrower, either directly or indirectly, for the purpose of
purchasing or carrying any margin stock, within the meaning of Regulation U
as
adopted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any successor
thereto.
7.21 Governmental
Regulation.
The
Borrower, its
Subsidiaries and any of the Guarantors are not, or after giving effect to any
loan, will not be, subject to regulation under the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act, the
ICC
Termination Act of 1995
or the
Investment Company Act of 1940 or to any federal or state statute or regulation
limiting its ability to incur indebtedness for borrowed money.
7.22 Bank
Accounts.
All
Deposit Accounts and operating bank accounts of the Borrower are located at
Lender and the Borrower has no other Deposit Accounts except those listed on
Schedule
7.22
attached
hereto.
7.23 Place
of Business.
The
principal place of business and books and records of the Borrower is set forth
in the preamble to this Agreement, and the location of all Collateral, if other
than at such principal place of business, is as set forth on Schedule 7.23
attached hereto and made a part hereof, and the Borrower shall promptly notify
Lender of any change in such locations. The Borrower will not remove or permit
the Collateral to be removed from such location without the prior written
consent of Lender, except for Inventory sold in the usual and ordinary course
of
the Borrower’s business.
7.24 Complete
Information.
This
Agreement and all financial statements, schedules, certificates, confirmations,
agreements, contracts, and other materials and information heretofore or
contemporaneously herewith furnished in writing by the Borrower to Lender for
purposes of, or in connection with, this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby is, and all written information hereafter furnished by
or on
behalf of the Borrower to Lender pursuant hereto or in connection herewith
will
be, true and accurate in every material respect on the date as of which such
information is dated or certified, and none of such information is or will
be
incomplete by omitting to state any material fact necessary to make such
information not misleading in light of the circumstances under which made (it
being recognized by Lender that any projections and forecasts provided by the
Borrower are based on good faith estimates and assumptions believed by the
Borrower to be reasonable as of the date of the applicable projections or
assumptions and that actual results during the period or periods covered by
any
such projections and forecasts may differ from projected or forecasted
results).
33
7.25 Internal
Controls.
From
and after the closing of an initial public offering of the capital stock of
the
Borrower:
(a) The
Borrower has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as
such term is defined in Rule 13a-14 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act
or
1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), which (i) are designed to ensure that
material information relating to the Borrower is made known to the Borrower’s
principal executive officer and its principal financial offer or persons
performing similar functions by others within those entities, particularly
during the periods in which the periodic reports required under the Exchange
Act
are being prepared; (ii) have been evaluated for effectiveness as a date within
ninety (90) days prior to the filing of the Borrower’s most recent annual or
quarterly report filed with the Securities Exchange Commission; and (iii) are
effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they
were
established;
(b) Based
on
the evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures, the Borrower is not
aware of (i) any significant deficiency in the design or operation of internal
controls which could adversely affect the Borrower’s ability to record, process,
summarize and report financial data or any material weaknesses in internal
controls or (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management
or
other employees who have a significant role in the Borrower’s internal controls;
and
(c) Since
the
date of the most recent evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures,
there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors
that could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective
actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
weaknesses.
Section
8. AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS.
8.1 Compliance
with Bank Regulatory Requirements; Increased Costs.
If
Lender shall reasonably determine that any Regulatory Change, or compliance
by
Lender or any Person controlling Lender with any request or directive (whether
or not having the force of law) of any governmental authority, central bank
or
comparable agency has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return
on
Lender’s or such controlling Person’s capital as a consequence of Lender’s
obligations hereunder or under any Letter of Credit to a level below that which
Lender or such controlling Person could have achieved but for such Regulatory
Change or compliance (taking into consideration Lender’s or such controlling
Person’s policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by
Lender or such controlling Person to be material or would otherwise reduce
the
amount of any sum received or receivable by Lender under this Agreement or
under
any Note with respect thereto, then from time to time, upon demand by Lender
(which demand shall be accompanied by a statement setting forth the basis for
such demand and a calculation of the amount thereof in reasonable detail),
the
Borrower shall pay directly to Lender or such controlling Person such additional
amount as will compensate Lender for such increased cost or such reduction,
so
long as such amounts have accrued on or after the day which is one hundred
eighty days (180) days prior to the date on which Lender first made demand
therefor.
34
8.2 Borrower
Existence.
The
Borrower shall at all times (a) preserve and maintain its existence and good
standing in the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) preserve and maintain
its
qualification to do business and good standing in each jurisdiction where the
nature of its business makes such qualification necessary (other than such
jurisdictions in which the failure to be qualified or in good standing could
not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect), and (c) continue
as a
going concern in the business which the Borrower is presently
conducting.
8.3 Compliance
With Laws.
The
Borrower shall use
the
proceeds of the Loans for working capital and other general corporate or
business purposes as set forth herein (including Permitted Acquisitions) not
in
contravention of any requirements of law and not in violation of this Agreement,
and shall comply,
and cause each Subsidiary to comply, in all respects, including the conduct
of
its business and operations and the use of its properties and assets, with
all
applicable laws, rules, regulations, decrees, orders, judgments, licenses and
permits, except where failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to
have
a Material Adverse Effect. In addition, and without limiting the foregoing
sentence, the Borrower shall (a) ensure,
and cause each Subsidiary to ensure, that no person who owns a controlling
interest in or otherwise controls the Borrower or any Subsidiary is or shall
be
listed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Person List
or
other
similar lists maintained
by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), the Department of the Treasury
or
included in any
Executive Orders, (b)
not
use or permit the use of the proceeds of the Loans to violate any of the foreign
asset control regulations of OFAC or any enabling statute or Executive Order
relating thereto, and
(c)
comply, and cause each Subsidiary to comply, with all applicable Bank Secrecy
Act (“BSA”) laws and regulations, as amended.
8.4 Payment
of Taxes and Liabilities.
The
Borrower shall pay, and cause each Subsidiary to pay, and discharge, prior
to
delinquency and before penalties accrue thereon, all property and other taxes,
and all governmental charges or levies against it or any of the Collateral,
as
well as claims of any kind which, if unpaid, could become a Lien on any of
its
property; provided that the foregoing shall not require the Borrower or any
Subsidiary to pay any such tax or charge so long as it shall contest the
validity thereof in good faith by appropriate proceedings and shall set aside
on
its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and,
in
the case of a claim which could become a Lien on any of the Collateral, such
contest proceedings stay the foreclosure of such Lien or the sale of any portion
of the Collateral to satisfy such claim.
35
8.5 Maintain
Property.
The
Borrower shall at all times maintain, preserve and keep its plant, properties
and Equipment, including, but not limited to, any Collateral, in good repair,
working order and condition, normal
wear and tear excepted, and shall from time to time make all needful and proper
repairs, renewals, replacements, and additions thereto so that at all times
the
efficiency thereof shall be fully preserved and maintained. The Borrower shall
permit Lender to examine and inspect such plant, properties and Equipment,
including, but not limited to, any Collateral, upon reasonable notice during
business hours.
8.6 Maintain
Insurance.
The
Borrower shall at all times maintain, and cause each Subsidiary to maintain,
with insurance companies reasonably acceptable to Lender, such insurance
coverage as may be required by any law or governmental regulation or court
decree or order applicable to it and such other insurance, to such extent and
against such hazards and liabilities, including employers’, public and
professional liability risks, as is customarily maintained by companies
similarly situated, and shall have insured amounts no less than, and deductibles
no higher than, are reasonably acceptable to Lender. The Borrower shall furnish
to Lender a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the nature and extent
of all insurance maintained by the Borrower, which shall be reasonably
acceptable in all respects to Lender. The Borrower shall cause each issuer
of an
insurance policy to provide Lender with an endorsement (i) showing Lender as
lender’s loss payee with respect to each policy of property or casualty
insurance and naming Lender as an additional insured with respect to each policy
of liability insurance; and (ii) providing that thirty (30) days notice will
be
given to Lender prior to any cancellation of, material reduction or change
in
coverage provided by or other material modification to such policy. The Borrower
shall execute and deliver to Lender a collateral assignment, in form and
substance satisfactory to Lender, of each business interruption insurance policy
maintained by the Borrower.
In
the
event the Borrower either fails to provide Lender with evidence of the insurance
coverage required by this Section or at any time hereafter shall fail to obtain
or maintain any of the policies of insurance required above, or to pay any
premium in whole or in part relating thereto, then Lender, without waiving
or
releasing any obligation or default by the Borrower hereunder, may at any time
(but shall be under no obligation to so act), obtain and maintain such policies
of insurance and pay such premiums and take any other action with respect
thereto, which Lender deems advisable. This insurance coverage (a) may, but
need
not, protect the Borrower’s interests in such property, including the
Collateral, and (b) may not pay any claim made by, or against, the Borrower
in
connection with such property, including the Collateral. The Borrower may later
cancel any such insurance purchased by Lender, but only after providing Lender
with evidence that the Borrower has obtained the insurance coverage required
by
this Section. If Lender purchases insurance for the Collateral, the Borrower
will be responsible for the costs of that insurance, including interest and
any
other charges that may be imposed with the placement of the insurance, until
the
effective date of the cancellation or expiration of the insurance. The costs
of
the insurance may be added to the principal amount of the Loans owing hereunder.
The costs of the insurance may be more than the cost of the insurance the
Borrower may be able to obtain on its own.
36
8.7 ERISA
Liabilities; Employee Plans.
The
Borrower shall (i) keep in full force and effect any and all Employee Plans
which are presently in existence or may, from time to time, come into existence
under ERISA, and not withdraw from any such Employee Plans, unless such
withdrawal can be effected or such Employee Plans can be terminated without
liability to the Borrower; (ii) make contributions to all of such Employee
Plans
in a timely manner and in a sufficient amount to comply with the standards
of
ERISA; including the minimum funding standards of ERISA; (iii) comply with
all
material requirements of ERISA which relate to such Employee Plans; (iv) notify
Lender immediately upon receipt by the Borrower of any notice concerning the
imposition of any withdrawal liability or of the institution of any proceeding
or other action which may result in the termination of any such Employee Plans
or the appointment of a trustee to administer such Employee Plans; (v) promptly
advise Lender of the occurrence of any “Reportable Event” or “Prohibited
Transaction” (as such terms are defined in ERISA), with respect to any such
Employee Plans; and (vi) amend any Employee Plan that is intended to be
qualified within the meaning of Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986
to the extent necessary to keep the Employee Plan qualified, and to cause the
Employee Plan to be administered and operated in a manner that does not cause
the Employee Plan to lose its qualified status.
8.8 Financial
Statements.
The
Borrower shall at all times maintain a standard and modern system of accounting,
on the accrual basis of accounting and in all respects in accordance with GAAP,
and shall furnish to Lender or its authorized representatives such information
regarding the business affairs, operations and financial condition of the
Borrower, including:
(a) promptly
when available, and in any event, within one hundred twenty (120) days after
the
close of each of its fiscal years, a copy of (i) the annual audited financial
statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including consolidated balance
sheet, statement of income and retained earnings, and statement of cash flows
for the fiscal year then ended and such other information (including
nonfinancial information) as Lender may request, in reasonable detail, prepared
and certified without adverse reference to going concern value and without
qualification by Amper, Politziner & Xxxxxx or other independent auditor of
recognized standing, selected by the Borrower and reasonably acceptable to
Lender, and (ii) a consolidating balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as of the end of each of its fiscal years and consolidating
statements of earnings and cash flows for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
for
each of its fiscal years, certified as true and correct by the Borrower’s
treasurer or chief financial officer;
(b) promptly
when available, and in any event, within sixty (60) days following the end
of
each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, a copy of the
consolidated and consolidating financial statements of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries regarding such fiscal quarter, including balance sheet, statement
of income and retained earnings, statement of cash flows for the fiscal quarter
then ended and such other information (including nonfinancial information)
as
Lender may request, in reasonable detail, prepared and certified as true and
correct by the Borrower’s treasurer or chief financial officer; and
37
(c) within
ten (10) days after the filing due date (as such date may be extended in
accordance with properly granted extensions) each year, a signed copy of the
complete income tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service by the
Borrower.
The
Borrower represents and warrants to Lender that the financial statements
delivered to Lender at or prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and to be delivered at all times thereafter accurately reflect and will
accurately reflect the financial condition of the Borrower. Lender shall have
the right at all times during business hours to inspect the books and records
of
the Borrower and make extracts therefrom.
8.9 Reserved.
8.10 Supplemental
Financial Statements.
The
Borrower shall immediately upon receipt thereof, provide to Lender copies of
interim and supplemental reports if any, submitted to the Borrower by
independent accountants in connection with any interim audit or review of the
books of the Borrower.
8.11 Aged
Accounts Schedule/Work in Process Reports.
The
Borrower shall, within sixty (60) days after the end of each fiscal quarter,
deliver the following to Lender, each certified as accurate by the Borrower’s
treasurer or chief financial officer and otherwise in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender: (a) an aged schedule of the Accounts of the Borrower,
listing the name and amount due from each Account Debtor and showing the
aggregate amounts due from (1) 0-30 days, (2) 31-60 days, (3) 61-90 days and
(4)
more than 90 days, and (b) Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ work in process
report.
8.12 Covenant
Compliance Certificate.
The
Borrower shall, contemporaneously with the furnishing of the financial
statements pursuant to Section
8.8,
deliver
to Lender a duly completed compliance certificate, dated the date of such
financial statements and certified as true and correct by an appropriate officer
of the Borrower, containing a computation of each of the financial covenants
set
forth in Section
10
and
stating that the Borrower has not become aware of any Event of Default or
Unmatured Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing or, if there
is
any such Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default describing it and the
steps, if any, being taken to cure it.
8.13 Field
Audits.
Upon
reasonable notice and during regular business hours, the Borrower shall permit
Lender to inspect the Inventory, other tangible assets and/or other business
operations of the Borrower and each Subsidiary, to perform appraisals of the
Equipment of the Borrower and each Subsidiary, and to inspect, audit, check
and
make copies of, and extracts from, the books, records, computer data, computer
programs, journals, orders, receipts, correspondence and other data relating
to
Inventory, Accounts and any other Collateral, the results of which must be
satisfactory to Lender in Lender’s sole and absolute discretion. All such
inspections or audits by Lender shall be at the Borrower’s sole expense;
provided, however, that so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred,
(a)
the Borrower shall not be obligated to pay for more than two such inspections
or
audits in any given year; and (b) the Borrower shall not be obligated to pay
more than $10,000 in the aggregate in any given year for such inspections or
audits.
38
8.14 Other
Reports.
The
Borrower shall, within such period of time as Lender may specify, deliver to
Lender such other schedules and reports as Lender may reasonably
require.
8.15 Collateral
Records.
The
Borrower shall keep full and accurate books and records relating to the
Collateral and shall xxxx its financial books and records to indicate Lender’s
Lien in the Collateral.
8.16 Intellectual
Property.
The
Borrower shall maintain, preserve and renew all Intellectual Property necessary
for the conduct of its business as and where the same is currently located
as
heretofore or as hereafter conducted by it.
8.17 Notice
of Proceedings.
The
Borrower, upon becoming aware, shall give written notice to Lender of any
litigation, arbitration or governmental investigation or proceeding not
previously disclosed by the Borrower to Lender which has been instituted or,
to
the knowledge of the Borrower, is threatened in writing against the Borrower
or
any of its Subsidiaries or to which any of its properties is subject which
might
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
8.18 Notice
of Event of Default or Material Adverse Effect.
The
Borrower shall, immediately after the commencement thereof, give notice to
Lender in writing of the occurrence of any Event of Default or any Unmatured
Event of Default, or the occurrence of any condition or event having a Material
Adverse Effect.
8.19 Environmental
Matters.
If any
release or threatened release or other disposal of Hazardous Substances shall
occur or shall have occurred on any real property or any other assets of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the Borrower shall, or shall cause the
applicable Subsidiary to, cause the prompt containment and removal of such
Hazardous Substances and the remediation of such real property or other assets
as necessary to comply with all Environmental Laws and to preserve the value
of
such real property or other assets. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, comply with
any Federal or state judicial or administrative order requiring the performance
at any real property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of activities in response
to the release or threatened release of a Hazardous Substance. To the extent
that the transportation of Hazardous Substances is permitted by this Agreement,
the Borrower shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, dispose of such
Hazardous Substances, or of any other wastes, only at licensed disposal
facilities operating in compliance with Environmental Laws.
8.20 Further
Assurances.
The
Borrower shall take such actions as are necessary or as Lender may reasonably
request from time to time to ensure that the Obligations under the Loan
Documents are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Borrower, in
each case as Lender may determine, including (a) the execution and delivery
of
security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, financing
statements and other documents, and the filing or recording of any of the
foregoing, and (b) the delivery of certificated securities and other collateral
with respect to which perfection is obtained by possession.
39
8.21 Banking
Relationship.
The
Borrower covenants and agrees, as soon as reasonably possible, but not later
than ninety days after the date hereof, to utilize Lender as its bank of account
and depository for all financial services, including all receipts,
disbursements, cash management and related service. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Borrower shall be permitted to maintain depository accounts at
Citizens Bank maintained in Marlton, New Jersey, provided that within ninety
(90) days following the date of this Agreement (a) such accounts are subject
to
a first priority lien in favor of Lender, and (b) the Borrower, Lender and
Citizens Bank enter into a blocked account agreement, in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender, with respect to such accounts which provides for a
daily
cash sweep from Citizens Bank to Lender for all collected funds held in such
accounts in excess of $250,000.
8.22 Non-Utilization
Fee.
The
Borrower agrees to pay to Lender a
non-utilization
fee
equal
to three-tenths of one percent (3/10%) of
the
total of (a) the Revolving
Loan Commitment,
minus
(b) the
sum of (i) the daily average of the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving
Loans outstanding, plus
(ii) the
daily average of the aggregate amount of the Letter of Credit Obligations,
which
non-
utilization fee
shall
be (A) calculated on
the
basis of a year consisting of 360 days, (B) paid for the actual number of days
elapsed, and (C) payable
quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and
December, commencing on December 31, 2006, and on the Revolving Loan Maturity
Date.
Section
9. NEGATIVE
COVENANTS.
9.1 Debt.
The
Borrower shall not, either directly or indirectly, create, assume, incur or
have
outstanding any Debt (including purchase money indebtedness), or become liable,
whether as endorser, guarantor, surety or otherwise, for any debt or obligation
of any other Person, except:
(a) the
Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
(b) obligations
of the Borrower for Taxes, assessments, municipal or other governmental
charges;
(c) obligations
of the Borrower for accounts payable, other than for money borrowed, incurred
in
the ordinary course of business;
(d) Subordinated
Debt;
(e) Hedging
Obligations incurred in favor of Lender or an Affiliate thereof for bona fide
hedging purposes and not for speculation;
40
(f) Debt
for
Capital Expenditures, other than Capital Expenditures constituting Permitted
Acquisitions, provided that the aggregate amount of all such Debt outstanding
at
any time shall not exceed One Million and no/100 Dollars
($1,000,000.00);
(g) Debt
described on Schedule
9.1
and any
extension, renewal or refinancing thereof so long as the principal amount
thereof is not increased;
(h) performance
guaranties issued by the Borrower of the operating obligations of its
Subsidiaries made in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business; provided,
however, such guaranties shall exclude any guaranty of the payment of such
Subsidiaries’ monetary obligations;
(i) other
unsecured Subordinated Debt, in addition to the Debt listed above, in an
aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed One Million and 00/100
Dollars ($1,000,000.00); and
(j) revolving
loan facility Debt or Debt incurred in connection with advance payment or
performance guaranties, each to the extent incurred by Borrower’s foreign
Subsidiaries after the date hereof, provided, (i) the applicable foreign
Subsidiary uses good faith efforts to utilize Lender or an Affiliate of Lender
to obtain such financing (considering all of the business circumstances
involved) and it is determined to be impractical for the applicable foreign
Subsidiary to obtain such financing from Lender or any of Lender’s Affiliates,
whether utilizing Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement or otherwise;
and (ii) the total aggregate outstanding amount of such Debt incurred after
the
date hereof does not exceed $5,000,000.
9.2 Encumbrances.
The
Borrower and its direct and indirect Subsidiaries shall not, either directly
or
indirectly, create, assume, incur or suffer or permit to exist any Lien or
charge of any kind or character upon any asset of the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries, whether owned at the date hereof or hereafter acquired, except
for
Permitted Liens.
9.3 Investments.
The
Borrower and its direct and indirect Subsidiaries shall not, either directly
or
indirectly, make or have outstanding any Investment, except:
(a) capital
contributions or loans by the Borrower to any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, or by
any
Subsidiary to any other Wholly-Owned Subsidiary;
(b) Investments
constituting Debt permitted by Section
9.1;
(c) Contingent
Liabilities constituting Debt permitted by Section
9.1
or Liens
permitted by Section
9.2;
(d) Cash
Equivalent Investments;
41
(e) bank
deposits in the ordinary course of business, provided that the aggregate amount
of all such deposits (excluding amounts in payroll accounts or for accounts
payable, in each case to the extent that checks have been issued to third
parties) which are maintained with any bank other than Lender shall not at
any
time exceed $250,000, unless any such amount in excess of $250,000 is swept
to
Lender on a daily basis pursuant to Section 8.21 above;
(f) Investments
in securities of Account Debtors received pursuant to any plan of reorganization
or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such account
debtors;
(g) Permitted
Acquisitions made after the date of this Agreement;
(h) Investments
listed on Schedule
9.3
as of
the Closing Date;
(i)
Investments
in publicly traded securities not in excess of $5,000,000 outstanding at any
time, provided (a) no Event of Default exists at the time of any such
Investment, and (b) no Loan proceeds are used to purchase all or any portion
of
such Investments.
(j)
bank
deposits maintained by Borrower’s foreign Subsidiaries and Affiliates in
non-United States bank accounts in the ordinary course of business.
provided,
however, that (i) any Investment which when made complies with the requirements
of the definition of the term “Cash Equivalent Investment” may continue to be
held notwithstanding that such Investment if made thereafter would not comply
with such requirements; and (ii) no Investment otherwise permitted by
subsections (b) or (c) shall be permitted to be made if, immediately before
or
after giving effect thereto, any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default
exists.
9.4 Transfer;
Merger; Sales.
The
Borrower shall not and not permit any Subsidiary to, whether in one transaction
or a series of related transactions, (a) be a party to any merger or
consolidation, or purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of
the
assets or any Capital Securities of any class of, or any partnership or joint
venture interest in, any other Person, except for (i) any such merger,
consolidation, sale, transfer, conveyance, lease or assignment of or by any
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary into the Borrower or into any other domestic
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; (ii) any such purchase or other acquisition by the
Borrower or any domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the assets or equity
interests of any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, (b) sell, transfer, convey or lease
all or any substantial part of its assets or Capital Securities (including
the
sale of Capital Securities of any Subsidiary), except for sales of Inventory
in
the ordinary course of business, or (c) sell or assign, with or without
recourse, any receivables.
9.5 Reserved.
42
9.6 Distributions.
The
Borrower shall not (a) make any distribution or dividend (other than stock
dividends), whether in cash or otherwise, to any of its equityholders, (b)
purchase or redeem any of its equity interests or any warrants, options or
other
rights in respect thereof, (c) pay any management fees or similar fees to any
of
its equityholders or any Affiliate thereof, (d) pay
or
prepay interest on, principal of, premium, if any, redemption,
conversion, exchange,
purchase, retirement,
defeasance, sinking fund or any other payment in respect of any Subordinated
Debt, or (e) set aside funds for any of the foregoing. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, provided no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default then
exists or would be created thereby, (i) Borrower shall be entitled to make
cash
dividends to its equityholders, and (ii) Borrower shall be entitled to make
regularly scheduled payments of principal and interest on Subordinated Debt
to
the extent such payments are expressly permitted pursuant to the terms of the
subordination agreement between Lender and the holder of such Subordinated
Debt.
9.7 Transactions
with Affiliates.
The
Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any
transaction with any of its Affiliates or with any director, officer or employee
of the Borrower other than transactions in the ordinary course of, and pursuant
to the reasonable requirements of, the business of the Borrower and upon fair
and reasonable terms and are no less favorable to the Borrower than would be
obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an
Affiliate of the Borrower.
9.8 Unconditional
Purchase Obligations.
The
Borrower shall not and shall not permit any Subsidiary to enter into or be
a
party to any contract for the purchase of materials, supplies or other property
or services if such contract requires that payment be made by it regardless
of
whether delivery is ever made of such materials, supplies or other property
or
services.
9.9 Cancellation
of Debt.
The
Borrower shall not, and not permit any Subsidiary to, cancel
any claim or debt owing to it, except for reasonable consideration or in the
ordinary course of business.
9.10 Inconsistent
Agreements.
The
Borrower shall not and shall not permit any Subsidiary to enter into any
agreement containing any provision which would (a) be violated or breached
by
any borrowing by the Borrower hereunder or by the performance by the Borrower
or
any Subsidiary of any of its Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan
Document, (b) prohibit the Borrower or any Subsidiary from granting to Lender
a
Lien on any of its assets or (c) create or permit to exist or become effective
any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary to (i) pay
dividends or make other distributions to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary,
or pay any Debt owed to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, (ii) make loans
or
advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, or (iii) transfer any of
its
assets or properties to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, other than (A)
customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the
sale of all or a substantial part of the assets of any Subsidiary pending such
sale, provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the
Subsidiary to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder,
(B) restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to
purchase money Debt, Capital Leases and other secured Debt permitted by this
Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or
assets securing such Debt, and (C) customary provisions in leases and other
contracts restricting the assignment thereof.
43
9.11 Use
of
Proceeds.
Neither
the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall use any portion
of
the proceeds of the Loans, either directly or indirectly, for the purpose of
purchasing any securities underwritten by ABN AMRO Incorporated, LaSalle Bank
Financial Services, Inc., or any other Affiliate of Lender.
9.12 Bank
Accounts.
The
Borrower shall not establish any new Deposit Accounts or other bank accounts,
other than Deposit Accounts or other bank accounts established at or with Lender
without the prior written consent of Lender.
9.13 Business
Activities; Change of Legal Status and Organizational Documents.
The
Borrower shall not and shall not permit any Subsidiary to (a) engage in any
line
of business other than the businesses engaged in on the date hereof and
businesses reasonably related thereto, (b) change its name, its Organizational
Identification Number, if it has one, its type of organization, its jurisdiction
of organization or other legal structure, or (b) permit its charter, bylaws
or
other organizational documents to be amended or modified in any way which could
reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the interests of
Lender.
Section
10. FINANCIAL
COVENANTS.
10.1 Net
Worth.
As of
the end of each of its fiscal quarters, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall
maintain consolidated Net Worth in an amount not less than Thirty-Five Million
and 00/100 Dollars ($35,000,000.00).
10.2 Total
Debt to EBITDA.
As of
the end of each of its fiscal quarters, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall
maintain a ratio of consolidated Total Debt to consolidated EBITDA for such
fiscal quarter, of not greater than 3.5 to 1.00, calculated on a trailing twelve
(12) month basis as of the last day of each fiscal quarter.
10.3 Fixed
Charge Coverage.
As of
the end of each of its fiscal quarters, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall
maintain a ratio of (a) the total for such fiscal quarter of EBITDA minus
the sum
of all income taxes paid in cash by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and all
Capital Expenditures which are not financed with Funded Debt, to (b) the sum
for
such fiscal quarter of (i) Interest Charges plus
(ii)
required payments of principal of Funded Debt (excluding the Revolving Loans),
of not less than 2.00 to 1.00, calculated on a trailing twelve (12) month basis
as of the last day of each fiscal quarter.
10.4 Billed
Accounts Receivable to Total Debt .
As of
the end of each of its fiscal quarters, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall
maintain a ratio of consolidated billed accounts receivable arising in the
ordinary course of business to Total Debt, of not less than 2.00 to
1.00.
44
Section
11. EVENTS
OF DEFAULT.
The
Borrower, without notice or demand of any kind, shall be in default under this
Agreement upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each an “Event of
Default”).
11.1 Nonpayment
of Obligations.
Any
amount due and owing on any Note or any of the Obligations, whether by its
terms
or as otherwise provided herein, is not paid when due and such failure to pay
continues for a period of five (5) days after notice thereof is provided to
Borrower.
11.2 Misrepresentation.
Any
oral or written warranty, representation, certificate or statement of any
Obligor in this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other agreement
with
Lender shall be false in any material respect when made or at any time
thereafter, or if any financial data or any other information now or hereafter
furnished to Lender by or on behalf of any Obligor shall prove to be false,
inaccurate or misleading in any material respect.
11.3 Nonperformance.
Any
failure to perform or default in the performance of any covenant, condition
or
agreement contained in this Agreement, or in the other Loan Documents or any
other agreement with Lender and such failure to perform or default in
performance continues beyond any applicable grace or cure period; provided,
that, with respect to the affirmative covenants set forth in Article VIII (other
than Sections 8.2(c), 8.3, 8.6, 8.8, 8.11, 8.12, 8.13, 8.15, 8.18, 8.20, 8.21,
and 8.22, for which there shall be no cure period) there shall be a thirty
(30)
calendar day cure period.
11.4 Default
under Loan Documents.
A
default under any of the other Loan Documents, all of which covenants,
conditions and agreements contained therein are hereby incorporated in this
Agreement by express reference, shall be and constitute an Event of Default
under this Agreement and any other of the Obligations.
11.5 Default
under Other Debt.
Any
default by any Obligor in the payment of any Debt (other than Debt subject
to a
bona fide dispute which is being contested in good faith by Borrower) for any
other obligation in excess of $250,000.00 beyond any period of grace provided
with respect thereto or in the performance of any other term, condition or
covenant contained in any agreement (including any capital or operating lease
or
any agreement in connection with the deferred purchase price of property) under
which any such obligation is created, the effect of which default is to cause
or
permit the holder of such obligation (or the other party to such other
agreement) to cause such obligation to become due prior to its stated maturity
or terminate such other agreement.
11.6 Other
Material Obligations.
Any
default in the payment when due, or in the performance or observance of, any
material obligation of, or condition agreed to by, any Obligor with respect
to
any material purchase or lease of goods or services where such default, singly
or in the aggregate with all other such defaults, might reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
45
11.7 Bankruptcy,
Insolvency, etc.
Any
Obligor becomes insolvent or generally fails to pay, or admits in writing its
inability or refusal to pay, debts as they become due; or any Obligor applies
for, consents to, or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or
other custodian for such Obligor or any property thereof, or makes a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors; or, in the absence of such application,
consent or acquiescence, a trustee, receiver or other custodian is appointed
for
any Obligor or for a substantial part of the property of any thereof; or any
bankruptcy, reorganization, debt arrangement, or other case or proceeding under
any bankruptcy or insolvency law, or any dissolution or liquidation proceeding,
is commenced in respect of any Obligor; or any Obligor takes any action to
authorize, or in furtherance of, any of the foregoing.
11.8 Judgments.
The
entry of any final judgment, decree, levy, attachment, garnishment or other
process in excess of $100,000.00, or the filing of any Lien against any Obligor
which is not fully covered by insurance, and such judgment or other process
shall not have been, within thirty (30) days from the entry thereof, (a) bonded
over to the satisfaction of Lender and appealed (unless applicable judicial
rules permit the filing of an appeal after 30 days in which case the appeal
shall be filed within such applicable period), (b) vacated, or (c)
discharged.
11.9 Collateral
Impairment.
The
entry of any judgment, decree, levy, attachment, garnishment or other process,
or the filing of any Lien against, any of the Collateral or any collateral
under
a separate security agreement securing any of the Obligations, or the loss,
theft, destruction, seizure or forfeiture, or the occurrence of any material
deterioration or impairment of any of the Collateral or any of the collateral
under any security agreement securing any of the Obligations, or any material
decline or depreciation in the value or market price thereof (whether actual
or
reasonably anticipated), which causes the Collateral, in the sole opinion of
Lender acting in good faith, to become unsatisfactory as to value or character,
or which causes Lender to reasonably believe that it is insecure and that the
likelihood for repayment of the Obligations is or will soon be impaired, time
being of the essence. The cause of such deterioration, impairment, decline
or
depreciation shall include, but is not limited to, the failure by the Borrower
to do any act deemed necessary by Lender to preserve and maintain the value
and
collectability of the Collateral.
11.10 Material
Adverse Effect.
The
occurrence of any development, condition or event which has a Material Adverse
Effect on the Borrower.
11.11 Guaranty.
There
is a discontinuance by any of the Guarantors of any of the Guaranties, any
of
the Guarantors shall contest the validity of such Guaranty.
11.12 Subordinated
Debt.
The
subordination provisions of any Subordinated Debt shall for any reason be
revoked or invalid or otherwise cease to be in full force and effect. The
Borrower shall contest in any manner, or any other holder thereof shall contest
in any judicial proceeding, the validity or enforceability of the Subordinated
Debt or deny that it has any further liability or obligation thereunder, or
the
Obligations shall for any reason not have the priority contemplated by the
subordination provisions of the Subordinated Debt.
46
Section
12. REMEDIES.
Upon
the
occurrence of an Event of Default, Lender shall have all rights, powers and
remedies set forth in the Loan Documents, in any written agreement or instrument
(other than this Agreement or the Loan Documents) relating to any of the
Obligations or any security therefor, as a secured party under the UCC or as
otherwise provided at law or in equity. Without limiting the generality of
the
foregoing, Lender may, at its option upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
declare its commitments to the Borrower to be terminated and all Obligations
to
be immediately due and payable, provided, however, that upon the occurrence
of
an Event of Default under Section
11.7,
all
commitments of Lender to the Borrower shall immediately terminate and all
Obligations shall be automatically due and payable, all without demand, notice
or further action of any kind required on the part of Lender. The Borrower
hereby waives any and all presentment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest,
and
all other notices and demands in connection with the enforcement of Bank’s
rights under the Loan Documents, and hereby consents to, and waives notice
of
release, with or without consideration, of any Collateral, notwithstanding
anything contained herein or in the Loan Documents to the contrary. In addition
to the foregoing:
12.1 Possession
and Assembly of Collateral.
Lender
may, without notice, demand or legal process of any kind, take possession of
any
or all of the Collateral (in addition to Collateral of which Lender already
has
possession), wherever it may be found, and for that purpose may pursue the
same
wherever it may be found, and may at any time enter into any of the Borrower’s
premises where any of the Collateral may be or is supposed to be, and search
for, take possession of, remove, keep and store any of the Collateral until
the
same shall be sold or otherwise disposed of and Lender shall have the right
to
store and conduct a sale of the same in any of the Borrower’s premises without
cost to Lender. At Lender’s request, the Borrower will, at the Borrower’s sole
expense, assemble the Collateral and make it available to Lender at a place
or
places to be designated by Lender which is reasonably convenient to Lender
and
the Borrower.
12.2 Sale
of Collateral.
Lender
may sell any or all of the Collateral at public or private sale, upon such
terms
and conditions as Lender may deem proper, and Lender may purchase any or all
of
the Collateral at any such sale. The Borrower acknowledges that Lender may
be
unable to effect a public sale of all or any portion of the Collateral because
of certain legal and/or practical restrictions and provisions which may be
applicable to the Collateral and, therefore, may be compelled to resort to
one
or more private sales to a restricted group of offerees and purchasers. The
Borrower consents to any such private sale so made even though at places and
upon terms less favorable than if the Collateral were sold at public sale.
Lender shall have no obligation to clean-up or otherwise prepare the Collateral
for sale. Lender may apply the net proceeds, after deducting all costs,
expenses, attorneys’ and paralegals’ fees incurred or paid at any time in the
collection, protection and sale of the Collateral and the Obligations, to the
payment of any Note and/or any of the other Obligations, returning the excess
proceeds, if any, to the Borrower. The Borrower shall remain liable for any
amount remaining unpaid after such application, with interest at the Default
Rate. Any notification of intended disposition of the Collateral required by
law
shall be conclusively deemed reasonably and properly given if given by Lender
at
least ten (10) calendar days before the date of such disposition. The Borrower
hereby confirms, approves and ratifies all acts and deeds of Lender relating
to
the foregoing, and each part thereof, and expressly waives any and all claims
of
any nature, kind or description which it has or may hereafter have against
Lender or its representatives, by reason of taking, selling or collecting any
portion of the Collateral. The Borrower consents to releases of the Collateral
at any time (including prior to default) and to sales of the Collateral in
groups, parcels or portions, or as an entirety, as Lender shall deem
appropriate. The Borrower expressly absolves Lender from any loss or decline
in
market value of any Collateral by reason of delay in the enforcement or
assertion or nonenforcement of any rights or remedies under this
Agreement.
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12.3 Standards
for Exercising Remedies. To
the
extent that applicable law imposes duties on Lender to exercise remedies in
a
commercially reasonable manner, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that it
is
not commercially unreasonable for Lender (a) to fail to incur expenses
reasonably deemed significant by Lender to prepare Collateral for disposition
or
otherwise to complete raw material or work-in-process into finished goods or
other finished products for disposition, (b) to fail to obtain third party
consents for access to Collateral to be disposed of, or to obtain or, if not
required by other law, to fail to obtain governmental or third party consents
for the collection or disposition of Collateral to be collected or disposed
of,
(c) to fail to exercise collection remedies against Account Debtors or other
Persons obligated on Collateral or to remove liens or encumbrances on or any
adverse claims against Collateral, (d) to exercise collection remedies against
Account Debtors and other Persons obligated on Collateral directly or through
the use of collection agencies and other collection specialists, (e) to
advertise dispositions of Collateral through publications or media of general
circulation, whether or not the Collateral is of a specialized nature, (f)
to
contact other Persons, whether or not in the same business as the Borrower,
for
expressions of interest in acquiring all or any portion of the Collateral,
(g)
to hire one or more professional auctioneers to assist in the disposition of
Collateral, whether or not the collateral is of a specialized nature, (h) to
dispose of Collateral by utilizing internet sites that provide for the auction
of assets of the types included in the Collateral or that have the reasonable
capability of doing so, or that match buyers and sellers of assets, (i) to
dispose of assets in wholesale rather than retail markets, (j) to disclaim
disposition warranties, including any warranties of title, (k) to purchase
insurance or credit enhancements to insure Lender against risks of loss,
collection or disposition of Collateral or to provide to Lender a guaranteed
return from the collection or disposition of Collateral, or (l) to the extent
deemed appropriate by Lender, to obtain the services of other brokers,
investment bankers, consultants and other professionals to assist Lender in
the
collection or disposition of any of the Collateral. The Borrower acknowledges
that the purpose of this section is to provide non-exhaustive indications of
what actions or omissions by Lender would not be commercially unreasonable
in
Lender’s exercise of remedies against the Collateral and that other actions or
omissions by Lender shall not be deemed commercially unreasonable solely on
account of not being indicated in this section. Without limitation upon the
foregoing, nothing contained in this section shall be construed to grant any
rights to the Borrower or to impose any duties on Lender that would not have
been granted or imposed by this Agreement or by applicable law in the absence
of
this section.
48
12.4 UCC
and Offset Rights.
Lender
may exercise, from time to time, any and all rights and remedies available
to it
under the UCC or under any other applicable law in addition to, and not in
lieu
of, any rights and remedies expressly granted in this Agreement or in any other
agreements between any Obligor and Lender, and may, without demand or notice
of
any kind, appropriate and apply toward the payment of such of the Obligations,
whether matured or unmatured, including costs of collection and attorneys’ and
paralegals’ fees, and in such order of application as Lender may, from time to
time, elect, any indebtedness of Lender to any Obligor, however created or
arising, including balances, credits, deposits, accounts or moneys of such
Obligor in the possession, control or custody of, or in transit to Lender.
The
Borrower, on behalf of itself and each Obligor, hereby waives the benefit of
any
law that would otherwise restrict or limit Lender in the exercise of its right,
which is hereby acknowledged, to appropriate at any time hereafter any such
indebtedness owing from Lender to any Obligor.
12.5 Additional
Remedies.
Lender
shall have the right and power to:
(a) instruct
the Borrower, at its own expense, to notify any parties obligated on any of
the
Collateral, including any Account Debtors, to make payment directly to Lender
of
any amounts due or to become due thereunder, or Lender may directly notify
such
obligors of the security interest of Lender, and/or of the assignment to Lender
of the Collateral and direct such obligors to make payment to Lender of any
amounts due or to become due with respect thereto, and thereafter, collect
any
such amounts due on the Collateral directly from such Persons obligated
thereon;
(b) enforce
collection of any of the Collateral, including any Accounts, by suit or
otherwise, or make any compromise or settlement with respect to any of the
Collateral, or surrender, release or exchange all or any part thereof, or
compromise, extend or renew for any period (whether or not longer than the
original period) any indebtedness thereunder;
(c) take
possession or control of any proceeds and products of any of the Collateral,
including the proceeds of insurance thereon;
(d) extend,
renew or modify for one or more periods (whether or not longer than the original
period) any Note, any other of the Obligations, any obligation of any nature
of
any other obligor with respect to any Note or any of the
Obligations;
(e) grant
releases, compromises or indulgences with respect to any Note, any of the
Obligations, any extension or renewal of any of the Obligations, any security
therefor, or to any other obligor with respect to any Note or any of the
Obligations;
(f) transfer
the whole or any part of securities which may constitute Collateral into the
name of Lender or Lender’s nominee without disclosing, if Lender so desires,
that such securities so transferred are subject to the security interest of
Lender, and any corporation, association, or any of the managers or trustees
of
any trust issuing any of such securities, or any transfer agent, shall not
be
bound to inquire, in the event that Lender or such nominee makes any further
transfer of such securities, or any portion thereof, as to whether Lender or
such nominee has the right to make such further transfer, and shall not be
liable for transferring the same;
49
(g) vote
the
Collateral;
(h) make
an
election with respect to the Collateral under Section 1111 of the Bankruptcy
Code or take action under Section 364 or any other section of the Bankruptcy
Code; provided, however, that any such action of Lender as set forth herein
shall not, in any manner whatsoever, impair or affect the liability of the
Borrower hereunder, nor prejudice, waive, nor be construed to impair, affect,
prejudice or waive Lender’s rights and remedies at law, in equity or by statute,
nor release, discharge, nor be construed to release or discharge, the Borrower,
any guarantor or other Person liable to Lender for the Obligations;
and
(i) at
any
time, and from time to time, accept additions to, releases, reductions,
exchanges or substitution of the Collateral, without in any way altering,
impairing, diminishing or affecting the provisions of this Agreement, the Loan
Documents, or any of the other Obligations, or Lender’s rights hereunder, under
any Note or under any of the other Obligations.
The
Borrower hereby ratifies and confirms whatever Lender may do with respect to
the
Collateral and agrees that Lender shall not be liable for any error of judgment
or mistakes of fact or law with respect to actions taken in connection with
the
Collateral.
12.6 Attorney-in-Fact.
The
Borrower hereby irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints Lender (and any
officer of Lender or any Person designated by Lender for that purpose) as the
Borrower’s true and lawful proxy and attorney-in-fact (and agent-in-fact) in the
Borrower’s name, place and stead, with full power of substitution, to (i) after
the occurrence of an Event of Default, take such actions as are permitted in
this Agreement, (ii) execute such financing statements and other documents
and
to do such other acts as Lender may require to perfect and preserve Lender’s
security interest in, and to enforce such interests in the Collateral, and
(iii)
after the occurrence of an Event of Default, carry out any remedy provided
for
in this Agreement, including endorsing the Borrower’s name to checks, drafts,
instruments and other items of payment, and proceeds of the Collateral,
executing change of address forms with the postmaster of the United States
Post
Office serving the address of the Borrower, changing the address of the Borrower
to that of Lender, opening all envelopes addressed to the Borrower and applying
any payments contained therein to the Obligations. The Borrower hereby
acknowledges that the constitution and appointment of such proxy and
attorney-in-fact are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable. The Borrower
hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorney-in-fact may do or cause
to
be done by virtue of any provision of this Agreement.
12.7 No
Marshaling.
Lender
shall not be required to marshal any present or future collateral security
(including this Agreement and the Collateral) for, or other assurances of
payment of, the Obligations or any of them or to resort to such collateral
security or other assurances of payment in any particular order. To the extent
that it lawfully may, the Borrower hereby agrees that it will not invoke any
law
relating to the marshaling of collateral which might cause delay in or impede
the enforcement of Lender’s rights under this Agreement or under any other
instrument creating or evidencing any of the Obligations or under which any
of
the Obligations is outstanding or by which any of the Obligations is secured
or
payment thereof is otherwise assured, and, to the extent that it lawfully may,
the Borrower hereby irrevocably waives the benefits of all such
laws.
50
12.8 Application
of Proceeds.
Lender
will within three (3) Business Days after receipt of cash or solvent credits
from collection of items of payment, proceeds of Collateral or any other source,
apply the whole or any part thereof against the Obligations secured hereby.
Lender shall further have the exclusive right to determine how, when and what
application of such payments and such credits shall be made on the Obligations,
and such determination shall be conclusive upon the Borrower. Any proceeds
of
any disposition by Lender of all or any part of the Collateral may be first
applied by Lender to the payment of expenses incurred by Lender in connection
with the Collateral, including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses as provided
for in Section
13
hereof.
12.9 No
Waiver.
No
Event of Default shall be waived by Lender except in writing. No failure or
delay on the part of Lender in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder
shall operate as a waiver of the exercise of the same or any other right at
any
other time; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power
or
remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right, power or remedy hereunder. There shall be no obligation on the
part
of Lender to exercise any remedy available to Lender in any order. The remedies
provided for herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided
at
law or in equity. The Borrower agrees that in the event that the Borrower fails
to perform, observe or discharge any of its Obligations or liabilities under
this Agreement or any other agreements with Lender, no remedy of law will
provide adequate relief to Lender, and further agrees that Lender shall be
entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case without
the necessity of proving actual damages.
12.10 Letters
of Credit.
With
respect to all Letters of Credit for which presentment for honor shall not
have
occurred at the time of an acceleration pursuant to this Section 12, the
Borrower shall at such time deposit in a cash collateral account opened by
Lender an amount equal to the Letter of Credit Obligations then outstanding.
Amounts held in such cash collateral account shall be applied by Lender to
the
payment of drafts drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion
thereof after all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn
upon, if any, shall be applied to repay the Obligations, in such order of
application as Lender may, in its sole discretion, from time to time elect.
After all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon,
all commitments to make Loans hereunder have terminated and all other
Obligations have been indefeasibly satisfied and paid in full in cash, the
balance, if any, in such cash collateral account shall be returned to the
Borrower or such other Person as may be lawfully entitled thereto.
Section
13. MISCELLANEOUS.
51
13.1 Obligations
Absolute.
None of
the following shall affect the Obligations of the Borrower to Lender under
this
Agreement or Lender’s rights with respect to the Collateral:
(a) acceptance
or retention by Lender of other property or any interest in property as security
for the Obligations;
(b) release
by Lender of the Borrower, any of the Guarantors or of all or any part of the
Collateral or of any party liable with respect to the Obligations;
(c) release,
extension, renewal, modification or substitution by Lender of any Note, or
any
note evidencing any of the Obligations, or the compromise of the liability
of
any of the Guarantors of the Obligations; or
(d) failure
of Lender to resort to any other security or to pursue the Borrower or any
other
obligor liable for any of the Obligations before resorting to remedies against
the Collateral.
13.2 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement and the other Loan Documents (i) are valid, binding and enforceable
against the Borrower and Lender in accordance with their respective provisions
and no conditions exist as to their legal effectiveness; (ii) constitute the
entire agreement between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof;
and
(iii) are the final expression of the intentions of the Borrower and Lender.
No
promises, either expressed or implied, exist between the Borrower and Lender,
unless contained herein or therein. This Agreement, together with the other
Loan
Documents, supersedes all negotiations, representations, warranties,
commitments, term sheets, discussions,
negotiations, offers
or
contracts (of any kind or nature, whether oral or written) prior to or
contemporaneous with the execution hereof with
respect to any matter, directly or indirectly related to the terms of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
This
Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the result of negotiations among
Lender, the Borrower and the other parties thereto, and have been reviewed
(or
have had the opportunity to be reviewed) by counsel to all such parties, and
are
the products of all parties. Accordingly, this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents shall not be construed more strictly against Lender merely because
of
Lender’s involvement in their preparation.
13.3 Amendments;
Waivers.
No
delay on the part of Lender in the exercise of any right, power or remedy shall
operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by Lender
of any right, power or remedy preclude other or further exercise thereof, or
the
exercise of any other right, power or remedy. No amendment, modification or
waiver of, or consent with respect to, any provision of this Agreement or the
other Loan Documents shall in any event be effective unless the same shall
be in
writing and acknowledged by Lender, and then any such amendment, modification,
waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for
the
specific purpose for which given.
52
13.4 WAIVER
OF DEFENSES.
THE
BORROWER, ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND ANY GUARANTOR OF ANY OF THE OBLIGATIONS,
WAIVES EVERY PRESENT AND FUTURE DEFENSE, CAUSE OF ACTION, COUNTERCLAIM OR SETOFF
WHICH THE BORROWER MAY NOW HAVE OR HEREAFTER MAY HAVE TO ANY ACTION BY LENDER
IN
ENFORCING THIS AGREEMENT. PROVIDED LENDER ACTS IN GOOD FAITH, THE BORROWER
RATIFIES AND CONFIRMS WHATEVER LENDER MAY DO PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THIS
AGREEMENT. THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR LENDER GRANTING ANY
FINANCIAL ACCOMMODATION TO THE BORROWER.
13.5 FORUM
SELECTION AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.
ANY
LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, SHALL BE BROUGHT AND MAINTAINED
EXCLUSIVELY IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS OR IN THE UNITED STATES
DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS; PROVIDED THAT NOTHING
IN
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO PRECLUDE LENDER FROM BRINGING
SUIT
OR TAKING OTHER LEGAL ACTION IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER HEREBY
EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE
STATE
OF ILLINOIS AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT
OF
ILLINOIS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION AS SET FORTH ABOVE. THE BORROWER
FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS BY REGISTERED MAIL,
POSTAGE PREPAID, OR BY PERSONAL SERVICE WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
THE BORROWER HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING
OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT REFERRED TO ABOVE
AND
ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH LITIGATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT
FORUM.
13.6 WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL.
LENDER
AND THE BORROWER, AFTER CONSULTING OR HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT
WITH
COUNSEL, EACH KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE IRREVOCABLY, ANY
RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY
RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, ANY NOTE, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, ANY OF THE
OTHER
OBLIGATIONS, THE COLLATERAL, OR ANY AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT
DELIVERED OR WHICH MAY IN THE FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR
THEREWITH OR ARISING FROM ANY LENDING RELATIONSHIP EXISTING IN CONNECTION WITH
ANY OF THE FOREGOING, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT OR COURSE OF DEALING IN WHICH
LENDER AND THE BORROWER ARE ADVERSE PARTIES, AND EACH AGREES THAT ANY SUCH
ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY. THIS
PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR LENDER GRANTING ANY FINANCIAL
ACCOMMODATION TO THE BORROWER.
53
13.7 Assignability.
Lender
may at any time assign Lender’s rights in this Agreement, the other Loan
Documents, the Obligations, or any part thereof and transfer Lender’s rights in
any or all of the Collateral, and Lender thereafter shall be relieved from
all
liability with respect to such Collateral. In addition, Lender may at any time
sell one or more participations in the Loans. The Borrower may not sell or
assign this Agreement, or any other agreement with Lender or any portion
thereof, either voluntarily or by operation of law, without the prior written
consent of Lender. This Agreement shall be binding upon Lender and the Borrower
and their respective legal representatives and successors. All references herein
to the Borrower shall be deemed to include any successors, whether immediate
or
remote. In the case of a joint venture or partnership, the term “Borrower” shall
be deemed to include all joint venturers or partners thereof, who shall be
jointly and severally liable hereunder.
13.8 Confirmations.
The
Borrower and Lender agree from time to time, upon written request received
by it
from the other, to confirm to the other in writing the aggregate unpaid
principal amount of the Loans then outstanding under such Note.
13.9 Confidentiality.
Lender
agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts (equivalent to the efforts Lender
applies to maintain the confidentiality of its own confidential information)
to
maintain as confidential all information provided to it by the Borrower,
including all information designated as confidential, except that Lender may
disclose such information (a) to Persons employed or engaged by Lender in
evaluating, approving, structuring or administering the Loans; (b) to any
assignee or participant or potential assignee or participant that has agreed
to
comply with the covenant contained in this Section
13.9
(and any
such assignee or participant or potential assignee or participant may disclose
such information to Persons employed or engaged by them as described in clause
(a) above); (c) as required or requested by any federal or state regulatory
authority or examiner, or any insurance industry association, or as reasonably
believed by Lender to be compelled by any court decree, subpoena or legal or
administrative order or process; (d) as, on the advice of Lender’s counsel, is
required by law; (e) in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy
under the Loan Documents or in connection with any litigation to which Lender
is
a party; (f) to any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access
to
information about Lender’s investment portfolio in connection with ratings
issued with respect to Lender; (g) to any Affiliate of Lender who may provide
Bank Products to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or (h) that ceases to be
confidential through no fault of Lender.
13.10 Binding
Effect.
This
Agreement shall become effective upon execution by the Borrower and Lender.
If
this Agreement is not dated or contains any blanks when executed by the
Borrower, Lender is hereby authorized, without notice to the Borrower, to date
this Agreement as of the date when it was executed by the Borrower, and to
complete any such blanks according to the terms upon which this Agreement is
executed.
13.11 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement, the Loan Documents and any Note shall be delivered and accepted
in
and shall be deemed to be contracts made under and governed by the internal
laws
of the State of Illinois (but giving effect to federal laws applicable to
national banks) applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within
such state, without regard to conflict of laws principles.
54
13.12 Enforceability.
Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in
such
manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision
of this Agreement shall be prohibited by, unenforceable or invalid under any
jurisdiction, such provision shall as to such jurisdiction, be severable and
be
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the
validity or enforceability of such provision in any other
jurisdiction.
13.13 Survival
of Borrower Representations.
All
covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower
herein shall, notwithstanding any investigation by Lender, be deemed material
and relied upon by Lender and shall survive the making and execution of this
Agreement and the Loan Documents and the issuance of any Note, and shall be
deemed to be continuing representations and warranties until such time as the
Borrower has fulfilled all of its Obligations to Lender, and Lender has been
indefeasibly paid in full in cash. Lender, in extending financial accommodations
to the Borrower, is expressly acting and relying on the aforesaid
representations and warranties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, in the event any Investment Property is subject to the terms
of a separate security agreement in favor of Lender, the terms of such separate
security agreement shall govern and control unless otherwise agreed to in
writing by Lender.
13.14 Extensions
of Bank’s Commitment.
This
Agreement shall secure and govern the terms of (i) any extensions or renewals
of
Lender’s commitment hereunder, and (ii) any replacement note executed by the
Borrower and accepted by Lender in its sole and absolute discretion in
substitution for any Note.
13.15 Time
of Essence.
Time is
of the essence in making payments of all amounts due Lender under this Agreement
and in the performance and observance by the Borrower of each covenant,
agreement, provision and term of this Agreement.
13.16 Counterparts;
Facsimile Signatures.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different
parties hereto on separate counterparts and each such counterpart shall be
deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute
but one and the same Agreement. Receipt of an executed signature page to this
Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall constitute
effective delivery thereof. Electronic
records of executed Loan Documents maintained by Lender shall deemed to be
originals thereof.
13.17 Notices.
Except
as otherwise provided herein, the Borrower waives all notices and demands in
connection with the enforcement of Lender’s rights hereunder. All notices,
requests, demands and other communications provided for hereunder shall be
in
writing and addressed as follows:
To
the Borrower:
|
000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Chief Executive Officer
Attention:
Xxxx Xxxxxxx III, Chief Financial
Officer
|
55
With
a copy to:
|
XxXxxxxx
& English, LLP
000
Xxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
|
To
the Lender:
|
LaSalle
Bank National Association
000
Xxxxx XxXxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
|
With
a copy to:
|
FagelHaber
LLC
00
X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxx X. Des Xxxxxxx, Esq,
|
or,
as to
each party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a
written notice to each other party complying as to delivery with the terms
of
this subsection. All notices addressed as above shall be deemed to have been
properly given (i) if served in person, upon acceptance or refusal of delivery;
(ii) if mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, on the third (3rd)
day
following the day such notice is deposited in any post office station or letter
box; or (iii) if sent by recognized overnight courier, on the first
(1st)
day
following the day such notice is delivered to such carrier. No notice to or
demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other
or
further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.
13.18 Release
of Claims Against Bank.
In
consideration of Lender making the Loans, the Borrower and all other Obligors
do
each hereby release and discharge Lender of and from any and all claims, harm,
injury, and damage of any and every kind, known or unknown, legal or equitable,
which any Obligor may have against Lender from the date of their respective
first contact with Lender until the date of this Agreement including any claim
arising from any reports (environmental reports, surveys, appraisals, etc.)
prepared by any parties hired or recommended by Lender. The Borrower and all
other Obligors confirm to Bank that they have reviewed the effect of this
release with competent legal counsel of their choice, or have been afforded
the
opportunity to do so, prior to execution of this Agreement and the Loan
Documents and do each acknowledge and agree that Lender is relying upon this
release in extending the Loans to the Borrower.
13.19 Costs,
Fees and Expenses.
The
Borrower shall pay or reimburse Lender for all reasonable costs, fees and
expenses incurred by Lender or for which Lender becomes obligated in connection
with the negotiation, preparation, consummation, collection of the Obligations
or enforcement of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and all other
documents provided for herein or delivered or to be delivered hereunder or
in
connection herewith (including any amendment, supplement or waiver to any Loan
Document), or
during
any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect thereof, including
reasonable consultants’ fees and attorneys’ fees and time charges of counsel to
Lender, which shall also include attorneys’ fees and time charges of attorneys
who may be employees of Lender or any Affiliate of Lender, plus costs and
expenses of such attorneys or of Lender; search fees, costs and expenses; and
all taxes payable in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents,
whether or not the transaction contemplated hereby shall be consummated. In
furtherance of the foregoing, the Borrower shall pay any and all stamp and
other
taxes, UCC search fees, filing fees and other costs and expenses in connection
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any Note and the other Loan
Documents to be delivered hereunder, and agrees to save and hold Lender harmless
from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from
any
delay in paying or omission to pay such costs and expenses. That portion of
the
Obligations consisting of costs, expenses or advances to be reimbursed by the
Borrower to Lender pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents which
are not paid on or prior to the date hereof shall be payable by the Borrower
to
Lender on demand. If at any time or times hereafter Lender: (a) employs
counsel for advice or other representation (i) with respect to this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (ii) to represent Lender in any
litigation, contest, dispute, suit or proceeding or to commence, defend, or
intervene or to take any other action in or with respect to any litigation,
contest, dispute, suit, or proceeding (whether instituted by Lender, the
Borrower, or any other Person) in any way or respect relating to this Agreement,
the other Loan Documents or the Borrower’s business or affairs, or (iii) to
enforce any rights of Lender against the Borrower or any other Person that
may
be obligated to Lender by virtue of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents;
(b) takes any action to protect, collect, sell, liquidate, or otherwise
dispose of any of the Collateral; and/or (c) attempts to or enforces any of
Lender’s rights or remedies under the Agreement or the other Loan Documents, the
costs and expenses incurred by Lender in any manner or way with respect to
the
foregoing, shall be part of the Obligations, payable by the Borrower to Lender
on demand.
56
13.20 Indemnification.
The
Borrower agrees to defend (with counsel satisfactory to Lender), protect,
indemnify, exonerate and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from and against
any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, claims, costs, expenses and distributions of any kind or
nature (including the disbursements and the reasonable fees of counsel for
each
Indemnified Party thereto, which shall also include, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys’ fees and time charges of attorneys who may be employees of
any Indemnified Party), which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted
against, any Indemnified Party (whether direct, indirect or consequential and
whether based on any federal, state or local laws or regulations, including
securities laws, Environmental Laws, commercial laws and regulations, under
common law or in equity, or based on contract or otherwise) in any manner
relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents,
or
any act, event or transaction related or attendant thereto, the preparation,
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Loan Documents, including
the
making or issuance and management of the Loans, the use or intended use of
the
proceeds of the Loans, the enforcement of Lender’s rights and remedies under
this Agreement, the Loan Documents, any Note, any other instruments and
documents delivered hereunder, or under any other agreement between the Borrower
and Lender; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not have any obligations
hereunder to any Indemnified Party with respect to matters determined
by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to
have
been caused
by
or resulting from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnified
Party. To the extent that the undertaking to indemnify set forth in the
preceding sentence may be unenforceable because it violates any law or public
policy, the Borrower shall satisfy such undertaking to the maximum extent
permitted by applicable law. Any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty,
cost or expense covered by this indemnity shall be paid to each Indemnified
Party on demand, and failing prompt payment, together with interest thereon
at
the Default Rate from the date incurred by each Indemnified Party until paid
by
the Borrower, shall be added to the Obligations of the Borrower and be secured
by the Collateral. The provisions of this Section shall survive the satisfaction
and payment of the other Obligations and the termination of this
Agreement.
57
13.21 Revival
and Reinstatement of Obligations.
If the
incurrence or payment of the Obligations by any Obligor or the transfer to
Lender of any property should for any reason subsequently be declared to be
void
or voidable under any state or federal law relating to creditors’ rights,
including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code relating to fraudulent conveyances,
preferences, or other voidable or recoverable payments of money or transfers
of
property (collectively, a “Voidable Transfer”), and if Lender is required to
repay or restore, in whole or in part, any such Voidable Transfer, or elects
to
do so upon the reasonable advice of its counsel, then, as to any such Voidable
Transfer, or the amount thereof that Lender is required or elects to repay
or
restore, and as to all reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys fees of Lender,
the Obligations shall automatically shall be revived, reinstated, and restored
and shall exist as though such Voidable Transfer had never been
made.
13.22 Customer
Identification - USA Patriot Act Notice.
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”), and Lender’s policies and practices, Lender is required to obtain,
verify and record certain information and documentation that identifies the
Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and
such other information that will allow Lender to identify the Borrower in
accordance with the Act.
[signature
page follows]
58
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower and Lender have executed this Loan and Security
Agreement as of the date first above written.
HILL
INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
a
Delawarecorporation
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By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
||
Title: President and Chief Operating Officer |
Agreed
and accepted:
|
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LASALLE
BANK
NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION,
a
national
banking association
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By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
||
Title: Vice President |
59