CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of June 16, 2006 among AVOCENT CORPORATION, as the Borrower, THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO, as the Guarantors, THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO, and REGIONS BANK, as the Administrative Agent REGIONS FINANCIAL CORPORATION Sole Lead...
EXHIBIT
99.18
EXECUTION
COPY
$250,000,000
dated
as of
June
16, 2006
among
AVOCENT
CORPORATION,
as
the Borrower,
THE
GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO,
as
the Guarantors,
THE
LENDERS PARTY HERETO,
and
REGIONS
BANK,
as
the Administrative Agent
___________________________
REGIONS
FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Sole
Lead Arranger and Book Runner
Page
|
|||
ARTICLE I. | DEFINITIONS | ||
Section
1.01
|
Definitions |
1
|
|
Section
1.02
|
Accounting Terms and Determinations |
15
|
|
Section
1.03
|
Terms Generally |
16
|
|
Section
1.04
|
Use of Defined Terms |
16
|
|
|
|||
ARTICLE II | THE CREDITS | ||
Section
2.01
|
Commitments to Lend |
16
|
|
Section
2.02
|
Method of Borrowing Loans |
16
|
|
Section
2.03
|
Continuation and Conversion Elections |
17
|
|
Section
2.04
|
Notes |
18
|
|
Section
2.05
|
Maturity of Loans |
18
|
|
Section
2.06
|
Interest Rates |
18
|
|
Section
2.07
|
Commitment Fees |
18
|
|
Section
2.08
|
Optional Termination or Reduction of Commitments |
19
|
|
Section
2.09
|
Mandatory Reduction and Termination of Commitments |
19
|
|
Section
2.10
|
Optional Prepayments |
19
|
|
Section
2.11
|
Mandatory Prepayments |
19
|
|
Section
2.12
|
General Provisions as to Payments |
20
|
|
Section
2.13
|
Administrative Agent’s Clawback |
20
|
|
Section
2.14
|
Computation of Interest and Fees |
21
|
|
|
|||
ARTICLE III | LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY | ||
Section
3.01
|
Obligation to Issue |
21
|
|
Section
3.02
|
Types and Amounts |
21
|
|
Section
3.03
|
Conditions |
21
|
|
Section
3.04
|
Issuance of Letters of Credit |
22
|
|
Section
3.05
|
Reimbursement Obligations; Duties of the Issuing Bank; ISP98 |
22
|
|
Section
3.06
|
Participations |
23
|
|
Section
3.07
|
Payment of Reimbursement Obligations |
24
|
|
Section
3.08
|
Compensation for Letters of Credit and Issuing Bank Reporting Requirements |
25
|
|
Section
3.09
|
Indemnification; Exoneration |
26
|
|
|
|||
ARTICLE IV | CONDITIONS TO BORROWINGS | ||
Section
4.01
|
Conditions to First Borrowing |
26
|
|
Section
4.02
|
Conditions to All Borrowings |
29
|
|
Section
4.03
|
Determinations Under Section 4.01 |
29
|
|
|
|||
ARTICLE V | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | ||
Section
5.01
|
Corporate Existence and Power |
29
|
|
Section
5.02
|
Corporate and Governmental Authorization; No Contravention |
29
|
|
Section
5.03
|
Binding Effect |
30
|
|
i
Section
5.04
|
Financial Information |
30
|
|
Section
5.05
|
No Litigation |
30
|
|
Section
5.06
|
Compliance with ERISA |
30
|
|
Section
5.07
|
Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes |
31
|
|
Section
5.08
|
Subsidiaries |
31
|
|
Section
5.09
|
Investment Company Act |
31
|
|
Section
5.10
|
Public Utility Holding Company Act |
31
|
|
Section
5.11
|
Ownership of Property; Liens; Leases |
31
|
|
Section
5.12
|
No Default |
31
|
|
Section
5.13
|
Full Disclosure |
32
|
|
Section
5.14
|
Environmental Matters |
32
|
|
Section
5.15
|
Capital Stock |
32
|
|
Section
5.16
|
Margin Stock |
32
|
|
Section
5.17
|
Insolvency |
33
|
|
Section
5.18
|
Insurance |
33
|
|
Section
5.19
|
Labor Matters |
33
|
|
Section
5.20
|
Intellectual Property |
33
|
|
Section
5.21
|
Material Agreements |
34
|
|
ARTICLE VI | AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS | ||
Section
6.01
|
Information |
34
|
|
Section
6.02
|
Inspection of Property, Books and Records |
36
|
|
Section
6.03
|
Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence |
36
|
|
Section
6.04
|
Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes |
36
|
|
Section
6.05
|
Insurance |
36
|
|
Section
6.06
|
Maintenance of Property |
36
|
|
Section
6.07
|
Environmental Matters |
36
|
|
Section
6.08
|
Subsidiaries |
37
|
|
ARTICLE VII | NEGATIVE COVENANTS | ||
Section
7.01
|
Use of Proceeds |
37
|
|
Section
7.02
|
Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets |
38
|
|
Section
7.03
|
Change in Fiscal Year |
38
|
|
Section
7.04
|
Transactions with Affiliates |
38
|
|
Section
7.05
|
Restricted Payments |
38
|
|
Section
7.06
|
Investments |
39
|
|
Section
7.07
|
Acquisitions |
39
|
|
Section
7.08
|
Limitation on Liens and Subsidiary Debt |
39
|
|
Section
7.09
|
No Restrictive Agreement |
40
|
|
Section
7.10
|
Changes in Accounting Policies |
40
|
|
Section
7.11
|
Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions and Securitizations |
41
|
|
Section
7.12
|
Financial Covenants |
41
|
|
ARTICLE VIII | DEFAULTS | ||
Section
8.01
|
Events of Default |
41
|
|
|
|||
ARTICLE IX | THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT | ||
Section
9.01
|
Appointment and Authority |
43
|
|
ii
Section
9.02
|
Rights as a Lender |
44
|
|
Section
9.03
|
Exculpatory Provisions |
44
|
|
Section
9.04
|
Reliance by Administrative Agent |
45
|
|
Section
9.05
|
Delegation of Duties |
45
|
|
Section
9.06
|
Resignation of Administrative Agent |
45
|
|
Section
9.07
|
Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders |
46
|
|
Section
9.08
|
No Other Duties, etc |
46
|
|
ARTICLE X | CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES; COMPENSATION; YIELD PROTECTION | ||
Section
10.01
|
Basis for Determining Interest Rate Inadequate or Unfair |
46
|
|
Section
10.02
|
Illegality |
47
|
|
Section
10.03
|
Base Rate Loans Substituted for Eurodollar Loans |
47
|
|
Section
10.04
|
Compensation |
47
|
|
Section
10.05
|
Increased Costs |
48
|
|
Section
10.06
|
Taxes |
49
|
|
Section
10.07
|
Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders |
51
|
|
ARTICLE XI | THE GUARANTY | ||
Section
11.01
|
Guaranty |
52
|
|
Section
11.02
|
Waivers and Releases |
53
|
|
Section
11.03
|
Additional Guarantors |
54
|
|
Section
11.04
|
Miscellaneous |
54
|
|
ARTICLE XII | MISCELLANEOUS | ||
Section
12.01
|
Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication |
55
|
|
Section
12.02
|
No Waivers |
56
|
|
Section
12.03
|
Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver |
56
|
|
Section
12.04
|
Setoff; Sharing of Setoffs; Application of Payments |
58
|
|
Section
12.05
|
Amendments and Waivers |
60
|
|
Section
12.06
|
Independence of Covenants |
60
|
|
Section
12.07
|
Successors and Assigns |
60
|
|
Section
12.08
|
Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality |
62
|
|
Section
12.09
|
Obligations Several |
63
|
|
Section
12.10
|
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc. |
63
|
|
Section
12.11
|
Severability |
64
|
|
Section
12.12
|
Interest |
64
|
|
Section
12.13
|
Interpretation |
65
|
|
Section
12.14
|
Waiver of Jury Trial |
65
|
|
Section
12.15
|
USA Patriot Act |
65
|
|
Section
12.16
|
Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution |
66
|
|
EXHIBIT A | Form of Note | ||
EXHIBIT B | Form of Notice of Borrowing | ||
EXHIBIT C | RESERVED | ||
EXHIBIT D | Form of Closing Certificate | ||
EXHIBIT E | Form of Officer’s Certificate |
iii
EXHIBIT F | Form of Assignment and Assumption | ||
Schedule 1.01 | Commitments | ||
Schedule 4.01(d) | Principal Operating Domestic Subsidiaries | ||
Schedule 5.08 | Subsidiaries | ||
Schedule 5.21 | Material Agreements | ||
Schedule 7.08 | Secured Debt |
iv
CREDIT
AGREEMENT dated as of June 16, 2006 by and among AVOCENT CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation, the GUARANTORS party hereto, the LENDERS party hereto and REGIONS
BANK, as the Administrative Agent.
The
Borrower (as hereinafter defined) has requested that the Lenders (as so defined)
extend credit to it in an aggregate principal face amount not to exceed
$250,000,000, to provide working capital for general corporate purposes
(including stock repurchases), to finance the acquisition of LANDesk Group
Limited, a company incorporated in Ireland under company registered number
316974, formerly known as LANDesk Holdings Ireland Limited (the “LANDesk
Acquisition”), and to finance future acquisitions.
The
Lenders are prepared to extend such credit on the terms and conditions hereof.
As consideration therefore and in order to induce the Lenders to make the
Loans,
the Guarantors are willing to enter into this Agreement. Each Guarantor
acknowledges that it will derive substantial benefit from the making of the
Loans by the Lenders.
In
consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the
parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
DEFINITIONS
Section
1.01 Definitions.
The terms as defined in this Section 1.01 shall, for all purposes of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any amendment hereto or thereto
(except as herein or therein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context
otherwise requires), have the meanings set forth herein:
“Acquisition”
means any transaction or series of related transactions for the purpose of,
or
resulting in, directly or indirectly, (a) the acquisition by the Borrower
or any
Subsidiary of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person or of any
business or division of a Person, (b) the acquisition by the Borrower or
any
Subsidiary of more than 50% of any class of Voting Stock (or similar ownership
interests) of any Person, or (c) a merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
other
combination by the Borrower or any Subsidiary with another Person.
“Adjusted
London Interbank Offered Rate” applicable to any Interest Period means a rate
per annum equal to the quotient obtained (rounded, if necessary, to the nearest
1/100th of 1%) by dividing (i) the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate
for
such Interest Period by (ii) 1.00 minus the Eurodollar Reserve
Percentage.
“Administrative
Agent” means Regions Bank, an Alabama state banking corporation, in its capacity
as administrative agent for the Lenders, and its successors and permitted
assigns in such capacity.
“Administrative
Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the
Administrative Agent.
“Affiliate”
means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly,
or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled
by or
is under common Control with the Person specified.
“Agreement”
means this Credit Agreement, together with all amendments and supplements
hereto.
“Applicable
Margin” means (a) for the period commencing on and including the Closing Date to
and excluding the first Performance Pricing Determination Date, (i) for any
Base
Rate Loan, 0.00%, (ii) for any Eurodollar Loan, 1.125% and (iii) for the
Commitment Fees, 0.20%; and (b) from and after the first Performance Pricing
Determination Date, for any Base Rate Loan, each Eurodollar Loan and the
Commitment Fee, the percentage determined on each Performance Pricing
Determination Date by reference to the table set forth below as to the type
of
Loan or fee and the Total Leverage Ratio for the quarterly or annual period
ending immediately prior to such Performance Pricing Determination
Date.
Total
Leverage Ratio
|
Applicable
Margin
|
||
Eurodollar
Loans
|
Base
Rate Loans
|
Commitment
Fee
|
|
Greater
than or equal to 2.5 to 1.0
|
1.625%
|
0.375%
|
0.30%
|
Greater
than or equal to 2.0 to 1.0 but less than 2.5 to 1.0
|
1.375%
|
0.125%
|
0.25%
|
Greater
than or equal to 1.5 to 1.0 but less than 2.0 to 1.0
|
1.125%
|
0.00%
|
0.20%
|
Greater
than or equal to 1.0 to 1.0 but less than 1.5 to 1.0
|
0.875%
|
0.00%
|
0.175%
|
Less
than 1.0 to 1.0
|
0.70%
|
0.00%
|
0.125%
|
In
determining interest for purposes of Section 2.06 and the Commitment Fees
for purposes of Section 2.07, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent
shall refer to the Borrower’s most recent consolidated quarterly and annual (as
the case may be) financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a)
or (b), as the case may be. If such financial statements require a change
in
interest pursuant to Section 2.06 or the Commitment Fees pursuant to
Section 2.07, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, along
with such financial statements, a notice to that effect, which notice shall
set
forth in reasonable detail the calculations supporting the required change.
The
“Performance Pricing Determination Date” is the date which is (A) fifty (50)
days after the end of each of the first three (3) Fiscal Quarters of each
Fiscal
Year and (B) one hundred (100) days after the end of each Fiscal Year. Any
such
required change in interest and fees shall become effective on such Performance
Pricing Determination Date, and shall be in effect until the next Performance
Pricing Determination Date, provided
that: (i)
for Eurodollar Loans, changes in interest shall only be effective for Interest
Periods commencing on or after the Performance Pricing Determination Date;
and
(ii) no fees or interest shall be decreased pursuant to Section 2.06 or
Section 2.07 if a Default is in existence on the Performance Pricing
Determination Date; provided,
further,
that if
the Borrower fails to deliver financial statements as required by
Section 6.01(a) or (b), as the case may be, the Applicable Margin shall be
the highest Applicable Margin provided for in the above table and shall apply
from and including the date such financial statements were due to but excluding
the date such financial statements are received by the Administrative
Agent.
2
“Applicable
Percentage” means with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the total
Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment. If the Commitments have
terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based
upon
the Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any
assignments.
“Approved
Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender,
(b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity
that administers or manages a Lender.
“Assignment
and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and
an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required
by
Section 12.07), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially
the form of Exhibit
F
or any
other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Avocent
International” means Avocent International, Ltd., a company incorporated in
Ireland.
“Bankruptcy
Code” means the United States Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. § 101, et seq.), as
amended, and any successor statute.
“Base
Rate” means for any Base Rate Loan for any day, the rate per annum equal to the
higher as of such day of (i) the Prime Rate, or (ii) one-half of one percent
(0.5%) above the Federal Funds Rate. For purposes of determining the Base
Rate
for any day, changes in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate shall be
effective on the date of each such change.
“Base
Rate
Loan” means a Loan that bears or is to bear interest at a rate based upon the
Base Rate, and is to be made as a Base Rate Loan pursuant to the applicable
Notice of Borrowing, Notice of Continuation or Conversion, Section 2.01,
Section 2.02(e) or Article X, as applicable.
“Borrower”
means Avocent Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its successors and
its
permitted assigns.
“Borrowing”
means a borrowing hereunder consisting of Loans made to the Borrower pursuant
to
Article II. A Borrowing is a “Base Rate Borrowing” if such Loans are Base Rate
Loans or a “Eurodollar Borrowing” if such Loans are Eurodollar
Loans.
“Business
Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
commercial lenders in Atlanta, Georgia are authorized or required by law
to
close or are in fact closed and if such day relates to any Eurodollar Loan,
means any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by
and
between banks in the London interbank market.
3
“Capital
Stock” means any capital stock, membership interest, partnership interest or
other ownership interest, as applicable, of the Borrower or any Subsidiary,
whether common or preferred.
“Cash
Interest Expense” for any period means Interest Expense paid in cash during such
period.
“Change
in
Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the
following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation
or
treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the
administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental
Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive
(whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental
Authority.
“Closing
Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(d).
“Closing
Date” means June 16, 2006.
“Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor Federal
tax code. Any reference to any provision of the Code shall also include the
income tax regulations promulgated thereunder, whether final, temporary or
proposed.
“Commitment”
means, with respect to each Lender, (i) the amount set forth opposite the
name
of such Lender on Schedule 1.01, and (ii) as to any Lender which enters into
any
Assignment and Assumption (whether as assignor or as assignee thereunder),
the
amount of such Lender’s Commitment after giving effect to such Assignment and
Assumption, in each case as such amount may be reduced from time to time
pursuant to Sections 2.08 and 2.09. The initial aggregate Commitment is
$250,000,000.
“Commitment
Fees” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.07.
“Compliance
Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(c).
“Control”
means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause
the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through
the
ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and
“Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.
“Controlled
Group” means all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or
businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together
with any Loan Party, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of
the Code.
4
“Debt”
of
any Person means at any date, without duplication, (i) all obligations of
such
Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced
by
bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations
of
such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except
trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business, (iv) all
obligations of such Person as lessee under capital leases, (v) all obligations
of such Person to reimburse any bank or other Person in respect of amounts
payable under a banker’s acceptance, (vi) all Redeemable Preferred Stock of such
Person (in the event such Person is a corporation), (vii) all obligations
of
such Person to reimburse any bank or other Person in respect of amounts paid
or
to be paid under a letter of credit or similar instrument, (viii) all Debt
of
others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such
Debt
is assumed by such Person, (ix) all obligations of such Person with respect
to
Swap Agreements (valued as the termination value thereof computed in accordance
with a method approved by the International Swap Dealers Association and
agreed
to by such Person in the applicable hedging agreement, if any), (x) all Debt
of
others Guaranteed by such Person, (xi) all obligations of such Person under
any
synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, sale and leaseback transaction,
off-balance sheet loan or other off-balance sheet financing product, (xii)
all
obligations of such Person to purchase securities or other property arising
out
of or in connection with the sale of the same or substantially similar
securities or property and (xiii) all obligations of such Person created
or
arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with
respect to property acquired by such Person. The Debt of any Person shall
include the Debt, without duplication, of any other entity (including any
partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such
Person
is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other
relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Debt
provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
“Default”
means any condition or event which constitutes an Event of Default or which
with
the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived
in
writing, become an Event of Default.
“Default
Rate” means, with respect to any Loan, on any day, the sum of 2% plus the then
highest interest rate (including the Applicable Margin) which may be applicable
to any Loans hereunder (irrespective of whether any such type of Loans are
actually outstanding hereunder).
“Depreciation”
means for any period the sum of all depreciation expenses of the Borrower
and
its Subsidiaries for such period, as determined in accordance with
GAAP.
“Dollars”
or “$” means dollars in lawful currency of the United States of
America.
“Domestic
Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States
of America or one of its states.
“EBITDA”
means, for any period, calculated on a consolidated basis for the Borrower
and
its Subsidiaries, the sum of (i) Net Income for such period; (ii) Interest
Expense for such period, (iii) taxes on income of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries for such period to the extent deducted in determining Net Income
for such period, (iv) Depreciation for such period, (v) amortization of
intangible assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, and
(vi)
non-cash stock-based compensation expense for such period. In determining
EBITDA
for any period, (a) any Subsidiary acquired during such period by the Borrower
or any other Subsidiary shall be included on a pro forma, historical basis
as if
it had been a Subsidiary during such entire period, (b) any amounts which
would
be included in a determination of EBITDA for such period with respect to
assets
acquired during such period by the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be included
in the determination of EBITDA for such period and the amount thereof shall
be
calculated on a pro forma, historical basis as if such assets had been acquired
by the Borrower or such Subsidiary prior to the first day of such period,
(c) any Subsidiary sold during such period by the Borrower or any other
Subsidiary shall be excluded as if it had not been a Subsidiary at any time
during such period and (d) any amounts which would be otherwise included
in a
determination of EBITDA for such period with respect to assets sold or otherwise
disposed of during such period by the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be
excluded in the determination of EBITDA for such period and the amount excluded
shall be calculated as if such assets had been sold or otherwise disposed
of by
the Borrower or such Subsidiary prior to the first day of such
period.
5
“Eligible
Assignee” means (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, (c) an Approved
Fund, and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved by
(i) the
Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of any assignment of a Commitment,
the
Issuing Bank, and (iii) unless a Default has occurred and is continuing,
the
Borrower (each such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed);
provided
that
notwithstanding the foregoing, “Eligible Assignee” shall not include the
Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries.
“Environmental
Condition” means any release, pollution, emission, spill, discharge,
contamination, damage or injury caused by, related to, arising from, or in
connection with, any violation of Environmental Law.
“Environmental
Laws” means (a) the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. 9601 et
seq.,
(b) the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended by the Hazardous and Solid
Waste Amendment of 1984, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et
seq.,
(c) the
Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et
seq.,
(d) the
Clean Water Act of 1977, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et
seq.,
(e) the
Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. 2601 et
seq.,
(f) the
Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300(E) et
seq.,
(g) the
Refuse Act, 33 U.S.C. 407 et
seq.,
(h) the
regulations promulgated pursuant to the aforesaid laws, or any of them, and
(i)
all other federal, state or local laws, ordinances, orders, rules or
regulations, now or hereafter existing, that directly and/or indirectly relate
to health, safety or the environment, including but not limited to, air
pollution, water pollution, noise control and/or the presence, storage, escape,
seepage, leakage, emission, release, use, spillage, generation, transportation,
handling, discharge, disposal or recovery of on-site or off-site hazardous
or
toxic substances, wastes or materials and/or underground storage tanks, and
as
each and any of the foregoing laws, ordinances, orders, rules or regulations
may
be amended or enacted from time to time.
“Environmental
Liability” means any claim, demand, obligation, cause of action, accusation,
allegation, order, violation, damage, injury, judgment, injunction, penalty
or
fine, cost of enforcement, cost of cleanup, removal, encapsulation or other
remedial action, or any other cost or expense whatsoever, including, without
limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and reimbursements, resulting from the
violation of any Environmental Law, the imposition of any Environmental Lien,
or
the existence or presence of an Environmental Condition.
6
“Environmental
Lien” means a Lien in favor of any Person arising as a result of or securing (a)
any liability under an Environmental Law or (b) damages arising from or costs
incurred by any Person in response to any actual or threatened Environmental
Condition.
“ERISA”
means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from
time
to time, or any successor law, and all rules and regulations from time to
time
promulgated thereunder. Any reference to any provision of ERISA shall also
be
deemed to be a reference to any successor provision or provisions
thereof.
“Eurodollar
Loan” means a Loan that bears or is to bear interest at a rate based upon the
Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate, and to be made as a Eurodollar Loan
pursuant to a Notice of Borrowing or continued as or converted to a Eurodollar
Loan pursuant to a Notice of Continuation or Conversion.
“Eurodollar
Reserve Percentage” means for any day that percentage (expressed as a decimal)
which is in effect on such day, as prescribed by the Board of Governors of
the
Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve
requirement for a member lender of the Federal Reserve System in respect
of
“Eurocurrency liabilities” (or in respect of any other category of liabilities
which includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate on Eurodollar
Loans is determined or any category of extensions of credit or other assets
which includes loans by a non-United States office of any Lender to United
States residents). The Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate shall be adjusted
automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the Eurodollar
Reserve Percentage.
“Excluded
Taxes” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing
Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of
any
obligation of any Loan Party hereunder, (a) taxes imposed on or measured
by its
overall net income (however denominated), and franchise taxes imposed on
it (in
lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision
thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which
its
principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its
applicable Lending Office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed
by
the United States of America or any similar tax imposed by any other
jurisdiction in which any Loan Party is located and (c) in the case of a
Foreign
Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under
Section 10.07(b)), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable
to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto
(or designates a new Lending Office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s
failure or inability (other than as a result of a Change in Law) to comply
with
Section 10.06(e), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its
assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending
Office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from a Loan Party with
respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 10.06(a).
“Existing
Debt” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.21.
“Event
of
Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01.
7
“Federal
Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded, if necessary, to
the nearest 1/100th of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on
overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve
System
arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day,
provided
that (i)
if the day for which such rate is to be determined is not a Business Day,
the
Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on
the
next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business
Day,
and (ii) if such rate is not so published for any day, the Federal Funds
Rate
for such day shall be the average rate charged to the Administrative Agent
on
such day on such transactions, as determined by the Administrative
Agent.
“Fiscal
Quarter” means any fiscal quarter of the Borrower.
“Fiscal
Year” means any fiscal year of the Borrower.
“Foreign
Lender” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction
other than that in which any Loan Party is resident for tax purposes. For
purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof
and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single
jurisdiction.
“Foreign
Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of any country other
than the United States of America or state thereof.
“Fund”
means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged
in
making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and
similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its
business.
“GAAP”
means generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States
applied on a basis consistent with those which, in accordance with
Section 1.02, are to be used in making the calculations for purposes of
determining compliance with the terms of this Agreement.
“Governmental
Authority” means the government of the United States of America or any other
nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local,
and any
agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank
or
other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory
or
administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including,
without limitation, any entity exercising any form of jurisdiction or authority
relating to Environmental Laws and any supra-national bodies such as the
European Union or the European Central Bank).
“Guarantee”
by any Person means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person
directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation of any other
Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation,
direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) to secure,
purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of)
such
Debt or other obligation (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements,
by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services,
to
provide collateral security, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement
conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for the purpose of assuring
in any
other manner the obligee of such Debt or other obligation of the payment
thereof
or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in
part), provided
that the
term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in
the
ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a
corresponding meaning.
8
“Guarantors”
means the Subsidiaries from time to time party to this Agreement and bound
by
the terms of the Guaranty, as guarantors, whether as signatories to this
Agreement on the Closing Date or by execution of a joinder instrument pursuant
to Section 6.08.
“Guaranty”
means that certain guaranty contained in Article XI of this Agreement made
by
each of the Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing
Bank
and the Lenders.
“Indemnified
Taxes” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
“Interest
Coverage Ratio” means, at any time, the ratio of EBITDA to Cash Interest Expense
calculated on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
for the
period of four (4) Fiscal Quarters most recently ended.
“Interest
Expense” for any period means interest, whether expensed or capitalized, in
respect of Debt of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries outstanding during
such period.
“Interest
Period” means, with respect to each Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing
on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding
day in
the first, second, third or sixth month thereafter, as the Borrower may elect
in
the applicable Notice of Borrowing; provided
that: (a)
any Interest Period (subject to clause (c) below) which would otherwise end
on a
day which is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in
which
case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day; (b)
any
Interest Period which begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month
(or on
a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the appropriate
subsequent calendar month) shall, subject to clause (c) below, end on the
last
Business Day of the appropriate subsequent calendar month; and (c) no Interest
Period may be selected that begins before the Termination Date and would
otherwise end after the Termination Date.
“Investment”
means any investment in any Person, whether by means of (i) purchase or
acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Person (or
of a
division or line of business of such Person), (ii) purchase or acquisition
of
obligations or securities of such Person, (iii) capital contribution to such
Person, (iv) loan or advance to such Person, (v) making of a time deposit
with
such Person, (vi) Guarantee or assumption of any obligation of such Person
or
(vii) by any other means.
“Issuing
Bank” means Regions Bank, in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit
hereunder, and its successors and assigns.
“Lender”
means each financial institution listed on Schedule 1.01 as having a Commitment
(as the same may be amended from time to time by the Administrative Agent
to
reflect assignments made in accordance with Section 12.07), and its successors
and assigns.
9
“Lending
Office” means, as to each Lender, (i) its office located at its address set
forth or identified in the Administrative Questionnaire as its Lending Office
and (ii) as to any Lender which enters into any Assignment and Assumption
(whether as assignor or as assignee thereunder), as set forth in such Assignment
and Assumption, or in each case such other office as such Lender may hereafter
designate as its Lending Office by notice to the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent.
“Letter
of
Credit” means a commercial letter of credit issued by the Issuing Bank for the
account of the Borrower pursuant to Article III.
“Letter
of
Credit Application Agreement” shall mean, with respect to a Letter of Credit,
such form of application therefor (whether in a single or several documents)
as
the Issuing Bank may employ in the ordinary course of business for its own
account, whether or not providing for collateral security, with such
modifications thereto as may by agreed upon by the Issuing Bank and the
Borrower; provided, however, that in the event of any conflict between the
terms
of any Letter of Credit Application Agreement and this Agreement, the terms
of
this Agreement shall control.
“Letter
of
Credit Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.08.
“Letter
of
Credit Obligations” means, at any particular time, the sum of (a) the
Reimbursement Obligations at such time, (b) the aggregate maximum amount
available for drawing under the Letters of Credit at such time and (c) the
aggregate maximum amount available for drawing under Letters of Credit the
issuance of which has been authorized by the Issuing Bank but which have
not yet
been issued.
“Lien”
means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed to secure debt, deed
of
trust, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, security title, preferential
arrangement which has the practical effect of constituting a security interest
or encumbrance, or encumbrance or servitude of any kind in respect of such
asset
to secure or assure payment of a Debt or a Guarantee, whether by consensual
agreement or by operation of statute or other law, or by any agreement,
contingent or otherwise, to provide any of the foregoing. For the purposes
of
this Agreement, the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be deemed to own subject
to
a Lien any asset which it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of
a
vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other
title retention agreement relating to such asset.
“Loan”
means a Base Rate Loan or Eurodollar Loan and “Loans” means Base Rate Loans or
Eurodollar Loans, or any or all of them, as the context shall
require.
“Loan
Documents” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranty, any Letter of Credit
Application Agreement, any other document evidencing, relating to or securing
the Loans or the Letters of Credit, and any other document or instrument
delivered from time to time in connection with this Agreement, the Notes,
the
Guaranty, any Letter of Credit Application Agreement, the Loans or the Letters
of Credit, as such documents and instruments may be amended or supplemented
from
time to time.
“Loan
Party” means each of the Borrower and the Guarantors and “Loan Parties” means
any or all of the Borrower and the Guarantors, as the context shall
require.
10
“London
Interbank Offered Rate” applicable to any Eurodollar Loan means for the Interest
Period of such Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum determined on the basis
of
the offered rate for deposits in Dollars of amounts equal or comparable to
the
principal amount of such Eurodollar Loan offered for a term comparable to
such
Interest Period, which rates appear on Telerate Page 3750 effective as of
11:00
A.M., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest
Period, provided
that if
no such offered rates appear on such page, the “London Interbank Offered Rate”
for such Interest Period will be the arithmetic average (rounded, if necessary,
to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) of rates quoted by not less than two (2) major
lenders in New York City, selected by the Administrative Agent, at approximately
10:00 A.M., New York City time, two (2) Business Days prior to the first
day of
such Interest Period, for deposits in Dollars offered by leading European
banks
for a period comparable to such Interest Period in an amount comparable to
the
principal amount of such Eurodollar Loan.
“Margin
Regulations” means Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time, together with all
official rulings and interpretations issued thereunder.
“Margin
Stock” means “margin stock” as defined in the Margin Regulations.
“Material
Adverse Effect” means, with respect to any event, act, condition or occurrence
of whatever nature (including any adverse determination in any litigation,
arbitration, or governmental investigation or proceeding), whether singly
or in
conjunction with any other event or events, act or acts, condition or
conditions, occurrence or occurrences, whether or not related, a material
adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, any of (a) the financial
condition, operations, business, properties or prospects of the Borrower
and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the rights and remedies of the Administrative
Agent or the Lenders under the Loan Documents, or the ability of any Loan
Party
to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party,
as
applicable, or (c) the legality, validity or enforceability of any Loan
Document.
“Material
Contracts” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.21.
“Moody’s”
means Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc.
“Multiemployer
Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA.
“Net
Income” means, for any period, the aggregate amount of net income of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis, after taxes,
for such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP; but excluding (i)
extraordinary items and (ii) any equity interest of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary in the unremitted earnings of any Person that is not a
Subsidiary.
“Notes”
means, to the extent requested by any Lender pursuant to Section 2.04, the
promissory notes of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit
A,
evidencing the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans, together with
all
amendments, consolidations, modifications, renewals and supplements
thereto.
“Notice
of
Borrowing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a).
11
“Notice
of
Continuation or Conversion” has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.03.
“Obligations”
means the collective reference to all indebtedness, obligations and liabilities
of the Loan Parties (including any interest, fees and expenses that, but
for the
provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued) to the Lenders, the
Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent, or any Affiliate of a Lender, the
Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, direct or
indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured,
liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation
of law or otherwise, under this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any
Swap
Agreement.
“Officer’s
Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(e).
“Other
Taxes” means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other
excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment
made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery
or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other
Loan Document.
“Participant”
has the meaning assigned to such term in clause (d) of
Section 9.07.
“PBGC”
means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to
any
or all of its functions under ERISA.
“Performance
Pricing Determination Date” has the meaning set forth in the definition of
Applicable Margin.
“Permitted
Acquisition” means any Acquisition by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of any
business which is engaged in the same or related line of business as the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, with respect to which each of the following
requirements shall have been satisfied: (a) as of the closing of any
Acquisition, the Acquisition has been approved and recommended by the board
of
directors or similar governing body of the Person to be acquired or from
which
such business is to be acquired; (b) not less than five (5) Business Days
prior
to the closing of any Acquisition, the Borrower shall have delivered to the
Administrative Agent a certificate certifying compliance with the terms and
conditions of the Loan Documents, after giving effect to the Acquisition,
including pro forma income and balance sheet projections for the Borrower
and
its Subsidiaries (after giving effect to the Acquisition); (c) as of the
closing
of any Acquisition, no Default shall exist or occur as a result of, and after
giving effect to, such Acquisition; and (d) with respect to any Acquisition
that
is a merger, consolidation, amalgamation or other combination by the Borrower
or
any Subsidiary with another Person, such merger, consolidation, amalgamation
or
other combination must comply with the requirements of Section
7.02.
“Permitted
Encumbrance” means: (a) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or
levies on its property if the same shall not at the time be delinquent or
thereafter can be paid without penalty, or are being contested in good faith
and
by appropriate proceedings; (b) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’,
warehousemen’s and mechanics’ liens and other similar liens arising in the
ordinary course of business which secure payment of obligations not more
than
sixty (60) days past due; (c) Liens arising out of pledges or deposits under
worker’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance, old age pensions, or other
social security or retirement benefits, or similar legislation; and (d) utility
easements, building restrictions and other encumbrances or charges against
real
property as are of a nature generally existing with respect to properties
of a
similar character and which do not in any material way affect the marketability
of the same or interfere with the use thereof in the business of the Borrower
or
its Subsidiaries.
12
“Person”
means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust,
joint
venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other
entity.
“Plan”
means at any time an employee pension benefit plan which is covered by Title
IV
of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of
the Code and is either (i) maintained by a member of the Controlled Group
for
employees of any member of the Controlled Group or (ii) maintained pursuant
to a
collective bargaining agreement or any other arrangement under which more
than
one employer makes contributions and to which a member of the Controlled
Group
is then making or accruing an obligation to make contributions or has within
the
preceding five (5) plan years made contributions.
“Prime
Rate” means the annual rate or rates of interest announced by Regions Financial
Corporation (or its successors or assigns), and in effect during such period,
as
its “Commercial Base Rate” (such rate being an index for establishing variable
interest rates on loans of affiliates, such as Regions Bank, of Regions
Financial Corporation (or its successors or assigns)) (or, if no such rate
is
then announced, such other comparable rate which serves as the basis upon
which
effective rates of interest are calculated for those making reference thereto),
it being understood (a) that as of the beginning of any period such rate
shall
be deemed the “Commercial Base Rate” (or such comparable rate) then most
recently announced by Regions Financial Corporation (or its successors or
assigns) as such, and (b) that if during such period there is any change
in such
rate, such change shall be effective on the date of such change, and it being
further understood that the “Commercial Base Rate” is an index and that loans
are made by Regions Bank, at rates above, below or equal to the “Commercial Base
Rate”, and that the “Commercial Base Rate” may change at any time. The Prime
Rate is but one of several interest rate bases used by Regions Bank. Regions
Bank lends at interest rates above and below the Prime Rate.
“Properties”
means all real property owned, leased or otherwise used or occupied by the
Borrower or any Subsidiary, wherever located.
“Quarterly
Payment Date” means each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31,
or, if any such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business
Day.
“Redeemable
Preferred Stock” of any Person means any preferred stock issued by such Person
which is at any time prior to the Termination Date either (i) mandatorily
redeemable (by sinking fund or similar payments or otherwise) or (ii) redeemable
at the option of the holder thereof.
“Regions
Bank” means Regions Bank, an Alabama state banking corporation.
“Register”
has the meaning set forth in Section 12.07(c).
13
“Reimbursement
Obligations” means the reimbursement or repayment obligations of the Borrower to
the Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 3.05 with respect to Letters of
Credit.
“Related
Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the
partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person
and
of such Person’s Affiliates.
“Required
Lenders” means at any time Lenders having at least 66 2/3% of the aggregate
amount of the Commitments or, if the Commitments are no longer in effect,
Lenders holding at least 66 2/3% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount
of the sum of (i) the Loans and (ii) the Letter of Credit
Obligations.
“Restricted
Payment” means (i) any dividend or other distribution on any shares of the
Borrower’s Capital Stock (except dividends payable solely in shares of its
Capital Stock) or (ii) any payment on account of the purchase, redemption,
retirement or acquisition of (a) any shares of the Borrower’s Capital Stock
(except shares acquired upon the conversion thereof into other shares of
its
Capital Stock) or (b) any option, warrant or other right to acquire shares
of
the Borrower’s Capital Stock.
“S&P”
means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of XxXxxx-Xxxx,
Inc.
“Sale/Leaseback
Transaction” means any arrangement with any Person providing, directly or
indirectly, for the leasing by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of
real
or personal property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by the
Borrower or such Subsidiary to such Person or to any other Person to whom
funds
have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property
or rental obligations of the Borrower or such Subsidiary.
“Subsidiary”
of any Person means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership
or
other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having
ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interest
having
such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority
of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership
or
other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise
controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or
both,
by such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or
to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries
of the Borrower.
“Swap
Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Bankruptcy Code.
“Taxes”
means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions,
withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental
Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable
thereto.
“Termination
Date” means the earlier to occur of (i) June 16, 2011, (ii) the date the
Commitments are terminated pursuant to Section 8.01 following the
occurrence of an Event of Default, or (iii) the date the Borrower terminates
the
Commitments entirely pursuant to Section 2.08.
14
“Total
Assets” means, at any time, the total assets of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis, as set forth or reflected
on
the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“Total
Funded Debt” means all Debt (other than Debt described in clauses (viii) and
(ix) of the definition thereof) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
determined on a consolidated basis.
“Total
Leverage Ratio” means, at any time, the ratio of Total Funded Debt to EBITDA
calculated on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
for the
period of four (4) Fiscal Quarters most recently ended.
“Unused
Commitment” means at any date, an amount equal to (a) the aggregate amount of
all the Commitments on such date less (b) the sum on such date of the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of the Loans plus the aggregate outstanding
amount
of the Letter of Credit Obligations.
“Voting
Stock” means securities (as such term is defined in Section 2(1) of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended) of any class or classes, the holders
of
which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to elect
a
majority of the corporate directors (or Persons performing similar
functions).
“Wholly
Owned Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary all of the shares of Capital Stock of
which (except directors’ qualifying shares) are at the time directly or
indirectly owned by the Borrower.
Section
1.02 Accounting
Terms and Determinations.
Unless
otherwise specified herein, all terms of an accounting character used herein
shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made,
and
all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared,
in accordance with GAAP, applied on a basis consistent (except for changes
concurred in by the Borrower’s independent public accountants or otherwise
required by a change in GAAP) with the most recent audited consolidated
financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered to the
Lenders unless with respect to any such change concurred in by the Borrower’s
independent public accountants or required by GAAP, in determining compliance
with any of the provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents:
(i) the Borrower shall have objected to determining such compliance on such
basis at the time of delivery of such financial statements, or (ii) the
Administrative Agent shall so object in writing within thirty (30) days after
the delivery of such financial statements, in either of which events such
calculations shall be made on a basis consistent with those used in the
preparation of the latest financial statements as to which such objection
shall
not have been made (which, if objection is made in respect of the first
financial statements delivered under Section 6.01 hereof, shall mean the
financial statements referred to in Section 5.04).
15
Section
1.03 Terms
Generally.
The
definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural
forms
of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall
include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words
“include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the
phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same
meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise
(a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other
document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument
or
other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
(subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications
set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed
to
include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein,” “hereof”
and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to
this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof,
(d)
all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall
be
construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules
to,
this Agreement, (e) any reference to any law or regulation herein shall,
unless
otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified
or
supplemented from time to time; (f) the words “asset” and “property” shall be
construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all
tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities,
accounts and contract rights; and (g) titles of Articles and Sections in
this
Agreement are for convenience only, and neither limit nor amplify the provisions
of this Agreement.
Section
1.04 Use
of Defined Terms.
All terms
defined in this Agreement shall have the same defined meanings when used
in any
of the other Loan Documents, unless otherwise defined therein or unless the
context shall require otherwise.
THE
CREDITS
Section
2.01 Commitments
to Lend.
Each
Lender severally agrees, on the terms and conditions set forth herein, to
make
Loans to the Borrower from time to time before the Termination Date; provided
that, immediately after each such Loan is made, the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of Loans by such Lender shall not exceed the amount of its
Commitment, and the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Loans plus
the
aggregate outstanding amount of the Letter of Credit Obligations shall not
exceed the aggregate amount of the Commitments. Each Borrowing under this
Section shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 or any larger
integral multiple of $1,000,000 (except that any such Borrowing may be in
the
aggregate amount of the Unused Commitments) and shall be made by the several
Lenders ratably in proportion to their respective Commitments. Within the
foregoing limits, the Borrower may borrow under this Section, repay or, to
the
extent permitted by Section 2.10, prepay Loans and reborrow under this
Section at any time before the Termination Date.
Section
2.02 Method
of Borrowing Loans.
(a) The
Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent notice (a “Notice of Borrowing”),
which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit
B
and
signed by the Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial Officer
of
the Borrower, prior to (i) 9:30 a.m. (Eastern time) on the same Business
Day of
each Base Rate Borrowing, and (ii) 11:00 a.m. (Eastern time) at least three
(3)
Business Days before each Eurodollar Borrowing, specifying: (A) the date
of such
Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day, (B) the aggregate amount of such
Borrowing, (C) whether the Loans comprising such Borrowing are to be Base
Rate
Loans or Eurodollar Loans, and (D) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing,
the
duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto, subject to the provisions
of
the definition of Interest Period.
16
(b) Upon
receipt of a Notice of Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall promptly
notify
each Lender of the contents thereof and of such Lender’s ratable share of such
Borrowing and such Notice of Borrowing, once received by the Administrative
Agent, shall not thereafter be revocable by the Borrower.
(c) Not
later
than 11:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on the date of each Eurodollar Borrowing,
and not
later than 2:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the date of each Base Rate Borrowing,
each Lender shall (except as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section) make
available its ratable share of such Borrowing, in Federal or other funds
immediately available in Atlanta, Georgia, to the Administrative Agent at
its
address determined pursuant to Section 12.01. Unless the Administrative
Agent determines that any applicable condition specified in Article IV has
not
been satisfied, the Administrative Agent will make the funds so received
from
the Lenders available to the Borrower at the Administrative Agent’s aforesaid
address.
(d) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, no Eurodollar Borrowing
may be made if there shall have occurred a Default, which Default shall not
have
been cured or waived.
(e) In
the
event that a Notice of Borrowing fails to specify whether the Loans comprising
such Borrowing are to be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, such Loans
shall
be made as Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower is otherwise entitled under this
Agreement to repay any Loans maturing at the end of an Interest Period
applicable thereto with the proceeds of a new Borrowing, and the Borrower
fails
to repay such Loans using its own moneys and fails to give a Notice of Borrowing
in connection with such new Borrowing, a new Borrowing shall be deemed to
be
made on the date such Loans mature in an amount equal to the principal amount
of
the Loans so maturing, and the Loans comprising such new Borrowing shall
be Base
Rate Loans.
(f) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, there shall not be more than six
(6)
Interest Periods outstanding at any given time.
Section
2.03 Continuation
and Conversion Elections.
By
delivering a notice in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative
Agent
(a “Notice of Continuation or Conversion”), to the Administrative Agent on or
before 12:00 p.m., Eastern time, on a Business Day, the Borrower may from
time
to time irrevocably elect, by notice on the same Business Day in the case
of a
conversion to Base Rate Loans or three (3) Business Days prior in the case
of a
continuation of or conversion to Eurodollar Loans, that all, or any portion
in
an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 or any larger integral multiple
of
$1,000,000 be, (i) in the case of Base Rate Loans, converted into Eurodollar
Loans or (ii) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, converted into Base Rate Loans
or
continued as Eurodollar Loans; provided, however, that (x) each such
conversion or continuation shall be pro rated among the applicable outstanding
Loans of all Lenders that have made such Loans, and (y) no portion of the
outstanding principal amount of any Loans may be continued as, or be converted
into, any Eurodollar Loan when any Default has occurred and is continuing.
In
the absence of delivery of a Notice of Continuation or Conversion with respect
to any Eurodollar Loan at least three (3) Business Days before the last day
of
the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, such Eurodollar Loan
shall, on such last day, automatically convert to a Base Rate Loan.
17
Section
2.04 Notes.
Upon
request of any Lender, made through the Administrative Agent, the Loans of
such
Lender may be evidenced by a single Note payable to the order of such Lender
for
the account of its Lending Office in an amount equal to the original principal
amount of such Lender’s Commitment. Upon receipt of any Lender’s Note pursuant
to Section 4.01, the Administrative Agent shall deliver such Note to such
Lender.
Section
2.05 Maturity
of Loans.
All Loans
shall mature, and the principal amount thereof shall be due and payable on,
the
Termination Date.
Section
2.06 Interest
Rates.
(a) Each
Base
Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof,
for
each day from the date such Loan is made until it becomes due, at a rate
per
annum equal to the Base Rate for such day plus the Applicable Margin for
Base
Rate Loans. Such interest shall be payable on each Quarterly Payment Date
while
such Base Rate Loan is outstanding and on the date such Base Rate Loan is
converted to a Eurodollar Loan. Any overdue principal of and, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, overdue interest on any Base Rate Loan shall
bear
interest, payable on demand, for each day until paid at a rate per annum
equal
to the Default Rate.
(b) Each
Eurodollar Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof,
for the Interest Period applicable thereto, at a rate per annum equal to
the sum
of the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans plus the applicable Adjusted
London Interbank Offered Rate for such Interest Period. Such interest shall
be
payable for each Interest Period on the last day thereof and, if such Interest
Period is longer than three (3) months, at intervals of three (3) months
after
the first day thereof. Any overdue principal of and, to the extent permitted
by
law, overdue interest on any Eurodollar Loan shall bear interest, payable
on
demand, for each day until paid at a rate per annum equal to the Default
Rate.
(c) The
Administrative Agent shall determine each interest rate applicable to the
Loans
hereunder and its determination thereof shall be conclusive in the absence
of
manifest error.
(d) After
the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the principal
amount of the Loans (and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all
accrued
interest thereon) may, at the election of the Required Lenders, bear interest
at
the Default Rate.
Section
2.07 Commitment
Fees.
The
Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of
each
Lender, commitment fees (the “Commitment Fees”), calculated on the average daily
amount of the Unused Commitment at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable
Margin for Commitment Fees. The Commitment Fees shall accrue from and including
the Closing Date to but excluding the Termination Date and shall be payable
on
each Quarterly Payment Date and on the Termination Date.
18
Section
2.08 Optional
Termination or Reduction of Commitments.
The
Borrower may, upon at least three (3) Business Days’ notice to the
Administrative Agent, terminate at any time, or proportionately reduce the
Unused Commitments from time to time by an aggregate amount of at least
$5,000,000 or any larger integral multiple of $1,000,000. If the Commitments
are
terminated in their entirety, the Commitment Fees (as provided under
Section 2.07) shall be due and payable on the effective date of such
termination. All terminations or reductions of Commitments shall be permanent.
Each reduction shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with
their
respective Commitments.
Section
2.09 Mandatory
Reduction and Termination of Commitments.
The
Commitments shall terminate on the Termination Date and any Loans then
outstanding (together with accrued interest thereon) shall be due and payable
on
such date.
Section
2.10 Optional
Prepayments.
The
Borrower may, upon at least one (1) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative
Agent, prepay any Base Rate Borrowing in whole at any time, or from time
to time
in part in amounts aggregating at least $5,000,000 or any larger integral
multiple of $1,000,000 (or any lesser amount equal to the outstanding balance
of
such Loan), by paying the principal amount to be prepaid together with accrued
interest thereon to the date of prepayment. Each such optional prepayment
shall
be applied to prepay ratably the Base Rate Loans of the several Lenders included
in such Base Rate Borrowing. Subject to any payments required pursuant to
the
terms of Article X for such Eurodollar Loan, upon three (3) Business Day’s prior
written notice, the Borrower may prepay in minimum amounts of at least
$5,000,000 or any larger integral multiple of $1,000,000 (or any lesser amount
equal to the outstanding balance of such Loan) all or any portion of the
principal amount of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the maturity thereof. Upon
receipt of a notice of prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.10, the
Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the contents thereof
and of such Lender’s ratable share of such prepayment and such notice, once
received by the Administrative Agent, shall not thereafter be revocable by
the
Borrower.
Section
2.11 Mandatory
Prepayments.
On each
date on which the conditions set forth in Section 2.01 are not satisfied
(including, without limitation, by reason of the reduction of the Commitments
pursuant to Section 2.08 or Section 2.09), the Borrower shall repay or
prepay such principal amount of the outstanding Loans, if any (together with
interest accrued thereon and any amount due under Section 10.05(a)), as may
be necessary so that after such payment the aggregate unpaid principal amount
of
the Loans does not exceed the aggregate amount of the Commitments as then
reduced. If the principal amount of all Loans have been repaid yet the
outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations then exceed the Commitment, the
Borrower shall deposit cash collateral with the Administrative Agent with
respect to such outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations in an amount necessary
so that the outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations do not exceed the
Commitments. Each such payment or prepayment shall be applied ratably to
the
Loans of the Lenders outstanding on the date of payment or prepayment in
the
following order of priority: (i) first, to Base Rate Loans; and (ii) secondly,
to Eurodollar Loans.
19
Section
2.12 General
Provisions as to Payments.
(a) The
Borrower shall make each payment of principal of, and interest on, the Loans
and
of fees hereunder, without any setoff, counterclaim or any deduction whatsoever,
not later than 11:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on the date when due, in Federal
or
other funds immediately available in Atlanta, Georgia to the Administrative
Agent at its address referred to in Section 12.01. The Administrative Agent
will promptly distribute to each Lender its ratable share of each such payment
received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the
Lenders.
(b) Whenever
any payment of principal of, or interest on, the Base Rate Loans or of fees
or
other amounts hereunder (other than principal and interest payments with
respect
to Eurodollar Loans) shall be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the
date
for payment thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day.
Whenever any payment of principal of or interest on, the Eurodollar Loans
shall
be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the date for payment thereof
shall
be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day
falls
in another calendar month, in which case the date for payment thereof shall
be
the next preceding Business Day.
Section
2.13 Administrative
Agent’s Clawback.
(a) Funding
by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent.
Unless
the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to
the
proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to
the
Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative
Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date
in
accordance with Section 2.02 and may, in reliance upon such assumption,
make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if
a
Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available
to
the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally
agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding
amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such
amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment
to
the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of a payment to be made by such
Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the
Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank
compensation and (ii) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower,
the
interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender
shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an
overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the
Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period.
If
such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative
Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in
such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to
any
claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make
such
payment to the Administrative Agent.
(b) Payments
by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent.
Unless
the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior
to
the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the
account
of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrower will not make
such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made
such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon
such
assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may
be,
the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such
payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be,
severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand
the
amount so distributed to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, with interest thereon,
for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it
to but
excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater
of the
Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in
accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
20
Section
2.14 Computation
of Interest and Fees.
Interest
on Base Rate Loans based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis
of a
year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and paid for the actual number of
days
elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). Interest on
Base
Rate Loans based on the Federal Funds Rate and interest on Eurodollar Loans
shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and paid for the actual
number of days elapsed, calculated as to each Interest Period from and including
the first day thereof to but excluding the last day thereof. Commitment Fees,
Letter of Credit Fees and any other fees payable hereunder shall be computed
on
the basis of a year of 360 days and paid for the actual number of days elapsed
(including the first day but excluding the last day).
LETTER
OF CREDIT FACILITY
Section
3.01 Obligation
to Issue.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and in reliance upon the
representations and warranties of the Loan Parties herein set forth, the
Issuing
Bank shall issue for the account of the Borrower, one or more Letters of
Credit
denominated in Dollars, in accordance with this Article III, from time to
time
during the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the tenth
(10th)
Business Day prior to the Termination Date.
Section
3.02 Types
and Amounts.
The
Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit at any
time:
(a)if
the
aggregate maximum amount then available for drawing under Letters of Credit,
after giving effect to the issuance of the requested Letter of Credit, shall
exceed any limit imposed by law or regulation upon the Issuing Bank; (b)
if,
after giving effect to the issuance of the requested Letter of Credit, (i)
the
aggregate Letter of Credit Obligations would exceed $20,000,000, or (ii)
the
conditions set forth in Section 2.01 would not be satisfied; (c) if such
Letter of Credit has an expiration date on or after the earlier of (i) the
date
twelve (12) months after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit
(or,
in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, twelve (12) months after
the
then-current expiration date of such Letter of Credit so long as such renewal
or
extension occurs within three (3) months of such then-current expiration
date)
and (ii) the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Termination
Date.
Section
3.03 Conditions.
In
addition to being subject to the satisfaction of the conditions contained
in
Article IV, the obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit
is
subject to the satisfaction in full of the following conditions: (a)the
Borrower shall have delivered to the Issuing Bank at such times and in such
manner as the Issuing Bank may prescribe, a Letter of Credit Application
Agreement and such other documents and materials as may be required pursuant
to
the terms thereof all satisfactory in form and substance to the Issuing Bank
and
the terms of the proposed Letter of Credit shall be satisfactory in form
and
substance to the Issuing Bank; (b) as of the date of issuance no order, judgment
or decree of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority shall purport
by
its terms to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Bank from issuing the Letter
of
Credit and no law, rule or regulation applicable to the Issuing Bank and
no
request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any
Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Bank shall prohibit
or
request that the Issuing Bank refrain from the issuance of letters of credit
generally or the issuance of that Letter of Credit; and (c) after the issuance
of the requested Letter of Credit, the conditions set forth in Section 2.01
shall be satisfied.
21
Section
3.04 Issuance
of Letters of Credit.
(a) Request
for Issuance.
At least
two Business Days before the effective date for any Letter of Credit, the
Borrower shall give the Issuing Bank a written notice containing the original
signature of an authorized officer of the Borrower. Such notice shall be
irrevocable and shall specify the original face amount of the Letter of Credit
requested (which original face amount shall not be less than $500,000, the
effective date (which day shall be a Business Day) of issuance of such requested
Letter of Credit, the date on which such requested Letter of Credit is to
expire, the amount of then outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations, the
purpose
for which such Letter of Credit is to be issued, whether such Letter of Credit
may be drawn in single or partial draws and the person for whose benefit
the
requested Letter of Credit is to be issued.
(b) Issuance.
If the
conditions set forth in Section 3.03 are satisfied, the Issuing Bank shall
issue the requested Letter of Credit.
(c) No
Extension or Amendment.
The
Issuing Bank shall not extend or amend any Letter of Credit if the issuance
of a
new Letter of Credit having the same terms as such Letter of Credit as so
amended or extended would be prohibited by Section 3.02 or
Section 3.03. Any such renewals or extensions shall not occur prior to
three months of the then-current expiration date.
Section
3.05 Reimbursement
Obligations; Duties of the Issuing Bank; ISP98.
(a) Reimbursement.
Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in any Letter of Credit
Application Agreement: (i) the Borrower shall reimburse the Issuing Bank
for
drawings under a Letter of Credit issued by it no later than the Business
Day of
payment by the Issuing Bank; (ii) any Reimbursement Obligation with respect
to
any Letter of Credit shall bear interest from the date of the relevant drawing
under the pertinent Letter of Credit until the date of payment in full thereof
at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate; and (iii) in order to implement
the foregoing, upon the occurrence of a draw under any Letter of Credit,
unless
the Issuing Bank is reimbursed in accordance with clause (i) above, the Borrower
irrevocably authorizes the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent to treat
such nonpayment as a Notice of Borrowing in the amount of such Reimbursement
Obligation and the Lenders to make Loans to the Borrower in such amount
regardless of whether the conditions precedent to the making of Loans hereunder
have been met. The Borrower further authorizes the Administrative Agent to
credit the proceeds of such Loan so as to immediately eliminate the liability
of
the Borrower for Reimbursement Obligations under such Letter of
Credit.
22
(b) Duties
of the Issuing Bank.
Any
action taken or omitted to be taken by the Issuing Bank in connection with
any
Letter of Credit, if taken or omitted in the absence of willful misconduct
or
gross negligence, shall not put the Issuing Bank under any resulting liability
to any Lender, or, assuming that the Issuing Bank has complied with the
procedures specified in Section 3.04 and such Lender has not given a notice
contemplated by Section 3.06(a) that continues in full force and effect,
relieve that Lender of its obligations hereunder to the Issuing Bank. In
determining whether to pay under any Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank shall
have no obligation relative to the Lenders other than to confirm that any
documents required to have been delivered under such Letter of Credit appear
to
comply on their face, with the requirements of such Letter of
Credit.
(c) Applicability
of ISP98.
Unless
otherwise expressly agreed by the Issuing Bank and the Borrower when a Letter
of
Credit is issued the rules of the “International Standby Practices 1998”
published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice (or such
later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance) shall
apply
to each Letter of Credit.
Section
3.06 Participations.
(a) Purchase
of Participations.
Immediately upon issuance by the Issuing Bank of any Letter of Credit in
accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.04, each Lender shall
be deemed to have irrevocably and unconditionally purchased and received
from
the Issuing Bank, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and
participation, to the extent of such Lender’s ratable share of the aggregate
Commitments, in such Letter of Credit; provided, that a Letter of Credit
shall
not be entitled to the benefits of this Section 3.06 if the Issuing Bank
shall have received written notice from any Lender on or before the Business
Day
immediately prior to the date of the Issuing Bank’s issuance of such Letter of
Credit that one or more of the conditions contained in Section 3.03 or
Article IV is not then satisfied, and, in the event the Issuing Bank receives
such a notice, it shall have no further obligation to issue any Letter of
Credit
until such notice is withdrawn by that Lender or until the Required Lenders
have
effectively waived such condition in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement.
(b) Sharing
of Letter of Credit Payments.
In the
event that the Issuing Bank makes any payment under any Letter of Credit
for
which the Borrower shall not have repaid such amount to the Issuing Bank
pursuant to Section 3.07 or which cannot be paid by a Loan pursuant to
clause (a)(iii) of Section 3.05, the Issuing Bank shall promptly notify
each Lender of such failure, and each Lender shall promptly and unconditionally
pay to the Issuing Bank such Lender’s ratable share of the amount of such
payment in Dollars and in same day funds. If the Issuing Bank so notifies
such
Lender prior to 10:00 a .m. (Eastern time) on any Business Day, such Lender
shall make available to the Issuing Bank its ratable share of the amount
of such
payment on such Business Day in same day funds. If and to the extent such
Lender
shall not have so made its ratable share of the amount of such payment available
to the Issuing Bank, such Lender agrees to pay to the Issuing Bank forthwith
on
demand such amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the
date
such payment was first due until the date such amount is paid to the Issuing
Bank at the Federal Funds Rate for the first three (3) days and thereafter
at
the Base Rate. The failure of any Lender to make available to the Issuing
Bank
its ratable share of any such payment shall neither relieve nor increase
the
obligation of any other Lender hereunder to make available to the Issuing
Bank
its ratable share of any payment on the date such payment is to be
made.
23
(c) Sharing
of Reimbursement Obligation Payments.
Whenever
the Issuing Bank receives a payment on account of a Reimbursement Obligation,
including any interest thereon, as to which the Issuing Bank has received
any
payments from the Lenders pursuant to this Section 3.06, it shall promptly
pay to each Lender which has funded its participating interest therein, in
Dollars and in the kind of funds so received, an amount equal to such Lender’s
ratable share thereof. Each such payment shall be made by the Issuing Bank
on
the Business Day on which the funds are paid to such Person, if received
prior
to 10:00 am. (Eastern time) on such Business Day, and otherwise on the next
succeeding Business Day.
(d) Documentation.
Upon the
request of any Lender, the Issuing Bank shall furnish to such Lender copies
of
any Letter of Credit, Letter of Credit Application Agreement and other
documentation relating to Letters of Credit issued pursuant to this
Agreement.
(e) Obligations
Irrevocable.
The
obligations of the Lenders to make payments to the Issuing Bank with respect
to
a Letter of Credit shall be irrevocable, not subject to any qualification
or
exception whatsoever and shall be made in accordance with, but not subject
to,
the terms and conditions of this Agreement under all circumstances (assuming
that the Issuing Bank has issued such Letter of Credit in accordance with
Section 3.04 and such Lender has not given a notice contemplated by
Section 3.06(a) that continues in full force and effect), including,
without limitation, any of the following circumstances: (i) any lack of validity
or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents; (ii)
the
existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which the Borrower
may
have at any time against a beneficiary named in a Letter of Credit or any
transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such transferee
may be acting), the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent, any Lender or
any
other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, any Letter of Credit,
the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transactions; (iii)
any
draft, certificate or any other document presented under the Letter of Credit
proves to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or
any
statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; (iv) the
surrender or impairment of any security for the performance or observance
of any
of the terms of any of the Loan Documents; (v) payment by the Issuing Bank
under
any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient
in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any
respect; (vi)
any
irregularity in the transaction with respect to which any Letter of Credit
is
issued, including any fraud by the beneficiary or any transferee of such
Letter
of Credit; or (vii) any other circumstances or happenings whatsoever, whether
or
not similar to any of the foregoing.
Section
3.07 Payment
of Reimbursement Obligations.
(a) Payments
to Issuing Bank.
The
Borrower agrees to pay to the Issuing Bank the amount of all Reimbursement
Obligations, interest and other amounts payable to the Issuing Bank under
or in
connection with any Letter of Credit issued for the Borrower’s account
immediately when due, irrespective of: (i) any lack of validity or
enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents; (ii)
the
existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which the Borrower
may
have at any time against a beneficiary named in a Letter of Credit or any
transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such transferee
may be acting), the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent, any Lender or
any
other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, any Letter of Credit,
the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transactions; (iii)
any
draft, certificate or any other document presented under the Letter of Credit
proves to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or
any
statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; (iv) the surrender
or impairment of any security for the performance or observance of any of
the
terms of any of the Loan Documents; (v) any irregularity in the transaction
with
respect to which any Letter of Credit is issued, including any fraud by the
beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit; (vi) payment by the
Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit against presentation of any draft
or
certificate that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;
or
(vii) any other circumstances or happenings whatsoever, whether or not similar
to any of the foregoing; provided that the obligations of the Borrower under
this paragraph (a) shall not constitute a waiver of any rights the Borrower
may
have to pursue a claim against the Issuing Bank for gross negligence or willful
misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank.
24
(b) Recovery
or Avoidance of Payments.
In the
event any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower received by the Issuing
Bank
with respect to a Letter of Credit and distributed by the Issuing Bank to
the
Lenders on account of their participations is thereafter set aside, avoided
or
recovered from the Issuing Bank in connection with any receivership, liquidation
or bankruptcy proceeding, each Lender that received such distribution shall,
upon demand by the Issuing Bank, contribute such Lender’s ratable share of the
amount set aside, avoided or recovered together with interest at the rate
required to be paid by the Issuing Bank upon the amount required to be repaid
by
it.
Section
3.08 Compensation
for Letters of Credit and Issuing Bank Reporting
Requirements.
(a) Letter
of Credit Fees.
The
Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of
the
Lenders, with respect to each Letter of Credit issued hereunder a letter
of
credit fee (“Letter of Credit Fee”) which shall accrue at a rate per annum equal
to the Applicable Margin applicable to interest on Eurodollar Loans on the
average daily amount of the Letter of Credit Obligations during the period
from
and including the date hereof to but excluding the date on which the Commitments
terminate. Letter of Credit Fees shall be payable on each Quarterly Payment
Date
and on the Termination Date. The Administrative Agent shall promptly remit
such
Letter of Credit Fees, when paid, to the Lenders in accordance with their
ratable shares thereof. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent,
for
the account of the Issuing Bank, a fronting fee equal to 0.125% per annum
of the
face amount of such Letter of Credit, payable on the Business Day on which
such
Letter of Credit is issued.
(b) Issuing
Bank Charges.
The
Borrower shall pay to the Issuing Bank, solely for its own account, the standard
charges assessed by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance,
administration, amendment and payment or cancellation of Letters of Credit
issued hereunder, which charges shall be those typically charged by the Issuing
Bank to its customers generally having credit and other characteristics similar
to the Borrower, as determined in good faith by the Issuing Bank.
25
Section
3.09 Indemnification;
Exoneration.
(a) Indemnification.
In
addition to amounts payable as elsewhere provided in this Article III, the
Loan
Parties shall protect, indemnify, pay and save the Issuing Bank, the
Administrative Agent and each Lender harmless from and against any and all
claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses
(including reasonable attorneys’ fees) which the Issuing Bank, the
Administrative Agent, or any Lender may incur or be subject to as a consequence
of the issuance of any Letter of Credit for the Borrower’s account other than as
a result of its gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by
a court
of competent jurisdiction.
(b) Assumption
of Risk by Loan Parties.
As
between the Loan Parties, on the one hand, and the Issuing Bank, the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, the Loan Parties
assume
all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of the Letters of Credit
issued for the Borrower’s account by the respective beneficiaries of such
Letters of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing,
the
Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall not be responsible
for (i) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect
of any document submitted by any party in connection with the application
for
and issuance of the Letters of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to
be in
any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged,
(ii) the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning
or
purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits
thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be
invalid or ineffective for any reason, (iii) failure of the beneficiary of
a
Letter of Credit to comply duly with conditions required in order to draw
upon
such Letter of Credit, (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in
transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex
or
otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher, for errors in interpretation
of
technical terms, (v) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of
any
document required in order to make a drawing under any Letter of Credit or
of
the proceeds thereof, (vi) the misapplication by the beneficiary of a Letter
of
Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under such Letter of Credit; and (vii)
any
consequences arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank,
the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders.
(c) Exoneration.
In
furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific provisions
hereinabove set forth, any action taken or omitted by the Issuing Bank under
or
in connection with the Letters of Credit or any related certificates if taken
or
omitted in good faith and with reasonable care, shall not put the Issuing
Bank,
the Administrative Agent or any Lender under any resulting liability to any
Loan
Party or relieve any Loan Party of any of its obligations hereunder to any
such
Person.
CONDITIONS
TO BORROWINGS
Section
4.01 Conditions
to First Borrowing.
The
obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of the first Borrowing
(or the obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue the first Letter of Credit)
is
subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 3.02 and
receipt by the Administrative Agent of the following:
26
(a) from
each
of the parties hereto of either (i) a duly executed counterpart of this
Agreement signed by such party or (ii) a facsimile transmission of such executed
counterpart (with the original to be sent to the Administrative Agent by
overnight courier);
(b) a
duly
executed Note for the account of each Lender that has requested the delivery
of
a Note pursuant to Section 2.04;
(c) an
opinion
letter of Sirote & Permutt, P.C., counsel for the Loan Parties, dated as of
the Closing Date, covering such matters relating to the transactions
contemplated hereby as the Administrative Agent may reasonably
request;
(d) a
certificate (the “Closing Certificate”) substantially in the form of
Exhibit D,
dated as
of the Closing Date, signed by a principal financial officer of the Borrower,
to
the effect that (i) no Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date
hereof, (ii) the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained
in
Article V are true on and as of the date hereof and (iii) the Borrower and
each
of the principal operating Domestic Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 4.01(d)
are
solvent;
(e) all
documents which the Administrative Agent may reasonably request relating
to the
existence of the Borrower, the corporate authority for and the validity of
this
Agreement and the Notes, and any other matters relevant hereto, all in form
and
substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, including, without
limitation, a certificate of the Borrower substantially in the form of
Exhibit
E
(the
“Officer’s Certificate”), signed by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of
the Borrower, certifying as to the names, true signatures and incumbency
of the
officer or officers of the Borrower authorized to execute and deliver the
Loan
Documents, and copies of the following items: (i) a certified copy of the
Borrower’s Certificate of Incorporation, (ii) a certified copy of the Borrower’s
Bylaws, (iii) a certificate of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
as to the good standing of the Borrower as a Delaware corporation, and (iv)
a
certified copy of the action taken by the Board of Directors of the Borrower
authorizing the Borrower’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party;
(f) all
documents which the Administrative Agent may reasonably request relating
to the
existence of each Guarantor, the corporate authority for and the validity
of the
Guaranty, and any other matters relevant hereto, all in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, including, without
limitation, a certificate of each Guarantor substantially in the form of
the
Officer’s Certificate to be provided by the Borrower, signed by the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary of the applicable Guarantor, certifying as to the
names,
true signatures and incumbency of the officer or officers of the applicable
Guarantor authorized to execute and deliver the Loan Documents, and copies
of
the following items: (i) a certified copy of such Guarantor’s Certificate of
Incorporation, (ii) a certified copy of such Guarantor’s Bylaws, (iii) a
certificate of the Secretary of State of the state of organization of such
Guarantor as to the good standing of such Guarantor in such jurisdiction,
and
(iv) a certified copy of the action taken by the Board of Directors or similar
governing body of such Guarantor authorizing such Guarantor’s execution,
delivery and performance of the Guaranty and the other Loan Documents to
which
such Guarantor is a party;
27
(g) a
Notice
of Borrowing;
(h) a
Compliance Certificate;
(i) reserved;
(j) final
audited financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the
years
ended December 31, 2003, 2004, and 2005, and unaudited financial statements
for
the most recent fiscal quarter for which such financial statements are
available;
(k) pro
forma
financial projections for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for 2007, 2008,
2009, 2010 and 2011 in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent which reflect the effects of the LANDesk Acquisition
and
any proposed future acquisitions;
(l) the
payment of any fees the Borrower shall have agreed to pay to any Lender or
the
Administrative Agent in connection herewith, including the fees and expenses
of
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxx, PLLC, counsel to the Administrative Agent,
in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of
this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents and extensions of credit hereunder,
which
fees of counsel to the Administrative Agent shall not exceed the amount agreed
to by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in that certain letter agreement
dated May 24, 2006;
(m) all
consents, approvals and licenses of the boards of directors, shareholders,
Governmental Authorities and other applicable third parties necessary in
connection with the Loan Documents shall have been obtained;
(n) evidence
that no event, act, occurrence or condition has occurred which has caused
or
could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect;
and
(o) evidence
that no material pending or threatened action, suit, investigation, litigation,
bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, injunction, order or claim with respect
to
the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, the Loan Documents or the transactions
contemplated thereby.
In
addition, if the Borrower desires funding of a Eurodollar Loan on the Closing
Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received, the requisite number
of days
prior to the Closing Date, a funding indemnification letter satisfactory
to it,
pursuant to which (i) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall have
agreed upon the interest rate, amount of Borrowing and Interest Period for
such
Eurodollar Loan, and (ii) the Borrower shall indemnify the Lenders from any
loss
or expense arising from the failure to close on the anticipated Closing Date
identified in such letter or the failure to borrow such Eurodollar Loan on
such
date.
28
Section
4.02 Conditions
to All Borrowings.
The
obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of each Borrowing,
or
the obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue a Letter of Credit, is subject
to
the satisfaction of the following conditions: (a) receipt by the Administrative
Agent of a Notice of Borrowing or the Issuing Bank of a Letter of Credit
Application Agreement, as applicable; (b) the fact that, immediately before
and
after such Borrowing is advanced or such Letter of Credit is issued, as
applicable, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (c) the fact
that
the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties contained in Article
V of
this Agreement shall be true on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the
issuance of such Letter of Credit (except to the extent any such representation
or warranty is expressly made as of a prior date); (d) in the case of a
Borrowing, the fact that immediately after such Borrowing, the conditions
set
forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 2.01 shall have been satisfied;
and (e) in the case of the issuance of a Letter of Credit the fact that the
terms and conditions set forth in Article III shall have been
satisfied.
Each
Borrowing, each Notice of Continuation or Conversion and each request for
the
issuance of a Letter of Credit hereunder shall be deemed to be a representation
and warranty by the Borrower on the date of such Borrowing, notice or request
as
to the truth and accuracy of the facts specified in clauses (b), (c), (d)
and
(e) of this Section; provided, that if a Notice of Continuation or Conversion
is
to convert to a Base Rate Loan, such Notice of Continuation or Conversion
shall
be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrower only as to
the
matters set forth in clause (d) above.
Section
4.03 Determinations
Under Section 4.01.
For
purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in
Section 4.01, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or
accepted or to be satisfied with each document or other matter required
thereunder unless an officer of the Administrative Agent responsible for
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have received notice from
such
Lender prior to the Closing Date, specifying its objection thereto.
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
Each
Loan
Party represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender
that:
Section
5.01 Existence
and Power.
Each Loan
Party is duly organized as a corporation, limited liability company or limited
partnership, is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its formation, is duly qualified to transact business in
every
jurisdiction where, by the nature of its business, the failure to be so
qualified to do business could have a Material Adverse Effect, and has all
corporate, limited liability company or limited partnership powers, as
applicable, and all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and
approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted.
Section
5.02 Authorization;
No Contravention.
The
execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Agreement,
the
Notes and the other Loan Documents (i) are within such Loan Party’s corporate,
limited liability company or limited partnership powers, as applicable, (ii)
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company
or limited partnership action, as applicable, (iii) require no action by
or in
respect of or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official, (iv)
do
not contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable
law
or regulation or of the certificate of formation or by-laws of such Loan
Party
or of any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument
binding upon such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, and (v) do not result
in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of such Loan Party
or any
of its Subsidiaries.
29
Section
5.03 Binding
Effect.
This
Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of each Loan Party
enforceable in accordance with its terms, and the Notes and the other Loan
Documents, when executed and delivered in accordance with this Agreement,
will
constitute valid and binding obligations of each Loan Party enforceable in
accordance with their respective terms, provided that the enforceability
hereof
and thereof is subject in each case to general principles of equity and to
bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’
rights generally.
Section
5.04 Financial
Information.
(a) The
consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of December
31, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’
equity and cash flows for the Fiscal Year then ended, audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, copies of which have been delivered to each of
the
Lenders, and the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower
for
the interim period ended March 31, 2006, copies of which have been delivered
to
each of the Lenders, fairly present, in conformity with GAAP, the consolidated
financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such dates
and
their consolidated results of operations and cash flows for such periods
stated.
(b) Since
December 31, 2005, except as otherwise disclosed in the Borrower’s most recent
10-Q as filed with the SEC as of May 10, 2006, there has been no event, act,
condition or occurrence having, or which could reasonably be expected to
have,
alone or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
Section
5.05 No
Litigation.
There is
no action, suit or proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of each Loan Party
threatened, against or affecting any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries
before any court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or official
which, alone or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect or which in any manner draws into question the validity
of or could impair the ability of each Loan Party to perform its obligations
under, this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan
Documents.
Section
5.06 Compliance
with ERISA.
Each Loan
Party and each member of the Controlled Group have fulfilled their obligations
under the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Code with respect to
each
Plan and are in compliance in all material respects with the presently
applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code, and have not incurred any liability
to the PBGC or a Plan under Title IV of ERISA. None of the Loan Parties nor
any
member of the Controlled Group is or ever has been obligated to contribute
to
any Multiemployer Plan.
30
Section
5.07 Compliance
with Laws; Payment of Taxes.
Each Loan
Party and Avocent International are in compliance with all applicable laws,
regulations and similar requirements of governmental authorities, except
where
such compliance is being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings
or where non-compliance, alone or in the aggregate, could not reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There have been filed on behalf
of
each Loan Party and Avocent International all Federal, state, local and foreign
income, excise, property and other tax returns or appropriate extensions
which
are required to be filed by them and all taxes due pursuant to such returns
or
pursuant to any assessment received by or on behalf of each Loan Party or
Avocent International have been paid (except for any such item that alone
or in
the aggregate could not have a Material Adverse Effect). The charges, accruals
and reserves on the books of each Loan Party and Avocent International in
respect of taxes or other governmental charges are, in the good faith opinion
of
each Loan Party, adequate. None of the Loan Parties has given or been requested
to give a waiver of the statute of limitation relating to the payment of
Federal, state, local or foreign taxes that could reasonably be expected
to have
a Material Adverse Effect.
Section
5.08 Subsidiaries.
Each of
the Borrower’s Domestic Subsidiaries and Avocent International is a corporation,
limited partnership, limited liability company or similar entity duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction
of
formation, is duly qualified to transact business in every jurisdiction where,
by the nature of its business, the failure to be so qualified to do business
could have a Material Adverse Effect, and has all powers and all governmental
licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to carry on its
business as now conducted. As of the Closing Date, the Borrower has no Domestic
Subsidiaries except for those Domestic Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 5.08,
which accurately sets forth each such Domestic Subsidiary’s complete name and
jurisdiction of incorporation or formation.
Section
5.09 Investment
Company Act.
None of
the Loan Parties nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” within
the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Section
5.10 Public
Utility Holding Company Act.
None of
the Loan Parties nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “holding company”, or a
“subsidiary company” of a “holding company”, or an “affiliate” of a “holding
company” or of a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company”, as such terms are
defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as
amended.
Section
5.11 Ownership
of Property; Liens; Leases.
Each Loan
Party and Avocent International has good and marketable title to all of its
real
and personal properties and tangible assets, and all such properties and
assets
are free and clear of mortgages, pledges, liens, charges and other encumbrances
of any nature whatsoever other than Liens permitted pursuant to
Section 7.08. Each Loan Party and Avocent International enjoys peaceful and
undisturbed possession under all material leases as to which it is a lessee
and
all such leases are valid and subsisting and in full force and
effect.
Section
5.12 No
Default.
None of
the Loan Parties nor Avocent International is in default under or with respect
to any agreement, instrument or undertaking to which it is a party or by
which
it or any of its property is bound which, alone or in the aggregate, could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has
occurred and is continuing.
31
Section
5.13 Full
Disclosure.
All
information heretofore furnished by any Loan Party to the Administrative
Agent
or any Lender for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement or any
transaction contemplated hereby is, and all such information hereafter furnished
by any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender will be, true,
accurate and complete in every material respect or based on good faith estimates
on the date as of which such information is stated or certified. The Borrower
has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in writing any
and all
facts which, alone or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect.
Section
5.14 Environmental
Matters.
None of
the Loan Parties nor Avocent International is subject to any Environmental
Liability which, alone or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected
to have
a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Loan Parties has received notice of,
or
has actual knowledge of, any violations of any Environmental Laws or facts
that
could give rise to any Environmental Liability or Environmental Condition
which
facts, alone or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. There has been no complaint, order, directive, claim,
citation or notice by any Governmental Authority or any person or entity
with
respect to any violation of any Environmental Law or the existence of an
Environmental Condition. No materials have been or are being used, produced,
manufactured, processed, treated, recycled, generated, placed, held, stored,
located, disposed of, managed or otherwise handled at, or shipped or transported
to or from the Properties or are otherwise present at, on, in or under the
Properties, or, to the best of the knowledge of each Loan Party, at or from
any
adjacent site or facility, in violation of any Environmental Laws or that
could
give rise to Environmental Liability which, alone or in the aggregate, could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Loan
Parties have any existing indebtedness, obligation or liability, with respect
to
the storage, treatment, cleanup or disposal of any solid waste, hazardous
wastes, or other toxic or hazardous substances. Each Loan Party and Avocent
International has procured, and will maintain and is in compliance with,
all
federal, state, and local permits, licenses, certificates and approvals required
under Environmental Laws except to the extent that any noncompliance could
not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section
5.15 Capital
Stock.
All
Capital Stock, debentures, bonds, notes and all other securities of the Loan
Parties and Avocent International presently issued and outstanding are validly
and properly issued in accordance with all applicable laws, including, but
not
limited to, the “Blue Sky” laws of all applicable states and the federal
securities laws. The issued shares of Capital Stock of the Borrower’s Wholly
Owned Subsidiaries are owned by the Borrower free and clear of any Lien or
adverse claim. At least a majority of the issued shares of Capital Stock
of each
of the Borrower’s Domestic Subsidiaries (other than Wholly Owned Subsidiaries)
and Avocent International is owned by the Borrower free and clear of any
Lien or
adverse claim.
Section
5.16 Margin
Stock.
None of
the Loan Parties nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as
one
of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying any
Margin Stock, and no part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used to purchase
or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of
purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock, or be used for any purpose which
violates, or which is inconsistent with, the provisions of the Margin
Regulations. Margin Stock constitutes less than 25% of the value of those
assets
of the Loan Parties and the Subsidiaries that are subject to any limitation
on
sale, pledge or other restriction hereunder.
32
Section
5.17 Insolvency.
After
giving effect to the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the
making
of the Loans under this Agreement: (i) none of the Borrower or the principal
operating Domestic Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 4.01(d) will (x) be
“insolvent,” as defined in Section 1.01 of the Bankruptcy Code, or
Section 2 of either the “UFTA” or the “UFCA”, or as defined or used in any
“Other Applicable Law” (as those terms are defined below), or (y) be unable to
pay its debts generally as such debts become due within the meaning of
Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code, Section 4 of the UFTA or
Section 6 of the UFCA, or (z) have an unreasonably small capital to
engage in any business or transaction, whether current or contemplated, within
the meaning of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code, Section 4 of the
UFTA or Section 5 of the UFCA; and (ii) the obligations of the Borrower and
the principal operating Domestic Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 4.01(d)
under
the Loan Documents and with respect to the Loans will not be rendered avoidable
under any Other Applicable Law. For purposes of this Section 5.17, “UFTA”
means the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, “UFCA” means the Uniform Fraudulent
Conveyance Act, and “Other Applicable Law” means any other applicable law
pertaining to fraudulent transfers or acts voidable by creditors, in each
case
as such law may be amended from time to time.
Section
5.18 Insurance.
Each Loan
Party, each Domestic Subsidiary and Avocent International has (either in
the
name of such Loan Party, such Domestic Subsidiary or Avocent International),
with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in at
least
such amounts and against at least such risks (including on all its property,
and
public liability and worker’s compensation) as are deemed in good faith by
management of such Loan Party, such Domestic Subsidiary or Avocent International
to be sufficient in accordance with usual and customary business
practices.
Section
5.19 Labor
Matters.
Except as
could not reasonably be expected to have, alone or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect, (a) there are no strikes or lockouts against any Loan Party
or
any Subsidiaries pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party or Avocent
International, threatened; (b) the hours worked by and payments made to
employees of the Borrower, each Loan Party and Avocent International have
not
been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable
federal, state, local or foreign law dealing with such matters; (c) all payments
due from any Loan Party or Avocent International, or for which any claim
may be
made against any Loan Party or Avocent International, on account of wages
and
employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid
or
accrued as a liability on the books of such Loan Party or Avocent International,
as appropriate; and (d) neither any Loan Party nor Avocent International
is
party to a collective bargaining agreement.
Section
5.20 Intellectual
Property.
Each Loan
Party and its Subsidiaries own, or are licensed to use, all copyrights,
trademarks, trade names, patents, technology, know-how and processes, service
marks and rights with respect to the foregoing that are used in or necessary
for
the conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted, unless
the
failure to have such rights could not reasonably be expected to result in
a
Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of each Loan Party, the use of
such
copyrights, trademarks, trade names, patents, technology, know-how and
processes, service marks and rights with respect to the foregoing by such
Loan
Party and its Subsidiaries does not infringe in any material respect on the
rights of any Person.
33
Section
5.21 Material
Agreements.
Neither
any Loan Party nor Avocent International is a party to any agreement or
instrument or subject to any charter or other corporate restriction the
performance of or compliance with which could reasonably be expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect. Neither any Loan Party nor Avocent International
is in
default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations,
covenants or conditions contained in (a) any “material contract” (as such term
is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”)), or (b) any agreement or instrument evidencing or governing
any Debt in excess of, (i) in the case of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
other than Cyclades Corporation, a California corporation (“Cyclades”),
$250,000, and (ii) in the case of Cyclades, $500,000 (“Existing Debt”). Other
than the material contracts and Existing Debt described in Schedule 5.21,
as of
the Closing Date, no Loan Party (i) is a party to an agreement or instrument
deemed in good faith by the executive management of such Loan Party to be
material in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, or (ii)
has
Existing Debt.
AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS
Each
Loan
Party covenants and agrees that, so long as any Lender has any Commitment or any
amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document remains
unpaid:
Section
6.01 Information.
The
Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent and each of the
Lenders:
(a) as
soon as
available and in any event within one hundred (100) days after the end of
each
Fiscal Year, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
as of the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated statements
of
income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth
in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year,
audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent public accountants
of
nationally recognized standing, with such certification to be free of exceptions
and qualifications not reasonably acceptable to the Administrative
Agent;
(b) as
soon as
available and in any event within fifty (50) days after the end of each of
the
first three (3) Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year, (i) a consolidated balance
sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter,
(ii) the related statement of income for such Fiscal Quarter and for the
portion
of the Fiscal Year ended at the end of such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth
in
each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding Fiscal Quarter
and the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year, and (iii) and
a
related statement of cash flows for the portion of the Fiscal Year ended
at the
end of such Fiscal Quarter, all certified (subject to normal year-end
adjustments) as to fairness of presentation, GAAP and consistency by the
chief
financial officer or the chief accounting officer of the Borrower;
(c) simultaneously
with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in paragraphs
(a) and (b) above, a certificate, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent (a “Compliance Certificate”), of the chief financial
officer or the chief accounting officer of the Borrower (i) setting forth
in
reasonable detail the calculations required to establish whether the Borrower
was in compliance with the requirements of Sections 7.02, 7.04, 7.06, 7.07,
7.08(k) and 7.12 on the date of such financial statements; (ii) stating whether
any Default exists on the date of such certificate and, if any Default then
exists, setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Borrower
is
taking or proposes to take with respect thereto; and (iii) setting forth
the
Total Leverage Ratio as of the most recent Performance Pricing Determination
Date and the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans in effect as a result
thereof;
34
(d) reserved;
(e) within
one
hundred (100) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, an operating budget
and
cash flow projections of the Borrower for the then current Fiscal Year, as
prepared on an annual basis;
(f) within
five (5) Business Days after any Loan Party becomes aware of the occurrence
of
any Default, a certificate of the chief financial officer or the chief
accounting officer of such Loan Party setting forth the details thereof and
the
action which such Loan Party is taking or proposes to take with respect
thereto;
(g) promptly
upon the mailing thereof to the shareholders of any Loan Party generally,
copies
of all financial statements, reports and proxy statements so mailed to the
extent not previously delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to other
paragraphs of this Section 6.01;
(h) promptly
upon the filing thereof, copies of all registration statements (other than
the
exhibits thereto and any registration statements on Form S-8 or its equivalent)
and annual, quarterly or monthly reports which any Loan Party shall have
filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission;
(i) if
and
when any member of the Controlled Group (i) gives or is required to give
notice
to the PBGC of any “reportable event” (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA)
with respect to any Plan which might constitute grounds for a termination
of
such Plan under Title IV of ERISA, or knows that the plan administrator of
any
Plan has given or is required to give notice of any such reportable event,
a
copy of the notice of such reportable event given or required to be given
to the
PBGC; (ii) receives notice of complete or partial withdrawal liability under
Title IV of ERISA, a copy of such notice; or (iii) receives notice from the
PBGC
under Title IV of ERISA of an intent to terminate or appoint a trustee to
administer any Plan, a copy of such notice;
(j) prompt
written notice of any legal or arbitral proceedings, or of any proceedings,
by
or before any governmental or regulatory authority or agency, and any material
development in respect of such proceedings, affecting any Loan Party or any
of
its Subsidiaries, if an adverse determination in any such proceeding could
reasonably be expected to have, alone or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect; and
(k) from
time
to time such additional information regarding the financial position or business
of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent, at the
request of any Lender, may reasonably request.
35
Section
6.02 Inspection
of Property, Books and Records.
Each Loan
Party will (i) keep, and cause each Subsidiary to keep, true books of
record and account in which full, true and correct entries will be made of
all
of its dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities
and
set up on its books such reserves as is consistent with practices in place
on
the Closing Date; and (ii) permit, and cause each Subsidiary to permit,
representatives of the Administrative Agent or any Lender at the Administrative
Agent’s or such Lender’s expense prior to the occurrence of a Default and at the
Borrower’s expense after the occurrence of a Default to visit and inspect any of
their respective properties, to examine and make abstracts from any of their
respective books and records and to discuss their respective affairs, finances
and accounts with their respective officers, employees and independent public
accountants. Each Loan Party agrees to cooperate and assist in such visits
and
inspections, in each case at such reasonable times, at reasonable intervals
and
with reasonable prior knowledge.
Section
6.03 Conduct
of Business and Maintenance of Existence.
Each Loan
Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, maintain its corporate existence
and carry on its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially
the same fields as such business is now carried on and maintained.
Section
6.04 Compliance
with Laws; Payment of Taxes.
Each Loan
Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries and each member of the
Controlled Group to, comply with applicable laws (including but not limited
to
ERISA and Environmental Laws), regulations and similar requirements of
Governmental Authorities (including but not limited to PBGC), except where
the
necessity of such compliance is being contested in good faith through
appropriate proceedings diligently pursued or where non-compliance could
not,
alone or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. Loan Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay
promptly when due all taxes, assessments, governmental charges, claims for
labor, supplies, rent and other obligations which, if unpaid, might become
a
Lien against the property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, except
liabilities being contested in good faith and against which such Loan Party
will
set up reserves in accordance with GAAP.
Section
6.05 Insurance.
Each Loan
Party will maintain, and will cause each of its Domestic Subsidiaries and
Avocent International to maintain (either in the name of the Borrower, such
Loan
Party, such Subsidiary or Avocent International), with financially sound
and
reputable insurance companies, insurance on all its property in at least
such
amounts and against at least such risks (including on all its property, and
public liability and worker’s compensation) as are deemed in good faith by
management of such Loan Party, such Domestic Subsidiary or Avocent International
to be sufficient in accordance with usual and customary business
practices.
Section
6.06 Maintenance
of Property.
Each Loan
Party shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, maintain all of its properties
and assets in good condition, repair and working order, ordinary wear and
tear
excepted.
Section
6.07 Environmental
Matters.
Each Loan
Party will furnish to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent prompt written
notice of all pending, threatened or anticipated Environmental Liabilities
or
Environmental Conditions at, on, in, under or in any way affecting the
Properties or any adjacent property, and all facts, events, or conditions
that
could lead to any of the foregoing. Each Loan Party agrees that upon the
occurrence of any violation of Environmental Laws at or on any of the Properties
it will act immediately to investigate the extent of, and to take appropriate
remedial action to eliminate such violation in accordance with all applicable
Environmental Laws.
36
Section
6.08 Subsidiaries.
Each Loan
Party shall cause any Person which becomes a Domestic Subsidiary after the
Closing Date to become a party to this Agreement, and agree to be bound by
the
terms of the Guaranty (other than the representations and warranties contained
herein), pursuant to a joinder instrument in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (a “Joinder”) and executed and
delivered to the Administrative Agent within twenty (20) Business Days after
the
day on which such Person became a Domestic Subsidiary. No later than ninety
(90)
days from the day on which such Person became a Domestic Subsidiary, such
Domestic Subsidiary shall deliver a certificate to the Administrative Agent,
certifying that the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement
are true, accurate and complete in every material respect with regard to
such
Domestic Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, until such certificate
is
received by the Administrative Agent, such Domestic Subsidiary shall be treated
under the terms of this Agreement as if it was a Foreign Subsidiary, except
that
such Domestic Subsidiary shall be a Guarantor hereunder only for purposes
of
Article XI. Each Loan Party shall also cause the items specified in paragraphs
(c) and (f) of Section 4.01 with respect to each new Guarantor to be
delivered to the Administrative Agent concurrently with the Joinder, modified
appropriately to refer to such instrument and such Domestic
Subsidiary.
Section
6.09 Sources
and Uses Statement.
Contemporaneously with the closing of the LANDesk Acquisition, the Borrower
shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a sources and uses statement, in
form
and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, regarding
the
LANDesk Acquisition.
NEGATIVE
COVENANTS
Each
Loan
Party covenants and agrees that, so long as any Lender has any Commitment
or any
amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document remains
unpaid:
Section
7.01 Use
of Proceeds.
No
portion of the proceeds of the Loans will be used by any Loan Party or any
Subsidiary (i) in connection with, whether directly or indirectly, any tender
offer for, or other acquisition of, stock of any corporation with a view
towards
obtaining control of such other corporation, unless such tender offer or
other
acquisition is to be made on a negotiated basis with the approval of the
Board
of Directors of the Person to be acquired, and the provisions of
Section 7.06 would not be violated, (ii) directly or indirectly, for the
purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of purchasing or carrying
any Margin Stock, or (iii) for any purpose in violation of any applicable
law or regulation.
37
Section
7.02 Consolidations,
Mergers and Sales of Assets.
None of
the Loan Parties will, nor permit any Subsidiary to, consolidate or merge
with
or into, or sell, lease or otherwise transfer all or any substantial part
of its
assets to, any other Person, or discontinue or eliminate any business line
or
segment, provided that (a) the Borrower may merge with another Person if
(i)
such Person was organized under the laws of the United States of America
or one
of its states, (ii) the Borrower is the corporation surviving such merger
and
(iii) immediately after giving effect to such merger, no Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, (b) Domestic Subsidiaries may merge with one
another
or with a Foreign Subsidiary so long as the surviving entity is a Domestic
Subsidiary and a Guarantor, (c) Foreign Subsidiaries may merge with one another,
and (d) the foregoing limitation on the sale, lease or other transfer of
assets
and on the discontinuation or elimination of a business line or segment shall
not prohibit during any Fiscal Quarter, a transfer of assets or the
discontinuance or elimination of a business line or segment (in a single
transaction or in a series of related transactions) unless the aggregate
assets
to be so transferred or utilized in a business line or segment to be so
discontinued, when combined with all other assets transferred, and all other
assets utilized in all other business lines or segments discontinued, during
such Fiscal Quarter and the immediately preceding three (3) Fiscal Quarters,
either (x) constituted more than seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of Total
Assets at the end of the most recent Fiscal Year immediately preceding such
Fiscal Quarter, or (y) contributed more than seven and one-half percent (7.5%)
of EBITDA during the four (4) Fiscal Quarters immediately preceding such
Fiscal
Quarter.
Section
7.03 Change
in Fiscal Year.
The
Borrower will not change its Fiscal Year.
Section
7.04 Transactions
with Affiliates. No
Loan
Party nor any Subsidiary will enter into, or be a party to, any transaction
with
any of its Affiliates, except transactions (i) as permitted by law and in
the
ordinary course of business and pursuant to terms which are no less favorable
to
such Loan Party or such Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable
arm’s
length transaction with a Person which is not an Affiliate, (ii) among the
Borrower and its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries that are Domestic Subsidiaries,
(iii)
among Borrower’s Wholly Owned Subsidiaries that are Domestic Subsidiaries, (iv)
among Borrower’s Wholly Owned Subsidiaries that are Foreign Subsidiaries or (v)
among the Borrower, its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries that are Domestic Subsidiaries
and its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries that are Foreign Subsidiaries, or among
any
combination thereof, so long as any transaction under this clause (v) does
not
result in any significant value transfer, as reasonably determined by the
Administrative Agent, individually or in the aggregate, from the Borrower
or any
Domestic Subsidiary to any Foreign Subsidiary, and for the avoidance of doubt
shall permit transactions, in the ordinary course of business and consistent
with the Borrower’s business practices on the Closing Date, under this clause
(v) that are for the purpose of (A) allocating and sharing costs and expenses
among the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for insurance, research and development,
marketing and other similar costs and expenses, (B) transfer pricing for
tax
purposes to allow transfer of inventories, supplies and equipment to or from
any
Subsidiary, (C) stock compensation cross-charges paid to the Borrower by a
Foreign Subsidiary for stock options or restricted stock units of the Borrower
issued to employees of such Foreign Subsidiary, (D) intellectual property
licensing, and (E) Investments permitted by Section 7.06(x).
Section
7.05 Restricted
Payments.
None of
the Loan Parties will declare or make any Restricted Payment during any Fiscal
Year unless, after giving effect thereto, no Default shall be in existence
or be
created thereby.
38
Section
7.06 Investments.
Neither
any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary will make Investments in any Person except
(i)
loans or advances to employees not exceeding $5,000,000 in the aggregate
principal amount outstanding at any time, in each case made in the ordinary
course of business and consistent with practices existing on the Closing
Date;
(ii) deposits required by government agencies or public utilities, (iii)
Investments in direct obligations of the United States Government maturing
within one year, (iv) Investments in certificates of deposit issued by a
commercial lender whose credit is satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,
(v) Investments in commercial paper rated A1 or the equivalent thereof by
S&P or P1 or the equivalent thereof by Xxxxx’x and in either case maturing
within six (6) months after the date of acquisition, (vi) Investments in
tender bonds the payment of the principal of and interest on which is fully
supported by a letter of credit issued by a United States bank whose long-term
certificates of deposit are rated at least AA or the equivalent thereof by
S&P and Aa or the equivalent thereof by Xxxxx’x, (vii) Investments in
Guarantors to the extent that such Investments are not otherwise prohibited
by
this Agreement, (viii) Acquisitions permitted by Section 7.07,
(ix) any Investments permitted by Borrower’s Policy and Procedure Number
AF-14 - titled Investment Policy Statement and Procedure dated effective
as of
October 28, 2005, as in effect as of the Closing Date, a copy of which has
been
provided to the Administrative Agent in connection herewith, except that
any
“Strategic Equity Investment” as described in such policy in the aggregate
amount in excess of $2,000,000 will require the prior written consent of
the
Required Lenders, and (x) other Investments that, when combined with
Acquisitions permitted in the proviso of Section 7.07, do not at any time
exceed
an aggregate amount outstanding equal to seven and one-half percent (7.5%)
of
Total Assets; provided, however, immediately after giving effect to the making
of any Investment permitted under this Section, no Default shall have occurred
and be continuing.
Section
7.07 Acquisitions.
Neither
any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary will consummate, or enter into any agreement
providing for the consummation by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of, any
Acquisition other than a Permitted Acquisition; provided that the sum of
the
Investments permitted under Section 7.06(ix) plus
the
aggregate purchase price for all Acquisitions by Loan Parties and Domestic
Subsidiaries with respect to (a) assets located outside the United States
of
America and (b) Voting Stock of any entity organized under the laws of any
country other than the United States of America or a state thereof, shall
not
exceed seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of Total Assets.
Section
7.08 Limitation
on Liens and Subsidiary Debt.
Neither
any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary will create, assume or suffer to exist
any
Lien on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, and the Guarantors
shall not, and the Borrower shall not permit any Subsidiary to, incur any
Debt,
except:
(a) Liens
existing on the date of this Agreement securing Existing Debt described on
Schedule 7.08 hereto;
(b) any
Lien
existing on any specific fixed asset of any Person at the time such Person
becomes a Subsidiary and not created in contemplation of such
event;
(c) any
Lien
on any specific fixed asset securing Debt incurred or assumed for the purpose
of
financing all or any part of the cost of acquiring or constructing such asset,
provided that such Lien attaches to such asset concurrently with or within
eighteen (18) months after the acquisition or completion of construction
thereof;
39
(d) any
Lien
on any specific fixed asset of any Person existing at the time such Person
is
merged or consolidated with or into any Loan Party or any Subsidiary and
not
created in contemplation of such event;
(e) any
Lien
existing on any specific fixed asset prior to the acquisition thereof by
any
Loan Party or any Subsidiary and not created in contemplation of such
acquisition;
(f) Liens
securing Debt owing by any Subsidiary to the Borrower;
(g) Any
Permitted Encumbrances;
(h) any
Lien
arising out of the refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding of any Debt
secured by any Lien permitted by any of the foregoing paragraphs of this
Section, provided that (i) such Debt is not secured by any additional assets,
and (ii) the amount of such Debt secured by any such Lien is not
increased;
(i) Liens
incidental to the conduct of its business or the ownership of its assets
which
(i) do not secure Debt and (ii) do not in the aggregate materially detract
from
the value of its assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation
of
its business;
(j) Debt
owing
to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary to the extent permitted by
Section 7.06; and
(k) Liens
not
otherwise permitted by the foregoing paragraphs of this Section securing
Debt (other than indebtedness hereunder), and Debt of Subsidiaries not otherwise
permitted by paragraph (j), in an aggregate principal amount at any time
outstanding not to exceed $10,000,000.
Section
7.09 No
Restrictive Agreement.
No Loan
Party will, nor permit any Subsidiary to, enter into, after the date of this
Agreement, any indenture, agreement, instrument or other arrangement that,
directly or indirectly, prohibits or restrains, or has the effect of prohibiting
or restraining, or imposes materially adverse conditions upon, any of the
following by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary: (a) the incurrence or payment
of
Debt, (b) the granting of Liens, (c) the declaration or payment of dividends
or
other distributions in respect of Capital Stock of any Loan Party or any
Subsidiary, (d) the making of Investments or (e) the sale, assignment, transfer
or other disposition of property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or
intangible.
Section
7.10 Changes
in Accounting Policies.
Except to
the extent required by any change in GAAP but subject to the provisions of
Section 1.02, the Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary
to, make any material change to the Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s accounting
policies or practices without the prior written consent of the Administrative
Agent.
40
Section
7.11 Limitation
on Sale/Leaseback Transactions and Securitizations.
The Loan
Parties shall not, nor permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any (i)
Sale/Leaseback Transaction or (ii) any securitization financing
programs.
Section
7.12 Financial
Covenants.
(a) Minimum
Interest Coverage Ratio. The Interest Coverage Ratio shall not be less than
4.0
to 1.0 at any time.
(b) Maximum
Total Leverage Ratio. The Total Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 3.0 to 1.0
at
any time.
DEFAULTS
Section
8.01 Events
of Default.
If one or
more of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall have occurred and be
continuing:
(a) the
Borrower shall fail to pay when due (i) any principal of any Loan or any
Reimbursement Obligations with respect to any Letter of Credit, (ii) any
interest on any Loan or (iii) any fee or other amount payable hereunder;
or
(b) any
Loan
Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant contained in
Section 6.01(a), (b), (c) or (f), 6.02(ii), 6.03, 6.08 or Article VII;
or
(c) any
Loan
Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained
or
incorporated by reference in this Agreement (other than those covered by
paragraph (a) or (b) above) or any other Loan Document and such failure shall
not have been cured within thirty (30) days after the earlier to occur of
(i)
written notice thereof has been given to the Borrower by the Administrative
Agent at the request of any Lender or (ii) any Loan Party otherwise becomes
aware of any such failure; or
(d) any
representation, warranty, certification or statement made by any Loan Party
in
Article V of this Agreement or in any certificate, financial statement or
other
document delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect
or misleading in any material respect when made (or deemed made);
or
(e) any
Loan
Party or any Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment in respect of Debt
outstanding in an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than $5,000,000
(other than the amounts outstanding hereunder) when due or within any applicable
grace period; or
(f) any
event
or condition shall occur which results in the acceleration of the maturity
of
Debt outstanding in an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than
$5,000,000 of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (including, without limitation,
any required mandatory prepayment or “put” of such Debt to any Loan Party or any
Subsidiary) or enables (or, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or
both,
would enable) the holders of such Debt or commitment or any Person acting
on
such holders’ behalf to accelerate the maturity thereof or terminate any such
commitment (including, without limitation, any required mandatory prepayment
or
“put” of such Debt to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary); or
41
(g) any
Loan
Party or any Subsidiary shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding
seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to itself
or
its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter
in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator,
custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its
property, or shall consent to any such relief or to the appointment of or
taking
possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding
commenced against it, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit
of
creditors, or shall fail generally, or shall admit in writing its inability,
to
pay its debts as they become due, or shall take any corporate action to
authorize any of the foregoing; or
(h) an
involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against any Loan
Party
or any Subsidiary seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with
respect to it or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar
law
now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver,
liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial
part of
its property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain
undismissed and unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days; or an order for
relief
shall be entered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary under the federal
bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter in effect; or
(i) any
Loan
Party or any member of the Controlled Group shall fail to pay when due any
material amount which it shall have become liable to pay to the PBGC or to
a
Plan under Title IV of ERISA; or notice of intent to terminate a Plan or
Plans
shall be filed under Title IV of ERISA by any Loan Party, any member of the
Controlled Group, any plan administrator or any combination of the foregoing;
or
the PBGC shall institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate
or to
cause a trustee to be appointed to administer any such Plan or Plans or a
proceeding shall be instituted by a fiduciary of any such Plan or Plans to
enforce Section 515 or 4219(c)(5) of ERISA and such proceeding shall not
have been dismissed within thirty (30) days thereafter; or a condition shall
exist by reason of which the PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree
adjudicating that any such Plan or Plans must be terminated; or any Loan
Party
or any other member of the Controlled Group shall enter into, contribute
or be
obligated to contribute to, terminate or incur any withdrawal liability with
respect to, a Multiemployer Plan; or
(j) one
or
more judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount
in
excess of $1,000,000 shall be rendered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary
and such judgment or order shall continue unsatisfied and unstayed the later
to
occur of (i) the date forty-five (45) days following such judgment or order,
or
(ii) the date such judgment or order becomes final and nonappealable;
or
(k) a
federal
tax lien shall be filed against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary under
Section 6323 of the Code or a lien of the PBGC shall be filed against any
Loan Party or any Subsidiary under Section 4068 of ERISA and in either case
such lien shall remain undischarged for a period of twenty-five (25) days
after
the date of filing; or
42
(l) (i)
any
Person or two or more Persons acting in concert shall have acquired beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of 50% or more of the
outstanding shares of Voting Stock of the Borrower; or (ii) as of any date
a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower consists of individuals
who
were not either (A) directors of the Borrower as of the corresponding date
of
the previous year, (B) selected or nominated to become directors by the Board
of
Directors of the Borrower of which a majority consisted of individuals described
in clause (A), or (C) selected or nominated to become directors by the Board
of
Directors of the Borrower of which a majority consisted of individuals described
in clause (A) and individuals described in clause (B); or
(m) the
invalidity of (i) the Guaranty entered into in connection with the Loans
which
is either actual or asserted by any Loan Party or (ii) any other guarantee
of
the Loans which is either actual or asserted by any party thereto;
or
(n) the
occurrence of any event, act, occurrence, or condition which causes or could
reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect;
THEN,
and in
every such event, (i) the Administrative Agent may, and if requested by the
Required Lenders, shall, by notice to the Borrower terminate the Commitments
and
they shall thereupon terminate, and (ii) the Administrative Agent may, and
if
requested by the Required Lenders, shall, by notice to the Borrower declare
the
principal amounts of the Loans (together with accrued interest thereon),
and all
other amounts payable hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, to be,
and
the principal amounts of the Loans (together with accrued interest thereon),
and
all other amounts payable hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall
thereupon become, immediately due and payable without presentment, demand,
protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the
Loan
Parties, together with interest at the Default Rate accruing on the principal
amount thereof from and after the date of such Event of Default; provided
that
if any Event of Default specified in paragraph (g) or (h) above occurs with
respect to the Borrower, without any notice to the Borrower or any other
act by
the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, the Commitments shall thereupon
terminate and the Loans (together with accrued interest thereon) and all
other
amounts payable hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall automatically
and without notice become immediately due and payable without presentment,
demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived
by
the Loan Parties, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate accruing
on
the principal amount thereof from and after the date of such Event of Default.
In addition to the foregoing, if an Event of Default shall have occurred
and be
continuing, the Loan Parties shall be obligated to deposit with the Lender
cash
collateral in an amount equal to 105% of the undrawn amount available under
the
outstanding Letters of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative
Agent shall have available to it all other remedies at law or
equity.
THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Section
9.01 Appointment
and Authority.
Each of
the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints Regions Bank
to act
on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on
its
behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative
Agent
by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as
are
reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely
for the
benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, and
none
of the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary shall have rights as a third party
beneficiary of any of such provisions.
43
Section
9.02 Rights
as a Lender.
The
Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same
rights
and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise
the
same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or
“Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context
otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent
hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may
accept
deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other
advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with any
Loan
Party or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were
not
the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor
to
the Lenders.
Section
9.03 Exculpatory
Provisions.
The
Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those
expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting
the
generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent: (a) shall not be subject
to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default
has
occurred and is continuing; (b) shall not have any duty to take any
discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary
rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents
that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing
by
the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as
shall
be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided
that
the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in
its
opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent
to
liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law; and
(c)
shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents,
have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose,
any information relating to any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate
of a
Loan Party or a Subsidiary that is communicated to or obtained by the Person
serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not
taken
by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or
such
other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the
Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under
the
circumstances as provided in Sections 8.01 and 11.05) or (ii) in the absence
of
its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent
shall
be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice
describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower,
a
Lender or the Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible
for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty
or
representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other
Loan
Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document
delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith,
(iii)
the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other
terms
or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default,
(iv)
the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement,
any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or
(v)
the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein,
other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered
to the
Administrative Agent.
44
Section
9.04 Reliance
by Administrative Agent.
The
Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur
any
liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent,
statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic
message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed
by
it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated
by the
proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement
made to
it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper
Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining
compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance
of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction
of a Lender or the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent may presume that
such
condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the Issuing Bank unless the
Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such
Lender
or the Issuing Bank prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such
Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel
(who
may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts
selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken
by it
in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or
experts.
Section
9.05 Delegation
of Duties.
The
Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its
rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through
any
one or more sub agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative
Agent and any such sub agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise
its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The
exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub agent
and to
the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub agent, and
shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication
of
the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as
Administrative Agent.
Section
9.06 Resignation
of Administrative Agent.
The
Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the
Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice
of
resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with
the
Borrower, to appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so
appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment
within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its
resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may on behalf of the
Lenders
and the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent provided that
if
the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no
Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless
become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring
Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of
any
collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders
or
the Issuing Bank under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Administrative
Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as
a
successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (2) all payments,
communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the
Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the Issuing
Bank directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor
Administrative Agent as provided for above in this paragraph. Upon the
acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such
successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers,
privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent,
and the
retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties
and
obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already
discharged therefrom as provided above in this paragraph). The fees payable
by
the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those
payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and
such
successor. After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and
under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and
Section 12.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring
Administrative Agent, its sub agents and their respective Related Parties
in
respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while
the
retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.
45
Section
9.07 Non-Reliance
on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.
Each
Lender and the Issuing Bank acknowledges that it has, independently and without
reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their
Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this
Agreement. Each Lender and the Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will,
independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other
Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and
information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make
its
own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement,
any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished
hereunder or thereunder.
Section
9.08 No
Other Duties, etc.
Anything
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Lead Arranger and Bookrunner
listed
on the cover page hereof shall not have any powers, duties or responsibilities
under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.
CHANGE
IN CIRCUMSTANCES; COMPENSATION; YIELD PROTECTION
Section
10.01 Basis
for Determining Interest Rate Inadequate or Unfair.
If on or
prior to the first day of any Interest Period: (a) the Administrative Agent
reasonably and in good faith determines that deposits in Dollars (in the
applicable amounts) are not being offered in the relevant market for such
Interest Period, or (b) the Required Lenders advise the Administrative Agent
that the London Interbank Offered Rate as determined by the Administrative
Agent
will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding
Eurodollar Loans for such Interest Period, then the Administrative Agent
shall
forthwith give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders, whereupon
until
the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving
rise to such suspension no longer exist, the obligations of the Lenders to
make
Eurodollar Loans specified in such notice, or to permit continuations or
conversions into Eurodollar Loans, shall be suspended. Unless the Borrower
notifies the Administrative Agent at least two Business Days before the date
of
any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans for which a Notice of Borrowing has previously
been given, or continuation or conversion into such Eurodollar Loans for
which a
Notice of Continuation or Conversion has previously been given, that it elects
not to borrow or so continue or convert on such date, such Borrowing shall
instead be made as a Base Rate Borrowing, or such Eurodollar Loan shall be
converted to a Base Rate Loan, as applicable.
46
Section
10.02 Illegality.
If, after
the date hereof, any Change in Law, or compliance by any Lender (or its Lending
Office) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of
law)
of any Governmental Authority shall make it unlawful or impossible for any
Lender (or its Lending Office) to make, maintain or fund its Eurodollar Loans
and such Lender shall so notify the Administrative Agent, the Administrative
Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the other Lenders and the Borrower,
whereupon until such Lender notifies the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent
that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist, the
obligation of such Lender to make or permit continuations or conversions
of
Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended. Before giving any notice to the
Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section, such Lender shall designate
a
different Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for giving
such
notice and will not, in the judgment of such Lender, be otherwise
disadvantageous to such Lender. If such Lender reasonably and in good faith
shall determine that it may not lawfully continue to maintain and fund any
of
its outstanding Eurodollar Loans to maturity, and shall so specify in such
notice, the Borrower shall immediately prepay in full the then outstanding
principal amount of each Eurodollar Loan of such Lender, together with accrued
interest thereon and any amount due such Lender pursuant to Section 10.04.
Concurrently with prepaying each such Eurodollar Loan, the Borrower shall
borrow
a Base Rate Loan in an equal principal amount from such Lender (on which
interest and principal shall be payable contemporaneously with the related
Eurodollar Loans of the other Lenders), and such Lender shall make such a
Base
Rate Loan.
Section
10.03 Base
Rate Loans Substituted for Eurodollar Loans.
If (i)
the obligation of any Lender to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans has been
suspended pursuant to Section 10.01 or 10.02 or (ii) any Lender has
demanded compensation under Section 10.05, and the Borrower shall, by at
least five (5) Business Days’ prior notice to such Lender through the
Administrative Agent, have elected that the provisions of this Section shall
apply to such Lender, then, unless and until such Lender notifies the Borrower
that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension or demand for compensation
no longer apply, all Loans which would otherwise be made by such Lender as,
or
permitted to be continued as or converted into Eurodollar Loans shall instead
be
made as or converted into Base Rate Loans.
Section
10.04 Compensation.
Upon the
request of any Lender, delivered to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent,
the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such amount or amounts as shall compensate
such Lender for any loss, cost or expense incurred by such Lender as a result
of: (a) any payment or prepayment (pursuant to Section 2.10, 2.12, 8.01,
10.02, 10.07 or otherwise) of a Eurodollar Loan on a date other than the
last
day of an Interest Period for such Loan; or (b) any failure by the Borrower
to
prepay a Eurodollar Loan on the date for such prepayment specified in the
relevant notice of prepayment hereunder; or (c) any failure by the Borrower
to
borrow a Eurodollar Loan on the date for the Borrowing of which such Eurodollar
Loan is a part specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing delivered
pursuant to Section 2.02; such compensation to include, without limitation,
an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (x) the amount of interest which
would have accrued on the amount so paid or prepaid or not prepaid or borrowed
for the period from the date of such payment, prepayment or failure to prepay
or
borrow to the last day of the then current Interest Period for such Eurodollar
Loan (or, in the case of a failure to prepay or borrow, the Interest Period
for
such Eurodollar Loan which would have commenced on the date of such failure
to
prepay or borrow) at the applicable rate of interest for such Eurodollar
Loan
provided for herein less (y) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined
by
such Lender) such Lender would have paid on deposits in Dollars of comparable
amounts having terms comparable to such period placed with it by leading
lenders
in the London interbank market (if such Loan is a Eurodollar Loan).
47
Section
10.05 Increased
Costs.
(a) Increased
Costs Generally.
If any
Change in Law shall: (i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special
deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against
assets
of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated
in
by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted
London
Interbank Offered Rate) or the Issuing Bank; (ii) subject any Lender or the
Issuing Bank to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement,
any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Letter of Credit or any Eurodollar
Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender
or
the Issuing Bank in respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes or Other
Taxes
covered by Section 10.06 and the imposition of, or any change in the rate
of, any Excluded Tax payable by such Lender or the Issuing Bank); or
(iii) impose on any Lender or the Issuing Bank or the London interbank
market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or
Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation
therein (except any reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted London
Interbank Offered Rate); and the result of any of the foregoing shall be
to
increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurodollar
Loan
(or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase
the
cost to such Lender or the Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or
maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to
participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount
of any
sum received or receivable by such Lender or the Issuing Bank hereunder (whether
of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender
or
the Issuing Bank, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank,
as
the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such
Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs
incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) Capital
Requirements.
If any
Lender or the Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law affecting such
Lender or the Issuing Bank or any Lending Office of such Lender or the Issuing
Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, regarding
capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of
return
on such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such
Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this
Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or
participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters
of
Credit issued or maintained by the Issuing Bank, to a level below that which
such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding
company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into
consideration such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of
such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital
adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or
the
Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will
compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing
Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
48
(c) Certificates
for Reimbursement.
A
certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts
necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or its holding company,
as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section
and
delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The
Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the
amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt
thereof.
(d) Delay
in Requests.
Failure
or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation
pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the
Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower
shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant
to
this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more
than
three months prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the
case
may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased
costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s intention to
claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise
to
such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the three-month period
referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive
effect
thereof).
Section
10.06 Taxes.
(a) Payments
Free of Taxes.
Any and
all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder
or
under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without
reduction or withholding for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, provided
that
if any Loan Party shall be required by applicable law to deduct any Indemnified
Taxes (including any Other Taxes) from such payments, then (A) the sum payable
shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions
(including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section)
the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, receives
an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions
been
made, (B) such Loan Party shall make such deductions and (C) such Loan Party
shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority
in accordance with applicable law.
(b) Payment
of Other Taxes by Each Loan Party.
Without
limiting the provisions of paragraph (a) above, each Loan Party shall timely
pay
any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with
applicable law.
(c) Indemnification
by Each Loan Party.
Each
Loan Party shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the
Issuing
Bank, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of
any
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes
imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section)
paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the
case
may be, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom
or
with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes
were
correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.
A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to
the
Borrower by a Lender or the Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of
a
Lender or the Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. To
the
extent that any taxes, penalties, interest or expenses are paid by any of
the
Administrative Agent, a Lender or the Issuing Bank for which a Loan Party
intends to seek a refund or other offset from such Governmental Authority,
such
paying Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank shall, without incurring
any
additional actual costs or expenses not paid by such Loan Party, provide
reasonable cooperation to the indemnifying Loan Party in connection with
such
efforts.
49
(d) Evidence
of Payments.
As soon
as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by any
Loan
Party to a Governmental Authority, such Loan Party shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued
by
such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return
reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent.
(e) Status
of Lenders.
Any
Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding
tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is resident for
tax
purposes, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect
to
payments hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall deliver to the
Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times
prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the
Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation
prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without
withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender,
if
requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such
other
documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the
Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the
Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to
backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Without limiting
the
generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is resident for
tax
purposes in the United States of America, any Foreign Lender shall deliver
to
the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall
be
requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign
Lender
becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon
the
request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, but only if such Foreign
Lender is legally entitled to do so), whichever of the following is applicable:
(A) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming
eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States
of
America is a party, (B) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service
Form
W-8ECI, (C) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the
exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a
certificate to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (1) a “bank” within
the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) a “10 percent shareholder”
of the Borrower within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or
(3) a
“controlled foreign corporation” described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code
and (y) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or
(D)
any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption
from or a reduction in United States Federal withholding tax duly completed
together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by
applicable law to permit the Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction
required to be made.
50
(f) Treatment
of Certain Refunds.
If the
Administrative Agent, a Lender or the Issuing Bank determines, in its sole
discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as
to
which it has been indemnified by any Loan Party or with respect to which
any
Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall
pay to
such Loan Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of
indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Loan Party under
this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such
refund), net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative
Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, and without interest
(other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with
respect to such refund), provided that such Loan Party, upon the request
of the
Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, agrees to repay the
amount paid over to such Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other
charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative
Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank in the event the Administrative Agent,
such Lender or the Issuing Bank is required to repay such refund to such
Governmental Authority. This paragraph shall not be construed to require
the
Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank to make available its
tax
returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems
confidential) to any Loan Party or any other Person.
Section
10.07 Mitigation
Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) Designation
of a Different Lending Office.
If any
Lender requests compensation under Section 10.05, or requires any Loan
Party to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority
for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 10.06, then such Lender
shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for
funding
or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder
to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of
such
Lender, such designation or assignment (A) would eliminate or reduce amounts
payable pursuant to Section 10.05 or 10.06, as the case may be, in the
future and (B) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or
expense
and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. Each Loan Party
hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender
in
connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) Replacement
of Lenders.
If any
Lender notifies the Borrower of suspension of its obligations to make, maintain
or fund its Eurodollar Loans under Section 10.02, if any Lender requests
compensation under Section 10.05, if any Loan Party is required to pay any
additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account
of
any Lender pursuant to Section 10.06, or if any Lender defaults in its
obligation to fund Loans hereunder including without limitation under Section
2.13, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice
to such
Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate,
without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained
in, and consents required by, Section 12.07), all of its interests, rights
and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an
assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another
Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that: (i) the Borrower
shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified
in
Section 12.07; (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount
equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in Letter
of
Credit Obligations, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other
amounts
payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any
amounts under Section 10.04) from the assignee (to the extent of such
outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in
the
case of all other amounts); (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting
from a claim for compensation under Section 10.05 or payments required to
be made pursuant to Section 10.06, such assignment will result in a
reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and (iv) such assignment
does not conflict with applicable law. A Lender shall not be required to
make
any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver
by
such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require
such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
51
THE
GUARANTY
Section
11.01 Guaranty.
Each
Guarantor hereby unconditionally guarantees, jointly with the other Guarantors
and severally, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, to the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders and their respective
permitted successors and assigns and the subsequent holders of the Obligations
(including, without limitation, any interest on the Loans accruing after
the
filing of any insolvency, receivership, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation,
or
reorganization proceeding, or in any other proceeding, whether voluntary
or
involuntary, by or against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, under any
bankruptcy or insolvency law or laws, federal or state relating to the relief
of
debtors of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect, and in any
out-of-court composition, assignment for the benefit of creditors, readjustment
of indebtedness, reorganization, extension or other debt arrangement of any
kind, whether or not such interest accrues or is recoverable against the
Borrower after the filing of such petition for purposes of the Bankruptcy
Code
or is an allowed claim in such proceeding), irrespective of the validity
and
enforceability of this Agreement, the Notes or the other Loan Documents or
the
Obligations of any Loan Party hereunder, the value or sufficiency of any
collateral or any other circumstance that might otherwise affect the liability
of a guarantor, that: (i) the principal of and interest on the Loans, the
Notes and all other Obligations of the Loan Parties to the Administrative
Agent,
the Issuing Bank and the Lenders under this Agreement, the Notes and the
other
Loan Documents shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, in accordance with the terms hereof
and
thereof; and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of
any Loans, Notes or any other Obligations, the same shall be promptly paid
in
full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether
at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. The foregoing guaranty
is a
guaranty of payment and not of collection. Failing payment when due of any
amount so Guaranteed for whatever reason, each Guarantor, jointly and severally,
will be obligated to pay the same immediately.
Anything
contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations
of
each Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to a maximum aggregate amount equal
to
the greatest amount that would not render such Guarantor's obligations hereunder
subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under the Bankruptcy
Code or any provisions of applicable state law (collectively, the "Fraudulent
Transfer Laws"), in each case after giving effect to all other liabilities
of
such Guarantor, contingent or otherwise, that are relevant under the Fraudulent
Transfer Laws (specifically excluding, however, any liabilities of such
Guarantor (a) in respect of intercompany indebtedness to any Loan Party or
any Subsidiary or Affiliate of any Loan Party to the extent that such
indebtedness would be discharged in an amount equal to the amount paid by
such
Guarantor hereunder and (b) under any Guarantee of senior unsecured
indebtedness or Debt subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations
which
Guarantee contains a limitation as to maximum amount similar to that set
forth
in this paragraph, pursuant to which the liability of such Guarantor hereunder
is included in the liabilities taken into account in determining such maximum
amount) and after giving effect as assets to the value (as determined under
the
applicable provisions of the Fraudulent Transfer Laws) of any rights to
subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar rights of
such
Guarantor pursuant to (i) applicable law or (ii) any agreement
providing for an equitable allocation among such Guarantor and other Loan
Parties, Subsidiaries or Affiliates of obligations arising under Guarantees
by
such parties.
52
Section
11.02 Waivers
and Releases.
Each
Guarantor hereby waives notice of, and consents to, any extension of time
of
payment, renewals, releases of collateral, delays in obtaining or realizing
upon
or failures to obtain, perfect, or maintain perfection of, or realize upon
collateral or other indulgence from time to time granted by any of the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any of the Lenders in respect of
this
Agreement, the Loans, the Notes or any other Loan Document. Until the
Obligations have been paid in full in cash or otherwise satisfied to the
satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders,
all
rights of any Guarantor against the Borrower arising as a result of a payment
hereunder by such Guarantor by way of right of subrogation, contribution,
reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise shall in all respects be subordinate
and
junior in right of payment to the prior indefeasible payment in full in cash
of
all the Obligations. In addition, any indebtedness of the Borrower or any
Guarantor now or hereafter held by any Guarantor is hereby subordinated in
right
of payment to the prior payment in full of the Obligations. If any amount
shall
erroneously be paid to any Guarantor on account of (i) such subrogation,
contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar right or (ii) any such
indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Guarantor, such amount shall be
held
in trust for the benefit of the Lenders and shall forthwith be paid to the
Administrative Agent to be credited against the payment of the Obligations,
whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Loan
Documents. With respect to this Agreement, the Loans and the Notes, each
Guarantor hereby waives presentment, protest, demand of payment, notice of
dishonor and all other notices and demands whatsoever. Each Guarantor further
agrees that, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Administrative
Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, on the other hand, (i) the maturity
of
the Obligations Guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Section
8.01
hereof for the purposes of this Guaranty, notwithstanding any stay, injunction
or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations
Guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration
of
such Obligations as provided in Section 8.01 hereof, such Obligations (whether
or not otherwise due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable
by such
Guarantor for purposes of this Guaranty. The Obligations of each Guarantor
under
this Guaranty shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that
for
any reason any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is rescinded or must
otherwise be restored by any holder of any of the Obligations Guaranteed
hereunder, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or
reorganization or otherwise, and each Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify
the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders on demand for
their
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent,
the Issuing Bank and the Lenders in connection with such rescission or
restoration.
53
Section
11.03 Additional
Guarantors.
Pursuant
to Section 6.08 of this Agreement, all Domestic Subsidiaries acquired or
organized after the Closing Date are required to enter into this Agreement
as a
Guarantor within the period set forth in Section 6.08. Upon execution and
delivery, after the date hereof, by such a Domestic Subsidiary of an instrument
in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, such Domestic
Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor hereunder with the same force and effect
as
if originally named as a Guarantor herein. The execution and delivery of
any
instrument adding an additional Guarantor as a party to this Agreement shall
not
require the consent of any other Guarantor hereunder. The rights and obligations
of each Guarantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect
notwithstanding the addition of any new Guarantor as a party to this
Agreement.
Section
11.04 Miscellaneous.
(a) Upon
the
bankruptcy or winding up or other distribution of assets of any Loan Party
or
any Subsidiary or of any surety or guarantor for any of the Obligations of
the
Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders,
or
any of them, the rights of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and
the
Lenders against each Guarantor shall not be affected or impaired by the omission
of any of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender to prove
its
claim, or to prove its full claim, and the Administrative Agent may prove
such
claims as it sees fit and may refrain from proving any claim and in its
discretion may value as it sees fit or refrain from valuing any security
held by
it without in any way releasing, reducing or otherwise affecting the liability
of each Guarantor to any of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or
any
Lender.
(b) Each
Guarantor absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably waives any and all
right
to assert any defense, set-off, counterclaim or cross-claim of any nature
whatsoever with respect to this Guaranty or its obligations hereunder or
the
obligations of any other Person or party (including, without limitation,
the
Borrower) relating to this Guaranty or the obligations of any other guarantor
with respect to the Obligations in any action or proceeding brought by the
Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender to collect the Obligations
or any portion thereof, or to enforce the obligations of any Guarantor under
this Guaranty.
(c) The
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, or any of them, may
from
time to time, without exonerating or releasing any Guarantor in any way under
this Guaranty, (i) release, discharge, abandon or otherwise deal with or
fail to
deal with any other Loan Party, guarantor or surety of the Obligations or
any
security therefor or any part thereof now or hereafter held by the
Administrative Agent or (ii) amend, modify, extend, accelerate or waive in
any
manner any of the provisions, terms, or conditions of the Loan Documents,
all as
they may consider expedient or appropriate in their sole discretion or (iii)
act
or fail to act in any manner referred to in this Guaranty without regard
to
whether such action or inaction may deprive any Guarantor of its right to
subrogation against the Borrower to recover full indemnity for any payments
made
pursuant to this Guaranty. Without limiting the generality of this Guaranty,
it
is understood that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders
may, without exonerating or releasing any Guarantor, give up, or modify or
abstain from perfecting or taking advantage of any security for the Obligations
and accept or make any compositions or arrangements, and realize upon any
security for the Obligations when, and in such manner, as such Person may
deem
expedient, all without notice to any Guarantor.
54
(d) If
a claim
is ever made upon the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender
for
the repayment or recovery of any amount or amounts received by such Person
in
payment of any of the Obligations and such Person repays all or part of such
amount by reason of (i) any judgment, decree or order of any court or
administrative body having jurisdiction over such Person or any of its property,
or (ii) any settlement or compromise of any such claim effected by such Person
with any such claimant, including any Loan Party, then in such event each
Guarantor shall be and remain obligated to such Person hereunder for the
amount
so repaid or recovered to the same extent as if such amount had never originally
been received by such Person.
(e) Each
Guarantor expressly represents and acknowledges that it is a Subsidiary of
the
Borrower and any financial accommodations by the Administrative Agent, the
Issuing Bank and the Lenders, or any of them, to any Loan Party, including
without limitation the extension of the Loans and the issuance of the Letters
of
Credit are and will be of direct interest, substantial benefit and advantage
to
it.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section
12.01 Notices;
Effectiveness; Electronic Communication.
(a) Notices
Generally.
Except
in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be
given
by telephone (and except as provided in paragraph (b) below), all notices
and
other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be
delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or
registered mail or sent by telecopier as follows: (i) if to any Loan Party,
to
it c/o Avocent Corporation at 0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000,
Attention of Xx. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx (Telephone No. (000) 000-0000, Telecopier
No. (000) 000-0000); with a copy to Xx. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Executive Vice
President of Legal and Corporate Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary,
0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxx XX, Xxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 (Telephone No. (000) 000-0000,
Telecopier No. (000) 000-0000) (ii) if to the Administrative Agent or the
Issuing Bank, to it at Agency Services, Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000,
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000, Attention of Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx (Telephone No. 000-000-0000,
Telecopier No. 770-913-3091); and (iii) if to a Lender, to it at its address
(or
telecopier number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire. Notices
sent
by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered
mail,
shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by telecopier
shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during
normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given
at
the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices
delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in paragraph
(b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).
55
(b) Electronic
Communications.
Notices
and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereunder may
be
delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e mail and
Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the
Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices
to
any Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the
Issuing Bank, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it
is
incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication.
The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to
accept
notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications
pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures
may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless the
Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications
sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of
an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt
requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written
acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is
not
sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or
communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business
on
the next business day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications
posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the
deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described
in
the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication
is
available and identifying the website address therefor.
(c) Change
of Address, Etc.
Any
party hereto may change its address or telecopier number for notices and
other
communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.
Section
12.02 No
Waivers.
No
failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising
any
right, power or privilege hereunder or under this Agreement, any Note or
other
Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial
exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided
shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided
by
law.
Section
12.03 Expenses;
Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(a) Costs
and Expenses.
The Loan
Parties shall pay (i) all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by the
Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges
and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent subject to the
provisions of Section 4.01(l)), in connection with the syndication of the
credit
facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution,
delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
or
any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof
(whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be
consummated), (ii) all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by the
Issuing
Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of
any
Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out of
pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing
Bank (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the
Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank) in connection with
the
enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or
(B) in
connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including
all such out of pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring
or
negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
56
(b) Indemnification
by the Loan Parties.
Each
Loan Party shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof),
each Lender and the Issuing Bank, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing
Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each
Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
and
related expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel
for any Indemnitee), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any
Indemnitee by any third party or by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary arising
out
of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of
this
Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated
hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective
obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the
use or
proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing
Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents
presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the
terms
of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged Environmental Liability
related in any way to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or (iv) any actual
or
prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any
of
the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether
brought by a third party or by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, and regardless
of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, provided that such indemnity
shall
not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted
from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result
from
a claim brought by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary against an Indemnitee
for
breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any
other Loan Document, if such Loan Party or such Subsidiary has obtained a
final
and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a
court
of competent jurisdiction.
(c) Reimbursement
by Lenders.
To the
extent that the Loan Parties for any reason fail to indefeasibly pay any
amount
required under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by the Loan
Parties to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the Issuing
Bank
or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees
to
pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the Issuing Bank
or
such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage
(determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity
payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed
expense
or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the
case
may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or
any
such sub-agent) or the Issuing Bank in its capacity as such, or against any
Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent
(or
any such sub-agent) or Issuing Bank in connection with such capacity. The
obligations of the Lenders under this paragraph (c) are subject to the
provisions of Section 12.09.
57
(d) Waiver
of Consequential Damages, Etc.
To the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Loan Parties shall not assert,
and hereby waive, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability,
for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct
or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of,
this
Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated
hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter
of
Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in
paragraph (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use
by
unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by
it
through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission
systems
in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(e) Payments.
All
amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten (10) days
after demand therefor.
Section
12.04 Setoff;
Sharing of Setoffs; Application of Payments.
(a) If
an
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and the
Issuing Bank is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and
all
deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever
currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at
any
time owing by such Lender or the Issuing Bank to or for the credit or the
account of any Loan Party, any Domestic Subsidiary or Avocent International
against any and all of the obligations of any Loan Party, any Domestic
Subsidiary or Avocent International now or hereafter existing under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or the Issuing Bank,
irrespective of whether or not such Lender or the Issuing Bank shall have
made
any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such
obligations of such Loan Party, such Domestic Subsidiary or Avocent
International may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office
of such Lender or the Issuing Bank different from the branch or office holding
such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of each Lender
and
the Issuing Bank under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies
(including other rights of setoff) that such Lender and the Issuing Bank
may
have. Each Lender and the Issuing Bank agrees to notify the Borrower and
the
Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided
that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such
setoff and application.
(b) If
any
Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise,
obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans
or
other obligations hereunder resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a
proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon
or
other such obligations greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided
herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify
the
Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value)
participations in the Loans and such other obligations of the other Lenders,
or
make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of
all
such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the
aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective
Loans
and other amounts owing them, provided that: (i) if any such participations
are
purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is
recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price
restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and (ii) the
provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment
made by any Loan Party pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms
of
this Agreement or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for
the
assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations
in Reimbursement Obligations to any assignee or participant, other than to
any
Loan Party, any Domestic Subsidiary or Avocent International (as to which
the
provisions of this paragraph shall apply). Each Loan Party, on its own behalf
and on behalf of each Domestic Subsidiary or Avocent International, consents
to
the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under
applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the
foregoing arrangements may exercise against each Loan Party, each Domestic
Subsidiary and Avocent International, as applicable, rights of setoff and
counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender
were
a direct creditor of each Loan Party, each Domestic Subsidiary or Avocent
International, as applicable, in the amount of such participation.
58
(c) Prior
to
the occurrence of a Default, the Administrative Agent shall apply all payments
and prepayments in respect of the obligations of the Borrower under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document in such order as shall be specified
by the
Borrower. After the occurrence of a Default, the Administrative Agent shall,
unless otherwise specified at the direction of the Required Lenders which
direction shall be consistent with the last two sentences of this paragraph
(c),
apply all payments and prepayments in respect of any obligations of the Borrower
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and all proceeds of collateral,
if any, in the following order: (i) first, to pay interest on and then principal
of any portion of the Loans which the Administrative Agent may have advanced
on
behalf of any Lender for which the Administrative Agent has not then been
reimbursed by such Lender or any Loan Party; (ii) second, to pay interest
on and
then any outstanding Reimbursement Obligations for which the Issuing Bank
has
not then been reimbursed by the Lenders or any Loan party; (iii) third, to
pay obligations of any Loan Party in respect of any fees, expenses,
reimbursements or indemnities then due to the Administrative Agent; (iv)
fourth,
to pay obligations of any Loan Party in respect of any fees, expenses,
reimbursements or indemnities then due to the Issuing Bank; (v) fifth, to
pay obligations of any Loan Party in respect of any fees, expenses,
reimbursements or indemnities then due to the Lenders; (vi) sixth, to pay
interest due in respect of the Loans or any amounts payable by the Borrower
under any Swap Agreement with the Administrative Agent or any Lender; (vii)
seventh, to the ratable payment or prepayment of principal outstanding on
the
Loans and Reimbursement Obligations in such order as the Administrative Agent
may determine in its sole discretion; (viii) eighth, to the ratable payment
of
all other obligations of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any
Lender; and (ix) ninth, to provide cash collateral for undrawn Letters of
Credit
if required by Section 8.01. Unless otherwise designated (which designation
shall only be applicable prior to the occurrence of a Default) by the Borrower,
all principal payments in respect of Loans shall be applied first, to repay
outstanding Base Rate Loans, and second to repay outstanding Eurodollar Loans
with those Loans which have earlier expiring Interest Periods being repaid
prior
to those which have later expiring Interest Periods. The order of priority
set
forth in clauses (i) and (iii) of this paragraph (c) and the related provisions
of this Agreement are set forth solely to determine the rights and priorities
of
the Administrative Agent. The order of priority set forth in clauses (v)
through
(ix) of this paragraph (c) may at any time and from time to time be changed
by
the Required Lenders without necessity of notice to or consent of or approval
by
the Borrower, or any other Person. The order of priority set forth in clauses
(i) and (iii) of this paragraph (c) may be changed only with the prior written
consent of the Administrative Agent. The order of priority set forth in clauses
(ii) and (iv) of this paragraph (c) may be changed only with the prior written
consent of the Issuing Bank.
59
Section
12.05 Amendments
and Waivers.
Any
provision of this Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan Documents may be
amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing
and is
signed by the Borrower and the Required Lenders (and, if the rights or duties
of
the Administrative Agent are affected thereby, by the Administrative Agent);
provided that, no such amendment or waiver shall, unless signed by each Lender
directly affected thereby (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender, (ii)
reduce
the principal of or the rate of interest on any Loan or any fees (other than
fees payable to the Administrative Agent) hereunder, (iii) extend the date
fixed for any payment of principal of or interest on any Loan or any fees
hereunder, (iv) reduce the amount of principal, interest or fees due on any
date
fixed for the payment thereof, (v) change the percentage of the Commitments
or
of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans, or the percentage
of
Lenders, which shall be required for the Lenders or any of them to take any
action under this Section or any other provision of this Agreement, (vi)
change
the manner of application of any payments made under this Agreement, (vii)
release or substitute all or any substantial part of the collateral (if any)
held as security for the Loans, or (viii) release any Guarantee given to
support
payment of the Loans or (ix) change Section 12.07(b) without the consent of
each Lender that has assigned all or a portion of its Commitment or Loans
to one
or more Approved Funds.
Section
12.06 Independence
of Covenants.
All
covenants under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be given
independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted
by any such covenant, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception
to, or
would be otherwise allowed by, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence
of a Default if such action is taken or such condition exists.
Section
12.07 Successors
and Assigns.
(a) Successors
and Assigns Generally.
The
provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of
the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted
hereby,
except that none of the Loan Parties may assign or otherwise transfer any
of its
rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the
Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise
transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee
in
accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section, (ii) by
way of
participation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this
Section
or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to
the
restrictions of paragraph (f) of this Section (and any other attempted
assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing
in
this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any
Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns
permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in paragraph (d) of
this
Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties
of
each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable
right,
remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
60
(b) Assignments
by Lenders.
Any
Lender may at any time assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a
portion
of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion
of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any
such
assignment shall be subject to the following conditions: (i) the aggregate
amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding
thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the
principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject
to
each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption
with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent
or, if
“Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade
Date) shall not be less than $5,000,000, unless each of the Administrative
Agent
and, so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower
otherwise consent (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or
delayed); and (ii) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver
to
the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a
processing and recordation fee of $4,000, and the assignee, if it is not
a
Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative
Questionnaire. Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative
Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section, from and after the effective
date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder
shall
be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned
by such
Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under
this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent
of the
interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its
obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and
Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under
this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue
to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 10.05, 10.06 and 11.03 with respect
to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such
assignment. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations
under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated
for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation
in
such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (d) of this
Section.
(c) Register.
The
Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the
Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in Atlanta, Georgia a copy
of
each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the
recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments
of,
and principal amounts of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the
terms
hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be
conclusive, and the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
may
treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the
terms
hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding
notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by
the
Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon
reasonable prior notice.
(d) Participations.
Any
Lender may at any time, upon the prior written consent of the Borrower (unless
an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) and the Administrative
Agent, sell participations to any Person (each, a “Participant”) in all or a
portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement
(including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it);
provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain
unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other
parties
hereto for the performance of such obligations, and (iii) the Loan Parties,
the
Administrative Agent, the Lenders, and the Issuing Bank shall continue to
deal
solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and
obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to
which
a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall
retain
the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment,
modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that
such
agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the
consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver
that
is listed in the proviso to Section 12.05 and affects such Participant. Subject
to paragraph (e) of this Section, each Loan Party agrees that each Participant
shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 10.04, 10.05 and 10.06 to the
same
extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment
pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law,
each
Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 12.04 as
though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to
Section 12.04 as though it were a Lender.
61
(e) Limitations
upon Participant Rights.
A
Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections
10.05 and 10.06 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive
with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale
of
the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written
consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender
shall
not be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.06 unless the Borrower is
notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant
agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 10.06(e) as
though it were a Lender.
(f) Certain
Pledges.
Any
Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any
portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such
Lender,
including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve
Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender
from
any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee
for
such Lender as a party hereto.
Section
12.08 Treatment
of Certain Information; Confidentiality.
Each of
the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank agrees to maintain
the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that
Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its
Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents,
advisors and other representatives (each a “representative”) (it being
understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed
of
the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such
Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory
authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory
authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners),
(c) to
the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena
or
similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto or to any other Loan
Document, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or
under
any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement
or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder,
(f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same
as
those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any
prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations
under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its
advisors) to any Swap Agreement relating to the Borrower and its obligations,
(g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information
(x)
becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section
or
(y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing
Bank
or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source
other than the Borrower. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality
of
Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied
with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree
of
care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would
accord to its own confidential information.
Each of
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders acknowledges that (a) the Information
may include material non-public information concerning a Loan Party or a
Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures
regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle
such
material non-public information in accordance with applicable law, including
Federal and state securities laws. Notwithstanding the first sentence of
this
Section, each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that it will
not
disclose any of the Information to any representative of a Restricted Affiliate
unless (i) such representative is also a representative of the Administrative
Agent, a Lender or the Issuing Bank, (ii) such representative is not a
securities analyst and (iii) such representative uses such Information solely
for purposes related to the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated
thereby. For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information
received from any Loan Party or any Subsidiary relating to any Loan Party
or any
Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such
information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or
the
Issuing Bank on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by any Loan Party
or
any Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from any
Loan
Party or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly
identified at the time of delivery as confidential and “Restricted Affiliate”
means any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing
Bank
that is a securities broker and/or dealer or a registered investment advisor.
62
Section
12.09 Obligations
Several.
The
obligations of each Lender hereunder are several, and no Lender shall be
responsible for the obligations or commitment of any other Lender hereunder.
Nothing contained in this Agreement and no action taken by the Lenders pursuant
hereto shall be deemed to constitute the Lenders to be a partnership, an
association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity. The amounts payable
at
any time hereunder to each Lender shall be a separate and independent debt,
and
each Lender shall be entitled to protect and enforce its rights arising out
of
this Agreement or any other Loan Document and it shall not be necessary for
any
other Lender to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such
purpose.
Section
12.10 Governing
Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.
(a) GOVERNING
LAW.
THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW
OF THE
STATE OF GEORGIA.
(b) SUBMISSION
TO JURISDICTION.
EACH
LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY,
TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA SITTING
IN XXXXXX COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE NORTHERN
DISTRICT OF GEORGIA SITTING IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT
FROM
ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF
ANY
JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
AGREES
THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD
AND
DETERMINED IN SUCH GEORGIA STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED
BY
APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES
THAT A
FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY
BE
ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER
PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT
SHALL
AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR THE ISSUING
BANK
MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT
OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS
OF
ANY JURISDICTION.
63
(c) WAIVER
OF VENUE.
EACH
LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE
TO
THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING
TO
THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH
(b) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES,
TO
THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT
FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH
COURT.
(d) SERVICE
OF PROCESS.
EACH
PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED
FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 12.01. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE
RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED
BY
APPLICABLE LAW.
Section
12.11 Severability.
In case
any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement, the Notes
or any
of the other Loan Documents should be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any
respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions
contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired
thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by
law.
Section
12.12 Interest.
In no
event shall the amount of interest, and all charges, amounts or fees contracted
for, charged or collected pursuant to this Agreement, the Notes or the other
Loan Documents and deemed to be interest under applicable law (collectively,
“Interest”) exceed the highest rate of interest allowed by applicable law (the
“Maximum Rate”), and in the event any such payment is inadvertently received by
any Lender, then the excess sum (the “Excess”) shall be credited as a
payment of principal, unless the Borrower shall notify such Lender in writing
that it elects to have the Excess returned forthwith. It is the express intent
hereof that the Borrower not pay and the Lenders not receive, directly or
indirectly in any manner whatsoever, interest in excess of that which may
legally be paid by the Borrower under applicable law. The right to accelerate
maturity of any of the Loans does not include the right to accelerate any
interest that has not otherwise accrued on the date of such acceleration,
and
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders do not intend to collect any unearned
interest in the event of any such acceleration. All monies paid to the
Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder or under any of the Notes or
the
other Loan Documents, whether at maturity or by prepayment, shall be subject
to
rebate of unearned interest as and to the extent required by applicable law.
By
the execution of this Agreement, each Loan Party covenants, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, that (i) the credit or return of any Excess shall
constitute the acceptance by the Loan Parties of such Excess, and (ii) the
Loan
Parties shall not seek or pursue any other remedy, legal or equitable, against
the Administrative Agent or any Lender, based in whole or in part upon
contracting for charging or receiving any Interest in excess of the Maximum
Rate. For the purpose of determining whether or not any Excess has been
contracted for, charged or received by the Administrative Agent or any Lender,
all interest at any time contracted for, charged or received from the Borrower
in connection with this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents
shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated,
allocated and spread in equal parts throughout the full term of the Commitments.
The Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall, to the maximum
extent permitted under applicable law, (i) characterize any non-principal
payment as an expense, fee or premium rather than as Interest and (ii) exclude
voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof. The provisions of this Section
shall be deemed to be incorporated into each Note and each of the other Loan
Documents (whether or not any provision of this Section is referred to therein).
All such Loan Documents and communications relating to any Interest owed
by the
Borrower and all figures set forth therein shall, for the sole purpose of
computing the extent of obligations hereunder and under the Notes and the
other
Loan Documents be automatically recomputed by the Borrower, and by any court
considering the same, to give effect to the adjustments or credits required
by
this Section.
64
Section
12.13 Interpretation.
No
provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents shall be
construed against or interpreted to the disadvantage of any party hereto
by any
court or other governmental or judicial authority by reason of such party
having
or being deemed to have structured or dictated such provision.
Section
12.14 Waiver
of Jury Trial.
EACH
PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY
APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
OTHER
LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER
BASED
ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT
NO
REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY
OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION,
SEEK
TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER
PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER
LOAN
DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN
THIS
SECTION.
Section
12.15 USA
Patriot Act.
Each
Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title
III of
Pub. L. 107-56) (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”) hereby notifies
the Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the Act, it is required
to
obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Loan Parties, which
information includes the name and address of the Loan Parties and other
information that will allow such Lender to identify the Loan Parties in
accordance with the Act.
65
Section
12.16 Counterparts;
Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution.
(a) Counterparts;
Integration; Effectiveness.
This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto
in
different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but
all of
which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement
and
the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect
to
fees payable to the Administrative Agent, constitute the entire contract
among
the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all
previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the
subject
matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall
become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent
and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof
that,
when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement
by
telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart
of
this Agreement.
(b) Electronic
Execution of Assignments.
The
words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any
Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures
or
the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the
same
legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature
or the
use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent
and
as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic
Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, or any other similar state
laws
based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
[REMAINDER
OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN
WITNESS
WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed,
under seal, by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year
first
above written.
BORROWER: | ||
AVOCENT
CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation
|
||
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Xxxx
X.
Xxxxxx
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxx
Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
|
||
|
66
REGIONS
BANK,
as
Administrative Agent, Issuing
Bank
and as a Lender
|
||
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx (SEAL) | ||
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | ||
Title: Executive Vice President | ||
2
GUARANTORS:
AVOCENT
HUNTSVILLE CORP.,
an
Alabama
corporation
AVOCENT
SERVICES CORPORATION,
a
Texas
corporation
AVOCENT
XXXXXXX CORP.,
a
Washington corporation
APEX
INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
a
Washington corporation
AVOCENT
TEXAS I, LLC,
a
Washington limited liability company
AVOCENT
TEXAS II, LLC,
a
Washington limited liability company
AVOCENT
CALIFORNIA CORP.,
a
California corporation
OSA
TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,
a
Delaware
corporation
AVOCENT
CANADA HOLDING CORP.,
a
Deleware
corporation
CYCLADES
CORPORATION,
a
California corporation
By:
/s/
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx (SEAL)
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer
AVOCENT
NEVADA LLC,
a
Nevada
limited liability company
By:
/s/
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
(SEAL)
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
Manager
AVOCENT
TEXAS, L.P.,
a
Texas
limited partnership
By
AVOCENT TEXAS I, LLC,
Its
General Partner
By
AVOCENT
XXXXXXX CORP.,
Its
sole
member
By:
/s/
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx (SEAL)
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer
3