WAIVER AND MODIFICATION TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

EX-10.3 4 a50820430ex10_3.htm EXHIBIT 10.3 a50820430ex10_3.htm
Exhibit 10.3
 
WAIVER AND MODIFICATION TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

This Waiver and Modification to Loan and Security Agreement (“Modification”) is executed on March __, 2014 but effective as of February 28, 2014 (the “Modification Effective Date”), by and among Partners for Growth III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership corporation (“PFG”) with its principal place of business at 150 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, California 94111, and each of Advanced Photonix, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“API”) and Picometrix, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Picometrix”), each with its principal place of business at 2925 Boardwalk, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (individually and collectively, jointly and severally, “Borrower”).

RECITALS
 
A.           PFG and Borrower have entered into that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of February 8, 2013 (as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or restated, the “Loan Agreement”), pursuant to which PFG has made available to Borrower, among other credit accommodations, a term loan in the original principal amount of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000) (the “Loan”).
 
B.           PFG and Borrower entered into that certain Forbearance Agreement dated as of February 10, 2014 (the “Forbearance”) to address a Borrower default under Section 5 of the Schedule to the Loan Agreement for failing to comply with the minimum EBITDA financial covenant for the month ending December 31, 2013 (the “December Event of Default”), and the Forbearance Period under the Forbearance expired on the Modification Effective Date.
 
C.           Borrower is also in default under Section 5 of the Schedule to the Loan Agreement for the reporting period ending January 31, 2014 for failing to comply with the minimum EBITDA and required Liquidity Ratio financial covenants (the “January Event of Default”).
 
D.           Borrower’s failure to comply with the minimum EBITDA financial covenant for the fiscal months ending December 27, 2013 and January 31, 2014 and minimum Liquidity Ratio financial covenant for the fiscal month ending January 31, 2014 under its (i) Loan and Security Agreement dated January 31, 2012 by and among API, Picometrix and Advanced Photonix Canada, Inc. (“APC”) and Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”); and (ii) Loan and Security Agreement (Ex-IM Loan Facility) dated January 31, 2012 by and among API, Picometrix, APC and SVB also resulted in Borrower’s default under Section 6.1(f) of the Loan Agreement for the months ended December 31, 2013 and January 31, 2014 (the “Cross-Defaults” and together with the December Event of Default and the January Event of Default, the “Existing Events of Default”) and Borrower has requested that PFG (i) modify the EBITDA financial covenant thresholds so that Borrower may be in compliance on a prospective basis and (ii) waive the Existing Events of Default.
 
E.           PFG is willing to reset the EBITDA and Liquidity Ratio financial covenant thresholds and to waive the Existing Events of Default upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;
 
 
 

 
 
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and covenants contained herein, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.           DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS:  Among other Obligations and indebtedness which may be owing by Borrower to PFG, Borrower is indebted to PFG pursuant to, among other documents, the Loan Agreement.  The Loan Agreement provides for a term loan in the principal amount of $2,500,000, of which $1,795,714 is outstanding on the date hereof.  Defined terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings set forth in the Loan Agreement.

2.           DESCRIPTION OF COLLATERAL. Repayment of Obligations is secured by the Collateral, as described in the Loan Agreement and in the Intellectual Property Security Agreement and Collateral Agreements and Notices of even date with the Loan Agreement (the “IP Security Agreements”). Hereinafter, the above-described Loan Agreement, IP Security Agreements, Cross Corporate Continuing Guaranty and Security Agreement and Representations and Warranties, together with all other documents securing repayment of the Indebtedness or otherwise executed in connection with the Loan Agreement shall be referred to as the "Existing Loan Documents".

3.           MODIFICATIONS TO LOAN AGREEMENT.

3.1           Minimum EBITDA. The Minimum EBITDA financial covenant set forth in Section 5 of the Schedule to the Loan Agreement which read, prior to the Modification Effective Date as follows:
 
“     Minimum EBITDA:
 
 Borrower shall maintain EBITDA measured monthly on a rolling (trailing) three-month basis for the month ending the date set forth below and each of the immediately prior two months ending on the last day of each such month, of not less than the amounts set forth in the table below for the each of the monthly periods specified with the date ranges below:
 
Month Ending
Min EBITDA
February 28, 2013 through fiscal month ending June 30, 2013
($750,000
July 31, 2013 through fiscal month ending October 31, 2013
($300,000)
November 30, 2013 through fiscal month ending February 28, 2014
$1.00
March 31, 2014 through the fiscal month ending April 30, 2014
$100,000
May 31, 2014 through the Maturity Date
To be agreed upon by Borrowers and Bank, based on Board approved plan, but no rolling 3 month period to be set lower than $100,000
 
 
 

 
 
EBITDA” shall mean (a) Net Income, plus (b) Interest Expense, plus (c) to the extent deducted in the calculation of Net Income, depreciation expense and amortization expense, plus (d) non-cash stock compensation, plus (e) income tax expense, plus (f) other non-cash items including intangible asset write-offs, plus (g) non-cash warrant liability expenses, in each case to the extent such items have been deducted from the calculation of Net Income or less non-cash warrant liability income to the extent added to the calculation of Net Income.
 
shall be amended to read as from the Modification Effective Date as follows:
 
     Minimum EBITDA:
 Borrower shall maintain EBITDA measured monthly on a rolling (trailing) three-month basis for the month ending the date set forth below and each of the immediately prior two months ending on the last day of each such month, of not less than the amounts set forth in the table below for the each of the monthly periods specified with the date ranges below:
 
Month Ending
Min EBITDA
February 28, 2014
($1,200,000)
March 31, 2014
($800,000)
April 30, 2014
($600,000)
May 31, 2014
$1.00
June 30, 2014 through the Maturity Date
 
To be agreed upon by Borrowers and PFG, based on Board approved plan, but no rolling 3 month period to be set lower than levels set with the Senior Lender, assuming the Senior Lender extends its line of credit beyond maturity date specified in the Senior Loan Documents as at February 28, 2014.
 
EBITDA” shall mean (a) Net Income, plus (b) Interest Expense, plus (c) to the extent deducted in the calculation of Net Income, depreciation expense and amortization expense, plus (d) non-cash stock compensation, plus (e) income tax expense, plus (f) other non-cash items including intangible asset write-offs, plus (g) non-cash warrant liability expenses, plus (h) the sum of Loan Modification Fees (only) charged by PFG and Lender in connection with the loan modifications consummated on or about the Modification Effective Date, in each case to the extent such items have been deducted from the calculation of Net Income or less non-cash warrant liability income to the extent added to the calculation of Net Income.”
 
 
 

 
 
3.2           Liquidity. The required Liquidity Ratio set forth in Section 5 of the Schedule to the Loan Agreement which, prior to the Modification Effective Date was “2.25 to 1.00” is amended as from the Modification Effective Date to read: “1.30 to 1.00 for the month of February 2014, 2.25 to 1.00 for the months of March 2014 through May 2014 and, thereafter, such thresholds as shall be agreed upon by Borrowers and PFG, based on Board approved plan, but no monthly threshold to be set lower than levels specified in the Senior Loan Documents, assuming the Senior Lender extends its line of credit beyond the maturity date in effect on February 28, 2014.”
 
         3.3           New Compliance Certificate. Until otherwise notified by PFG, the Compliance Certificate required under the Loan Agreement is amended to read in its entirety as set forth in Exhibit A.
 
4.           ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF EXISTING EVENTS OF DEFAULT; WAIVER.  Borrower acknowledges that it is currently in default under the Loan Agreement due to the Existing Events of Default.  If no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Loan Agreement, other than the Existing Events of Default, and Borrower timely satisfies the conditions set forth in Section 10, PFG shall be deemed to have waived the Existing Events of Default. Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that except as specifically provided herein, nothing in this Section or anywhere in this Modification shall be deemed or otherwise construed as a waiver by PFG of any of its rights and remedies pursuant to the Existing Loan Documents, applicable law or otherwise. The waiver of Existing Events of Default set forth in this Modification shall be limited precisely as written and shall not be deemed (a) to be a forbearance, waiver or modification of any other term or condition of the Loan Agreement or of any other instrument or agreement referred to therein or to prejudice any right or remedy which PFG may now have or may have in the future under or in connection with the Loan Agreement or any instrument or agreement referred to therein; (b) to be a consent to any future amendment or modification, forbearance or waiver to any instrument or agreement the execution and delivery of which is consented to hereby, or to any waiver of any of the provisions thereof; or (c) to limit or impair PFG’s right to demand strict performance of all terms and covenants as of any date, subject to this Modification. The Loan Agreement, as amended, shall continue in full force and effect. PFG acknowledges that, without having conducted any audit, inspection or other special review, it is not aware of any Default or Event of Default other than the Existing Events of Default.
 
5.           PAYMENT OF FEES AND EXPENSES.  Borrower shall pay to PFG its reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses in connection with this Modification.

6.           RATIFICATION OF EXISTING LOAN DOCUMENTS.  Borrower hereby ratifies, confirms and reaffirms, all and singular, the terms and conditions of each of the Existing Loan Documents, as amended, to which it is a party.
 
 
 

 
 
7.           REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Borrower represents and warrants that:
 
(a)           immediately upon execution of this Modification and assuming Borrower's satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 10 hereof (i) the representations and warranties contained in the Existing Loan Documents are true, accurate and complete in all material respects as of the date hereof (except to the extent such representations and warranties relate to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct as of such date), and (ii) no Default or Event of Default (other than the Existing Events of Default) has occurred and is continuing or would result from the performance of the Existing Loan Documents as modified hereby;
 
(b)           Borrower has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Modification and to perform its Obligations under the Existing Loan Documents, as amended by this Modification, and the person(s) executing this Modification on behalf of Borrower are duly empowered to do so;
 
(c)           the articles of incorporation and other formation and organizational documents of Borrower provided to PFG on the date of the Loan Agreement remain true, accurate and complete and have not been amended, supplemented or restated and are and continue to be in full force and effect or, if any such documents have been amended, supplemented or restated or are no longer true, accurate and complete, Borrower shall provide true, complete, correct and current versions of such documents as additional conditions to this Modification under Section 10;
 
(d)           the execution and delivery by Borrower of this Modification and the performance by Borrower of its Obligations under the Loan Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Borrower;
 
(e)           this Modification has been duly executed and delivered by Borrower and (i) constitutes the binding obligation of Borrower, enforceable against Borrower in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, moratorium or other similar laws of general application and equitable principles relating to or affecting creditors’ rights; and (ii) does not conflict with any law or regulation or judgment or the organizational documents of Borrower, or any agreement or document to which Borrower is a party or which is binding upon it or any of this assets; and (iii) does not require any authorization, approval, consent, licence or registration in any jurisdiction for its execution, performance, validity or enforceability;
 
(f)           Borrower acknowledges that PFG has acted in good faith and has conducted in a commercially reasonable manner its relationship with Borrower in connection with this Modification and in connection with the Existing Loan Documents;
 
(g)           the IP Security Agreements disclose an accurate, complete and current listing of all Collateral that consists of Intellectual Property (as defined in said IP Security Agreement) or Borrower has included revised and updated Intellectual Property schedules as part of an update to the Representations required in Section 10.3 of this Modification; and
 
 
 

 
 
(h)           Borrower hereby ratifies, confirms and reaffirms, all and singular, the terms and disclosures contained in the Representations as last delivered to PFG, and acknowledges, confirms and agrees the disclosures and information contained therein have not changed in any Non-Trivial respect as of the date hereof, or, if the Representations require additional disclosure in order to be true, accurate and complete in all Non-Trivial respects as of the date hereof, Borrower shall have provided the update to the Representations required in Section 10.3.
 
Borrower understands and acknowledges that PFG is entering into this Modification in reliance upon, and in partial consideration for, the above representations and warranties, and agrees that such reliance is reasonable and appropriate.
 
8.           NO DEFENSES.  Borrower agrees that, as of the date hereof, it has no defenses against its  legal obligation to pay any and all Obligations.

9.           CONTINUING VALIDITY.  Borrower understands and agrees that in modifying the Loan Agreement, PFG is relying upon Borrower's representations, warranties, and agreements, as set forth in the Existing Loan Documents, including as to its proper authorization and execution by Borrower.  Except as expressly modified pursuant to this Modification, the terms of the Existing Loan Documents remain unchanged and in full force and effect.  PFG's agreement to modify the Loan Agreement pursuant to this Modification in no way shall obligate PFG to make any future consents, waivers or modifications to the Obligations.  Nothing in this Modification shall constitute a satisfaction of the Obligations or a waiver of any default under the Existing Loan Documents other than the Existing Events of Default.  It is the intention of PFG and Borrower to retain as liable parties all makers and guarantors of Obligations under the Existing Loan Documents.  Unless expressly released herein, no maker, endorser, or guarantor will be released by virtue of this Modification other than with respect to the Existing Events of Default.  The terms of this paragraph apply not only to this Modification, but also to all subsequent loan modification agreements.

10.           CONDITIONS.  The effectiveness of this Modification is conditioned the following (whether satisfied on or before the Modification Effective Date or thereafter, if performance is specified to occur after the Modification Effective Date:

10.1           Execution and Delivery.  Borrower and Guarantor shall have duly executed and delivered a counterpart of this Modification to PFG on or before March 6, 2014.
 
10.2           Payment of PFG Expenses.  Borrower shall pay upon invoice all PFG Expenses (including all reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in connection with this Modification.
 
10.3           Updates to Borrower Information. If required to render the Representations as last delivered to PFG true, correct, accurate and complete as of the date hereof, Borrower shall have delivered to PFG true and current information and versions of such documents.
 
10.4           Loan Modification Fee. Borrower shall have paid PFG a fee equal to $10,000 on or before the Modification Effective Date.
 
 
 

 
 
               10.5           Constitutional and Authority Documents. To the extent the same may have been modified or superseded or are no longer accurate since the date of the Loan Agreement, PFG shall have received copies, certified by a duly authorized officer of each Borrower, to be true and complete as of the date hereof, of each of (i) the governing documents of each Borrower as in effect on the date hereof, (ii) any necessary resolutions of each Borrower authorizing the execution and delivery of this Modification, the other documents executed in connection herewith and each Borrower’s performance of all of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (iii) an incumbency certificate giving the name and bearing a specimen signature of each individual who shall be so authorized on behalf of each Borrower.

For the avoidance of doubt, the failure of any of the conditions set forth in this Section 10, unless waived by PFG in its sole discretion, shall constitute an Event of Default.
 
11.           ADDITIONAL FEE.  In addition, Borrower shall pay a cash fee to PFG no later than the earlier to occur of (i) May 31, 2014 or (ii) the date that all outstanding amounts become due under the Loan Agreement in such amount as PFG may determine, but in no event shall such additional fee exceed $75,000. For the avoidance of doubt, Borrower’s failure to pay PFG the Additional Fee in accordance with this Section 11, unless waived by PFG in its sole discretion, shall constitute an Event of Default.
 
12.           RELEASE.  Each Borrower and each Guarantor (each, a “Releasor”) hereby forever relieves, releases, and discharges PFG and each of its present or former employees, officers, directors, agents, representatives, attorneys (the “Indemnitees”), from any and all possible claims, debts, liabilities, demands, obligations, promises, acts, agreements, costs and expenses, actions and causes of action, of every type, kind, nature, description or character, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, absolute or contingent, arising out of or in any manner connected with or related to facts, circumstances, issues, controversies or claims existing or arising from the beginning of time through and including the date of execution of this Modification, which any Releasor or any of their respective partners, members, officers, agents or employees may now or hereafter have against the Indemnitees, if any, and irrespective of whether any of the foregoing arise out of contract, tort, violation of laws or regulations or otherwise, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of any duty of fair dealing, breach of confidence, breach of funding commitment, undue influence, duress, economic coercion, violation of any federal or state securities or Blue Sky laws or regulations, conflict of interest, negligence, bad faith, malpractice, violations of the racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, intentional or negligent infliction of mental distress, tortious interference with contractual relations, tortuous interference with corporate governance or prospective business advantage, deceptive trade practices, libel, slander, conspiracy or any claim relating to the Existing Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated therein (collectively “Released Claims”). Without limiting the foregoing, the Released Claims shall include any and all liabilities or claims arising out of or in any manner connected with or related to the Existing Loan Documents, the Recitals hereto, any instruments, agreements or documents executed in connection with any of the foregoing or the origination, negotiation, administration, servicing and/or enforcement of any of the foregoing.  In furtherance of this release, each Releasor expressly acknowledges and waives any and all rights under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which provides as follows: A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or expect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor.” By entering into this release, each Releasor recognizes that no facts or representations are ever absolutely certain and it may hereafter discover facts in addition to or different from those which it presently knows or believes to be true, but that it is the intention of each Releasor hereby to fully, finally and forever settle and release all matters, disputes and differences, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected; accordingly, if any Releasor should subsequently discover that any fact that it relied upon in entering into this release was untrue, or that any understanding of the facts was incorrect, no Releasor shall be entitled to set aside this release by reason thereof, regardless of any claim of mistake of fact or law or any other circumstances. Each Releasor acknowledges that it is not relying upon and has not relied upon any representation or statement made by PFG with respect to the facts underlying this release or with regard to any of such party’s rights or asserted rights. This release may be pleaded as a full and complete defense and/or as a cross-complaint or counterclaim against any action, suit, or other proceeding that may be instituted, prosecuted or attempted in breach of this release. Each Releasor acknowledges that the release contained herein constitutes a material inducement to PFG to enter into this Modification, and that PFG would not have done so but for PFG’s expectation that such release is valid and enforceable in all events.  Each Releasor hereby represents and warrants to PFG, and PFG is relying thereon, as follows: (i) except as expressly stated in this Modification , neither PFG nor any agent, employee or representative of PFG has made any statement or representation to any Releasor regarding any fact relied upon by any Releasor in entering into this Modification ; (ii) each Releasor has made such investigation of the facts pertaining to this Modification and all of the matters appertaining thereto, as it deems necessary; (iii) the terms of this Modification are contractual and not a mere recital; (iv) this Modification has been carefully read by each Releasor, the contents hereof are known and understood by each Releasor, and this Modification is signed freely, and without duress, by each Releasor; (v) each Releasor represents and warrants that it is the sole and lawful owner of all right, title and interest in and to every claim and every other matter which it releases herein, and that it has not heretofore assigned or transferred, or purported to assign or transfer, to any person, firm or entity any claims or other matters herein released. Borrower shall indemnify PFG, defend and hold it harmless from and against all claims based upon or arising in connection with prior assignments or purported assignments or transfers of any claims or matters released herein.
 
 
 

 
 
13.           MISCELLANEOUS.  The quotation marks around modified clauses set forth herein and any differing font styles, if any, in which such clauses are presented herein are for ease of reading only and shall be ignored for purposes of construing and interpreting this Modification. The Recitals to this Modification are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

14.           INTEGRATION; CONSTRUCTION.  This Modification, the Forbearance and the Loan Documents and any documents executed in connection herewith or therewith or pursuant hereto or thereto contain the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, offers and negotiations, oral or written, with respect thereto and no extrinsic evidence whatsoever may be introduced in any judicial or arbitration proceeding, if any, involving this Modification; except that any financing statements or other agreements or instruments filed by PFG with respect to Borrower shall remain in full force and effect. The title of this Modification, section headings and quotation marks around amended provisions are for the readers’ convenience only and shall be ignored for purposes of integration into the Loan Agreement. This Modification shall be deemed effective as against any and all Borrower parties that execute and deliver this Forbearance, and the failure of any such Borrower to so execute and deliver shall not affect the enforceability of this Modification against each Borrower party that does.

15.           INCORPORATION OF PROVISIONS. The provisions of Section 8 of the Loan Agreement are incorporated by reference herein and made applicable to this Modification.

[Signature Page Follows]

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Modification to be executed and delivered as of the Modification Effective Date.


Borrower:
 
ADVANCED PHOTONIX, INC.
 
 
By_______________________________
President or Vice President
 
By_______________________________
Secretary or Ass't Secretary
PFG:
 
PARTNERS FOR GROWTH III, L.P.
 
 
By_______________________________
 
Name:  ___________________________
 
Title: Manager, Partners for Growth III, LLC
Its General Partner
   
Borrower:
 
PICOMETRIX, LLC
 
 
By_______________________________
President
Name ____________________________
 
Richard D. Kurtz
 
 
 

 
 
Exhibit A

Compliance Certificate