U.S. $50,000,000 SENIORUNSECURED BRIDGE CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of November 26, 2013 among SCORPIO ACQUISITIONCORPORATION, as Holdings, POLYMER GROUP, INC., as Borrower, THE LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO, CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., asAdministrative Agent, BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as Syndication Agent, RBC CAPITALMARKETS1 and HSBC BANK USA, N.A., asCo-Documentation Agents, CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC. and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers and CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC., BARCLAYS BANK PLC, RBC CAPITALMARKETS and HSBC SECURITIES(USA) INC., as Joint Bookrunners
Exhibit 10.2
U.S. $50,000,000
SENIOR UNSECURED BRIDGE CREDIT AGREEMENT
dated as of November 26, 2013
among
SCORPIO ACQUISITION CORPORATION,
as Holdings,
POLYMER GROUP, INC.,
as Borrower,
THE LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,
CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC.,
as Administrative Agent,
BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
as Syndication Agent,
RBC CAPITAL MARKETS1
and
HSBC BANK USA, N.A.,
as Co-Documentation Agents,
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
and
BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
as Joint Lead Arrangers
and
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,
BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
RBC CAPITAL MARKETS
and
HSBC SECURITIES (USA) INC.,
as Joint Bookrunners
1 | RBC Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets businesses of Royal Bank of Canada and its affiliates. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I | ||||||
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS | ||||||
Section 1.01 | Defined Terms | 1 | ||||
Section 1.02 | Other Interpretive Provisions | 37 | ||||
Section 1.03 | Accounting Terms and Determinations | 38 | ||||
Section 1.04 | Rounding | 38 | ||||
Section 1.05 | Times of Day | 38 | ||||
Section 1.06 | Currency Equivalents Generally | 39 | ||||
ARTICLE II | ||||||
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS | ||||||
Section 2.01 | The Loans | 39 | ||||
Section 2.02 | Borrowings and Continuations of Loans | 39 | ||||
Section 2.03 | [Reserved] | 40 | ||||
Section 2.04 | [Reserved] | 40 | ||||
Section 2.05 | Prepayments | 40 | ||||
Section 2.06 | Termination or Reduction of Commitments | 41 | ||||
Section 2.07 | Repayment of Loans | 41 | ||||
Section 2.08 | Interest | 42 | ||||
Section 2.09 | Fees | 42 | ||||
Section 2.10 | Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Margin and Applicable Fee Rate | 42 | ||||
Section 2.11 | Evidence of Debt | 43 | ||||
Section 2.12 | Payments Generally; Administrative Agents Clawback | 43 | ||||
Section 2.13 | Sharing of Payments by Lenders | 45 | ||||
ARTICLE III | ||||||
TAXES, INCREASED COSTS PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY | ||||||
Section 3.01 | Taxes | 45 | ||||
Section 3.02 | Illegality | 48 | ||||
Section 3.03 | Inability to Determine Rates | 48 | ||||
Section 3.04 | Increased Costs; Reserves on Loans | 48 | ||||
Section 3.05 | Compensation for Losses | 49 | ||||
Section 3.06 | Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders | 50 | ||||
Section 3.07 | Survival | 50 | ||||
ARTICLE IV | ||||||
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT | ||||||
Section 4.01 | Conditions to Effectiveness of this Agreement | 50 | ||||
Section 4.02 | Certain Funds Period | 51 | ||||
Section 4.03 | Determinations Under Sections 4.01 and 4.02 | 52 |
-i-
ARTICLE V | ||||||
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | ||||||
Section 5.01 | Existence, Qualification and Power; Compliance with Laws | 53 | ||||
Section 5.02 | Authorization; No Contravention | 53 | ||||
Section 5.03 | Governmental Authorization; Other Consents | 53 | ||||
Section 5.04 | Binding Effect | 54 | ||||
Section 5.05 | Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect | 54 | ||||
Section 5.06 | Litigation | 54 | ||||
Section 5.07 | Environmental Compliance | 54 | ||||
Section 5.08 | Ownership of Property; Liens; Intellectual Property; Insurance | 55 | ||||
Section 5.09 | Taxes | 55 | ||||
Section 5.10 | ERISA Compliance | 56 | ||||
Section 5.11 | Subsidiaries; Equity Interests | 56 | ||||
Section 5.12 | Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act | 56 | ||||
Section 5.13 | Disclosure | 56 | ||||
Section 5.14 | Solvency | 57 | ||||
Section 5.15 | Labor Matters | 57 | ||||
Section 5.16 | Anti-Terrorism Law | 57 | ||||
Section 5.17 | Foreign Corrupt Practices Act | 58 | ||||
ARTICLE VI | ||||||
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS | ||||||
Section 6.01 | Financial Statements | 58 | ||||
Section 6.02 | Certificates; Other Information | 59 | ||||
Section 6.03 | Notices | 61 | ||||
Section 6.04 | Payment of Obligations | 61 | ||||
Section 6.05 | Preservation of Existence, Etc. | 61 | ||||
Section 6.06 | Maintenance of Properties | 62 | ||||
Section 6.07 | Maintenance of Insurance | 62 | ||||
Section 6.08 | Compliance with Laws | 62 | ||||
Section 6.09 | Books and Records | 62 | ||||
Section 6.10 | Inspection Rights | 62 | ||||
Section 6.11 | Future Guarantees | 62 | ||||
Section 6.12 | Compliance with Environmental Laws | 63 | ||||
Section 6.13 | [Reserved] | 63 | ||||
Section 6.14 | Exchange Notes | 63 | ||||
Section 6.15 | Corporate Separateness | 64 | ||||
Section 6.16 | Securities Demand | 65 | ||||
Section 6.17 | Syndication | 67 | ||||
Section 6.18 | Change of Control | 68 | ||||
Section 6.19 | [Reserved] | 69 | ||||
Section 6.20 | The Scheme and Related Matters | 69 | ||||
Section 6.21 | Post-Closing Requirements | 70 | ||||
ARTICLE VII | ||||||
NEGATIVE COVENANTS | ||||||
Section 7.01 | Liens | 70 | ||||
Section 7.02 | [Reserved] | 71 | ||||
Section 7.03 | Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock | 71 | ||||
Section 7.04 | Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets | 76 |
-ii-
Section 7.05 | Asset Sales | 77 | ||||
Section 7.06 | Limitation on Restricted Payments | 81 | ||||
Section 7.07 | Change in Nature of Business | 87 | ||||
Section 7.08 | Transactions with Affiliates | 87 | ||||
Section 7.09 | Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries | 89 | ||||
Section 7.10 | Use of Proceeds | 90 | ||||
Section 7.11 | [Reserved] | 90 | ||||
Section 7.12 | Clear Market | 90 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII | ||||||
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES | ||||||
Section 8.01 | Events of Default | 90 | ||||
Section 8.02 | Remedies Upon Event of Default | 92 | ||||
Section 8.03 | Exclusion of Immaterial Subsidiaries | 93 | ||||
Section 8.04 | Application of Funds | 93 | ||||
ARTICLE IX | ||||||
AGENT | ||||||
Section 9.01 | Appointment and Authority | 94 | ||||
Section 9.02 | Rights as a Lender | 94 | ||||
Section 9.03 | Exculpatory Provisions | 94 | ||||
Section 9.04 | Reliance by Administrative Agent | 95 | ||||
Section 9.05 | Delegation of Duties | 95 | ||||
Section 9.06 | Resignation of Administrative Agent | 95 | ||||
Section 9.07 | Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders | 95 | ||||
Section 9.08 | No Other Duties, Etc. | 96 | ||||
Section 9.09 | Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim | 96 | ||||
Section 9.10 | Withholding Tax | 96 | ||||
ARTICLE X | ||||||
MISCELLANEOUS | ||||||
Section 10.01 | Amendments, Etc. | 97 | ||||
Section 10.02 | Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication | 98 | ||||
Section 10.03 | No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement | 100 | ||||
Section 10.04 | Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver | 100 | ||||
Section 10.05 | Payments Set Aside | 101 | ||||
Section 10.06 | Successors and Assigns | 102 | ||||
Section 10.07 | Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality | 105 | ||||
Section 10.08 | Right of Setoff | 105 | ||||
Section 10.09 | Interest Rate Limitation | 106 | ||||
Section 10.10 | Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness | 106 | ||||
Section 10.11 | Survival of Representations and Warranties | 106 | ||||
Section 10.12 | Severability | 106 | ||||
Section 10.13 | Replacement of Lenders | 106 | ||||
Section 10.14 | Governing Law; Jurisdiction Etc. | 107 | ||||
Section 10.15 | [Reserved] | 108 | ||||
Section 10.16 | Waiver of Jury Trial | 108 | ||||
Section 10.17 | No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility | 108 | ||||
Section 10.18 | Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents | 108 | ||||
Section 10.19 | USA PATRIOT Act Notice | 109 |
-iii-
Schedules: | ||||
Schedule 1.01A | - | Subsidiary Guarantors | ||
Schedule 1.01B | - | Unrestricted Subsidiaries | ||
Schedule 2.01 | - | Lenders; Initial Loan Commitments | ||
Schedule 5.01 | - | Compliance with Laws | ||
Schedule 5.06 | - | Litigation | ||
Schedule 5.10(a) | - | ERISA Compliance | ||
Schedule 5.11 | - | Subsidiaries | ||
Schedule 10.02 | - | Notices | ||
Exhibits: | ||||
Exhibit A | - | Form of Committed Loan Notice | ||
Exhibit B | - | Form of Initial Loan Note | ||
Exhibit C-1 | - | Form of Assignment and Assumption | ||
Exhibit C-2 | - | Form of Administrative Questionnaire | ||
Exhibit D | - | Form of Opinion of Counsel to Loan Parties | ||
Exhibit E | - | Form of Guaranty | ||
Exhibit F | - | Form of Solvency Certificate | ||
Exhibit G | - | Form of Non-Bank Certificate |
-iv-
CREDIT AGREEMENT
This CREDIT AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this Agreement) is entered into as of November 26, 2013 among SCORPIO ACQUISITION CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (Holdings), POLYMER GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC. (Citicorp), as Administrative Agent, the other agents listed herein and each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the Lenders and individually, a Lender).
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
WHEREAS, on the Closing Date, Acquisition Co., an indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower has agreed to acquire (the Target Acquisition) all of the issued and unconditionally allotted share capital in Fiberweb plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (the Target) and any further shares in the capital of the Target which may be issued or unconditionally allotted pursuant to the exercise of any outstanding subscriptions or conversion rights or otherwise together with all related rights (the Target Shares), to be effected by way of a Scheme or, if a Conversion Notice has been delivered, an Offer and subsequent purchases thereof.
WHEREAS, in connection with the Target Acquisition, the Borrower has requested the Lenders to extend credit to the Borrower in the form of Initial Loans (as this and other capitalized terms used in these preliminary statements are defined in Section 1.01 below) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000.
WHEREAS, the proceeds of the Initial Loans, together with a portion of cash on hand of Borrower and the proceeds of the Secured Bridge Facility, will be used to fund the Target Acquisition, the Transaction Expenses and for general corporate purposes.
WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to extend such Loans on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
Section 1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below.
ABL Collateral means ABL First Lien Collateral as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement.
ABL Collateral Agent means Citibank, N.A. and any successor collateral agent under the ABL Facility, or if there is no ABL Facility, the ABL Collateral Agent designated pursuant to the terms of the ABL Lenders Debt.
ABL Facility means the Amended and Restated Credit Facility, dated as of October 5, 2012, by and among Holdings, the Borrower, the Guarantors, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as syndication agent, and Barclays Bank PLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, as co-documentation agents, including any guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 7.03 hereof).
ABL Lenders Debt means (i) any Indebtedness outstanding from time to time under the ABL Facility, (ii) any Indebtedness which has a senior priority security interest relative to other Indebtedness of the Borrower, Holdings or any Subsidiary in the ABL Collateral, (iii) all obligations with respect to such Indebtedness and any Hedging Obligations directly related to any ABL Lenders Debt entered into with any lender (or its Affiliates) under the ABL Facility and (iv) all Bank Products entered into with any lender (or its Affiliates) under the ABL Facility.
Acceptable Commitment has the meaning specified in Section 7.05(b).
Acceptance Condition means, if a Conversion Notice has been delivered, the condition with respect to the number of acceptances to the Offer which must be secured to declare the Offer unconditional as to acceptances (as set out in the Offer Press Release and which shall not be less than 75% of the Target Shares outstanding).
Acquired Indebtedness means, with respect to any specified Person,
(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, including Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, and
(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.
Acquisition means the acquisition of the Borrower by the Investors on the Issue Date.
Acquisition Co. means PGI Acquisition Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales and registered with the Companies House with company number ###-###-####.
Acquisition Conditions Precedent means the conditions listed in Appendix I to the Press Release or, if a Conversion Notice has been delivered, the corresponding conditions precedent in the Offer Press Release.
Acquisition Documents means the Offer Documents or the Scheme Documents, as the case may be.
Administrative Agent means Citicorp, in its capacity as administrative agent under the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.
Administrative Agents Office means the Administrative Agents address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02 or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Lenders.
Administrative Questionnaire means an Administrative Questionnaire substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2 or in any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
Affiliate of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, control (including, with correlative meanings, the terms controlling, controlled by and under common control with), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.
Affiliate Transaction has the meaning specified in Section 7.08(a).
Agent Parties has the meaning specified in Section 10.02(c).
Agent means the Administrative Agent.
-2-
Agreement has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
Anti-Terrorism Laws has the meaning specified in Section 5.16(a).
Anti-Trust Condition shall mean Acquisition Condition Precedent number 2(a)-(e),or in the event that a Conversion Notice has been delivered, the corresponding condition precedent in the Offer Press Release.
Applicable Bond Standard means, with respect to the terms of any Demand Securities issued in connection with any Take-Out Financing or any Permanent Securities, the Senior Secured Notes and the Senior Secured Notes Indenture and the documentation entered into in connection with the issuance of the Senior Secured Notes on the Issue Date.
Applicable Margin means initially 9.25%. The Applicable Margin will increase by 0.50% per annum at the end of each three-month period until the Initial Maturity Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Margin shall be adjusted such that the applicable rate on the Loans shall not exceed the Total Cap.
Approved Fund means any Fund that is administered, advised or managed by (i) a Lender, (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender or (iii) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers, advises or manages a Lender.
Arrangers means Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Bank PLC, in their respective capacities as joint lead arrangers.
Asset Management Affiliates has the meaning specified in Section 6.16(a).
Asset Sale means:
(1) the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of property or assets (including by way of a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction) of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (each referred to in this definition as a disposition); or
(2) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries issued in compliance with Section 7.03 hereof), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions;
in each case, other than:
(a) any disposition of Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities or surplus, obsolete or worn-out equipment in the ordinary course of business or any disposition of inventory or goods (or other assets) held for sale or no longer used in the ordinary course of business or any disposition of ABL Collateral;
(b) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower in a manner permitted pursuant to the provisions described under Section 7.04 hereof or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control pursuant to this Agreement;
(c) the making of any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 7.06 hereof, or under the definition of Permitted Investment;
(d) any disposition of assets or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary in any transaction or series of transactions with an aggregate fair market value of less than $10.0 million;
-3-
(e) any disposition of property or assets or issuance of securities by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower to another Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower;
(f) to the extent allowable under Section 1031 of the Code as amended, or comparable law or regulation, any exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon) for use in a Similar Business;
(g) the lease, assignment or sublease of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;
(h) any issuance or sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
(i) foreclosures, condemnations or any similar action on assets or the granting of Liens not prohibited by this Agreement;
(j) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, in connection with any Receivables Facility and any transactions in connection with the Factoring Program;
(k) any financing transaction with respect to the acquisition or construction of property by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including Sale and Lease-Back Transactions and asset securitizations permitted by this Agreement;
(l) the licensing and sublicensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;
(m) the sale, discount or other disposition of inventory, accounts receivable or notes receivable in the ordinary course of business or the conversion of accounts receivable to notes receivable; and
(n) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract rights or other litigation claims in the ordinary course of business.
Asset Sale Offer has the meaning specified in Section 7.05(c).
Assignee Group means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.
Assignment and Assumption means an Assignment and Assumption substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1.
Bank Products means any facilities or services related to cash management, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, purchase card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements.
Bankruptcy Law means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
Board of Directors means with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation, and with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person, or board of directors of the general partner or general manager of such Person serving a similar function.
Basel III means, collectively, those certain agreements on capital requirements, a leverage ratio and liquidity standards contained in Basel III: A Global Regulatory Framework for More Resilient Banks and Banking Systems, Basel III: International Framework for Liquidity Risk Measurement, Standards and Monitoring, and Guidance for National Authorities Operating the Countercyclical Capital Buffer, each as published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2010 (as revised from time to time).
-4-
Bookrunners means, collectively, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, RBC Capital Markets and HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., in their respective capacities as joint bookrunners.
Borrower has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
Borrower Audited Financial Statements means the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the three fiscal years ended respectively January 1, 2011, December 31, 2011 and December 29, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, stockholders equity and cash flows for such fiscal years of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.
Borrower Unaudited Financial Statements means the unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for each fiscal quarter ending after December 29, 2012 and more than 45 days prior to the Effective Date (which will have been reviewed by the independent accountants for the Borrower as provided in the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 100).
Borrower Materials has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
Borrowing means the borrowings of the Initial Loans hereunder, as continued or exchanged for a Term Loan (unless the context otherwise requires).
Borrowing Base means, as of any date, an amount equal to:
(1) 85% of the book value of all net accounts receivable owned by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding such date; plus
(2) 70% of the book value of all net inventory owned by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding such date,
all calculated on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agents Office is located ) and if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Loan, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in respect of any such Loan, or any other dealings to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Loan, Business Day means any such day on which dealings in deposits in Dollars are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.
Capital Stock means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
Capitalized Lease Obligation means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a
-5-
liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided that any obligations of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries either existing on the Issue Date or created prior to any recharacterization described below (i) that were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as capital lease obligations and (ii) that are subsequently recharacterized as capital lease obligations due to a change in accounting treatment or otherwise, shall for all purposes under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the calculation of Consolidated Net Income and EBITDA) not be treated as capital lease obligations, Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness; provided, further, that any obligations of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries under the Equipment Lease Agreement shall not be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness.
Capitalized Software Expenditures means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Captive Insurance Subsidiary means (i) any Subsidiary established by the Borrower for the primary purpose of insuring the businesses or properties owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) any Subsidiary of any such insurance subsidiary established for the same primary purpose described in clause (i) above.
Cash Confirmation means the letter from the Borrower and Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P. to the Borrowers financial adviser relating to, among other things, the Initial Loans.
Cash Equivalents means:
(1) United States dollars;
(2) (a) , or any national currency of any participating member state of the EMU; or (b) such local currencies held by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from time to time in the ordinary course of business;
(3) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government (or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of the U.S. government), with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;
(4) certificates of deposit, time deposits and Eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $500.0 million in the case of U.S. banks and $100.0 million (or the U.S. dollar equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of non-U.S. banks;
(5) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (3) and (4) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4) above;
(6) commercial paper rated at least P-1 by Moodys or at least A-1 by S&P and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof;
(7) marketable short-term money market and similar securities having a rating of at least P-2 or A-2 from either Moodys or S&P, respectively (or, if at any time neither Moodys nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof;
(8) investment funds investing 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (7) above;
-6-
(9) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or Taxing Authority thereof having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moodys or S&P with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;
(10) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by Persons with a rating of A or higher from S&P or A2 or higher from Moodys with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition; and
(11) Investments with average maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moodys.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clauses (1) and (2) above; provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clauses (1) and (2) as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days following the receipt of such amounts.
Casualty means any casualty, loss, damage, destruction or other similar loss with respect to real or personal property or improvements.
Certain Funds Period means the period from and including the Effective Date and ending on the earliest of:
(a) the date of cancellation or termination in full of the Initial Loan Commitments by the Borrower or as a result of the funding of the Initial Loans in accordance with this Agreement;
(b) if the Closing Date has not occurred by the Long Stop Date, the Long Stop Date;
(c) the date on which the Scheme lapses or is withdrawn (other than in connection with the conversion of the Scheme into an Offer in accordance with Section 6.20(l)) or, if an Offer is made, the date on which the Offer lapses, terminates or is withdrawn; and
(d) the date which falls:
(i) if the Target Acquisition is effected by way of a Scheme, 14 days after the Scheme Effective Date; or
(ii) if the Target Acquisition is effected by way of an Offer, 14 days after the Offer Unconditional Date.
Change in Law means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (i) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty; (ii) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority; or (iii) the compliance by any Lender with any written request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law, but if not having force of law, then being one with which the relevant party would customarily comply) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Pub. L. No. 111-203) and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a Change in Law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued and with respect to any Lender claiming increasing costs or charges pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, only to the extent such Lender imposes the same charges on other similarly situated borrowers under comparable facilities.
-7-
Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following after the Effective Date:
(1) the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than a Permitted Holder; or
(2) the Borrower becomes aware (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) of the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than the Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) of 50% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Borrower or any of its direct or indirect parent companies holding directly or indirectly 100% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Borrower.
Change of Control Offer has the meaning specified in Section 6.18(a).
Change of Control Payment has the meaning specified in Section 6.18(a).
Change of Control Payment Date has the meaning specified in Section 6.18(a)(2).
Citicorp has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
Closing Date means the date on which all the conditions precedent in Section 4.02 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.01 and on which the Initial Loans are advanced.
Code means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Committed Loan Notice means a notice of (i) a Borrowing or (ii) a continuation of Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A.
Companies House means the office for company administration and registrations in England and Wales operated by the Registrar of Companies.
Companies Act means the Companies Act of 2006 of England and Wales, as amended.
Condemnation means any taking by a Governmental Authority of property or assets, or any part thereof or interest therein, for public or quasi-public use under the power of eminent domain, by reason of any public improvement or condemnation or in any other manner.
Condemnation Award means all proceeds of any Condemnation or transfer in lieu thereof.
Confidential Information has the meaning specified in Section 10.07.
Confidential Information Memorandum means one or more confidential information memoranda and other materials, in each case in form and substance customary for transactions of this type and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to both the Arrangers and the Borrower, to be used in connection with the syndication of the Facility.
Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense means with respect to any Person for any period the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense and capitalized fees related to any Receivables Facility, amortization of intangible assets, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and Capitalized Software Expenditures, including the amortization of deferred financing fees, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.
-8-
Consolidated Interest Expense means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:
(1) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including (a) amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, (b) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit or bankers acceptances, (c) non-cash interest payments (but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP), (d) the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and (e) net payments, if any, made (less net payments, if any, received), pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations with respect to Indebtedness, and excluding (t) penalties and interest relating to taxes; (u) accretion or accrual of discounted liabilities not constituting Indebtedness, (v) any expense resulting from the discounting of any outstanding Indebtedness in connection with the application of purchase accounting in connection with any acquisition, (w) any additional interest with respect to securities, (x) amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, (y) any expensing of bridge, commitment and other financing fees and (z) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Receivables Facility); plus
(2) consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; less
(3) interest income for such period.
For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by such Person to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Net Income means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that, without duplication,
(i) any after-tax effect of extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses (including relating to the Transaction), severance, relocation costs and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans; other restructuring costs; and commercial service fees and public company costs not expected to continue after the Transaction shall be excluded,
(ii) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period shall be excluded,
(iii) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations shall be excluded,
(iv) any after-tax effect of gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) attributable to asset dispositions or abandonments or the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined in good faith by the Borrower, shall be excluded,
(v) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period,
-9-
(vi) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3)(a) of Section 7.06(a) hereof, the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived, provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower will be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) or Cash Equivalents to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein,
(vii) effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries) in the inventory (including any impact of changes to inventory valuation policy methods, including changes in capitalization of variances), property and equipment, software, goodwill and other intangible assets and in process research and development, deferred revenue and debt line items in such Persons consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of purchase accounting in relation to the Transaction or any consummated acquisition or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded,
(viii) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment of Indebtedness or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments shall be excluded,
(ix) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down, including impairment charges or asset write-offs or write-downs related to intangible assets, long-lived assets or investments in debt and equity securities or as a result of a change in law or regulation, in each case, pursuant to GAAP and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded,
(x) any non-cash compensation or similar charge or expense or reduction of revenue, including any such charge or amount arising from grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other rights and any cash charges associated with the rollover, acceleration or payout of Equity Interests by management, other employees or business partners of Holdings or the Borrower or any of their direct or indirect parent companies or subsidiaries shall be excluded,
(xi) any fees, expenses or charges incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, disposition, recapitalization, Investment, Asset Sale, issuance, repayment or amendment of Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (in each case including any such transaction consummated prior to the Issue Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, including, without limitation, any non-cash expenses or charges recorded in accordance with GAAP relating to equity interests issued to non-employees in exchange for services provided in connection with any acquisition or business arrangement (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to the Issue Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) shall be excluded,
(xii) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within twelve months of the Issue Date that are so required to be established or adjusted as a result of the Transaction in accordance with GAAP or changes as a result of a modification of accounting policies shall be excluded, and
(xiii) the following items shall be excluded:
(a) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from Hedging Obligations and the application of ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging; and
(b) foreign currency and other non-operating gain or loss and foreign currency gain (loss) included in other operating expenses including any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency translation gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from hedge agreements for currency exchange risk).
-10-
In addition, to the extent not already included in the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds actually received from business interruption insurance and reimbursements of any expenses and charges that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any Permitted Investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under Section 7.05 of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 7.06(a) hereof (other than clause (3)(d) of Section 7.06(a)), there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from any sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments made by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repurchases and redemptions of Restricted Investments from the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repayments of loans and advances which constitute Restricted Investments by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any sale of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case only to the extent such amounts increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under such covenant pursuant to clause (3)(d) of Section 7.06(a) hereof.
Contingent Obligations means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (primary obligations) of any other Person (the primary obligor) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent,
(i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor,
(ii) to advance or supply funds
(A) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation, or
(B) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, or
(iii) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.
Contractual Obligation means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
Conversion Date means the date the Initial Loans are converted to Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.01(b).
Conversion Notice means a written notice given by Acquisition Co. to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.20(l) at any time prior to the Scheme Effective Date if the Scheme has not lapsed or been withdrawn that Acquisition Co. intends to switch from the Scheme to launch an Offer.
Cooperation Information has the meaning specified in Section 6.16(c).
-11-
Court Order means an order of the High Court of Justice in England and Wales sanctioning the Scheme under section 899 of the Companies Act and confirming the reduction of share capital of the Target under section 648 of the Companies Act.
Credit Facilities means, with respect to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities, including the ABL Facility, or other financing arrangements (including, without limitation, commercial paper facilities or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other long-term indebtedness, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 7.03 hereof) or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.
Debt Incurrence Prepayment Event means any issuance or incurrence by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary) of (1) any Indebtedness not otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 7.03 and (2) any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 7.03(b)(1)(B).
Debtor Relief Laws means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.
Default means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
Default Rate means an interest rate equal to the interest rate otherwise applicable to Loans at such time plus 2.00% per annum to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
Demand Failure Event has the meaning specified in Section 6.16(e).
Demand Securities has the meaning specified in Section 6.16(a).
Designated Non-cash Consideration means the fair market value of non-cash consideration received by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, executed by the principal financial officer of the Borrower, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of or collection on such Designated Non-cash Consideration.
Designated Preferred Stock means Preferred Stock of the Borrower or any parent corporation thereof (in each case other than Disqualified Stock) that is issued for cash (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officers Certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Borrower or the applicable parent corporation thereof, as the case may be, on the issuance date thereof, the cash proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (3) of Section 7.06(a) hereof.
Disqualified Stock means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is putable or exchangeable, or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale), in whole or in part, in each case prior to the date 91 days after the Final Maturity Date; provided, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.
-12-
Dollar and $ mean lawful money of the United States.
Domestic Restricted Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary that is organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia other than any such Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary that is a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.
EBITDA means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period
(1) increased (without duplication) by the following, in each case (other than clauses (h), (j) and (k)) to the extent deducted (and not added back) in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:
(a) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital gains, including, without limitation, state, franchise and similar taxes (such as the Delaware franchise tax, the Pennsylvania capital tax, Texas margin tax and provincial capital taxes paid in Canada) and foreign withholding taxes and penalties and interest relating to taxes of such Person paid or accrued during such period deducted and not added back in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus
(b) Fixed Charges of such Person for such period (including (x) net losses on Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk, (y) bank fees and (z) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, in each case, to the extent included in Fixed Charges), together with items excluded from the definition of Consolidated Interest Expense pursuant to clauses (1)(t) through (z) thereof to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(c) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus
(d) the amount of any restructuring charges, integration costs, retention charges, stock option and any other equity-based compensation expenses, start-up or initial costs for any individual new production line, division or new line of business; or other business optimization expenses or reserves including, without limitation, costs or reserves associated with improvements to IT and accounting functions, costs associated with establishing new facilities, deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income, including any one-time costs incurred in connection with acquisitions before or after the Issue Date and costs related to the closure and/or consolidation of facilities; plus
(e) any other non-cash charges, including any write-offs or write-downs, reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period); plus
(f) income attributable to non-controlling interests in Subsidiaries to the extent deducted (and not added back) in such period in calculating Consolidated Net Income; plus
-13-
(g) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting, customary transaction and advisory fees (including termination fees) and related indemnities and expenses paid or accrued in such period under the Sponsors Management Agreement or otherwise to the Investors to the extent otherwise permitted under Section 7.08 hereof (and similar fees paid by the Borrower or its Affiliates to investors in the Borrower or its Affiliates prior to the Issue Date) and deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus
(h) the amount of net cost savings, synergies and operating expense reductions projected by the Borrower in good faith to be realized as a result of actions initiated or to be initiated or taken on or prior to the date that is 12 months after the Issue Date or 12 months after the consummation of any acquisition, amalgamation, merger or operational change or other action, plan or transaction and prior to or during such period (calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that (x) such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and quantifiable, (y) no cost savings shall be added pursuant to this clause (h) to the extent duplicative of any expenses or charges relating to such cost savings that are either excluded in computing Consolidated Net Income or included (i.e., added back) in computing EBITDA for such period and (z) the aggregate amount added back pursuant to this clause (h) included in any four quarter period shall not exceed the greater of $20.0 million and 10.0% of EBITDA for such four quarter period; provided, further, that the adjustments pursuant to this clause (h) may be incremental to (but not duplicative of) pro forma adjustments made pursuant to the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio; plus
(i) any costs or expense incurred by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan, agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Borrower or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (3) of Section 7.06(a) hereof; plus
(j) (x) lease expense for the use of land, building and equipment of Tesalca-99, S.A. and Texnovo, S.A. in connection with the purchase of certain assets by the Borrower as of November 30, 2009 (the Tesalca-Texnovo Acquisition); (y) losses incurred as a result of the Tesalca-Texnovo Acquisition for the period from November 30, 2009 through January 2, 2010; and (z) the annualized EBITDA attributable to each of Tesalca-99, S.A. and Texnovo, S.A. after giving effect to the Tesalca-Texnovo Acquisition; plus
(k) annualized incremental EBITDA contribution of the Borrowers spunmelt lines in San Luis Potosi, Mexico and Cali, Colombia, in each case, based on the actual run-rate performance for the third quarter of 2010;
(2) decreased by (without duplication) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced EBITDA in any prior period.
Effective Date means the date on which all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.01.
Eligible Assignee means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06(b)(iii), (v) and (vi) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii)).
EMU means economic and monetary union as contemplated in the Treaty on European Union.
-14-
Engagement Letter shall mean the engagement letter dated as of November 26, 2013 among Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. and Blackstone Holdings Finance Co. L.L.C. (collectively, the Take-Out Banks) and the Borrower.
Environmental Laws means any and all Laws relating to pollution, the protection of the environment, natural resources or to the release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment, or, to the extent relating to exposure to Hazardous Materials, human health.
Environmental Liability means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (i) violation of any Environmental Law, (ii) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (iii) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (iv) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (v) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
Environmental Permit means any permit, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any applicable Environmental Law.
Equipment Lease Agreement means, collectively, that certain equipment lease agreement, dated June 24, 2010, between Chicopee, Inc. and Gossamer Holdings, LLC, and the related construction agency agreement, guarantees and other documentation, as amended and/or restated from time to time.
means the single currency of participating member states of the EMU.
Equity Interests means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock, but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock.
Equity Offering means any public or private sale of common stock or Preferred Stock of the Borrower (excluding Disqualified Stock) or any of its direct or indirect parent companies to the extent contributed to the Borrower as equity (other than Disqualified Stock), other than:
(1) public offerings with respect to the Borrowers or any direct or indirect parent companys common stock registered on Form S-8;
(2) issuances to any Subsidiary of the Borrower; and
(3) any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.
ERISA Affiliate means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is under common control with any Loan Party and is treated as a single employer within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.
ERISA Event means (i) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (ii) a withdrawal by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as a termination under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (iii) a complete or partial withdrawal by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan, notification of any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or is in reorganization within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA (or, after the effectiveness of the Pension Act, is in endangered or critical status, within the meaning of Section 305 of ERISA); (iv) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Sections 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (v) an event or condition which could
-15-
reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (vi) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate; (vii) on and after the effectiveness of the Pension Act, a determination that any Pension Plan is, or is expected to be, in at-risk status (within the meaning of Section 303(i)(4)(A) of ERISA or Section 430(i)(4)(A) of the Code); (viii) with respect to a Pension Plan, the failure to satisfy the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA; or (ix) the failure to make by its due date a required contribution under Section 412(m) of the Code (or Section 430(j) of the Code, as amended by the Pension Act).
Eurodollar Rate means for any Interest Period with respect to any Loan, the rate per annum equal to the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate or the successor thereto if the British Bankers Association is no longer making a LIBOR rate available (LIBOR), as published by Reuters (or other commercially available source providing quotations of LIBOR as designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; if such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period shall be the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Loan being made, continued or converted by Citicorp and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Citicorps London Branch (or other Citicorp branch or Affiliate) to major banks in the London or other offshore interbank market for such currency at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; provided that in no event shall the Eurodollar Rate with respect to any Loan be less than 1.00%.
Event of Default has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereby.
Exchange Date has the meaning specified in Section 6.14(b).
Exchange Registration Rights Agreement means the registration rights agreement for the Exchange Notes to be based substantially on the Senior Secured Notes Registration Rights Agreement.
Exchange Documents means the Exchange Note Indenture and the Exchange Notes.
Exchange Note Indenture means an indenture relating to the Exchange Notes to be entered into by and among the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Exchange Note Trustee, to be substantially consistent with the Senior Secured Notes Indenture (with changes to reflect that the Exchange Notes are unsecured notes) and containing such other provisions as are mutually agreed by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
Exchange Note Trustee means the trustee under the Exchange Note Indenture.
Exchange Notes means the debt securities issued under the Exchange Note Indenture.
Exchange Request has the meaning specified in Section 6.14(b).
Excluded Contribution means net cash proceeds, marketable securities or Qualified Proceeds received by the Borrower from:
(1) contributions to its common equity capital; and
(2) the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Borrower or to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement of the Borrower) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of the Borrower, in each case
-16-
after the Issue Date and in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officers Certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Borrower on the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interests are sold, as the case may be, which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (3) of Section 7.06(a) hereof.
Excluded Taxes means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (i) Taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income or branch profits (however denominated, and including (for the avoidance of doubt) any backup withholding in respect thereof under Section 3406 of the Code or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), and franchise (and similar) Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income Taxes), in each case by a jurisdiction (including any political subdivision thereof) as a result of such recipient being organized in, having its principal office in, or in the case of any Lender, having its applicable Lending Office in, such jurisdiction, or as a result of any other present or former connection with such jurisdiction (other than any such connection arising solely from this Agreement or any other Loan Documents or any transactions contemplated thereunder), (ii) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 10.13), (A) any United States federal withholding Tax imposed on any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document that is required to be imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender pursuant to Laws in force at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, immediately prior to the designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding Tax pursuant to Section 3.01(a) or (B) any withholding Tax that is attributable to such Foreign Lenders failure to comply with Section 3.01(e) or (iii) any United States federal withholding Tax imposed pursuant to FATCA.
Executive Order has the meaning specified in Section 5.16(a).
Existing Target Credit Facility shall mean the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of December 21, 2012 among the Target, the lenders party thereto and Lloyd TSB Bank Plc, as agent.
Facility means the Initial Loans or the Term Loans.
Factoring Program means any agreements or facilities entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for the purpose of factoring its receivables or payables for cash distribution.
fair market value means, with respect to any asset or liability, the fair market value of such asset or liability as determined by the Borrower in good faith.
Fall-away Date means the date on which no more than 31.5% of the Initial Loans funded on the Closing Date remain outstanding.
FATCA means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to current Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any intergovernmental agreements implementing the foregoing.
Federal Funds Rate means, for any day, the rate per annum (expressed, as a decimal, rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100 of 1.00%) 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 such day 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 no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate charged to Citicorp, on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.
-17-
Fee Letter means that certain amended and restated letter agreement dated October 22, 2013, among the Borrower, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada, HSBC Bank USA, N.A. and Blackstone Holdings Finance Co. L.L.C.
Final Maturity Date means February 1, 2019; provided that if such day is not a Business Day, the Final Maturity Date shall be the Business Day immediately preceding such day.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs, assumes, guarantees, redeems, retires or extinguishes any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred under any revolving credit facility unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced) or issues or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, redemption, retirement or extinguishment of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.
For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, consolidations and disposed operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that have been made by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis, assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, consolidations and disposed operations (and the change in any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation or disposed operation that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation or disposed operation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.
For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger or consolidation (including the Transaction) or any other transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Borrower (and may include, for the avoidance of doubt and without duplication, cost savings, synergies and operating expense resulting from such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger or consolidation (including the Transaction) or other transaction, in each case calculated in the manner described in the definition of EBITDA herein). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period except as set forth in the first paragraph of this definition. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a Eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Borrower may designate.
Fixed Charges means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of:
(1) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period;
-18-
(2) all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock during such period; and
(3) all cash dividends or other distributions paid or accrued (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Disqualified Stock during such period.
Foreign Lender means any Lender that is not a United States person within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
Foreign Plan means any employee benefit plan, program, policy, arrangement or agreement maintained or contributed to by, or entered into with, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary with respect to employees employed outside the United States.
Foreign Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person that is not organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia and any Restricted Subsidiary of such Foreign Subsidiary.
Fund means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America which are in effect on the Issue Date.
Governmental Authority means the government of the United States 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 any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central bank).
Granting Lender has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(g).
Group Company means any of Holdings, the Borrower or their respective Subsidiaries (regardless of whether or not consolidated with Holdings or the Borrower for purposes of GAAP), and Group Companies means all of them, collectively.
guarantee means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.
Guarantee means the Guaranty by any Guarantor of the Loan Obligations under the Loan Documents.
Guarantor means each Subsidiary Guarantor and any other Person that becomes a Guarantor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Guaranty means (i) the guaranty made by Holdings and the Subsidiary Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Senior Credit Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit E, and (ii) each other guaranty and guaranty supplement delivered pursuant to Section 6.11 and Guaranties means any two or more of them, collectively.
Hazardous Materials means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law.
-19-
Hedging Obligations means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, commodity swap agreement, commodity cap agreement, commodity collar agreement, foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or similar agreement providing for the transfer, modification or mitigation of interest rate, commodity or currency risks either generally or under specific contingencies.
Holdings has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Immaterial Domestic Subsidiary has the meaning specified in Section 6.11(a).
Indebtedness means, with respect to any Person, without duplication:
(1) any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(a) in respect of borrowed money;
(b) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);
(c) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property (including Capitalized Lease Obligations), except (i) any such balance that constitutes a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor, in each case accrued in the ordinary course of business and (ii) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP; or
(d) representing net obligations under any Hedging Obligations; if and to the extent that any of the foregoing Indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP;
(2) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise on, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (1) of a third Person (whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of such obligor or guarantor), other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business; and
(3) to the extent not otherwise included, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (1) of a third Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such first Person;
provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (a) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or (b) any obligations under or in respect of Receivables Facilities, Factoring Program, operating leases, or Sale and Lease-Back Transactions (except any resulting Capitalized Lease Obligations).
Indemnified Taxes means all Taxes imposed on or with respect to, or measured by, any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document, other than Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes.
Indemnitee has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b).
Independent Financial Advisor means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant to Persons engaged in Similar Businesses of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.
Information has the meaning specified in Section 5.13.
-20-
Initial Lenders means the Lenders listed on Schedule 2.01 hereto.
Initial Lien has the meaning specified in Section 7.01.
Initial Loan means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(a).
Initial Loan Commitment means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make an Initial Loan hereunder on the Closing Date, expressed as an amount representing the maximum principal amount of the Initial Loan to be made by such Lender hereunder. The amount of each Lenders Initial Loan Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01. The aggregate amount of the Lenders Initial Loan Commitments is $50,000,000.
Initial Loan Note means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to any Lender or its registered assigns, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto, evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from the Loans made by such Lender.
Initial Maturity Date means the date that is one year after the Closing Date; provided that if such date is not a Business Day, the Initial Maturity Date shall be the Business Day immediately preceding such day.
Initial Offer Document means the document to be sent to the shareholders of the Target in order to make the Offer.
Initial Scheme Document means the document sent to the shareholders of Target, issued, or to be issued, by the Target setting out the proposals for the Scheme.
Insolvency Proceeding means any case or proceeding commenced by or against a Person under any state, federal or foreign law for, or any agreement of such Person to, (i) the entry of an order for relief under Debtor Relief Laws, or the initiation by any Person of any proceeding or filing under any other insolvency, debtor relief or debt adjustment law; (ii) the appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, trustee, liquidator, administrator, monitor, conservator or other custodian for such Person or any part of its property; or (iii) an assignment or trust mortgage for the benefit of creditors.
Intercreditor Agreement means the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement dated as of January 8, 2011 among the ABL Agent (as defined therein), the Noteholder Collateral Agent (as defined therein), the Borrower and the Guarantors party thereto, as supplemented by the joinder dated September 17, 2013, as it may be further amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Interest Payment Date means as to any Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan, the Initial Maturity Date, the Final Maturity Date and any Exchange Date applicable to such Loan; provided that if any Interest Period for a Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates.
Interest Period means the interest period applicable to any Loan, as set forth in Section 2.10.
Investment Grade Rating means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moodys and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.
Investment Grade Securities means:
(1) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents);
(2) debt securities or debt instruments with an Investment Grade Rating, but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;
-21-
(3) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment or distribution; and
(4) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments.
Investments means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit, advances to customers, commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees, in each case made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes) of the Borrower in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary and Section 7.06 hereof:
(1) Investments shall include the portion (proportionate to the Borrowers equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of a Subsidiary of the Borrower at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to:
(a) the Borrowers Investment in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; less
(b) the portion (proportionate to the Borrowers equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and
(2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer.
Investors means The Blackstone Group and each of its Affiliates, but not including any of its or their portfolio companies.
IP Rights means the right to use all trademarks, service marks, trade names, domain names and other source indicators and all goodwill associated with the foregoing, copyrights, patents, patent rights, technology, software, know-how, database rights, design rights, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights, including any applications or registrations relating thereto, and the right to register and obtain renewals of any of the foregoing and the right to sue for past, present and future infringement, misappropriation or other violation thereof, including the right to all damages and proceeds therefrom.
Issue Date means January 28, 2011.
Laws means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directives, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority.
Lease means any agreement pursuant to which a Loan Party is entitled to the use or occupancy of any space in a structure, land, improvements or premises for any period of time.
Lender means each bank or other lending institution listed on Schedule 2.01, each Eligible Assignee that becomes a Lender pursuant to Section 10.06(b), and their respective permitted successors.
-22-
Lending Office means with respect to any Lender, the Lending Office of such Lender (or of an Affiliate of such Lender) designated in such Lenders Administrative Questionnaire or in any applicable Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender became a Lender hereunder or such other office of such Lender (or of an Affiliate of such Lender) as such Lender may from time to time specify to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the office by which its Loans are to be made and maintained.
Lien means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, charge, security interest, preference, priority or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable Law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.
Loan Documents means, collectively, (i) this Agreement and (ii) the Guaranties.
Loan Obligations means the Obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents.
Loan Parties means, collectively, (i) the Borrower, (ii) Holdings and (iii) each other Guarantor.
Loans means the Initial Loans or the Term Loans, as applicable.
Long Stop Date means the date that is six months after the date of this Agreement.
Major Covenant means, solely in relation to Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries only (and, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any members of the Target Group), the covenants set forth in Sections 6.20 (other than clauses (i), (k), (m)(ii) and (n) thereof), 7.01, 7.03, 7.04, 7.05, 7.06 and 7.08.
Major Default means, solely in relation to Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries only (and for the avoidance of doubt excluding any member of the Target Group), the occurrence of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 8.01(a), (f), (g) or (j).
Major Representation means, solely in relation to Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries only (and, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any members of the Target Group), each of the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 5.01, 5.02, 5.03, 5.04 and 5.14 (but without giving effect to the Target Transactions).
Material Adverse Effect means (i) a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets, liabilities (actual or contingent) or financial condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) a material adverse effect on the ability of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole) to perform their respective payment obligations under any Loan Document to which any of the Loan Parties is a party or (iii) a material adverse effect on the rights and remedies of the Lenders or the Agent under any Loan Document.
Material Subsidiary means, at any date of determination, each of the Borrowers Subsidiaries (a) whose total assets at the last day of the most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available were equal to or greater than 5% of the Total Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date or (b) whose gross revenues for such period were equal to or greater than 5% of the consolidated gross revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that Material Subsidiary shall also include any of the Borrowers Subsidiaries selected by the Borrower which is required to ensure that all Material Subsidiaries have in the aggregate (i) total assets at the last day of the most recently ended four fiscal quarters that were equal to or greater than 90% of the Total Assets of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and (ii) gross revenues for such period that were equal to or greater than 90% of the consolidated gross revenues of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP.
Maximum Rate has the meaning specified in Section 10.09.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.
-23-
Multiemployer Plan means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or in the past six years has made or been obligated to make contributions.
Net Income means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.
Net Proceeds means:
(i) the aggregate cash proceeds and Cash Equivalents received by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale, including any cash and Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale, net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions, any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien on such assets (other than required by clause (1) of Section 7.05(b) hereof) and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after such sale or other disposition thereof, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction, and
(ii) solely for the purposes of Section 2.05(b), with respect to the incurrence or issuance of any Indebtedness by Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, the excess, if any, of (x) the sum of the cash received in connection with such incurrence or issuance over (y) the investment banking fees, underwriting discounts, commissions, costs and other out-of-pocket expenses and other customary expenses, incurred by Holdings, the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such incurrence or issuance.
Non-Bank Certificate has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(B)(3).
Obligations means any principal, interest (including any interest accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable state, federal or foreign law), premium, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
OFAC has the meaning specified in Section 5.16(b)(v).
Offer means the contractual takeover offer within the meaning of Section 974 of the Companies Act made by Acquisition Co. for the Target Shares (or, as the case may be, such of the Target Shares as are not already owned by Acquisition Co.) substantially on the terms and conditions set out in the Offer Press Release, as that offer may from time to time be amended, extended, revised or waived in accordance with this Agreement.
Offer Amount has the meaning specified in Section 7.05(e).
Offer Documents means the Initial Offer Document, the Offer Press Release and any other document issued by or on behalf of the Borrower to holders of the Target Shares in relation to the Offer.
Offer Period has the meaning specified in Section 7.05(e).
-24-
Offer Press Release has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.20(l).
Offer Unconditional Date means the date on which the Offer is declared unconditional in all respects.
Offering Document has the meaning specified in Section 6.16(c).
Officers Certificate means a certificate signed on behalf of the Borrower by an Responsible Officer of the Borrower or on behalf of a Guarantor by a Responsible Officer of such Guarantor, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Borrower or any officer of such Guarantor that meets the requirements set forth in this Agreement.
Opinion of Counsel means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Administrative Agent. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Borrower, a Subsidiary of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.
Organization Documents means: (i) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (ii) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating or limited liability company agreement; and (iii) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.
Other Taxes means all present or future stamp or documentary Taxes or any other excise, property, intangible, mortgage recording or similar Taxes 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; provided that such term shall not include any of the foregoing Taxes that result from an Assignment and Assumption, grant of a participation pursuant to Section 10.06(d) or transfer or assignment to or designation of a new Lending Office or other office for receiving payments under any Loan Document (Assignment Taxes) to the extent such Assignment Taxes are imposed as a result of a connection between the assignor/participating Lender and/or the assignee/Participant and the taxing jurisdiction (other than a connection arising solely from any Loan Documents or any transactions contemplated thereunder), except to the extent that any such action described in this proviso is requested or required by a Borrower.
Pari Passu Indebtedness has the meaning specified in Section 7.05(c).
Participant has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).
Participant Register has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).
PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
Pension Act means the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as amended.
Pension Plan means any employee pension benefit plan (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate or to which any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any time in the past six years.
Permanent Securities means any debt securities issued by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as permanent financing in lieu of the Initial Loans or to refinance the Loans or Exchange Notes and to pay related fees, expenses or premiums, if any.
-25-
Permitted Asset Swap means the concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets and cash or Cash Equivalents between the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided, that any cash or Cash Equivalents received must be applied in accordance with Section 7.05 hereof.
Permitted Holders means each of the Investors and members of management of the Borrower (or its direct or indirect parent or Subsidiary) on the Issue Date who are holders of Equity Interests of the Borrower (or any of its direct or indirect parent companies) and any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision) of which any of the foregoing are members; provided that, in the case of such group and without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group, such Investors and members of management, collectively, have beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Borrower or any of its direct or indirect parent companies.
Permitted Investment means:
(1) any Investment in the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(2) any Investment in cash and Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;
(3) any Investment by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person that is engaged in a Similar Business if as a result of such Investment:
(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or
(b) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary,
and, in each case, any Investment held by such Person; provided that such Investment was not acquired by such Person in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, consolidation or transfer;
(4) any Investment in securities or other assets, including earnouts, not constituting cash and Cash Equivalents and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to Section 7.05 hereof or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;
(5) any Investment existing on the Issue Date;
(6) any Investment acquired by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries:
(a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable; or
(b) as a result of a foreclosure by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;
(7) Hedging Obligations permitted under clause (10) of Section 7.03(b) hereof;
(8) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests (exclusive of Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower, or any of its direct or indirect parent companies; provided, however, that such Equity Interests shall not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of Section 7.06(a) hereof;
-26-
(9) guarantees of Indebtedness of the Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiary permitted under Section 7.03 hereof;
(10) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.08(b) hereof (except transactions described in clauses (2), (5) and (9) of Section 7.08(b) hereof);
(11) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material or equipment;
(l2) additional Investments having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (12) that are at that time outstanding (without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash or marketable securities), not to exceed the greater of (x) $50.0 million and (y) 3.5% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);
(13) Investments relating to a Receivables Subsidiary or a Factoring Program that, in the good faith determination of the Borrower are necessary or advisable to effect any Receivables Facility or a Factoring Program or any transaction in connection therewith;
(14) loans and advances to officers, directors and employees, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices or to fund such Persons purchase of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent company thereof;
(15) Investments (including debt obligations and Equity Interests) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers or in settlement of delinquent obligations of, or other disputes with, customers and suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business or upon the foreclosure with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment;
(16) Investments in joint ventures of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the Issue Date or created after the Issue Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of $20.0 million and 2.0% of Total Assets;
(17) any Investment in a Similar Business having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (17) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $50.0 million and 3.5% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);
(18) advances to, or guarantees of Indebtedness of, employees not in excess of $5.0 million outstanding at any one time, in the aggregate; and
(19) Investments (i) by the Captive Insurance Subsidiary made in the ordinary course of its business or consistent with past practice, and (ii) in the Captive Insurance Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or required under statutory or regulatory authority applicable to such Captive Insurance Subsidiary.
Permitted Liens means, with respect to any Person:
(1) pledges or deposits by such Person under workmens compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;
-27-
(2) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers, warehousemens and mechanics Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;
(3) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or not yet payable or subject to penalties for nonpayment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;
(4) Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;
(5) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental, to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;
(6) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clauses (4), (10), (12)(b), and (18) of Section 7.03(b) hereof; provided that Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (18) of Section 7.03(b) hereof extend only to the assets of Foreign Subsidiaries
(7) Liens existing on the Issue Date;
(8) Liens on property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, however, such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided further, however, that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(9) Liens on property at the time the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided further, however, that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(10) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred in accordance with Section 7.03 hereof;
(11) Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as related Indebtedness is, and is permitted to be under this Agreement, secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging Obligations;
(12) Liens on specific items of inventory of other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Persons obligations in respect of bankers acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
(13) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and do not secure any Indebtedness;
-28-
(14) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(15) Liens in favor of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor;
(16) Liens on equipment of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries granted in the ordinary course of business to the Borrowers clients;
(17) Liens on accounts receivable and related assets incurred in connection with a Receivables Facility;
(18) Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancing, refunding, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (6), (7), (8) and (9); provided, however, that (a) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on such property), and (b) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (6), (7), (8) and (9) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Agreement, and (ii) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;
(19) deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;
(20) other Liens securing obligations not to exceed $20.0 million at any one time outstanding;
(21) Liens securing Indebtedness of any Foreign Subsidiary permitted to be incurred under this Agreement, to the extent such Liens relate only to the assets and properties of such Foreign Subsidiary;
(22) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h) hereof so long as such Liens are adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;
(23) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;
(24) Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code or any comparable or successor provision on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) in favor of banking institutions arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of setoff) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;
(25) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements permitted under Section 7.03 hereof; provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets other than those that are the subject of such repurchase agreement;
(26) Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;
(27) Liens that are contractual rights of setoff (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of
-29-
overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(28) Liens securing the Senior Secured Notes outstanding on the Effective Date, the Secured Bridge Facility or Indebtedness or other obligations permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 7.03(b)(1);
(29) Liens securing (x) Indebtedness and other obligations permitted to be incurred under Credit Facilities, including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was incurred pursuant to clause (2) of Section 7.03(b) and (y) obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Bank Products or Hedging Obligations provided by any lender, bookrunner with respect to any Credit Facility or any Affiliate of the foregoing (or any Person that was a lender or an Affiliate of a lender or bookrunner with respect to such Credit Facility at the time the applicable agreements pursuant to which such Bank Products or Hedging Obligations are provided were entered into) or is a party to such a Bank Product or Hedging Obligation as of the Issue Date;
(30) (x) Liens securing any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 7.03; provided that after giving pro forma effect to the granting of such Liens, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 4.5 to 1.00; and (y) Liens securing any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 7.03;
(31) any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to capital stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;
(32) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale or purchase of goods entered into by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(33) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder; and
(34) Liens securing Additional Parity Debt (as defined in the Secured Bridge Facility), the proceeds of which shall be used solely to refinance Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (2) of Section 7.03(b) hereof.
For purposes of this definition, the term Indebtedness shall be deemed to include interest on such Indebtedness.
Person means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
Plan means any employee benefit plan (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), other than a Foreign Plan, established, maintained or contributed to by any Loan Party or, with respect to any such plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, any ERISA Affiliate.
Platform has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
Preferred Stock means any Equity Interest with preferential rights of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.
Press Release means the press release announcing, in compliance with Rule 2.7 of the Takeover Code, a firm intention to make an offer which is to be implemented by means of a Scheme in the form agreed by Acquisition Co. and the Administrative Agent.
-30-
primary obligation has the meaning specified in the definition of Contingent Obligations.
primary obligor has the meaning specified in the definition of Contingent Obligations or Guarantee, as applicable.
Pro Rata Share means, with respect to each Lender at any time a fraction (expressed as a percentage, carried out to the ninth decimal place), the numerator of which is the amount of the Loans of such Lender under the Facility at such time and the denominator of which is the amount of the aggregate Initial Loan Commitments (or aggregate Loans) under the Facility at such time.
Projections has the meaning specified in Section 6.01(iv).
Public Lender has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
Purchase Date has the meaning specified in Section 7.05(e).
Qualified Proceeds means assets that are used or useful in, or Capital Stock of any Person engaged in, a Similar Business.
Rating Agencies means Moodys and S&P or if Moodys or S&P or both shall not make a rating on the Loans publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Borrower which shall be substituted for Moodys or S&P or both, as the case may be.
Real Property means a Loan Partys interest in all Leases and all land, tenements, hereditaments and any estate or interest therein, together with the buildings, structures, parking areas and other improvements thereon (including all fixtures), now or hereafter owned or leased by any Loan Party, together with all easements, rights-of-way, and similar rights relating thereto and all leases, licenses tenancies and occupancies thereof.
Receivables Facility means any of one or more receivables financing facilities, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, renewed, restated or refunded from time to time, the Obligations of which are non-recourse (except for customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities made in connection with such facilities) to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) pursuant to which the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells its accounts receivable to either (a) a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) a Receivables Subsidiary that in turn sells its accounts receivable to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary.
Receivables Fees means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any accounts receivable or participation interest therein issued or sold in connection with, and other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Receivables Facility.
Receivables Subsidiary means any Subsidiary formed for the purpose of, and that solely engages only in one or more Receivables Facilities and other activities reasonably related thereto.
Refinancing Indebtedness has the meaning specified in Section 7.03(b)(13).
Refunding Capital Stock has the meaning specified in Section 7.06(b)(2).
Register has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c).
Registration Statement has the meaning specified in Section 6.16(c)(2).
Related Business Assets means assets (other than cash or Cash Equivalents) used or useful in a Similar Business, provided that any assets received by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for assets transferred by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed to be Related Business Assets if they consist of securities of a Person, unless upon receipt of the securities of such Person, such Person would become a Restricted Subsidiary.
-31-
Related Parties means, with respect to any specified Person, such Persons Affiliates, and the respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors and attorneys-in-fact of such Person and its Affiliates.
Release means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing of any Hazardous Material in, into, or onto the environment.
Reportable Event means, with respect to any Plan, any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, other than events for which the 30-day notice period has been waived.
Required Lenders means, as of any date of determination, Lenders holding more than 50.00% of the sum of the outstanding Loans and unused Initial Loan Commitments as of such date.
Requirement of Law means, as to any Person, the Organization Documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or final, non-appealable determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or to which any of its material property is subject.
Responsible Officer means the chief executive officer, president, vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer or other similar officer of a Loan Party and, as to any document delivered on the Effective Date, any secretary or assistant secretary of a Loan Party. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.
Restricted Investment means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
Restricted Payments has the meaning specified in Section 7.06(a).
Restricted Subsidiary means, at any time, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower (including any Foreign Subsidiary) that is not then an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceasing to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall be included in the definition of Restricted Subsidiary.
S&P means Standard & Poors Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto.
Sale and Lease-Back Transaction means any arrangement providing for the leasing by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any real or tangible personal property, which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary to a third Person in contemplation of such leasing.
Scheme means a scheme of arrangement made pursuant to Part 26 of the Companies Act between the Target and the holders of the Target Shares and the related reduction of capital under Section 648 of the Companies Act in relation to the cancellation of the entire issued share capital of the Target and the subsequent issue of new shares in the Target to Acquisition Co. as contemplated by the Scheme Documents.
Scheme Documents means the Initial Scheme Document, the Press Release and any other document issued by or on behalf of Acquisition Co. or the Target to Target shareholders in relation to the Scheme.
Scheme Effective Date shall mean the date on which a copy of the Court Order sanctioning the Scheme and confirming the reduction of capital is duly delivered on behalf of the Target to the Registrar of Companies in accordance with Sections 899(4) and 649(3)(a) of the Companies Act.
-32-
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
Second Commitment has the meaning specified in Section 7.05(b).
Secured Bridge Facility means the Senior Secured Bridge Agreement, dated as of September 17, 2013 (as amended, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time), by and among Holdings, the Borrower, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder and Citicorp North America, Inc., as Administrative Agent, Barclays Bank PLC, as syndication agent, and RBC Capital Markets and HSBC Bank USA Inc., as co-documentation agents, including any guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof.
Secured Indebtedness means any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries secured by a Lien.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Securities Demand has the meaning specified in Section 6.16(a).
Senior Credit Party means each Lender, the Administrative Agent, each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 9.05 and designated by the Administrative Agent as a Senior Credit Party, and each Indemnitee and the respective successors and assigns of any of the foregoing, and Senior Credit Parties means any two or more of them, collectively.
Senior Indebtedness means any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor that ranks pari passu in right of payment with the Loan Obligations or the Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be. For the avoidance of doubt, any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Agreement shall constitute Senior Indebtedness for the purposes of this Agreement unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinate in right of payment to the Loan Obligations or any related Guarantee.
Senior Secured Leverage Ratio means, as of the date of determination, the ratio of (a) the Secured Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination (determined after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence of Indebtedness, and each other incurrence, assumption, guarantee, redemption, retirement and extinguishment of Indebtedness as of such date of determination) to (b) EBITDA of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters ending immediately prior to such date for which internal financial statements are available. For purposes of determining the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio, EBITDA shall be subject to the adjustments applicable to EBITDA as provided for in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
Senior Secured Notes means the 7.75% Senior Secured Notes of the Borrower due 2019 issued on January 28, 2011 (and the notes issued in exchange therefor in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Senior Secured Notes Registration Rights Agreement).
Senior Secured Notes Documents means the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, the purchase agreement among the Borrower, the Subsidiary Guarantors, and the initial purchasers thereunder, and all other agreements, instruments and other documents (including collateral documents with respect thereto) pursuant to which the Senior Secured Notes have been or will be issued or otherwise setting forth the terms of the Senior Secured Notes.
-33-
Senior Secured Notes Indenture means the Indenture dated as of January 28, 2011 with respect to the Senior Secured Notes among the Borrower, as issuer thereunder, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the trustee thereunder.
Senior Secured Notes Registration Rights Agreement means the registration rights agreement dated as of August 11, 2011 among the Borrower, the guarantors party thereto and the initial purchasers named therein.
Significant Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a significant subsidiary as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.
Similar Business means any business conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date or any business that is similar, reasonably related, incidental or ancillary thereto.
Solvency Certificate means the certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.
Solvent and Solvency mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (i) the fair value of the property (for the avoidance of doubt, calculated to include goodwill and other intangibles) of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (ii) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (iii) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Persons ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature and (iv) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Persons property would constitute an unreasonably small capital. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.
SPC has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(g).
Sponsor Management Agreement means the management agreement between certain of the management companies associated with the Investors and the Borrower and/or one of its direct or indirect parent companies.
Spot Rate has the meaning specified in Section 1.06.
Subordinated Indebtedness means, with respect to the Loans,
(1) any Indebtedness of the Borrower which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Loans, and
(2) any Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such entity of the Loans.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person:
(1) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; and
(2) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which
-34-
(a) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or otherwise, and
(b) such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner or otherwise controls such entity.
Subsidiary Guarantor means each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is listed on Schedule 1.01A hereto and that Guarantees the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Successor Company has the meaning specified in Section 7.04(a)(1).
Successor Person has the meaning specified in Section 7.04(c)(1)(A).
Successful Syndication means the date on which the Initial Lenders hold Initial Loan Commitments and Initial Loans in the aggregate of not greater than $0 of the Facility.
Takeover Code means City Code on Takeovers and Mergers.
Take-Out Banks has the meaning specified in the definition of Engagement Letter.
Take-Out Financing has the meaning specified in Section 6.16(a).
Target has the meaning assigned to such term in the first recital hereto.
Target Acquisition has the meaning assigned to such term in the first recital hereto.
Target Audited Financial Statements means the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Target and its Subsidiaries for the three fiscal years ended respectively December 31, 2010, December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, stockholders equity and cash flows for such fiscal years of the Target and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.
Target Transactions means, collectively, (i) the Target Acquisition and the other related transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Documents, including the Scheme effecting such Target Acquisition, (ii) the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents on the Effective Date (iii) the funding, of the Initial Loans on the Closing Date and (iv) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with any of the foregoing.
Target Group means the Target and its Subsidiaries.
Target Shares has the meaning assigned to such term in the first recital hereto.
Target Unaudited Financial Statements means the unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income and cash flows of the Target and its Subsidiaries for each semi-annual period ending after December 31, 2012 and more than 45 days prior to the Effective Date (which will have been reviewed by the independent accountants for the Target in accordance with IFRS).
Taxes means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, remittances, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
Taxing Authority means any government or any political subdivision, state, province or territory of a taxing jurisdiction or any authority or agency therein or thereof having power to tax.
-35-
Term Loan has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(b).
Threshold Amount means $25,000,000.
Total Assets means the total assets of the Borrower, except where expressly provided otherwise, and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Borrower; provided, however, that in no event at any time shall Total Assets be deemed to equal an amount less than the amount of total assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of the Issue Date.
Total Cap has the meaning specified in Section 2.08(a)(iii).
Tranche 2 Sub-Facility means Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (1) of Section 7.03(b) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $7.5 million at any one time outstanding; provided that the Borrower has designated such Indebtedness as the Tranche 2 Sub-Facility thereunder.
Transaction means the merger contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, the issuance of the Senior Secured Notes and borrowings, if any, under the ABL Facility on the Issue Date, and certain related transactions.
Transaction Agreement means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 4, 2010, by and among Parent, Scorpio Merger Sub Corporation and MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities Partners L.P., as the same may be amended prior to the Issue Date.
Transaction Expenses means any fees or expenses incurred or paid by the Investors, Holdings, Acquisition Co., the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Target Transactions and the transactions contemplated thereby.
Treasury Capital Stock has the meaning specified in Section 7.06(b)(2).
United States and U.S. mean the United States of America.
Unrestricted Subsidiary means:
(1) any Subsidiary of Holdings listed on Schedule 1.01B
(2) any Subsidiary of the Borrower which at the time of determination is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by the Borrower, as provided below); and
(3) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
After the earlier of (i) the Conversion Date or (ii) the Fall-away Date, the Borrower may designate any Subsidiary of the Borrower (including any existing Subsidiary and any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on, any property of, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than solely any Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated); provided that
(1) any Unrestricted Subsidiary must be an entity of which the Equity Interests entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes that may be cast by all Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or Persons performing a similar function are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Borrower;
(2) such designation complies with Section 7.06 hereof; and
(3) each of
(a) the Subsidiary to be so designated, and
(b) its Subsidiaries has not at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.
-36-
The Borrower may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and either:
(1) the Borrower could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test under Section 7.03(a); or
(2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be greater than such ratio for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such designation, in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation.
Any such designation by the Borrower shall be notified by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent by promptly filing with the Administrative Agent a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Borrower or any committee thereof giving effect to such designation and an Officers Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.
USA PATRIOT Act has the meaning specified in Section 10.19.
Voting Stock of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
Weighted Average Life to Maturity means, when applied to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing:
(1) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment; by
(2) the sum of all such payments.
Wholly-Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiary means a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary, 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than directors qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person.
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than directors qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.
Withdrawal Liability means the liability of a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
Withholding Agent shall mean any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent and, in the case of any U.S. federal withholding tax, any other applicable withholding agent.
Section 1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
(a) 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
-37-
and effect as the word shall. Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) 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 or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons successors and assigns, (iii) the words herein, hereof and hereunder, and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such Law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such Law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and (vi) 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.
(b) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word from means from and including, the words to and until each mean to but excluding, and the word through means to and including.
(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
Section 1.03 Accounting Terms and Determinations.
(a) Generally. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Borrower Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein.
(b) Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP or in the application thereof would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and any other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
(c) Computation of Certain Financial Covenants. Unless otherwise specified herein, all defined financial terms (and all other definitions used to determine such terms) shall be to those determined and computed in respect of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
Section 1.04 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained or satisfied by the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
Section 1.05 Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
-38-
Section 1.06 Currency Equivalents Generally. Any amount specified in this Agreement (other than in Articles II, IX and X) or any of the other Loan Documents to be in Dollars shall also include the equivalent of such amount in any currency other than Dollars, such equivalent amount to be determined by the Administrative Agent at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (as defined below) for the purchase of such currency with Dollars. For purposes of this Section 1.06, the Spot Rate for a currency means the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two Business Days prior to the date of such determination; provided that the Administrative Agent may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Administrative Agent if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency.
ARTICLE II
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
Section 2.01 The Loans.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make an Initial Loan to the Borrower on the Closing Date in an amount not to exceed its Initial Loan Commitment. Amounts repaid or prepaid in respect of the Initial Loans may not be reborrowed.
(b) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower and each Lender severally agrees, if the Initial Loans have not been repaid in full, that the then outstanding principal amount of its Initial Loans shall, upon satisfaction of the condition set forth in clause (c) below, be converted into a loan (individually, a Term Loan and collectively, the Term Loans) by the Borrower on the Initial Maturity Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to the then outstanding principal amount of the Initial Loans.
(c) The ability of the Borrower to automatically convert the Initial Loans into Term Loans is subject to the condition that at the time of any such conversion, there shall exist no Event of Default under Section 8.01(a) or 8.01(f) hereof.
(d) Upon the conversion of the Initial Loans into Term Loans, each Lender shall cancel on its records a principal amount of the Initial Loans held by such Lender corresponding to the principal amount of Term Loans issued by such Lender, which corresponding principal amount of the Initial Loans shall be satisfied by the conversion of such Initial Loans into Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.01(b). Amounts repaid in respect of Term Loans may not be reborrowed.
Section 2.02 Borrowings and Continuations of Loans.
(a) The Borrowing of Initial Loans on the Closing Date and each continuation of Loans shall be made upon the Borrowers irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. three Business Days prior to the requested date of any such Borrowing or such continuation of Loans. Each telephonic notice by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Committed Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Such Borrowing of and each continuation of Loans shall be in an amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof. Each Committed Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (i) the requested date of the Borrowing or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed or continued, and (iii) the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto. If the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a continuation or the Borrower requests a Borrowing or a continuation of Loans in any such Committed Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month.
(b) Following receipt of a Committed Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Pro Rata Share of the Loans and if no timely notice of a continuation is provided by
-39-
the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic continuation described in Section 2.02(a). Each Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agents Office in Dollars not later than 9:00 a.m., on the Business Day specified in the applicable Committed Loan Notice. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02, the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of Citicorp with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower.
(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, a Loan may be continued only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Loan.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Loans upon determination of such interest rate.
(e) After giving effect to all Loans, there shall not be more than two (2) Interest Periods in effect in respect of the Loans.
Section 2.03 [Reserved].
Section 2.04 [Reserved].
Section 2.05 Prepayments.
(a) Optional.
(i) Subject to the last sentence of this Section 2.05(a)(i), the Borrower may, upon notice by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that: (A) such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Loans and (B) any prepayment of Loans shall be in a principal amount of $2,500,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice and of the amount of such Lenders ratable portion of such prepayment (based on such Lenders Pro Rata Share in respect of the relevant Facility). Each such notice shall be revocable subject to Section 3.05.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, from and after the occurrence of a Demand Failure Event, in connection with each prepayment of Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) or Section 2.05(b) below, the Borrower shall at the time of such prepayment to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of Lenders whose Loans are being prepaid, pay a prepayment premium equal to the redemption premium then applicable to a redemption of Exchange Notes as described in Section 6.14(b)(ii) (without regard to whether any Exchange Notes are outstanding or the Exchange Note Indenture has been entered into); provided, however, that as long as any such Loans are held by any Initial Lender or any affiliate of an Initial Lender (other than asset management affiliates purchasing the Loans in the ordinary course of business and excluding Loans acquired pursuant to bona fide open market purchases from third parties or market making activities), such Loans held by such Initial Lender and its affiliates shall be optionally prepayable at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
(b) Mandatory.
(i) On each occasion that a Debt Incurrence Prepayment Event occurs, the Borrower shall cause to be prepaid an aggregate principal amount of Loans in an amount equal to 100% of all Net Proceeds received therefrom on or prior to the date which is five (5) Business Days after the receipt by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary of such Net Proceeds. The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing of a pending prepayment of the Loans to be made pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 2.05(b) at least four (4) Business Days
-40-
prior to the date of such prepayment. Each such notice shall specify the date of such prepayment and provide a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment. The Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice to the Lenders of the contents of the Borrowers prepayment notice and such of such Lenders Pro Rata Share of the prepayment.
(ii) Each prepayment of Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event that any Lender or Affiliate of Lender purchases any Permanent Securities pursuant to a Securities Demand at a price above the level at which such Lender or Affiliate has reasonably determined that such Permanent Securities can be resold by such Lender or Affiliate to a bona fide third party at the time of such purchase (and notifies the Borrower thereof) the Net Proceeds received in respect of such issuance of Permanent Securities may, at the option of such Lender or Affiliate, be applied first to prepay the Loans of such Lender or Affiliate (provided that if there is more than one such Lender or Affiliate then such net cash proceeds will be applied pro rata to prepay the Loans of all such Lenders or Affiliates made on the Closing Date in proportion to such Lenders or Affiliates principal amount of Permanent Securities purchased from the Borrower) prior to being applied to prepay the Loans held by other Lenders.
(c) Interest, Funding Losses, Etc. All prepayments under this Section 2.05 shall be accompanied by all accrued interest thereon, together with any amounts owing in respect of such Loan pursuant to Section 3.05.
Section 2.06 Termination or Reduction of Commitments. The Initial Loan Commitment of each Lender shall be automatically and permanently reduced to $0 upon the making of such Lenders Initial Loans pursuant to Section 2.01. The Initial Loan Commitments hereunder shall be automatically and permanently terminated at 5:00pm (London time) on the last day of the Certain Funds Period if the Closing Date does not occur on or prior to such time. Upon each issuance of Permanent Securities on or prior to the Closing Date, the Initial Loan Commitments of each Lender shall be reduced on a pro rata basis by an aggregate amount corresponding to the aggregate principal amount of such Permanent Securities before deducting any fees, costs or expenses related to the issuance of such Permanent Securities.
Section 2.07 Repayment of Loans.
(a) Subject to Section 2.01(b), the Initial Loans will mature on the Initial Maturity Date and, to the extent then unpaid, will, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.01(c), be converted into Term Loans or become due and payable pursuant to Section 2.01(b).
(b) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Term Loans on the Final Maturity Date. Any Term Loan shall bear interest as described in Section 2.08 from the Initial Maturity Date until such Loan shall be paid in full or exchanged for an Exchange Note pursuant to Section 6.14.
(c) Subject to the requirements set forth in Section 6.14, each Lender will have the option at any time or from time to time after the Initial Maturity Date to receive Exchange Notes in exchange for the Term Loans of such Lender then outstanding. The principal amount of the Exchange Notes will equal 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans for which they are exchanged. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such exchange, any notices given or cure periods commenced while the Initial Loans or Term Loans were outstanding shall be deemed given or commenced (as of the actual dates thereof) for all purposes with respect to the Exchange Notes (with the same effect as if the Exchange Notes had been outstanding as of the actual dates thereof).
-41-
Section 2.08 Interest.
(a) Stated Interest.
(i) Except as provided in clause (iii) below, the unpaid principal amount of each Initial Loan shall bear interest from the date of the Borrowing thereof until the date of repayment or conversion to a Term Loan at a rate per annum equal to the lesser of (i) the Total Cap and (ii) Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Margin as determined by the Administrative Agent; provided that immediately upon the occurrence of a Demand Failure Event, the interest rate on the Initial Loans shall increase to the Total Cap.
(ii) Except as provided in clause (iii) below, the unpaid principal amount of each Term Loan shall bear interest for the period from and including the Initial Maturity Date to, but excluding, the earlier of (i) the date of repayment thereof and (ii) the date of exchange for an Exchange Note, at a rate equal to the Total Cap.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the interest rate borne by the Loans shall not exceed 12.75% per annum (the Total Cap ).
(b) Default Interest.
(i) If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(ii) If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by the Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Required Lenders, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(iii) Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.
(c) Payments of Interest. Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.
Section 2.09 Fees.
(1) The Borrower shall pay to the Bookrunners and the Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
(2) The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
Section 2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Margin and Applicable Fee Rate. All computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
-42-
The Interest Period applicable to the Initial Loans and the Term Loans shall commence on the date such Loan is disbursed or continued and end on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above:
(a) the initial Interest Period for the Initial Loans shall commence on the date of such Borrowing, and each Interest Period occurring thereafter in respect of such Borrowing shall commence on the day on which the preceding Interest Period expires;
(b) if any Interest Period relating to a Borrowing begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month or begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period, such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period;
(c) if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day; provided that if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the preceding Business Day; and
(d) the last Interest Period applicable to Initial Loans shall end on the Initial Maturity Date and the last Interest Period applicable to Term Loans shall end on the earlier of (i) the conversion of such Term Loan into an Exchange Note and (ii) the Final Maturity Date.
Section 2.11 Evidence of Debt. The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained in good faith by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be prima facie evidence absent manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Loan Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) an Initial Loan Note, which shall evidence such Lenders Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Initial Loan Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
Section 2.12 Payments Generally; Administrative Agents Clawback.
(a) General. All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agents Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. Subject to clause (b) below, the Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Pro Rata Share in respect of the relevant Facility (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lenders Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.
-43-
(b) Funding and Payments; Presumptions.
(i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of the Borrowing of Initial Loans that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lenders 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 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 in immediately available funds 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 (A) 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, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable to such Borrowing. 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 Lenders 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.
(ii) Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the time at which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender in immediately available funds 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.
A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Borrowing set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall promptly return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender without interest.
(d) Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 10.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 10.04(c).
(e) Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.
(f) Insufficient Funds. If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, toward payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in
-44-
accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties and (ii) second, toward payment of principal then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.
Section 2.13 Sharing of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of (i) Loan Obligations due and payable to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (x) the amount of such Loan Obligations due and payable to such Lender at such time to (y) the aggregate amount of the Loan Obligations due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time) of payments on account of the Loan Obligations due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all the Lenders at such time or (ii) Loan Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (x) the amount of such Loan Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender at such time to (y) the aggregate amount of the Loan Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Parties at such time) of payment on account of the Loan Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all of the Lenders at such time 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 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 Loan Obligations then due and payable to the Lenders or owing (but not due and payable) to the Lenders, as the case may be, provided that:
(i) if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and
(ii) the provisions of this Section 2.13 shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or (B) any payment obtained pursuant to Section 2.12(b).
Each Loan Party 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 such Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Loan Party in the amount of such participation.
ARTICLE III
TAXES, INCREASED COSTS PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
Section 3.01 Taxes.
(a) Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes.
(i) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall to the extent permitted by applicable Laws be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Taxes. If, however, applicable Laws require any Withholding Agent to withhold or deduct any Tax, such Tax shall be withheld or deducted in accordance with such Laws as reasonably determined by such Withholding Agent.
(ii) If the applicable Withholding Agent shall be required by the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including both United States federal backup withholding and withholding Taxes, from any payment, then (A) such Withholding Agent shall withhold or make such deductions as are reasonably determined by such Withholding Agent to be required by applicable Law, (B) such Withholding Agent shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Code and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, the sum payable by the
-45-
applicable Loan Party shall be increased by such Loan Party as necessary so that after any required withholding or deductions have been made (including withholding or deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01) the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deductions been made.
(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law.
(c) Tax Indemnifications. Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) above, the Borrower shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 15 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 3.01) payable by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, and any 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 any such payment or liability (along with a written statement setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and calculation of such amounts) delivered to the Borrower by a Lender, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. If the Borrower reasonably believes that any such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were not correctly or legally asserted, the Administrative Agent and/or each affected Lender will use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower in pursuing a refund of such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes so long as such efforts would not, in the sole determination of the Administrative Agent or affected Lender, result in any additional costs, expenses or risks or be otherwise disadvantageous to it.
(d) Evidence of Payments. After any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by Laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.
(e) Status of Lenders; Tax Documentation.
(i) Each Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and to the Administrative Agent, at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable Laws or by the taxing authorities of any jurisdiction and such other reasonably requested information as will permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, to determine (A) whether or not any payments made hereunder or under any other Loan Document are subject to Taxes, (B) if applicable, the required rate of withholding or deduction, and (C) such Lenders entitlement to any available exemption from, or reduction of, applicable Taxes in respect of any payments to be made to such Lender by any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or otherwise to establish such Lenders status for withholding tax purposes in the applicable jurisdiction. Any documentation and information required to be delivered by a Lender pursuant to this Section 3.01(e) (including any specific documentation set forth in subsection (ii) below) shall be delivered by such Lender (i) on or prior to the Effective Date (or on or prior to the date it becomes a party to this Agreement), (ii) on or before any date on which such documentation expires or becomes obsolete, (iii) after the occurrence of any change in the Lenders circumstances requiring a change in the most recent documentation previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and (iv) from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, and each such Lender shall promptly notify in writing the Borrower and the Administrative Agent if such Lender is no longer legally eligible to provide any documentation previously provided.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(A) any Lender that is a United States person within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent executed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or such other documentation or information prescribed by applicable Laws or
-46-
reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements; and
(B) each Foreign Lender that is entitled under the Code or any applicable treaty to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax with respect to any payments hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) whichever of the following is applicable:
(1) executed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or any successor form thereto) claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party;
(2) executed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI (or any successor form thereto);
(3) 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, substantially in the form of Exhibit G-1, G-2, G-3 or G-4 (a Non-Bank Certificate), to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (A) a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a 10 percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a controlled foreign corporation described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and that no interest payments are effectively connected income and (y) executed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN;
(4) where such Lender is a partnership (for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or otherwise not a beneficial owner (e.g., where such Lender has sold a participation), IRS Form W-8IMY (or any successor thereto) and all required supporting documentation (including, where one or more of the underlying beneficial owner(s) is claiming the benefits of the portfolio interest exemption, a Non-Bank Certificate of such beneficial owner(s) (provided that, if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and not a participating Lender, the Non-Bank Certificate(s) may be provided by the Foreign Lender on behalf of the beneficial owner(s)); or
(5) executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable Laws as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States federal withholding tax together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Laws to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.
(iii) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine whether such Lender has complied with such Lenders obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount, if any, to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (iii), FATCA shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
(iv) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3.01, no Lender shall be required to deliver any documentation that it is not legally eligible to deliver.
-47-
(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds. Subject to the last sentence in Section 3.01(c), at no time shall the Administrative Agent or any Lender have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender. If the Administrative Agent or any Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Indemnified 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 3.01, the Administrative Agent or such Lender (as applicable) shall pay to the Borrower an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Loan Parties under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including any Taxes) incurred by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, 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 the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. In such event, the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, shall, at the Borrowers request, provide the Borrower with a copy of any notice of assessment or other evidence of the requirement to repay such refund received from the relevant taxing authority (provided that the Administrative Agent or such Lender may delete any information therein that it deems confidential). This Section 3.01(f) shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender 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 3.02 Illegality. If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon Eurodollar Rate, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, in respect of Loans, (A) then (i) within 15 days after any notice given to the Borrower by the affected Lender or Lenders, the Agent and the Borrower shall enter into negotiations in good faith with a view to agreeing to an alternative interest rate acceptable to the Borrower to maintain affected Loans and (ii) if, at the expiration of 30 days from the giving of such notice by such Lender, the Agent and the Borrower shall not have reached an agreement, such Loans will bear interest at a rate per annum reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be the cost of funds of representative participating members in the London interbank eurodollar market selected by the Administrative Agent for maintaining loans similar to the Loans plus the Applicable Margin. Each Lender agrees to designate a different Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for such notice and will not, in the good faith judgment of such Lender, otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender.
Section 3.03 Inability to Determine Rates. If the Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a Loan or a continuation thereof that (i) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Loan, (ii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Loan, or (iii) the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, (i) within 15 days after any notice given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall enter into negotiations in good faith with a view to agreeing to an alternative interest rate acceptable to the Borrower to maintain affected Loans and (ii) if, at the expiration of 30 days from the giving of such notice by such Lender, the Agent and the Borrower shall not have reached an agreement, such Loans will bear interest at a rate per annum reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be the cost of funds of representative participating members in the London interbank eurodollar market selected by the Administrative Agent for maintaining loans similar to the Loans plus the Applicable Margin. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, or continuation of Loans.
Section 3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on Loans.
(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 held by, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (or its Lending Office);
-48-
(ii) subject any Lender (or its Lending Office) to any Tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or any Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes covered by Section 3.01 and any Excluded Taxes);
(iii) impose on any Lender (or its Lending Office) or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender (or its Lending Office) of making or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender by delivery of a certificate pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section 3.04, the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) Capital and Liquidity Requirements. If any Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lenders holding company, if any, regarding liquidity or capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lenders capital or on the capital of such Lenders holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Initial Loan Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by such Lender to a level below that which such Lender or such Lenders holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lenders policies and the policies of such Lenders holding company with respect to liquidity requirements and capital adequacy), then from time to time, upon request by delivery of a certificate pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section 3.04, the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lenders holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender prepared in good faith setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 3.04 and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 15 days after receipt thereof by the Borrower.
(d) Delays in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lenders right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six months prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lenders intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the six-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof); provided, further, that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender for increased costs or reductions suffered more than nine months after such Change in Law, except that in the case of any such change having retroactive effect such period shall be extended until nine months after the Lender becomes aware of such change.
Section 3.05 Compensation for Losses. Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:
(i) any continuation, payment or prepayment of any Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise); or
(ii) any failure by a Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower.
-49-
For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Loan made by it at the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Loan was in fact so funded.
Section 3.06 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then such Lender shall, as applicable, 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 reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower 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 a Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, the Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.13.
Section 3.07 Survival. All of the Borrowers obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Initial Loan Commitments, repayment of all other Loan Obligations hereunder and resignation of the Administrative Agent.
ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
Section 4.01 Conditions to Effectiveness of this Agreement. The effectiveness of this Agreement is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
(a) The Administrative Agents receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals or facsimiles (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its legal counsel:
(i) executed counterparts of this Agreement, the Guaranty, the Fee Letter and the Engagement Letter;
(ii) (A) a copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation or organization, including all amendments thereto, of each Loan Party, certified, if applicable, as of a recent date by the Secretary of State or similar Governmental Authority of the jurisdiction of its organization, and a certificate as to the good standing (where relevant) of each Loan Party as of a recent date, from such Secretary of State or similar Governmental Authority and (B) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary (or a director in lieu thereof) of each Loan Party, dated the Effective Date and certifying (i) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the by-laws, memorandum and articles of association or operating (or limited liability company) agreement of such Loan Party as in effect on the Effective Date, (ii) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors (or equivalent governing body) of such
-50-
Loan Party authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which such Person is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect, (iii) that the certificate or articles of incorporation or organization of such Loan Party have not been amended since the date of the last amendment thereto shown on the certificate of incorporation or organization furnished pursuant to clause (A) above, and (iv) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each Responsible Officer executing any Loan Document on behalf of such Loan Party and countersigned by another officer as to the incumbency and specimen signature of the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or director of such Loan Party executing the certificate pursuant to clause (B) above.
(iii) an opinion from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York counsel to the Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit D;
(iv) a Solvency Certificate attesting to the Solvency of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) on the Effective Date after giving effect to the Target Transactions as if the Target Transactions were consummated on the Effective Date, from the chief financial officer of the Borrower; provided that any representation or warranty made in respect of the Solvency of the Target Group is qualified by and made subject to the actual knowledge and belief of the chief financial officer (which shall not include the knowledge or belief of any member of the Target Group or its management); and
(v) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that (A) no Default or Event of Default as of the Effective Date has occurred and is continuing, and (B) the representations and warranties contained in Article V are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Effective Date as if made on and as of such date; provided, however, that any representation and warranty that is qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects on such date.
(b) The Administrative Agent shall have reviewed, and be satisfied with, the final structure, terms and conditions and the documentation relating to the Target Acquisition, being the Press Release or Offer Press Release (as applicable), (it being understood that the Arrangers are satisfied with the drafts of the Press Release or Offer Press Release (as applicable) and the disclosure schedules and exhibits received by the Arrangers on the date hereof).
(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received at least 3 Business Days prior to the Effective Date all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable know-your-customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act that has been reasonably requested at least 10 Business Days in advance of the Effective Date.
Section 4.02 Certain Funds Period. During the Certain Funds Period, the obligation of each Lender to make the Initial Loans is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver pursuant to Section 10.01) of only the following conditions precedent:
(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Committed Loan Notice in accordance with the requirements hereof.
(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certified copy of the Acquisition Documents corresponding in all material respects to the terms and conditions set out in the Press Release or Offer Press Release (as applicable), save to the extent otherwise required by the Takeover Panel;
(c) Delivery to the Administrative Agent of a certificate signed by a duly authorized officer of Borrower confirming, if the Scheme has not been switched to an Offer, the Scheme Effective Date shall have occurred and the Administrative Agent shall have received certified copies of (i) the Court Order, (ii)
-51-
the shareholder resolutions referred to in and in the form set out in the Initial Scheme Document, and (iii) the confirmation-of-receipt stamp with respect to the registration of the Court Order from Companies House (or a copy of the cover letter from Targets solicitors delivering the Court Order to Companies House for registration, with confirmation of receipt by Companies House affixed); if the Scheme has been switched to an Offer, the Offer Unconditional Date shall have occurred and, in either case, there shall not have been any material amendment, supplement or modification of the Acquisition Conditions Precedent, or waiver of the Acceptance Condition or the Anti-Trust Condition, not consented to by the Arrangers, other than (x) a waiver of the Acceptance Condition to permit the Offer to become unconditional with acceptance of Target Shares in an aggregate amount of not less than 75% of the Target Shares or (y) any amendments, supplements, modifications or waivers required by the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, the High Court of England and Wales or any applicable Law.
(d) The Major Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects except, in the case of a Major Representation which is qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects.
(e) No breach of any Major Covenant has occurred and is continuing or would immediately result from the making of the Initial Loans.
(f) No Major Default has occurred and is continuing or would immediately result from the making of the Initial Loans.
(g) There shall not be in effect any injunction or restraining order of any applicable Governmental Authority having jurisdiction to issue such injunction or restraining order prohibiting the making of the Initial Loans or the use of the proceeds thereof.
(h) All fees and expenses required to be paid hereunder, under the Fee Letter and invoiced at least three business days prior to the Closing Date shall have been paid in full in cash or will be paid on the Closing Date out of the initial Credit Extension.
(i) The Effective Date shall have occurred.
(j) A Change of Control shall not have occurred.
Section 4.03 Determinations Under Sections 4.01 and 4.02. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Sections 4.01 and 4.02, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or reasonably acceptable or reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders unless an officer of the Administrative Agent responsible for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have received written notice from such Lender prior to, with respect to conditions specified in Section 4.01, the Effective Date, and with respect to conditions specified in Section 4.02, the Closing Date, specifying its objection thereto. The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall promptly notify the Lenders and the Borrower in writing of the occurrence of each of the Effective Date and the Closing Date and each such notification shall be conclusive and binding.
During the Certain Funds Period and notwithstanding anything set forth in this Agreement, the Loan Documents or otherwise to the contrary (including whether any condition to the occurrence of the Effective Date may subsequently be determined not to have been satisfied or that any representation given as a condition thereof or otherwise was incorrect or any failure by the Borrower to comply with the Major Covenants prior to the funding of the Loans on the Closing Date), except in circumstances where, pursuant to Section 4.02, a Lender is not obligated to make an Initial Loan, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be entitled to:
(a) cancel any of its Initial Loan Commitments (except as set forth in Section 2.05 or 2.06);
(b) rescind, terminate or cancel this Agreement or any of its Initial Loan Commitments hereunder or exercise any right or remedy or make or enforce any claim under the Loan Documents or otherwise it may have;
-52-
(c) decline or refuse or fail to make available its Initial Loan;
(d) exercise any right of set off or counterclaim in respect of its Initial Loan or a requested Loan; or
(e) cancel, accelerate or cause repayment or prepayment of any amounts owing hereunder or under any other Loan Document;
provided that after the funding of the Loans on the Closing Date, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have all rights and remedies with respect to any such non-compliance notwithstanding that they were not exercised or available during the Certain Funds Period as a result of this Section 4.03.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Holdings and the Borrower represent and warrant to the Agent and the Lenders (i) on the Effective Date (without giving effect to the Target Transactions and the Target Group) and (ii) on the Closing Date (after giving effect to the Target Transactions); provided that any representation or warranty made by any Loan Party on or prior to the Closing Date relating to any member of the Target Group (including any information relating to any member of the Target Group) is qualified by and made subject to the actual knowledge and belief of such Loan Party (which shall not include the knowledge or belief of any member of the Target Group or its management), that:
Section 5.01 Existence, Qualification and Power; Compliance with Laws. Each Loan Party and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) is a Person duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (ii) has all requisite power and authority to (A) own or lease its assets and carry on its business and (B) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (iii) is duly qualified and in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, (iv) except as set forth on Schedule 5.01 is in compliance with all Laws, orders, writs, injunctions and orders applicable to it or to its properties, and (v) has all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to operate its business as currently conducted, except in each case referred to in clauses (iii), (iv), or (v) to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.02 Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is a party, and the consummation of the Target Transactions (to the extent of such Persons involvement therein), are within such Loan Partys corporate or other powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not and will not (i) contravene the terms of any of such Persons Organization Documents, (ii) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under (other than as permitted by Section 7.01), or require any payment to be made under (A) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) any material order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (iii) violate any material Law; except with respect to any conflict, breach or contravention or payment (but not creation of Liens) referred to in clause (ii)(A), to the extent that such conflict, breach, contravention or payment could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.03 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents. No material approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for the consummation of the Target Transactions or (ii) the exercise by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of its rights under the Loan Documents, except for (A) the approvals, consents, exemptions, authorizations, actions, notices and filings which have been duly obtained, taken, given or made and are in full force and effect and (B) those approvals, consents, exemptions, authorizations or other actions, notices or filings, the failure of which to obtain or make could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
-53-
Section 5.04 Binding Effect. This Agreement and each other Loan Document required to be executed and delivered as of such date has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement and each other Loan Document constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, by general principles of equity and by a covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
Section 5.05 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.
(a) The Borrower Audited Financial Statements and the Borrower Unaudited Financial Statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby, except for (in the case of interim statements) customary year-end adjustments and the absence of complete footnotes and as otherwise expressly noted therein.
(b) The Target Audited Financial Statements and the Target Unaudited Financial Statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Target and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with IFRS consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby, except for (in the case of interim statements) customary year-end adjustments and the absence of complete footnotes and as otherwise expressly noted therein.
(c) Since the Effective Date, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) The forecasts of consolidated balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements of (i) the Target and (ii) the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, copies of which have been furnished to the Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date in a form reasonably satisfactory to it, have been prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were believed to be reasonable at the time of preparation of such forecasts, it being understood that actual results may vary from such forecasts and that such variations may be material.
Section 5.06 Litigation. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.06, there are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of Holdings or the Borrower, threatened in writing or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries or against any of their properties or revenues that either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.07 Environmental Compliance.
(a) There are no pending or, to the knowledge of Holdings or the Borrower, threatened claims, actions, suits, or proceedings alleging potential liability under or violation of any applicable Environmental Law that could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, there has been no Release of Hazardous Materials by any of the Loan Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries at, on, under or from any location in a manner which could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability under applicable Environmental Laws.
(c) There are no Hazardous Materials at, on, under or migrating from any of the properties currently or to the actual knowledge of Holdings or the Borrower formerly owned, leased or operated by Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in amounts or concentrations which (i) constitute a violation of, (ii) require investigation or remediation under, or (iii) could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability under, applicable Environmental Laws, which violations, investigations or remediations and liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
-54-
(d) None of Holdings, the Borrower nor any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries are conducting, either individually or together with other potentially responsible parties, any investigation or remediation relating to any actual or threatened Release, discharge or disposal of Hazardous Materials at, on, under or from any site or location, either voluntarily or pursuant to the order of any Governmental Authority or the requirements of any applicable Environmental Law except for such investigation or remediation that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) To the actual knowledge of Holdings or the Borrower, all Hazardous Materials generated, used, treated, handled or stored at or transported by or on behalf of Holdings or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for off-site treatment or disposal have been treated or disposed of in a manner which would not reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.
(f) Except as could not reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect, none of the Loan Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries has contractually assumed any liability or obligation under any applicable Environmental Law.
(g) Except as could not reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect, the Loan Parties and each of their Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective businesses, operations and properties are and have been in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws and have all Environmental Permits which are in full force and effect.
Section 5.08 Ownership of Property; Liens; Intellectual Property; Insurance.
(a) General. Each Loan Party and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries has good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, or easements or other limited property interests in, all Real Property necessary in the ordinary conduct of its business, free and clear of all Liens except for minor defects in title that do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business or to utilize such assets for their intended purposes and Liens permitted by Section 7.01 and except where the failure to have such title or other interest could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Intellectual Property. Each Loan Party and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries owns, or has the legal right to use, all of the IP Rights reasonably necessary for each of them to conduct its business as currently conducted except for those the failure to own or have such legal right to use could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Insurance. The properties of each Loan Party and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, in such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance reasonable and customary for similarly situated persons engaged in the same or similar business), with such deductibles and covering such risks as are in accordance with normal industry practice or customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the applicable Group Company operates.
Section 5.09 Taxes. Except as could not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect: each Loan Party and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries has (i) timely filed or caused to be timely filed (taking into account applicable extensions) all federal, state, foreign and other Tax returns and reports required to be filed, and has timely paid or caused to be timely paid (taking into account applicable extensions) all federal, state, foreign and other Taxes levied or imposed upon it or its properties, income or assets (including in its capacity as a withholding agent), except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP, (ii) made adequate accruals in accordance with GAAP for all Taxes not yet due and payable, (iii) no current or pending Tax audits, assessments, deficiency claims or other Tax proceedings and (iv) never participated in any listed transaction within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4.
-55-
Section 5.10 ERISA Compliance.
(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 5.10(a) or as could not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each Plan is in compliance in with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state Laws.
(b) (i) No ERISA Event has occurred during the period beginning six years from the date on which this representation is made through the date on which this representation is made or deemed made; (ii) neither any Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (iii) neither any Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Sections 4201 et seq. or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and (iv) neither any Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA, except, with respect to each of the foregoing clauses of this Section 5.10(b), as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Except where noncompliance could not reasonably be expected individually or in the aggregate to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Foreign Plan has been maintained in substantial compliance with its terms and with the requirements of any and all applicable Laws, statutes, rules, regulations and orders, and (ii) neither a Loan Party nor any Restricted Subsidiary have incurred any material obligation in connection with the termination of or withdrawal from any Foreign Plan. Except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the present value of the accrued benefit liabilities (whether or not vested) under each Foreign Plan which is funded, determined as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal year of a Loan Party or Restricted Subsidiary (based on the actuarial assumptions used for purposes of the applicable jurisdictions financial reporting requirements), did not exceed the current value of the assets of such Foreign Plan, and for each Foreign Plan which is not funded, the obligations of such Foreign Plan are properly accrued.
Section 5.11 Subsidiaries; Equity Interests. As of the Effective Date, no Loan Party has any Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.11, and all of the outstanding Equity Interests in the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Domestic Subsidiaries) have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and all such Equity Interests owned by any Loan Party are owned free and clear of all Liens except (i) Liens permitted under Section 7.01 and (ii) any nonconsensual Lien that is permitted under Section 7.01.
Section 5.12 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.
(a) No Loan Party is engaged nor will it engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock, and no proceeds of any Borrowings will be used for any purpose that violates Regulation U.
(b) None of Holdings, the Borrower or any Person Controlling Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is or is required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Section 5.13 Disclosure. No report, financial statement, certificate or other written information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to any Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or any other Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) (collectively, the Information) when taken as a whole contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information and pro forma financial information, the Borrower represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time of preparation, it being understood that such projections may vary from actual results and that such variances may be material.
-56-
Section 5.14 Solvency. On the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Target Transactions, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are Solvent.
Section 5.15 Labor Matters. There are no strikes against Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, other than any strikes that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. All material payments due from Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, or for which any claim may be made against Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, 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 Holdings and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, to the extent required by GAAP, except where failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.16 Anti-Terrorism Law.
(a) No Loan Party and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, none of their Affiliates is in violation of any Requirement of Law relating to terrorism or money laundering (Anti-Terrorism Laws), including Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective September 24, 2001 (the Executive Order) or the USA PATRIOT Act (as defined below).
(b) No Loan Party and to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, no Affiliate or broker or other agent of any Loan Party acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the Loans is any of the following:
(i) a person that is listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, the Executive Order;
(ii) a person owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, any person that is listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, the Executive Order;
(iii) a person with which any Lender is prohibited from dealing or otherwise engaging in any transaction by any Anti-Terrorism Law;
(iv) a person that commits, threatens or conspires to commit or supports terrorism as defined in the Executive Order; or
(v) a person that is named as a specially designated national and blocked person on the most current list published by the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) at its official website or any replacement website or other replacement official publication of such list or similarly named by any similar foreign Governmental Authority.
(c) No Loan Party and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, no broker or other agent of any Loan Party acting in any capacity in connection with the Loans (i) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any person described in paragraph (b) above, (ii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction relating to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to the Executive Order, or (iii) engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law.
-57-
Section 5.17 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
ARTICLE VI
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Until (i) the Initial Loan Commitments have expired and (ii) the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees and other Loan Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations with respect to then unasserted claims) shall have been paid in full, Holdings and the Borrower shall, and Holdings and the Borrower shall cause (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Section 6.01, 6.02 and 6.03) each Restricted Subsidiary to:
Section 6.01 Financial Statements. Deliver to the Administrative Agent for prompt further distribution to each Lender:
(i) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each subsequent fiscal year of the Borrower, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and, if different, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, stockholders equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year (or, in lieu of such additional audited financial statements for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, a reconciliation reflecting such financial information for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on the other hand), all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of Ernst & Young LLP or any other independent registered public accounting firm of nationally recognized standing thereafter, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any going concern or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit;
(ii) as soon as available, but in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending September 28, 2013), a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and, if different, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and the related (A) consolidated statements of income or operations for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of the fiscal year then ended and (B) a consolidated statement of cash flows for the portion of the fiscal year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year (or, in lieu of such unaudited financial statements for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, a reconciliation reflecting such financial information for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on the other hand), all in reasonable detail and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year end adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
(iii) (x) prior to the Closing Date, promptly, to the extent provided to Borrower or any of its Affiliates by Target, financial statements and other financial information of Target and its Subsidiaries for each fiscal period following the fiscal period ended June 30, 2013 and (y) from and after the Closing Date, upon request, but in any event no later than the earlier of 60 days after the Closing Date and the date on which comparable financial information of the Borrower is required to be delivered pursuant to subclauses (i) or (ii) above, financial information relating to Target and its Subsidiaries that would be required to be present in pro forma financial statements in accordance with Regulation S-X;
-58-
(iv) as soon as available, and in any event no later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a detailed consolidated budget for the following fiscal year (including a projected consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the following fiscal year, the related consolidated statements of projected cash flow and projected income and a summary of the material underlying assumptions applicable thereto) (collectively, the Projections), which Projections shall in each case be accompanied by a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that such Projections have been prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were believed to be reasonable at the time of preparation of such Projections, it being understood that actual results may vary from such Projections and that such variations may be material;
(v) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of consolidated financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(i) and 6.01(ii) above, statements reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements;
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 6.01 may be satisfied with respect to financial information of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries by furnishing (A) the applicable financial statements of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower that holds all of the Equity Interests of the Borrower or (B) the Borrowers (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), as applicable, Form 10-K or 10-Q, as applicable, filed with the SEC; provided that, with respect to each of clauses (A) and (B), (1) to the extent such information relates to a parent of the Borrower, such information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to the Borrower, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand and (2) to the extent such information is in lieu of information required to be provided under Section 6.01(i), such financial statements are audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of Ernst & Young LLP or any other independent registered public accounting firm of nationally recognized standing thereafter, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any going concern or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit.
Section 6.02 Certificates; Other Information. Deliver to the Administrative Agent for prompt further distribution to each Lender:
(a) the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower an Officers Certificate, one of the signers of which shall be the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Borrower, stating that a review of the activities of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Responsible Officer with a view to determining whether the Borrower has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Agreement, and further stating, as to such Responsible Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Borrower has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every condition and covenant contained in this Agreement and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Agreement (or, if a Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto);
(i) promptly after the same are publicly available, copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which any Loan Party files with the SEC or with any Governmental Authority that may be substituted therefor (other than amendments to any registration statement (to the extent such registration statement, in the form it became effective, is delivered), exhibits to any registration statement and, if applicable, any registration statement on Form S-8) and in any case not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;
(ii) promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any material requests or material notices received by any Loan Party (other than in the ordinary course of business) from or material statements or material reports furnished to any holder of debt securities of any Loan Party or of any of its Subsidiaries having an aggregate outstanding principal amount greater than the
-59-
Threshold Amount so long as the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereunder is greater than the Threshold Amount and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to any other clause of this Section 6.02;
(iii) together with the delivery of the financial statements pursuant to Section 6.01(i), a list of Subsidiaries that identifies each Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the date of delivery of the Officers Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(a) or a confirmation that there is no change in such information since the later of the Effective Date or the date of the last such list;
(iv) promptly following any request by a Lender or the Administrative Agent therefor, on and after the effectiveness of the Pension Act, copies of (A) any documents described in Section 101(k)(1) of ERISA that Holdings and any of its ERISA Affiliates may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan and (B) any notices described in Section 101(l)(1) of ERISA that Holdings or any of its ERISA Affiliates may request with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; provided that if Holdings or any of its ERISA Affiliates have not requested such documents or notices from the administrator or sponsor of the applicable Plan or Multiemployer Plan, Holdings or its ERISA Affiliates shall promptly make a request for such documents or notices from such administrator or sponsor and shall provide copies of such documents and notices promptly after receipt thereof; and
(v) promptly, such additional information regarding the business, legal, financial or corporate affairs of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender through the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(i) or (ii) or Section 6.02(a)(i), (ii) or (iii) may be delivered electronically and, if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrowers website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrowers behalf on IntraLinks or another relevant website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (i) upon written request by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent for further distribution to each Lender until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Borrower shall notify (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. Each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents or requesting delivery of paper copies of such documents from the Administrative Agent and maintaining its copies of such documents and the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by Holdings or the Borrower with any such request for delivery.
Each of Holdings and the Borrower hereby acknowledges that (i) the Administrative Agent and the Bookrunners will make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of Holdings and the Borrower hereunder (collectively, Borrower Materials) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the Platform) and (ii) certain of the Lenders (each, a Public Lender) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons securities. Each of Holdings and the Borrower hereby agrees that so long as Holdings or the Borrower is the issuer of any outstanding debt or equity securities that are registered or issued pursuant to a private offering or is actively contemplating issuing any such securities it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that: (w) all the Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked PUBLIC which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word PUBLIC shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials PUBLIC, the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Bookrunners and the Lenders to treat the Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public
-60-
information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to Holdings or the Borrower or their respective securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent the Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.07); (y) all Borrower Materials marked PUBLIC are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated Public Side Information; and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat the Borrower Materials that are not marked PUBLIC as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated Public Side Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Holdings nor the Borrower shall be under any obligation to mark the Borrower Materials PUBLIC.
Section 6.03 Notices. Promptly after obtaining actual knowledge thereof, notify the Administrative Agent:
(i) of the occurrence of any Default;
(ii) of any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, including such matters arising out of or resulting from (A) breach or non-performance of, or any default or event of default under, a Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (B) to the extent permitted by Law, any dispute, litigation, investigation or proceeding between any Loan Party or any Subsidiary and any Governmental Authority, (C) the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws or in respect of material IP Rights or the assertion or occurrence of any noncompliance by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries with, or liability under, any applicable Environmental Law or Environmental Permit, or (D) the occurrence of any ERISA Event or similar event with respect to Foreign Plans;
(iii) any casualty or other insured damage to any portion of the property or assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries subject to the Borrowing Base in excess of $5,000,000, or the commencement of any action or proceeding for the taking of any interest in a portion of the property or assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries subject to the Borrowing Base in excess of $5,000,000 or any part thereof or interest therein under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceedings; and
(iv) the receipt of any notice of default by a Loan Party under, or notice of termination of, any Lease for any of the Loan Parties distribution centers or warehouses.
Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.03 shall be accompanied by a written statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (x) that such notice is being delivered pursuant to Section 6.03(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) (as applicable) and (y) setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section 6.04 Payment of Obligations. Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy as the same shall become due and payable, all its obligations and liabilities in respect of Taxes imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect of its property, except, in each case, to the extent the failure to pay or discharge the same could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, it being understood that neither Holdings, the Borrower nor any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries shall be required to pay any such Tax which is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings if it has maintained adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP.
Section 6.05 Preservation of Existence, Etc. (i) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (ii) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges (including its good standing), permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), (A) to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (B) pursuant to a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05.
-61-
Section 6.06 Maintenance of Properties. Except if the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order, repair and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted and casualty or condemnation excepted, and (ii) make all necessary renewals, replacements, modifications, improvements, upgrades, extensions and additions thereof or thereto in accordance with prudent industry practice.
Section 6.07 Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against in accordance with normal industry practice or by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance reasonable and customary for similarly situated Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses as Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries) as are customarily carried under similar circumstances in accordance with normal industry practice or by such other Persons.
Section 6.08 Compliance with Laws. (i) Comply in all respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, other than such orders, writs, injunctions and decrees as to which an appeal has been timely and properly taken in good faith, except if the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (ii) shall have in place a compliance program which is reasonably designed to provide internal controls that promote adherence to, and prevent and detect material violations of, any Requirement of Law applicable to it and which includes the implementation of internal audits and monitoring on a regular basis to monitor compliance with the compliance program with the Requirements of Law.
Section 6.09 Books and Records. Maintain proper books of record and account, in which entries that are full, true and correct in all material respects and are in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all material financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be.
Section 6.10 Inspection Rights. Permit representatives and independent contractors of the Administrative Agent and each Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom (other than the records of the board of directors of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary) and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants, all at the reasonable expense of the Borrower and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; provided that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, only the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders may exercise rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Section 6.10 and the Administrative Agent shall not exercise such rights more often than two times during any calendar year absent the existence of an Event of Default and only one such time shall be at the Borrowers expense; provided, further, that when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall give the Borrower the opportunity to participate in any discussions with the Borrowers independent public accountants. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6.10, none of the Loan Parties or any Restricted Subsidiary will be required to disclose, permit the inspection, examination or making copies or abstracts of, or discussion of, any document, information or other matter that (i) constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or their respective representatives or contractors) is prohibited by Law or any binding agreement or (iii) is subject to attorney-client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product.
Section 6.11 Future Guarantees.
(a) If (i) the Borrower or any of its Wholly-Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries organizes or acquires any Wholly-Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiary (other than (x) any Receivables Subsidiary, (y) any Captive Insurance Subsidiary and (z) a Wholly-Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiary if the book value of such Wholly-Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiarys total assets, when taken together with the aggregate book value of the total assets of all other Wholly-Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors, as
-62-
of the end of the Borrowers most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available prior to such date, does not exceed in the aggregate $10.0 million (an Immaterial Domestic Subsidiary)), or transfers assets to or makes an Investment in an Immaterial Domestic Subsidiary such that it ceases to be an Immaterial Domestic Subsidiary, then such Wholly-Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary (and any non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary if such non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary guarantees other capital markets debt securities), other than a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary guaranteeing Indebtedness of another Foreign Subsidiary, guarantees the payment of any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary Guarantor then such Restricted Subsidiary, in each case, shall: within 30 days execute and deliver a supplement to the Guaranty in the form attached thereto providing for a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary; and with respect to a guarantee of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor described in clause (ii) of Section 6.11(a):
(i) if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Obligations or such Subsidiary Guarantors Guarantee, any such guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Guarantee substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Loan Obligations or such Subsidiary Guarantors Guarantee; and
(ii) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and will not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Guarantee;
provided that clause (ii) of Section 6.11(a) shall not be applicable to any Guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary.
(b) For purposes of clause (i) of Section 6.11(a), to the extent that the aggregate book value of the total assets of the Borrowers non-Guarantor Wholly-Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Receivables Subsidiary) as of the end of the Borrowers most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available prior to the date of the applicable organization, acquisition, transfer of assets to or investment in a non-Guarantor Wholly-Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiary, exceeds $10.0 million, then, within 30 days of such date, the Borrower shall cause one or more of such non-Guarantor Wholly-Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries to similarly execute a supplement to the Guaranty providing for a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary or Subsidiaries and such additional and/or supplemental Loan Documents such that the collective book value of the total assets of all remaining non-Guarantor Wholly-Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries does not exceed $10.0 million.
Section 6.12 Compliance with Environmental Laws. Except, in each case, to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect: (i) comply, and take all commercially reasonable actions to cause any lessees and other Persons operating or occupying its properties to comply with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; (ii) obtain and renew all Environmental Permits necessary for its operations and properties; and (iii) in each case to the extent required by applicable Environmental Laws, conduct any investigation, study, sampling and testing, and undertake any cleanup, removal, remedial or other action necessary to address all Hazardous Materials at, on, under or emanating from any currently or formerly owned or operated property or facility, in accordance with the requirements of all applicable Environmental Laws.
Section 6.13 [Reserved].
Section 6.14 Exchange Notes.
(a) The Borrower shall, as promptly as practicable after being requested to do so by one or more Lenders at any time on or after the Initial Maturity Date (unless the Borrower has given the Administrative Agent notice of prepayment of the Loans pursuant to Section 2.05) and no later than the applicable Exchange Date, (i) select a bank or trust company reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders to act as Exchange Note Trustee, (ii)
-63-
enter into the Exchange Documents and the Exchange Registration Rights Agreement, (iii) deliver an offering memorandum relating to the sale of the Exchange Notes which shall include information regarding the Borrower and its Subsidiaries of the type customarily including in private placements under Rule 144A of the Securities Act including financial statements, pro forma financial statements, business and other financial data of the type required in a registered offering by Regulation S-X and Regulation S-K under the Securities Act (other than Rule 3-10 and Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X and subject to exceptions customary for private placements pursuant to Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act) or that would be necessary for the holders of Exchange Notes to receive customary (for high yield debt securities) comfort (including negative assurance comfort) from independent accountants in connection with the offering of the Exchange Notes, and in the case of the annual financial statements, the auditors reports thereon, (iv) in connection with a resale of Exchange Notes, use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the accountants for the Borrower (and, if applicable, the Target) to deliver comfort letters customarily delivered in offerings under Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, (v) deliver copies of resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Borrower and each Guarantor approving the execution and delivery of the Exchange Documents and the Exchange Registration Rights Agreement, together with a customary certificate of the Borrower or such Guarantor certifying such resolutions and (vi) cause counsel to the Borrower to deliver to the Administrative Agent an executed legal opinion in form and substance customary for a transaction of that type to be mutually agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation, with respect to due authorization, execution and delivery; validity; and enforceability of the Exchange Documents and the Exchange Registration Rights Agreement, subject to the qualifications contained therein).
(b) The Borrower will, on or prior to the twentieth (20th) day (the Exchange Date) following the written request (the Exchange Request) of the holder of any Loan (or beneficial owner of a portion thereof) on or after the Initial Maturity Date:
(i) execute and deliver, cause each other Loan Party to execute and deliver, and cause the Exchange Note Trustee to execute and deliver, the Exchange Note Indenture if such Exchange Note Indenture has not previously been executed and delivered; and
(ii) execute and deliver to such holder or beneficial owner in accordance with the Exchange Note Indenture an Exchange Note (which shall (a) bear interest at the Total Cap, (b) mature on the Final Maturity Date, (c) be non-callable prior to February 15, 2015 (other than for a customary T+50 make-whole redemption right and an equity clawback redemption right at par plus the coupon through February 1, 2014) and thereafter shall be redeemable at a declining premium beginning with one-half the coupon, in each case, on terms consistent with those set forth in the Exchange Note Indenture), (d) be guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors, and (e) and shall have such other terms including without limitation covenants and events of default as are set forth in the Exchange Note Indenture) in exchange for such Loan dated the date of the issuance of such Exchange Note, payable to the order of such holder or owner, as the case may be, in the same principal amount as such Loan (or portion thereof) being exchanged.
The Exchange Request shall specify the principal amount of the Loans to be exchanged pursuant to this Section 6.14, provided that no Exchange Notes shall be issued until the Borrower shall have received requests to issue $50 million in aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes. Loans exchanged for Exchange Notes under this Section 6.14 shall be deemed repaid and the Exchange Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Note Indenture.
The Exchange Note Trustee shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or the State of New York, in good standing and having its principal offices in the Borough of Manhattan, in The City of New York, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has a combined capital and surplus of not less than $500.0 million.
Section 6.15 Corporate Separateness.
(a) Satisfy, and cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries and Unrestricted Subsidiaries to satisfy, customary corporate and other formalities, including, as applicable, the holding of regular board of directors and shareholders meetings or action by directors or shareholders without a meeting, in each case, to the extent required by law and the maintenance of corporate offices and records.
-64-
(b) Ensure that (i) no payment is made by it or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to a creditor of any Unrestricted Subsidiary in respect of any liability of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, (ii) no bank account of any Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be commingled with any bank account of the Borrower, Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, and (iii) any financial statements distributed to any creditors of any Unrestricted Subsidiary shall clearly establish or indicate the corporate separateness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary from the Borrower, Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries.
Section 6.16 Securities Demand.
(a) If at any time and from time to time (but not more than three times) from and after the Closing Date and prior to the Initial Maturity Date, one or more Take-Out Banks make a proposal and the Initial Lenders holding a majority of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Initial Loan Commitments or Initial Loans, as applicable, provide a notice (a Securities Demand) to Borrower for the offering of Permanent Securities, then such Permanent Securities shall be on terms and conditions, including ranking, interest rates, yields and redemption prices, as are necessary or appropriate in light of the prevailing market conditions, all as reasonably determined by such Take-Out Bank(s), in consultation with the Borrower, and consistent with the Applicable Bond Standard (such securities, Demand Securities, and such offering of Demand Securities, a Take-Out Financing) (provided that (i) the aggregate weighted average yield thereof (together with (A) all Loans, if any, outstanding after the issuance of such Demand Securities and (B) all other Demand Securities issued prior to such time) shall not exceed the Total Cap (it being understood that any floating interest rates and/or yields included in any of the foregoing calculations shall be determined by the Take-Out Banks in consultation with Borrower, with original issue discount considered yield for the purpose of this clause and determined in accordance with customary market convention for high yield securities), (ii) the maturities thereof shall be February 1, 2019, the non-call periods with respect thereto shall end no more than three years from the issue date thereof and the redemption price at the expiration of such non-call period shall be par plus 50% of the coupon, declining to par plus 25% of the coupon on the first anniversary of the end of the non-call period and further declining to par on the second anniversary of the end of the non-call period, and (iii) such Demand Securities shall be issued at a price to the Borrower equal to or greater than 97% of the principal amount of such Demand Securities (exclusive of any underwriting fees)), the Borrower will accept such Securities Demand and cause the Borrower to issue the Demand Securities, it being understood and agreed that (A) the applicable Take-Out Bank(s) and the Borrower shall mutually determine whether such Demand Securities will be issued through a registered public offering or a private placement with customary registration rights, (B) any such issuance shall be pursuant to an indenture and related documents all in form consistent with the Applicable Bond Standard with such modifications as are consistent with the provisions of this Section 6.16 or otherwise mutually determined by the participating Take-Out Bank(s) and the Borrower in light of then prevailing market conditions, (C) no Demand Securities will be required to be issued prior to the Closing Date, (D) the guarantee structure shall be no more restrictive than that provided under the Applicable Bond Standard and (E) such Securities Demand shall only be permitted after completion of a customary roadshow (or after Borrower has been provided an opportunity to have such a roadshow) and if a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Demand Securities is to be sold or immediately resold to bona fide investors that are neither a Take-Out Bank, nor investors affiliated with the Take-Out Bank (other than asset management affiliates purchasing the Demand Securities in the ordinary course of their business as part of a regular distribution of the Demand Securities (Asset Management Affiliates)).
(b) As long as any Demand Securities are held by any Take-Out Bank or any affiliate of a Take-Out Bank (other than asset management affiliates purchasing the Demand Securities in the ordinary course of business and excluding Demand Securities acquired pursuant to bona fide open market purchases from third parties or market making activities), the Demand Securities held by such Take-Out Bank and its affiliates shall be optionally redeemable at any time by the Borrower at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
-65-
(c) The Borrower will use commercially reasonable efforts to, within 20 days of receipt of a Securities Demand (but in no event earlier than the 60th day after the Closing Date), do the following:
(1) provide as many copies as reasonably requested to the Take-Out Banks of a customary prospectus or offering memorandum, as applicable ( the Offering Document) for such Demand Securities which shall include or incorporate by reference information regarding the Borrower and its subsidiaries of the type customarily included in public offerings or private placements under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, as applicable, including financial statements, pro forma financial statements, business and other financial data of the type required in a registered offering by Regulation S-X and Regulation S-K under the Securities Act (in the case of a private placement, other than Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X and subject to exceptions customary for private placements pursuant to Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act) or that would be necessary for the Takeout Banks to receive customary (for high yield debt securities) comfort (including negative assurance comfort) from independent accountants in connection with the offering of the Demand Securities (all such information so furnished being the Cooperation Information), and in the case of the annual financial statements, the auditors reports thereon;
(2) In the case of a registered offering of Demand Securities, prepare a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to such Demand Securities, including a registration statement covering market making activities of the Take-Out Banks to the extent necessary and in the case of any private placement of Demand Securities, prepare an exchange offer or shelf registration statement (each a Registration Statement) and if such Registration Statement is filed, the Borrower agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable thereafter;
(3) Assist the Take-Out Banks in a timely completion of the offering of the Demand Securities, upon the Take-Out Banks reasonable request, to make Borrowers and its Subsidiaries senior officers and representatives available to the Take-Out Banks in connection with the offering of the Demand Securities, including making them available to assist in the preparation of one or more offering documents (including assistance in obtaining industry data) or ratings agency presentations, to participate in due diligence sessions, rating agency presentations and to participate in one or more roadshows to market the Demand Securities;
(4) notify the Take-Out Banks promptly of all developments materially affecting it, the Target or the Demand Securities or the accuracy of the Cooperation Information. The Borrower agrees to update the Cooperation Information and the offering document at the reasonable request of the Take-Out Banks to facilitate a Take-Out Financing. The Borrower acknowledges that the Take-Out Banks may rely, without independent verification, upon the accuracy and completeness of the Cooperation Information and the Offering Document and that the Take-Out Banks do not assume responsibility therefor.
(d) The Take-Out Banks may at any time require the Borrower (or, if reasonably so specified by the Take-Out Banks, an affiliate of the Borrower) to execute a purchase agreement providing for the issuance of the Permanent Securities contemplated hereby substantially in the form of the Applicable Bond Standard, modified as appropriate to reflect the terms of the transactions contemplated thereby and providing for the delivery of an indenture and a registration rights agreement substantially in the form of the indenture and registration rights agreements related to the Applicable Bond Standard, modified as appropriate to reflect the terms of the transactions contemplated thereby.
(e) It is understood and agreed that the failure to issue any Demand Securities pursuant to a Securities Demand in accordance with the provisions hereof will constitute a Demand Failure Event and that, upon the occurrence of a Demand Failure Event, (a) the interest rate on the Loans shall automatically increase to the Total Cap as provided in Section 2.08(a)(i) hereof, (b) the Loans will immediately and automatically be subject to the call protection of the Exchange Notes as provided in Section 2.05(a)(ii) hereof, (c) the Bridge Conversion Fee (as defined in the Fee Letter) shall become immediately due and payable, and (d) no consent of the Borrower shall be required for the assignment of Loans as provided in Section 10.06(b)(iii)(A) hereof.
(f) For the avoidance of doubt, (i) the Take-Out Banks may reoffer the Demand Securities to investors at any price below or above the proceeds to the issuer and (ii) any adverse tax consequences shall not be a basis for the failure to comply with the covenant herein.
-66-
Section 6.17 Syndication.
(a) The Borrower agrees that it shall, subject to the disclosure limitations in the Takeover Code with respect to the Target Transactions, take all actions that the Arrangers may reasonably request to assist them in timely forming a syndicate acceptable to the Arrangers and the Lenders participating in this Agreement. The Borrowers assistance in forming such syndicate with respect to this Agreement shall include but not be limited to: (i) making available senior management, representatives and non-legal advisors of the Borrower (at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice); (ii) providing copies of any due diligence reports or memoranda prepared by legal, accounting, tax or other advisors in connection with the Acquisition and any other customary and reasonably available information the Arrangers may reasonably request in connection with a customary due diligence review, in each case, to the extent reasonably available to the Borrower and subject to the delivery of customary non-disclosure and non-reliance agreements reasonably acceptable to the Arrangers; (iii) participation, with the Arrangers, in one or more informational meetings with potential Lenders at such times and places as the Arrangers may reasonably request; (iv) using commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the syndication effort benefits from the Borrowers prior and existing lending and other banking relationships and to the extent practicable and appropriate, those of the Target; (v) assisting in the preparation and delivery, as soon as practicable after the date hereof, but in no event later than 20 Business Days prior to Closing Date, of a Confidential Information Memorandum and other customary marketing materials to be used in connection with the syndication; and (vi) using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, at the Borrowers expense, public corporate credit/family ratings of the Borrower and ratings of the Facility by Moodys and S&P as soon as practicable after the date hereof, including participation in rating agency presentations and using commercially reasonable efforts to cause such corporate credit/family ratings and ratings of the Facility to be continuously maintained). For the avoidance of doubt, from and after the Closing Date, the Borrowers assistance will include the assistance as provided in the prior sentence of Target and its senior management.
(b) Prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Target to take all actions, subject at all times to the requirements of the UK Panel on Takeovers and Mergers as set out in Practice Statement No.25 (Debt Syndication During Offer Periods), that the Arrangers may reasonably request to assist them in achieving a syndication of this Agreement. The Targets assistance in forming such syndicate shall include: (i) making available appropriate senior management, representatives and advisors of the Target (at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice); (ii) participation, with the Arrangers, in up to three informational meetings with potential Lenders at such times and places as the Arrangers may reasonably request; (iii) ensuring that the syndication efforts benefits from the Targets existing lending relationships; (iv) assisting in the preparation of a Confidential Information Memorandum and other reasonably available marketing materials to be used in connection with the syndication; and (v) participating in rating agency presentations for Moodys and S&P as soon as reasonably possible after the Effective Date.
(c) To assist the Arrangers in the syndication efforts, the Borrower agrees promptly to prepare and provide to us all information with respect itself, the Target and their respective subsidiaries, the Target Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated hereby, including all financial information and projections as the Arrangers may reasonably request in connection with the arrangement and syndication (it being understood that the Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to the Arrangers as soon as practicable after the date hereof Borrowers unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet and statement of income and pro forma EBITDA for the twelve-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and, so long as any Initial Loans are still held by the Initial Lenders, each subsequent fiscal quarter of the Borrower thereafter to the extent updated financial statements of the Borrower are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01, in each case giving effect to the Target Transactions as if they had occurred on such date in the case of the balance sheet and as of the beginning of such period in the case of the statement of income).
(d) If, at any time prior to the earlier to occur of (i) a Successful Syndication and (ii) the ninetieth (90th) day after the Closing Date, the Borrower becomes aware that the representations in Sections 5.05 and 5.13 are incorrect in any material respect if such Information or Projections was being provided on such date, the Borrower agrees to notify the Initial Lenders and supplement the Information and the Projections promptly until the earlier to occur of (i) a Successful Syndication and (ii) the ninetieth (90th) day after the Closing Date, such that the representations in Sections 5.05 and 5.13 remain true in all material respects as though such Information or Projections were being provided on such date (provided that, with respect to Information, the Projections, other
-67-
forward looking information and updates and supplements provided by the Target, its subsidiaries and its representatives, such representations and warranties shall be true in all material respects to the best of your knowledge) under those circumstances.
Section 6.18 Change of Control.
(a) If a Change of Control occurs, unless the Borrower has previously or concurrently delivered or mailed a prepayment notice with respect to all the outstanding Loans as described under Section 2.05 hereof, the Borrower shall make an offer to purchase all of the Loans pursuant to the offer described below (the Change of Control Offer) at a price in cash (the Change of Control Payment) equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof if such Change of Control occurs on or prior to the Initial Maturity Date or 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof if the Change of Control occurs after the Initial Maturity Date, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of prepayment. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Borrower shall deliver or mail notice of such Change of Control Offer electronically or by first-class mail to the Administrative Agent, with the following information:
(1) that a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 6.18;
(2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the Change of Control Payment Date), except in the case of a conditional Change of Control Offer made in advance of a Change of Control as described in Section 6.18(d) below;
(3) that any Loan not prepaid shall remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;
(4) that unless the Borrower defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Loans accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;
(5) that Lenders shall be entitled to withdraw their election to require the Borrower to purchase such Loans; provided that the Administrative Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the expiration date of the Change of Control Offer, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Lender, the principal amount of Loans tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Lender is withdrawing its election to have such Loans purchased;
(6) the other instructions, as determined by the Borrower, consistent with the covenant described hereunder, that a Lender must follow; and
(7) if such notice is mailed prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional upon the occurrence of such Change of Control.
(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Borrower shall, to the extent permitted by law:
(1) accept for payment all Loans that properly accepted the Change of Control Offer;
(2) deposit with the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Loans that so accepted; and
(3) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Administrative Agent an Officers Certificate to the Trustee stating that such Loans have been tendered to and purchased by the Borrower.
(c) The Borrower shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Agreement applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Borrower and repays all Loans that accept such Change of Control Offer.
-68-
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control; provided that the purchase date shall be no earlier than 30 days from the date a notice of such Change of Control Offer is mailed.
Section 6.19 [Reserved].
Section 6.20 The Scheme and Related Matters. The Borrower shall cause Acquisition Co. to:
(a) Issue the Press Release within two Business Days of the date of this Agreement.
(b) Procure that an Initial Scheme Document or (following a Conversion Notice) an Initial Offer Document is issued and despatched as soon as practicable and in any event within 28 days after the issuance of the Press Release or Offer Press Release, as applicable.
(c) Comply in all material respects with the Takeover Code, subject to any waivers granted by the Panel and all other applicable Laws and regulations in relation to any Offer or Scheme.
(d) Ensure that the (i) Initial Scheme Document corresponds in all material respects to the terms and conditions of the Scheme as contained in the Press Release or (ii) following delivery of a Conversion Notice, the Initial Offer Document corresponds in all material respects to the terms and conditions of the Offer as contained in the Offer Press Release.
(e) Ensure that the Scheme Documents or, following delivery of a Conversion Notice, the Offer Documents, provided to the Administrative Agent contain all the material terms and conditions of the Scheme or Offer, as applicable.
(f) Except as consented to by the Arrangers in writing, not make or approve any increase in the price per Target Share at which the Scheme is proposed or make any other acquisition of any Target Share (including pursuant to an Offer) above the price per Target Share stated in the Press Release unless such increase in price is not funded with the proceeds of this Facility.
(g) Except as consented to by the Arrangers in writing, not amend or waive (i) any term of the Acquisition Documents in a manner which would be reasonably likely to be materially prejudicial to the interests of the Lenders under the Loan Documents, (ii) the Anti-Trust Condition or, if the Scheme has been switched to an Offer, (iii) the Acceptance Condition; provided that no such written consent shall be required for (A) any amendment or waiver required by the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, a court or any other applicable Law, regulation or regulatory body or (B) a waiver of the Acceptance Condition to permit the Offer to become unconditional with acceptance of Target Shares in an aggregate amount of not less than 75% of the Target Shares to which the Offer relates.
(h) Not take any action which would require Acquisition Co. to make a mandatory offer for the Target Shares in accordance with Rule 9 of the Takeover Code.
(i) Promptly provide the Administrative Agent with such information as it may reasonably request regarding the status of the Target Acquisition (including, in the case of an Offer, the current level of acceptances) subject to any confidentiality, regulatory or other restrictions relating to the supply of such information.
(j) Promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent copies of each Offer Document, the receiving agent engagement letter, the receiving agent certificate issued under Rule 10 of the Takeover Code and Scheme Document, any written agreement between Acquisition Co. and the Target with respect to a Scheme, all other material announcements and documents published or delivered pursuant to the Offer or Scheme (other than the Cash Confirmation) and all legally binding agreements entered into by Acquisition Co. in connection with an Offer or Scheme, in each case except to the extent it is prohibited by law or regulation from doing so.
-69-
(k) Take any other steps necessary or advisable to ensure that, other than the Press Release, the Offer Press Release, the Initial Scheme Document or the Initial Offer Document, as applicable, no public statement is made by it or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Scheme or Offer, as applicable, referring to the Lenders or the Agent and the Loan Documents without the prior written consent of the Lenders or the Agent, as applicable (not to be unreasonably withheld), unless required to do so by the Takeover Code, Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, any regulation, any applicable stock exchange or any applicable government or other relevant regulatory authority.
(l) In the event that the Scheme is switched to an Offer, (i) within 15 Business Days procure that a press release announcing, in compliance with Rule 2.7 of the Takeover Code, a firm intention to proceed with the Offer (the Offer Press Release) is issued, (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent (A) a Conversion Notice and (B) the Offer Press Release and (iii) except as consented to by the Arrangers in writing, ensure that the terms and conditions contained in the Offer Document include (A) the Acceptance Condition, (B) the Anti-Trust Condition, (C) where there is a competing offer, that the board of directors of the Target is not then recommending such competing offer in lieu of the Offer and (D) are otherwise consistent in all material respects with those contained in the Scheme Document (to the extent applicable for an Offer, other than (i) any changes approved by the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers or (ii) changes to the price per Target Share which are made in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Agreement).
(m) In the case of an Offer, (i) not declare the Offer unconditional as to acceptances until Acquisition Co. has received valid acceptances of Target Shares in respect of an aggregate amount of not less than 75% of the Target Shares, and (ii) promptly upon Acquisition Co. acquiring 90% of the Target Shares to which the Offer relates, ensure that notices under Section 979 of the Companies Act in respect of Target Shares are issued.
(n) In the case of a Scheme, within 90 days of the Closing Date, and if the Scheme has been switched to an Offer, within 90 days after the later of (i) the Closing Date and (ii) the date upon which Acquisition Co. owns 75% of the Target Shares, procure that such action as is necessary is taken to de-list the Target Shares from the London stock exchange and as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, use its reasonable endeavours to re-register the Target as a private limited company.
Section 6.21 Post-Closing Requirements.
Existing Target Credit Facility. Within 30 days after the Closing Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its discretion), the Existing Target Credit Facility shall be repaid, all commitments to extend credit thereunder shall be terminated, all Liens or other security interests securing such Indebtedness shall be terminated and released by the lenders thereunder, and the Administrative Agent shall receive evidence thereof and, after giving effect to the Target Transactions, the Target shall have no outstanding Indebtedness outstanding.
ARTICLE VII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Until (i) the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees and other Loan Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations with respect to then unasserted claims) shall have been paid in full:
Section 7.01 Liens. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) that secures obligations under any Indebtedness or any related Guarantee of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor (any such Lien, the Initial Lien), on any asset or property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, except any Initial Lien if the Loans are equally and ratably secured with (or on a senior basis to, in the case such Initial Lien secures any Subordinated Indebtedness) the obligations secured by such Initial Lien.
-70-
Any Lien created in favor of the Loans pursuant to the last clause of the preceding paragraph shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the Initial Lien.
Section 7.02 [Reserved].
Section 7.03 Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.
(a) The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise (collectively, incur and an incurrence) with respect to any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Borrower shall not issue any shares of Disqualified Stock and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; provided, however, that after the earlier of (i) the Conversion Date or (ii) the Fall-away Date, the Borrower may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and subject to the last proviso in this Section 7.03(a), any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock and issue shares of Preferred Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided further, that Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors may not incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to this paragraph if, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or issuance (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), the aggregate amount of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors incurred or issued pursuant to this Section 7.03(a) would exceed $50.0 million.
(b) The provisions of Section 7.03(a) hereof shall not apply to:
(1) the incurrence by the Borrower and the Loan Parties of Indebtedness represented by (i) (A) the Loans and the Guarantees, the Exchange Notes and related guarantees to be issued in exchange for the Loans and the Guarantees and the exchange notes and related exchange guarantees to be issued in exchange for the Exchange Notes and the guarantees thereof pursuant to the Exchange Registration Rights Agreement and (B) any Permanent Securities (including any guarantee thereof) and any exchange notes and related exchange guarantees to be issued in exchange for any Permanent Securities and the guarantees thereof pursuant to a registration rights agreement related thereto, if applicable and (ii) (A) the Loans and the Guarantees, the Exchange Notes (each as defined in the Secured Bridge Facility) under the Secured Bridge Facility and related guarantees to be issued in exchange for such Loans and the Guarantees and the exchange notes and related exchange guarantees to be issued in exchange for such Exchange Notes and the guarantees thereof pursuant to the Exchange Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in the Secured Bridge Facility) and (B) any Permanent Securities (including any guarantee thereof) (as defined in the Secured Bridge Facility) issued under the Secured Bridge Facility and any exchange notes and related exchange guarantees to be issued in exchange for any such Permanent Securities and the guarantees thereof pursuant to a registration rights agreement related thereto, if applicable;
(2) the incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to Credit Facilities by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers acceptances thereunder (with letters of credit and bankers acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof), up to an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (x) $75.0 million and (y) the Borrowing Base;
(3) Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (1) and (2) of this Section 7.03(b));
-71-
(4) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) and Disqualified Stock incurred or issued by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and Preferred Stock issued by any of the Borrowers Restricted Subsidiaries, to finance the purchase, lease or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment (other than software) that is used or useful in a Similar Business, whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets, in an aggregate principal amount at the date of such incurrence (including all Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to refinance any other Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Section 7.03(b)(4)) not to exceed the greater of (x) $40.0 million and (y) 4.0% of Total Assets; provided, however, that such Indebtedness exists at the date of such purchase or transaction or is created within 365 (for the avoidance of doubt, the purchase date for any asset shall be the later of the date of completion of installation and the beginning of the full productive use of such asset) days thereafter (it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this clause (4) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this Section 7.03(b)(4) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 7.03(a) hereof from and after the first date on which the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under Section 7.03(a) hereof without reliance on this Section 7.03(b)(4));
(5) Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, including letters of credit in respect of workers compensation claims, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers compensation claims; provided, however, that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;
(6) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided, however, that such Indebtedness is not reflected on the balance sheet of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (contingent obligations referred to in a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected on the balance sheet will not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet for purposes of this Section 7.03(b)(6));
(7) Indebtedness of the Borrower to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any such Indebtedness owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor shall be deemed subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Obligations unless the terms of such Indebtedness expressly provide otherwise (in which case such Indebtedness shall not be permitted by this clause (7)); provided, further, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in the Restricted Subsidiary holding such Indebtedness ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (7);
(8) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if a Subsidiary Guarantor incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Indebtedness shall be deemed subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of the Loan Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor unless the terms of such Indebtedness expressly provide otherwise (in which case such Indebtedness shall not be permitted by this clause (8)); provided further that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Indebtedness being held by a person other than the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (8);
(9) shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary, provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other
-72-
subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an issuance of such shares of Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause (9);
(10) Hedging Obligations (excluding Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes) for the purpose of limiting interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred pursuant to this Section 7.03, exchange rate risk or commodity pricing risk;
(11) obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(12) (a) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Borrower and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary equal to 100.0% of the net cash proceeds received by the Borrower since immediately after the Issue Date from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Borrower or cash contributed to the capital of the Borrower (in each case, other than proceeds of Disqualified Stock, Designated Preferred Stock or sales of Equity Interests to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) as determined in accordance with clauses (3)(b) and (3)(c) of Section 7.06(a) hereof to the extent such net cash proceeds or cash have not been applied pursuant to such clauses to make Restricted Payments or to make other Investments, payments or exchanges pursuant to Section 7.06(b) hereof or to make Permitted Investments specified in clauses (10), (12), (14), (16), (17) or (18) of the definition thereof and (b) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Borrower and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, which when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this Section 7.03(b)(12)(b), does not at any one time outstanding exceed the greater of (x) $75.0 million and (y) 5.0% of Total Assets (it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this Section 7.03(b)(12)(b) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this Section 7.03(b)(12)(b) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 7.03(a) from and after the first date on which the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under Section 7.03(a) hereof without reliance on this Section 7.03(b)(12)(b);
(13) the incurrence or issuance by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, and the issuance by any Restricted Subsidiary of Preferred Stock, in each case which serves to refund, refinance, replace, renew, extend or defease any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary incurred as permitted under Section 7.03(a) hereof and clauses (1), (3), (4) and (12)(a) of this Section 7.03(b), this clause (13) and clause (14) of this Section 7.03(b) or any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock previously issued to so refund, refinance, replace, renew, extend or defease such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock including additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred to pay premiums (including reasonable tender premiums), defeasance costs and fees in connection therewith (the Refinancing Indebtedness) prior to its respective maturity; provided, however, that such Refinancing Indebtedness:
(A) has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred which is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded, refinanced, replaced, renewed, extended or defeased;
(B) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances (i) Indebtedness subordinated to the Loan Obligations or any Guarantee thereof, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated to the Loan Obligations or the Guarantee at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being refinanced or refunded or (ii) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness must be Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, respectively, and
-73-
(C) shall not include:
(1) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Borrower;
(2) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary Guarantor, or
(3) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Borrower or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
provided, further, that subclause (A) of this clause (13) shall not apply to any refunding or refinancing of any Secured Indebtedness.
(14) (x) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Borrower and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, incurred or issued to finance an acquisition or (y) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Persons that are acquired by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided that in the case of (x) and (y) after giving effect to such acquisition or merger, either (a) the Borrower would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 7.03(a) hereof, or (b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries is greater than immediately prior to such acquisition or merger; provided that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors incurred or issued pursuant to this clause (14) shall not exceed $50.0 million;
(15) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within two Business Days of its incurrence;
(16) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries supported by a letter of credit issued pursuant to Credit Facilities, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;
(17) (A) any guarantee by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the incurrence of such Indebtedness incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Agreement, or (B) any guarantee by a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Borrower; provided that such guarantee is incurred in accordance with Section 6.11 hereof;
(18) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries of the Borrower in an amount not to exceed, at any one time outstanding and together with any other Indebtedness incurred under this Section 7.03(b)(18), the greater of (x) $50.0 million and (y) 8.0% of the total assets of the Foreign Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as shown on the Borrowers most recent balance sheet (it being understood that any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Section 7.03(b)(18) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this Section 7.03(b)(18) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 7.03(a) hereof from and after the first date on which the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries could have incurred such Indebtedness under Section 7.03(a) hereof without reliance on this Section 7.03(b)(18);
(19) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;
-74-
(20) Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness issued by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to current or former officers, directors and employees thereof, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower to the extent described in clause (4) of Section 7.06(b) hereof;
(21) Indebtedness consisting of cash management services incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(22) customer deposits and advance payments received in the ordinary course of business from customers for goods purchased in the ordinary course of business;
(23) Indebtedness owed on a short-term basis of no longer than 30 days to banks and other financial institutions incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries with such banks or financial institutions that arises in connection with ordinary banking arrangements to manage cash balances of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(24) Indebtedness incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with bankers acceptances, discounted bills of exchange or the discounting or factoring of receivables or payables for credit management purposes, in each case incurred or undertaken consistent with past practice or in the ordinary course of business.
(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 7.03:
(1) in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in clauses (1) through (24) of Section 7.03(b) hereof or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 7.03(a) hereof, the Borrower, in its sole discretion, may classify or reclassify such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) and shall only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in one of the above clauses or under Section 7.03(a) hereof; and
(2) at the time of incurrence, the Borrower shall be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Section 7.03(a) and Section 7.03(b) hereof; provided that all Indebtedness outstanding under the ABL Facility on the Issue Date shall be treated as incurred on the Issue Date under clause (1)(b) of Section 7.03(b) hereof.
Accrual of interest or dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness and the payment of dividends in the form of additional Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, will in each case not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this Section 7.03.
For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced, plus the amount of any reasonable premium (including reasonable tender premiums), defeasance costs and any reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness.
-75-
The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.
The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) that is subordinated or junior in right of payment to any Indebtedness of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Loans or such Subsidiary Guarantors Guarantee to the extent and in the same manner as such Indebtedness is subordinated to other Indebtedness of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be.
Unsecured Indebtedness shall not be treated as subordinated or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured. Senior Indebtedness shall not be treated as subordinated or junior to any other Senior Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral.
Section 7.04 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.
(a) The Borrower may not, directly or indirectly, consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Borrower is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Borrowers properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:
(1) the Borrower is the surviving entity or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Borrower) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made, is a corporation, partnership (including a limited partnership), trust or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Borrower or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the Successor Company); provided that in the case where the Successor Company is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Loans is a corporation;
(2) the Successor Company, if other than the Borrower, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
(3) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists;
(4) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and any related financing transactions, as if such transactions had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period,
(A) the Borrower or the Successor Company, as applicable, would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 7.03(a) hereof, or
(B) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Borrower (or, if applicable, the Successor Company) and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be greater than such Ratio for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;
(5) each Subsidiary Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, in which case Section 7.04(c)(1)(B) hereof shall apply, shall have by supplement to the Guaranty confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to such Persons obligations under the Loan Documents; and
(6) the Borrower (or, if applicable, the Successor Company) shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplement to the Guaranty, if any, comply with this Agreement.
-76-
(b) The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for the Borrower, as the case may be, under this Agreement and the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding clauses (3) and (4) of Section 7.04(a) hereof:
(1) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with or merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor; and
(2) the Borrower may merge with an Affiliate of the Borrower, as the case may be, solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Borrower in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.
(c) Subject to Section 7.05 hereof, no Subsidiary Guarantor shall, and the Borrower shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:
(1) (A) such Guarantor is the surviving entity or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor, as the case may be, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the Successor Person);
(B) the Successor Person, if other than such Guarantor, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under the Guaranty pursuant to supplements to the Guaranty or other documents or instruments;
(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and
(D) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplement to the Guaranty, if any, comply with this Agreement; or
(2) the transaction is made in compliance with Section 7.05 hereof.
(d) Subject to Section 7.05 hereof, the Successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under this Agreement and such Guarantors Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary Guarantor may (i) merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Subsidiary Guarantor or the Borrower, (ii) merge with an Affiliate of the Borrower solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Subsidiary Guarantor in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof or (iii) convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or trust organized under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case without regard to the requirements set forth in Section 7.04(c) hereof.
Section 7.05 Asset Sales.
(a) The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to consummate an Asset Sale, unless:
(1) the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of; and
(2) except in the case of a Permitted Asset Swap, at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; provided that the following shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of this provision and for no other purpose:
(A) any liabilities (as reflected in the Borrowers or such Restricted Subsidiarys most recent balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto or, if incurred or increased subsequent to the date of such balance sheet, such liabilities that would have been shown on the Borrowers or such Restricted Subsidiarys balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto if such incurrence or increase had taken place on the date of such balance sheet, as determined by the Borrower) of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary (other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Loan Obligations) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a written agreement which releases or indemnifies the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from such liabilities;
-77-
(B) any securities, notes or other similar obligations received by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received) within 180 days following the closing of such Asset Sale; and
(C) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (i) $30.0 million and (ii) 3.25% of Total Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.
(b) Within 450 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, at its option, may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale,
(1) to permanently reduce Indebtedness as follows:
(A) if the assets subject of such Asset Sale constitute collateral for other Senior Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, which Lien is permitted by this Agreement, to permanently reduce Obligations under such other Senior Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien, which Lien is permitted by this Agreement, and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;
(B) if the assets subject of such Asset Sale do not constitute collateral for any Senior Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, to permanently reduce Obligations under other Senior Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor (and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto), provided that the Borrower shall equally and ratably reduce (or offer to reduce, as applicable) the Loan Obligations on a pro rata basis; provided, further, that all reductions of Loan Obligations shall be made as provided under Section 2.05 hereof or through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 7.05(c) hereof) to all Lenders to purchase their Loans at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on the amount of Loans that would otherwise be prepaid; or
(C) if the assets subject of such Asset Sale are the property or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, to permanently reduce Indebtedness of (i) a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, other than Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or (ii) the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor,
(2) to make (A) an Investment in any one or more businesses; provided that such Investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and results in the Borrower or any of its
-78-
Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) capital expenditures or (C) acquisitions of other assets, in each of (A), (B) and (C), used or useful in a Similar Business; or
(3) to make an Investment in (A) any one or more businesses; provided that such Investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and results in the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) properties or (C) acquisitions of other assets that, in each of (A), (B) and (C), replace the businesses, properties and/or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale;
provided that, in the case of clauses (2) and (3) above, a binding commitment entered into not later than such 450th day shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment so long as the Borrower, or such other Restricted Subsidiary enters into such commitment with the good faith expectation that such Net Proceeds shall be applied to satisfy such commitment within 180 days of such commitment (an Acceptable Commitment) and, in the event any Acceptable Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before the Net Proceeds are applied in connection therewith, the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another Acceptable Commitment (the Second Commitment) within 180 days of such cancellation or termination; provided, further, that (x) if any Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied or (y) such Net Proceeds are not actually so invested or paid in accordance with clause (2) or (3) above by the end of such 180 day period, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.
(c) Any Net Proceeds from the Asset Sale that are not invested or applied as provided and within the time period set forth in Section 7.05(b) hereof shall be deemed to constitute Excess Proceeds. When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Borrower shall make an offer to all Lenders and, if required by the terms of any Indebtedness that is pari passu in right of payment with the Loans (Pari Passu Indebtedness), to the holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness (an Asset Sale Offer), to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Loans and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that, in the case of the Loans, is an integral multiple of $1,000 (but in minimum amounts of $2,000) that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price, in the case of the Loans, in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, and in the case of any Pari Passu Indebtedness at the offer price required by the terms thereof but not to exceed 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Agreement. The Borrower shall commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceed $25.0 million by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, with a copy to the Administrative Agent. The Borrower may satisfy the foregoing obligations with respect to any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale by making an Asset Sale Offer with respect to such Net Proceeds prior to the expiration of the relevant 450 days or with respect to Excess Proceeds of $25.0 million or less.
To the extent that the aggregate amount of Loans or Pari Passu Indebtedness, as the case may be, tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Borrower may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to other covenants contained in this Agreement. If the aggregate principal amount of Loans or Pari Passu Indebtedness, as the case may be, surrendered by such holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, such Loans or Pari Passu Indebtedness, as the case may be, will be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of such Loans or Pari Passu Indebtedness, as the case may be, tendered (and the Administrative Agent will select the tendered Loans of tendering Lenders on a pro rata basis based on the amount of Loans tendered). Additionally, the Borrower may, at its option, make an Asset Sale Offer using proceeds from any Asset Sale at any time after consummation or expiration of such Asset Sale. Upon consummation or expiration of any Asset Sale Offer, any Net Proceeds not used to purchase Loans in such Asset Sale Offer shall not be deemed Excess Proceeds and the Borrower may use any Net Proceeds not required to be used for general corporate purposes, subject to other covenants contained in this Agreement.
(d) Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds pursuant to this Section 7.05, the holder of such Net Proceeds may apply such Net Proceeds temporarily to reduce Indebtedness outstanding under a revolving credit facility or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Agreement.
-79-
(e) In the event that, pursuant to this Section 7.05, the Borrower shall be required to commence an Asset Sale Offer, it shall follow the procedures specified below.
(1) The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the Offer Period). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the Purchase Date), the Borrower shall apply all Excess Proceeds (the Offer Amount), as the case may be, to the purchase of Loans and, if required, Pari Passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable), or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Loans and such Pari Passu Indebtedness, to the extent applicable, tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Loans so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.
(2) Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Borrower shall send by first-class mail or deliver electronically a notice to the Administrative Agent. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable Lenders to tender Loans pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Lenders and holders of Pari Passu Indebtedness, to the extent applicable. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:
(A) that the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall remain open;
(B) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;
(C) that any Loans not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;
(D) that, unless the Borrower defaults in making such payment, any Loans accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;
(E) that Lenders electing to have Loans purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Loans purchased in integral multiples of $1,000 (but in a minimum amount of $2,000);
(F) that Lenders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Administrative Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Lender, the principal amount of Loans the Lender delivered for purchase and a statement that such Lender is withdrawing his election to have such Loans purchased;
(G) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Loans and Pari Passu Indebtedness, to the extent applicable, surrendered by the holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Administrative Agent shall select the Loans and such Pari Passu Indebtedness, to the extent applicable, to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Loans or such Pari Passu Indebtedness, to the extent applicable, tendered; and
(H) that Lenders whose Loans were purchased only in part shall be issued new Loans equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Loans surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer) representing the same indebtedness to the extent not repurchased.
(3) On or before the Purchase Date, the Administrative Agent shall, to the extent lawful, (i) accept for payment, on a pro rata basis, to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Loans or portions thereof validly tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Loans tendered and (ii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent for cancellation the Loans properly accepted, together with an Officers Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Loans or portions thereof so tendered.
-80-
(4) The Administrative Agent shall promptly mail or deliver to each tendering Lender an amount equal to the purchase price of the Loans properly tendered by such Lender and accepted by the Administrative Agent for purchase, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly issue new Loans, and the Administrative Agent shall authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) such new Loans to such Lender (it being understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, no Opinion of Counsel or Officers Certificate is required for the Administrative Agent to authenticate and mail or deliver such new Loans) in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Loans surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not repurchased; provided that each such new Loans shall be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Any Loans not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Lender thereof. The Administrative Agent shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Purchase Date.
Section 7.06 Limitation on Restricted Payments.
(a) The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(I) declare or pay any dividend or make any payment or distribution on account of the Borrowers or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Equity Interests, including any dividend or distribution payable in connection with any merger or consolidation, other than:
(A) dividends or distributions by the Borrower payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower; or
(B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary other than a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities;
(II) purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Borrower, or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, including any purchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement, in connection with any merger or consolidation;
(III) make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case prior to any scheduled repayment, sinking fund payment or maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness, other than:
(a) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (7) and (8) of Section 7.03(b) hereof; or
(b) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of such Subordinated Indebtedness purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase or acquisition; or
(IV) make any Restricted Investment
(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (I) through (IV) above (other than any exceptions thereof) being collectively referred to as Restricted Payments), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:
(1) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Borrower could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the provisions of Section 7.03(a) hereof; and
-81-
(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (1), (2) (with respect to the payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock pursuant to clause (b) thereof only), (6)(c), (7), (9) and (14) (to the extent not deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income) of Section 7.06(b) hereof, but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 7.06(b) hereof), is less than the sum of (without duplication):
(a) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower for the period (taken as one accounting period) beginning on January 1, 2011 to the end of the Borrowers most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment, or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit; plus
(b) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by the Borrower since the Issue Date (other than net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (12)(a) of Section 7.03(b) hereof) from the issue or sale of:
(i) (A) Equity Interests of the Borrower, including Treasury Capital Stock, but excluding cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received from the sale of:
(x) Equity Interests to employees, directors or consultants of the Borrower, any direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower and the Borrowers Subsidiaries after the Issue Date to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (4) of Section 7.06(b) hereof; and
(y) Designated Preferred Stock;
and (B) to the extent such net cash proceeds are actually contributed to the Borrower as equity (other than Disqualified Stock), Equity Interests of any of the Borrowers direct or indirect parent companies (excluding contributions of the proceeds from the sale of Designated Preferred Stock of any such companies or contributions to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (4) of Section 7.06(b) hereof); or
(ii) debt securities of the Borrower that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests of the Borrower;
provided, however, that this clause (b) shall not include the proceeds from (W) Refunding Capital Stock, (X) Equity Interests or convertible debt securities of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent company) sold to a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, (Y) Disqualified Stock or debt securities that have been converted into Disqualified Stock or (Z) Excluded Contributions; plus
(c) 100% of the aggregate amount of cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property contributed to the capital of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock) since the Issue Date (other than (i) net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (12)(a) of Section 7.03(b) hereof), (ii) contributions from a Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) any Excluded Contribution, (iv) any Refunding Capital Stock or (v) any Designated Preferred Stock); plus
-82-
(d) 100% of the aggregate amount received in cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary since immediately after the Issue Date by means of:
(i) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repayments of loans or advances and releases of guarantees which constitute Restricted Investments by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case after the Issue Date; or
(ii) the sale (other than to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (7) of Section 7.06(b) hereof or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment) or a distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case, after the Issue Date; plus
(e) in the case of the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower, provided that if such fair market value may exceed $25.0 million, such determination shall be made by the Board of Directors of the Borrower and evidenced by a board resolution) of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of the redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary other than to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (7) of Section 7.06(b) hereof or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall make a Restricted Payment in reliance on this clause (a) prior to the earlier of (i) the Conversion Date or (ii) the Fall-away Date.
(b) The foregoing provisions of Section 7.06(a) hereof shall not prohibit:
(1) the payment of any dividend or distribution or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof or the giving of the irrevocable redemption notice, as applicable, if at the date of declaration or notice such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement;
(2) (a) the redemption, repurchase, defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (Treasury Capital Stock) or Subordinated Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of, Equity Interests of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower to the extent contributed to the Borrower (in each case, other than any Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock) (Refunding Capital Stock) and (b) if immediately prior to the retirement of Treasury Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under clause (6) of this Section 7.06(b), the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower) in an aggregate amount no greater than the aggregate amount per year of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Treasury Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;
(3) the redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor made in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, new Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, which is incurred in compliance with Section 7.03 hereof so long as:
(A) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest on, the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired for value, plus the amount of any reasonable premium to be paid, defeasance costs and any reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness;
-83-
(B) such new Indebtedness is subordinated to the Loan Obligations or the applicable Guarantee at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so purchased, exchanged, redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired for value;
(C) such new Indebtedness has a final scheduled maturity date equal to or later than the final scheduled maturity date of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired; and
(D) such new Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired;
(4) a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower or any of its direct or indirect parent companies held by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant of the Borrower, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement, including any Equity Interests rolled over by management, directors, or employees of the Borrower in connection with the Transaction, (x) upon the death or disability of such employee, director or consultant or (y) upon the resignation or other termination of employment of such employee, director or consultant; provided, however, that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause (4) do not exceed in any calendar year $10.0 million (which shall increase to $20.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering by the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent corporation of the Borrower) (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum (without giving effect to the following proviso) of $20.0 million in any calendar year (which shall increase to $35.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering by the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower)); provided further that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:
(a) the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower and, to the extent contributed to the Borrower, Equity Interests of any of the Borrowers direct or indirect parent companies, in each case, to members of management, directors or consultants of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies that occurs after the Issue Date, to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clause (3) of Section 7.06(a) hereof; plus
(b) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date; less
(c) the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in clauses (a) and (b) of this clause (4); and provided further that (i) cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from members of management of the Borrower, any of the Borrowers direct or indirect parent companies or any of the Borrowers Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its direct or indirect parent companies and (ii) the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of options, warrants or similar instruments if such Equity Interests represents all or a portion of the exercise price thereof or payments, in lieu of the issuance of fractional Equity Interests or withholding to pay other taxes payable in connection therewith, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 7.06 or any other provision of this Agreement;
-84-
(5) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and of Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary issued in accordance with Section 7.03 hereof to the extent such dividends are included in the definition of Fixed Charges;
(6) (a) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued by the Borrower after the Issue Date;
(b) the declaration and payment of dividends to a direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower, the proceeds of which shall be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of such parent corporation issued after the Issue Date, provided that the amount of dividends paid pursuant to this clause (b) shall not exceed the aggregate amount of cash actually contributed to the Borrower from the sale of such Designated Preferred Stock; or
(c) the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to clause (2) of this Section 7.06(b);
provided, however, in the case of each of (a), (b) and (c) of this clause (6), that for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock or the declaration of such dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance or declaration on a pro forma basis, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis would have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 2.00 to 1.00;
(7) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (7) that are at the time outstanding, without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash or marketable securities, not to exceed the greater of (x) $20.0 million and (y) 2.0% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);
(8) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options, warrants or other equity-based awards if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options, warrants or awards;
(9) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Borrowers common stock (or payments of dividends to any direct or indirect parent entity to fund payments of dividends on such entitys common stock), following the consummation of a public offering of the Borrowers common stock or the common stock of any of its direct or indirect parent companies after the Issue Date, of up to 6% per annum of the net cash proceeds received by or contributed to the Borrower in or from any such public offering, other than public offerings with respect to common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8 and other than any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution;
(10) Restricted Payments that are made (a) in an amount equal to the amount of Excluded Contributions previously received or (b) without duplication with clause (a), from the Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale in respect of property or assets acquired after the Issue Date, if the acquisition of such property or assets was financed with Excluded Contributions from the Investors;
-85-
(11) following the earlier of (i) the Conversion Date or (ii) the Fall-away Date, other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (11) not to exceed (x) $40.0 million and (y) 2.50% of Total Assets at the time made;
(12) distributions or payments of Receivables Fees or any payments in connection with a Factoring Program;
(13) any Restricted Payment made as part of the Transaction (including payments made after the Issue Date in respect of long-term incentive plans, tax gross-ups or in respect of any employment agreement entered into with officers of the Borrower or any direct parent of the Borrower), and the fees and expenses related thereto, or used to fund amounts owed to Affiliates (including dividends to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower to permit payment by such parent of such amounts), in each case to the extent permitted by (or, in the case of a dividend to fund such payment, to the extent such payment, if made by the Borrower, would be permitted by) Section 7.08 hereof;
(14) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness in accordance with the provisions similar to those described under Section 7.05 and Section 6.18 hereof; provided that all Loans tendered in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have first been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;
(15) the declaration and payment of dividends by the Borrower to, or the making of loans to, any direct or indirect parent company in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent companies to pay, in each case, without duplication:
(a) franchise and excise taxes and other fees, taxes and expenses, in each case to the extent required to maintain their corporate existence;
(b) federal, state and local income taxes, to the extent such income taxes are attributable to the income of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and, to the extent of the amount actually received from its Unrestricted Subsidiaries, in amounts required to pay such taxes to the extent attributable to the income of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be required to pay in respect of federal, state and local taxes for such fiscal year were the Borrower, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) to pay such taxes separately from any such parent entity;
(c) customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to officers and employees of any direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(d) general corporate operating and overhead costs and expenses of any direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower to the extent such costs and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(e) fees and expenses related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent entity; and
(16) the distribution, by dividend or otherwise, of shares of Capital Stock of, or Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries, the primary assets of which are cash and/or Cash Equivalents);
provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (7), (11) and (16) of this Section 7.06(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof.
-86-
(c) As of the Issue Date, all of the Borrowers Subsidiaries shall be Restricted Subsidiaries. The Borrower shall not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the last sentence of the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary. For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated shall be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of Investments. Such designation shall be permitted only if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time, whether pursuant to Section 7.06(a) hereof or under clauses (7), (10) or (11) of Section 7.06(b), or pursuant to the definition of Permitted Investment, and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Section 7.07 Change in Nature of Business. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date or any business reasonably related or ancillary thereto.
Section 7.08 Transactions with Affiliates.
(a) The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Borrower (each of the foregoing, an Affiliate Transaction) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $10.0 million, unless:
(1) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Borrower or its relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arms-length basis; and
(2) the Borrower delivers to the Trustee, with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $20.0 million, a resolution adopted by the majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officers Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (1) of this Section 7.08(a).
(b) The provisions of Section 7.08(a) hereof shall not apply to the following:
(1) transactions between or among the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(2) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 7.06 hereof and the definition of Permitted Investment;
(3) the payment of management, consulting, monitoring and advisory fees and related expenses to the Investors pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement (plus any unpaid management, consulting, monitoring and advisory fees and related expenses within such amount accrued in any prior year) and the termination fees pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement, in each case, pursuant to the terms of the Sponsor Management Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date or pursuant to any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment is not disadvantageous to the Lenders when taken as a whole as compared to the Sponsor Management Agreement in effect on the Issue Date);
(4) the payment of reasonable and customary fees paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, former, current or future officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Borrower, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(5) transactions in which the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Administrative Agent a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such
-87-
transaction is fair to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or stating that such terms are not materially less favorable to the Borrower or its relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arms-length basis;
(6) any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date, or any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment is not disadvantageous to the Lenders when taken as a whole as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect on the Issue Date);
(7) the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, any stockholders agreement (including any Registration Rights Agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Issue Date and any similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the Issue Date shall only be permitted by this clause (7) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise disadvantageous to the Lenders when taken as a whole;
(8) Target Transaction and the payment of all Transaction Expenses;
(9) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Agreement which are fair to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors of the Borrower or the senior management thereof, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;
(10) the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower to any Permitted Holder or to any director, officer, employee or consultant of the Borrower or its direct or indirect parent entities or its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(11) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, in connection with any Receivables Facility or Factoring Program;
(12) payments by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any of the Investors made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including, without limitation, in connection with acquisitions or divestitures which payments are approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower in good faith;
(13) payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) to employees or consultants of the Borrower, any of its direct or indirect parent entities or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and employment agreements, stock option plans and other similar arrangements with such employees or consultants which, in each case, are approved by the Borrower in good faith;
(14) investments by any of the Investors in securities of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and the payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Investors in connection therewith) so long as (i) the investment is being offered generally to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (ii) the investment constitutes less than 5.0% of the proposed or outstanding issue amount of such class of securities;
(15) the pledge of Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary to lenders to support the Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary owed to such lenders; and
(16) any transaction with a joint venture which would constitute an Affiliate Transaction solely because the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiary owns an equity interest or otherwise controls such joint venture or similar entity.
-88-
Section 7.09 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.
(a) The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to:
(1) (A) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on its Capital Stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or
(B) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(2) make loans or advances to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(3) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
(b) The restrictions in Section 7.09(a) hereof shall not apply to such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(1) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date;
(2) this Agreement, the Senior Secured Notes Documents, the Secured Bridge Facility and any Exchange Notes or Permanent Securities (each as defined in the Secured Bridge Facility) issued thereunder and the ABL Facility and the related documentation and Hedging Obligations and any related documentation;
(3) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (3) of Section 7.09(a) hereof on the property so acquired;
(4) applicable Law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;
(5) any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries in existence at the time of such acquisition or at the time it merges with or into the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person (but, in any such case, not created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries so acquired or the property or assets so assumed;
(6) contracts for the sale of assets, including customary restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary of the Borrower pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary;
(7) Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 7.03 hereof and Section 7.01 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;
(8) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(9) other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Foreign Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.03 hereof;
-89-
(10) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements or arrangements relating solely to such joint venture;
(11) customary provisions contained in leases, licenses or similar agreements, including with respect to intellectual property and other agreements, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(12) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of Section 7.09(a) hereof imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (11) of this Section 7.09(b); provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, no more restrictive with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing; and
(13) restrictions created in connection with any Receivables Facility that, in the good faith determination of the Borrower are necessary or advisable to effect the transactions contemplated under such Receivables Facility.
Section 7.10 Use of Proceeds. The Borrower shall not and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to use the proceeds of the Initial Loans, whether directly or indirectly, (i) in violation of Section 5.12(a) or (ii) for purposes other than to finance the Target Acquisition and Transaction Expenses and use the proceeds of any Permanent Securities after the Closing Date for purposes other than to repay the Loans in accordance with Section 2.05 and to pay related fees and expenses.
Section 7.11 [Reserved].
Section 7.12 Clear Market. The Borrower shall not and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, until the earlier of (i) a Successful Syndication and (ii) 60 days after the Closing Date, offer, place or arrange any competing issue of debt securities or commercial bank or other debt facilities or securitizations (including renewals or refinancing of existing debt) without the prior written consent of the Arrangers and the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably, withheld, conditioned or delayed) if the Arrangers reasonably determine that such securities or other financings would materially impair (i) the primary syndication of the Facility or the placement of the Permanent Securities or (ii) the primary syndication of the Secured Bridge Facility or the placement of any Permanent Securities (as defined in the Secured Bridge Facility); provided that the Borrowers and its Restricted Subsidiaries ordinary course short term working capital facilities and ordinary course capital lease, purchase money and equipment financings, and any increase in the aggregate commitments under the ABL Facility in an amount not to exceed $30,000,000 shall not be deemed to materially impair the primary syndication of the Facility or the placement of the Permanent Securities or Exchange Notes.
ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
Section 8.01 Events of Default. Any of the following events referred to in any of clauses (a) through (k) inclusive of this Section 8.01 shall constitute an Event of Default:
(a) Non-Payment. Any Loan Party fails to pay (i) when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan and (ii) within five Business Days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan, any fee or any other amount, payable hereunder or with respect to any other Loan Document.
(b) Specific Covenants. Failure by any Loan Party for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Administrative Agent or holders of not less than 25% of the Loans to comply with any of its other obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in Section 8.01(a) above or any default under Section 6.17 above) contained in this Agreement or the Guaranties.
-90-
(c) [Reserved].
(d) Representations and Warranties. Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document required to be delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made.
(e) Cross-Default. Any default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by any Loan Party or the payment of which is guaranteed by any Loan Party, other than Indebtedness owed to a Loan Party, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the date of this Agreement, if both:
(i) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; and
(ii) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal at stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate $25.0 million or more at any one time outstanding.
(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. (1) the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(i) commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;
(ii) consents to the institution of bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under applicable Bankruptcy Law;
(iii) consents to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property;
(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(v) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; or
(2) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(i) is for relief against the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary, in a proceeding in which the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;
(ii) appoints a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary; or
(iii) orders the liquidation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary;
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
-91-
(g) Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment. (i) Any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts in excess of the Threshold Amount as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within 60 days after its issue or levy.
(h) Judgments. There is entered against any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary a final judgment or order for the payment of money in an aggregate amount exceeding the Threshold Amount (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of such judgment or order and has not denied or failed to acknowledge coverage thereof) and such judgment or order shall not have been satisfied, vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending an appeal for a period of 60 consecutive days.
(i) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which, when taken together with all other ERISA Events, has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Loan Party under Title IV of ERISA in an aggregate amount which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its Withdrawal Liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) a termination, withdrawal or noncompliance with applicable Law or plan terms or termination, withdrawal or other event similar to an ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Foreign Plan that, when taken together with other such events, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(j) Invalidity of Loan Documents. Any material provision of any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder (including as a result of a transaction permitted under Section 7.04 or 7.05) or as a result of acts or omissions by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or the satisfaction in full of all the Loan Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party contests in writing the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document (other than as a result of repayment in full of the Loan Obligations and termination of the Initial Loan Commitments), or purports in writing to revoke or rescind any Loan Document.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the period from the date of this Agreement until the date which is 90 days after the Closing Date (the Clean-Up Period), a breach of any representation or warranty in any Loan Document or any covenant, condition or agreement in any Loan Document existing by reason of circumstances existing on the Closing Date and relating solely to the business or operations of the Target (or any obligation to procure or ensure in relation thereto) shall not constitute a Default if and for so long as the circumstances giving rise to such breach:
(i) are capable of being cured during the Clean-Up Period and Borrower and its Subsidiaries are using reasonable efforts to cure such breach (it being understood for the avoidance of doubt that untrue disclosure or financial statements cannot be cured by amending, supplementing or restating such disclosure or financial statements);
(ii) have not been knowingly caused or approved by Borrower; and
(iii) have not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 8.02 Remedies Upon Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent may and, at the request of the Required Lenders, shall take any or all of the following actions:
(i) declare the Initial Loan Commitment of each Lender to make Loans to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;
-92-
(ii) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; and
(iii) exercise on behalf of itself and the Senior Credit Parties all rights and remedies available to it and the Senior Credit Parties under the Loan Documents or applicable Law;
provided that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under Debtor Relief Laws, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans shall automatically terminate and the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, in each case, without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
Section 8.03 Exclusion of Immaterial Subsidiaries. Solely for the purpose of determining whether a Default has occurred under clause (f) or (g) of Section 8.01, any reference in any such clause to any Restricted Subsidiary or Loan Party shall be deemed not to include any Restricted Subsidiary affected by any event or circumstances referred to in any such clause that is an Immaterial Domestic Subsidiary (it being agreed that all Restricted Subsidiaries affected by any event or circumstance referred to in any such clause shall be considered together, as a single consolidated Restricted Subsidiary, for purposes of determining whether the condition specified above is satisfied).
Section 8.04 Application of Funds.
(a) After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, at the election of the (A) Administrative Agent or (B) the Required Lenders (or after the Loans have become immediately due and payable as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02), any amounts received by the Administrative Agent in respect of any of the Loan Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative Agent as follows:
first, to pay any amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Agent) then due and payable to the Agent in its capacity as such pursuant to Sections 2.09 and 10.04, until payment in full of all such fees shall have been made;
second, to pay ratably all interest (including post-petition interest) on the Loan Obligations, until payment in full of all such interest shall have been made;
third, to pay the unpaid principal of the Loan Obligations ratably, until payment in full of the principal of all Loan Obligations shall have been made;
fourth, to pay all other Loan Obligations ratably, until payment in full of all such other Loan Obligations shall have been made; and
finally, to pay to the Borrower or the relevant Loan Party, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct, any surplus then remaining;
provided that the foregoing shall be subject the limitation in Section 2.1 of the Guaranty. The Administrative Agent may make such distributions hereunder in cash or in kind or, on a ratable basis, in any combination thereof.
(b) In making the payments and allocations required by this Section 8.04, the Administrative Agent will be entitled to rely on information from (i) its own records for information as to the Senior Credit Parties, their Loan Obligations and actions taken by them, (ii) any Senior Credit Party for information as to its Loan Obligations and actions taken by it, to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not obtained such information from its own records, and (iii) the Borrower, to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not obtained information from the
-93-
foregoing sources. All distributions made by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 8.04 shall be final (except in the event of manifest error) and the Administrative Agent shall have no duty to inquire as to the application by any Senior Credit Party of any amount distributed to it
ARTICLE IX
AGENT
Section 9.01 Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints Citicorp 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 and the Lenders, and neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.
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 the Borrower 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:
(i) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;
(ii) 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
(iii) 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 the Borrower or any of their Affiliates 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 10.01 and 8.02) 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 as such is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender.
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
-94-
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.
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 that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan. 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 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, which shall be (i) a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States and (ii) either a Lender or any other Person that is, so long as there is no Event of Default under Section 8.01(f), reasonably acceptable to the Borrower. 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 appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (i) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (ii) 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, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section 9.06. Upon the acceptance of a successors 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 Section 9.06). 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 Agents resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article IX and Section 10.04 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.
Section 9.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender 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 also acknowledges that it will, independently and
-95-
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, none of the Bookrunners, Arrangers or other agents listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent or a Lender hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Bookrunners, the Arrangers, or other agents listed on the cover page hereof in their respective capacities as such, shall by reason of any Loan Document, have any fiduciary relationship in respect of any Loan Party, Lender or any other Person.
Section 9.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Loan Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Senior Credit Parties (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 and 10.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 and 10.04.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Loan Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.
Section 9.10 Withholding Tax. To the extent required by any applicable Law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equal to any applicable withholding Tax. If the IRS or any Governmental Authority asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold Tax from any amount paid to or for the account of any Lender for any reason (including because the appropriate form was not delivered or was not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstances that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding Tax ineffective), such Lender shall indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent (to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not already been reimbursed by a Borrower and without limiting or expanding the obligation of the Borrower to do so) for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as Tax or otherwise, including any penalties, additions to Tax or interest thereon, together with all expenses incurred, including legal expenses and any out-of-pocket expenses, whether or not such Tax was correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this Article IX. The agreements in this
-96-
Article IX shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Loans and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under this Agreement. Unless required by applicable Laws, at no time shall the Administrative Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.01 Amendments, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders (or by the Administrative Agent with the consent or ratification of the Required Lenders or such other number or percentage of Lenders as may be specified herein) and the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent (it being understood that such acknowledgement is ministerial in nature and must be made to the extent such amendment, waiver or consent otherwise complies with the requirements of this Section 10.01), and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided that (x) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may, without the consent of the Lenders, amend, modify or supplement this Agreement and any other Loan Document to cure any ambiguity, typographical error, defect or inconsistency if such amendment, modification or supplement does not adversely affect the rights of any Agent or any Lender and (y) no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(i) [reserved];
(ii) extend or increase the Initial Loan Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Initial Loan Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02) without the written consent of such Lender (it being understood that a waiver of any condition precedent or the waiver of any Default or mandatory prepayment shall not constitute an extension or increase of any Initial Loan Commitment of any Lender);
(iii) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under such other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such payment, it being understood that the waiver of (or amendment to the terms of) any mandatory prepayment of the Loans shall not constitute a postponement of any date scheduled for the payment of principal or interest;
(iv) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such amount (it being understood that any change effected pursuant to clause (ix) below shall not constitute such reduction); provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of Default Rate;
(v) change (A) Section 8.04 in a manner that would alter the application of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby or (B) the order of application of any prepayment of Loans from the application thereof set forth in the applicable provisions of Section 2.05(b), in any manner that adversely affects the Lenders without the written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby;
(vi) change any provision of this Section 10.01 or the definition of Required Lenders or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby;
-97-
(vii) other than in a transaction permitted under Section 7.04 or Section 7.05, release all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty, without the written consent of each Lender; or
(viii) restrict the right of any Lender to exchange Initial Loans for Term Loans on the Conversion Date, or Term Loans for Exchange Notes or amend the rate of such exchange;
and provided, further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and (ii) Section 10.06(g) may not be amended, waived or otherwise modified without the consent of each Granting Lender all or any part of whose Loans are being funded by an SPC at the time of such amendment, waiver or other modification.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 10.01, guarantees and related documents executed by Loan Parties or any Subsidiaries of the Borrower in connection with this Agreement may be in a form reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and may be, together with this Agreement, amended, supplemented and waived with the consent of the Administrative Agent at the request of the Borrower without the need to obtain the consent of any other Lender if such amendment, supplement or waiver is delivered in order (i) to comply with local Law or advice of local counsel, (ii) to cure any ambiguity, typographical error, defect or inconsistency or (iii) to cause such guarantee or other document to be consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
If any Lender does not consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, consent or release with respect to any Loan Document that requires the consent of each Lender and that has been approved by the Required Lenders, the Borrower may replace such non-consenting Lender in accordance with Section 10.13.
Section 10.02 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 subsection (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, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:
(i) if to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02; and
(ii) if to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.
Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications 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 and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).
(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders 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 pursuant to Article II if such Lender 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.
-98-
Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received when sent; 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) The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED AS IS AND AS AVAILABLE. THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, Agent Parties) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Loan Partys or the Administrative Agents transmission of Borrower Materials through electronic telecommunications or other information transmission systems, except for direct or economic (as such term is used in Title 18, United States Code, Section 1030(g)) (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive) losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee for material breach of such Indemnitees obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document in respect of Borrower Materials made available through electronic telecommunications or other information transmission systems, if the Borrower or such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to such direct or economic damages).
(d) Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the Private Side Information or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lenders compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the Public Side Information portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.
(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct. All telephonic notices to and other communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.
-99-
Section 10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement. No failure by any Lender or by the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by Law.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 8.02 for the benefit of all the Lenders; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (i) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (ii) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.13) or (iii) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (x) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (y) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (ii) and (iii) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.13, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.
Section 10.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(a) Costs and Expenses. Holdings and the Borrower jointly and severally agree to pay (i) all reasonable and documented 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), 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) and (ii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent or any Lender) 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 10.04, or (B) in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans; provided that Holdings and the Borrower shall not be required to reimburse the legal fees and expenses of more than one outside counsel (in addition to any special counsel and up to one local counsel in each applicable local jurisdiction) for all Persons indemnified under this subsection (a) unless, in the opinion of counsel, representation of all such indemnified persons would be inappropriate due to the existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest.
(b) Indemnification. Holdings and the Borrower, jointly and severally, shall indemnify each Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Arranger, each Lender 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 reasonably related expenses (including the reasonable 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 the Borrower or any other Loan Party 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 or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) any Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or
-100-
prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of the Borrowers or such Loan Partys directors, shareholders or creditors, 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, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitees obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower or such Loan Party 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 Holdings and the Borrower for any reason fail indefeasibly to pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 10.04 to be paid by it or them to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lenders Pro Rata Share (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 against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent). The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.12(d).
(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, no Borrower or Indemnitee shall assert, and each Borrower and Indemnitee hereby waives, any claim, 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 the use of the proceeds thereof provided that the foregoing will not limit the Borrowers indemnity or reimbursement obligations otherwise set forth in this Section 10.04. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (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 other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) Payments. All amounts due under this Section 10.04 shall be payable not later than ten Business Days after demand therefor; provided, however, that such Indemnitee shall promptly refund such amount to the extent that there is a final judicial or arbitral determination that such Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification or contribution rights with respect to such payment pursuant to the express terms of this Section 10.04.
(f) Survival. The agreements in this Section 10.04 shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Initial Loan Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Loan Obligations.
Section 10.05 Payments Set Aside. To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party is made to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent or any Lender exercises its right of set-off, and such payment or the proceeds of such set-off or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (i) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such set-off had not occurred, and (ii) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Loan Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
-101-
Section 10.06 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 neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party 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 Section 10.06(b), (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(d), (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 10.06(f), or (iv) to an SPC in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(g) (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer, shall be construed to confer, or shall confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section 10.06 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.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement and in addition to the consent rights of Borrower as may be otherwise applicable under this Agreement, no transfer or assignment of Initial Loan Commitments is permitted during the Certain Funds Period without the prior written consent of the Borrower and any transfer or assignment without such prior written consent of the Borrower shall be void and unenforceable.
(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment(s) and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) Minimum Amounts.
(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lenders Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and
(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section 10.06, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the 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 $1,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, however, that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee (or to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met.
(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned.
(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section 10.06 and, in addition:
(A) (x) prior to the Initial Maturity Date, so long as no Event of Default or Demand Failure Event has occurred and is continuing, the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required with respect to any assignment that would result in the Initial Lenders (together with their Affiliates) collectively holding less than 50.1% of the aggregate principal amount of the Initial Loans and (y) no transfer or assignment of Initial Loan Commitments is permitted during the Certain Funds Period without the prior written consent of the Borrower; and
(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of any Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund.
-102-
(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute (except as otherwise contemplated in the penultimate sentence of Section 10.13) and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made to the Borrower or any of the Borrowers Subsidiaries or Affiliates.
(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural person.
Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section 10.06, 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 Lenders 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 3.01, 3.04, 3.05 and 10.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment). Upon request, and the surrender by the assigning Lender of its Initial Loan Note, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection (b) 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 Section 10.06(d).
(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agents Office 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 and interest 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, absent manifest error, and each Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall 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 with respect with its own position only, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. In addition, at any time that a request for a consent for a material or other substantive change to the Loan Documents is pending, any Lender may request and receive from the Administrative Agent a copy of the Register.
(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person, the Borrower or any of the Borrowers Subsidiaries or Affiliates) (each, a Participant) in all or a portion of such Lenders 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 Lenders 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 Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenders 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 the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this
-103-
Agreement or the other Loan Documents; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in clause (y) of the first proviso to Section 10.01 that directly affects such Participant. Subject to subsection (e) of this Section 10.06, the Borrower agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 (subject to the requirements and limitations of those Sections, including Section 3.01(e)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 10.06(b). To the extent permitted by Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the applicable Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participants interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the Participant Register), provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participants interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary in connection with a Tax audit or proceeding to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive and such Lender (and the applicable Borrower, to the extent that the Participant requests payment from the Borrower) shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.
(e) Limitation upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.01 or 3.04 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 Borrowers prior written consent or to the extent that any entitlement to a greater payment results from a Change in Law arising after such Participant became a Participant.
(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 (including under its Note, if any) 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.
(g) Special Purpose Funding Vehicles. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a Granting Lender) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (an SPC) the option to provide all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPC to fund any Loan, and (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to make all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof or, if it fails to do so, to make such payment to the Administrative Agent as is required under Section 2.12(b)(i). Subject to the provisions of this subsection (g), the Loan Parties agree that each SPC shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 (subject to the requirements and limitations of those Sections) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 10.06. Each party hereto hereby agrees that (i) neither the grant to any SPC nor the exercise by any SPC of such option shall increase the costs or expenses or otherwise increase or change the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement (including its obligations under Section 3.04) except to the extent the increase or change results from a Change in Law arising after the option is granted, (ii) no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement for which a Lender would be liable, and (iii) the Granting Lender shall for all purposes, including the approval of any amendment, waiver or other modification of any provision of any Loan Document, remain the lender of record hereunder. The making of a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior debt of any SPC, it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, or liquidation proceeding under the laws of the United States or any State thereof.
-104-
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any SPC may (i) with notice to, but without prior consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, assign all or any portion of its right to receive payment with respect to any Loan to the Granting Lender and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its funding of Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety or guaranty or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC.
Section 10.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information (as defined below) and not to disclose such information, except that Confidential Information may be disclosed: (i) to its Affiliates and to it and its Affiliates respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, advisors and representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Confidential Information and instructed to keep such Confidential Information confidential); (ii) 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); (iii) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process in which case the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, shall notify the Borrower prior to such disclosure, in any case, to the extent legally permissible; (iv) to any other party hereto; (v) 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; (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions at least as restrictive as those of this Section 10.07, to (A) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (B) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations; (vii) with the consent of the Borrower; (viii) to the extent such Confidential Information (A) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 10.07 or (B) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower; (ix) to any rating agency in connection with the Transaction or (x) to the extent such Confidential Information is independently developed by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates.
For purposes of this Section 10.07, Confidential Information means all information received from Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Related Parties relating to Holdings or the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Related Party or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by Holdings or the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than by breach of this Section 10.07; provided that, in the case of information received from Holdings or the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential or is delivered pursuant to Section 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03 hereof. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Confidential Information as provided in this Section 10.07 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 Confidential Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Agent and any Lender may place advertisements in financial and other newspapers and periodicals or on a home page or similar place for dissemination of information on the Internet or worldwide web as it may choose, and circulate similar promotional materials, after the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the form of a tombstone or otherwise describing the names of the Loan Parties, or any of them, and the amount, type and closing date of such transactions, all at their sole expense.
Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders acknowledges that (i) the Confidential Information may include material non-public information concerning Holdings, the Borrower or one or more Subsidiaries, as the case may be, (ii) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (iii) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Laws, including Federal and state securities Laws.
Section 10.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), 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 any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any other Loan
-105-
Party against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of each Lender and its Affiliates under this Section 10.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender or its Affiliates may have. Each Lender 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.
Section 10.09 Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the Maximum Rate). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (i) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (ii) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof and (iii) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Loan Obligations hereunder.
Section 10.10 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 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 or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
Section 10.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by any Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Loan Obligations shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied.
Section 10.12 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (i) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
Section 10.13 Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, if any Lenders obligations to make, continue to Loans has been suspended pursuant to Section 3.02, if any other circumstance exists hereunder that gives the Borrower the right to replace a Lender as a party hereto (including but not limited to the last paragraph of Section 10.01), 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
-106-
by, Section 10.06), 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 10.06(b);
(ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05 and in the case of any replacement of a Lender pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 10.01, any then applicable call premium due in respect of the Loans as a result of the occurrence of a Demand Failure Event) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the applicable Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);
(iii) in the case of any assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and
(iv) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws; and
(v) in the case of any replacement of Lenders under the circumstances described in last paragraph of Section 10.01, the applicable amendment, waiver, discharge or termination that the Borrower has requested shall become effective upon giving effect to such replacement (and any related Assignment and Assumptions required to be effected in connection therewith in accordance with this Section 10.13).
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.
Section 10.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction Etc.
(a) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS) AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK).
(b) Submission to Jurisdiction. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, 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 NEW YORK 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 MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
-107-
(c) Waiver of Venue. EACH PARTY HERETO 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 10.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
Section 10.15 [Reserved].
Section 10.16 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 10.17 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), each of the Borrower and Holdings acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates understanding, that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent and the Bookrunners are arms-length commercial transactions between the Borrower, Holdings and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Bookrunners, on the other hand, (B) each of the Borrower and Holdings has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) each of the Borrower and Holdings is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent each Bookrunner each is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower, Holdings or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Bookrunner in their capacities as Administrative Agent or Bookrunner has any obligation to the Borrower, Holdings or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, each Bookrunner and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower, Holdings and their respective Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent nor any Bookrunner has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower, Holdings or any of their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Borrower and Holdings hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent and any Bookrunner with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.
Section 10.18 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents. The words execution, signed, signature, and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption or in any
-108-
amendment or other modification hereof (including waivers and consents) 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, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
Section 10.19 USA PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Lender that is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into Law October 26, 2001) (the USA PATRIOT Act), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of each Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Borrower in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act. Each Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable know your customer an anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.
[Signature Pages Follows]
-109-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
SCORPIO ACQUISITION CORPORATION, as Holdings | ||||
By: | /s/ Anjan Mukherjee | |||
Name: | Anjan Mukherjee | |||
Title: | President and Secretary | |||
POLYMER GROUP, INC., as Borrower | ||||
By: | /s/ Dennis E. Norman | |||
Name: | Dennis E. Norman | |||
Title: | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., as Administrative Agent | ||||
By: | /s/ Caesar Wyszomirski | |||
Name: | Caesar Wyszomirski | |||
Title: | Vice President | |||
CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., as an Initial Lender | ||||
By: | /s/ Caesar Wyszomirski | |||
Name: | Caesar Wyszomirski | |||
Title: | Vice President |
BARCLAYS BANK PLC, | ||||
as an Initial Lender | ||||
By: | /s/ Paul Cugno | |||
Name: | Paul Cugno | |||
Title: | Managing Director | |||
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, as an Initial Lender | ||||
By: | /s/ James S. Wolfe | |||
Name: | James S. Wolfe | |||
Title: | Managing Director | |||
Head of US Leveraged Finance | ||||
HSBC BANK USA, N.A., as an Initial Lender | ||||
By: | /s/ Michael Bieber | |||
Name: | Michael Bieber | |||
Title: | Managing Director |
BLACKSTONE HOLDINGS FINANCE CO. L.L.C., | ||||
as an Initial Lender | ||||
By: | /s/ Matthew B. Skurbe | |||
Name: | Matthew B. Skurbe | |||
Title: | Authorized Signatory |
Schedule 2.01
Lenders; Initial Loan Commitments
Lender Name | Initial Loan Commitments | |||
Citicorp North America, Inc. | $ | 18,750,000 | ||
Barclays Bank PLC | $ | 18,750,000 | ||
Royal Bank of Canada | $ | 5,000,000 | ||
HSBC Bank USA, N.A. | $ | 5,000,000 | ||
Blackstone Holdings Finance Co. L.L.C. | $ | 2,500,000 |