H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC., GREAT NORTHERN EQUIPMENT, INC., and H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES (CALIFORNIA), LLC as Borrowers, THE OTHER CREDIT PARTIES SIGNATORY HERETO, as Credit Parties, THE LENDERS SIGNATORY HERETO FROM TIME TO TIME, as Lenders GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, as Agent, and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Syndication Agent and Documentation Agent AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT Dated as of August 4, 2006 GE CAPITAL MARKETS, INC., as Sole Lead Arranger and Bookrunner
GREAT NORTHERN EQUIPMENT, INC.,
and
H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES (CALIFORNIA), LLC
as Borrowers,
as Credit Parties,
FROM TIME TO TIME,
as Lenders
as Agent,
as Syndication Agent and Documentation Agent
Dated as of August 4, 2006
as Sole Lead Arranger and Bookrunner
Clause | Page | |||||||
1 | AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT | 2 | ||||||
1.1 | Credit Facilities | 2 | ||||||
1.2 | Letters of Credit | 6 | ||||||
1.2A | Swap Related Reimbursement Obligations | 6 | ||||||
1.3 | Prepayments | 8 | ||||||
1.4 | Use of Proceeds | 11 | ||||||
1.5 | Interest and Applicable Margins | 11 | ||||||
1.6 | Eligible Accounts | 15 | ||||||
1.6A | Eligible Rolling Stock | 17 | ||||||
1.6B | Eligible Rentals | 18 | ||||||
1.7 | Eligible Parts and Tools Inventory | 20 | ||||||
1.7A | Eligible Equipment Inventory | 21 | ||||||
1.8 | Cash Management Systems | 23 | ||||||
1.9 | Fees | 23 | ||||||
1.10 | Receipt of Payments | 24 | ||||||
1.11 | Application and Allocation of Payments | 24 | ||||||
1.12 | Loan Account and Accounting | 25 | ||||||
1.13 | Indemnity | 25 | ||||||
1.14 | Access | 27 | ||||||
1.15 | Taxes | 28 | ||||||
1.16 | Capital Adequacy; Increased Costs; Illegality | 29 | ||||||
1.17 | Single Loan | 31 | ||||||
2 | CONDITIONS PRECEDENT | 31 | ||||||
2.1 | Conditions to Amendment and Restatement and the Initial Loans | 31 | ||||||
2.2 | Further Conditions to Each Loan | 31 |
- i -
(continued)
Clause | Page | |||||||
2.3 | Effect of Amendment and Restatement. | 34 | ||||||
3 | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 35 | ||||||
3.1 | Corporate or Limited Liability Company Existence; Compliance with Law | 36 | ||||||
3.2 | Executive Offices; Collateral Locations; FEIN | 36 | ||||||
3.3 | Corporate or Limited Liability Company Power, Authorization, Enforceable Obligations | 36 | ||||||
3.4 | Financial Statements and Projections | 37 | ||||||
3.5 | Material Adverse Effect | 38 | ||||||
3.6 | Ownership of Property; Liens | 38 | ||||||
3.7 | Labor Matters | 39 | ||||||
3.8 | Ventures, Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock and Indebtedness | 39 | ||||||
3.9 | Government Regulation | 40 | ||||||
3.10 | Margin Regulations | 40 | ||||||
3.11 | Taxes | 40 | ||||||
3.12 | ERISA | 41 | ||||||
3.13 | No Litigation | 42 | ||||||
3.14 | Brokers | 42 | ||||||
3.15 | Intellectual Property | 42 | ||||||
3.16 | Full Disclosure | 43 | ||||||
3.17 | Environmental Matters | 43 | ||||||
3.18 | Insurance | 44 | ||||||
3.19 | Deposit and Disbursement Accounts | 44 | ||||||
3.20 | Government Contracts | 44 | ||||||
3.21 | Customer and Trade Relations | 44 | ||||||
3.22 | Agreements and Other Documents | 45 |
- ii -
(continued)
Clause | Page | |||||||
3.23 | Solvency | 45 | ||||||
3.24 | Titled Vehicles | 45 | ||||||
3.25 | Omitted. | 46 | ||||||
3.26 | Senior Unsecured Notes and Other Related Transactions Document | 46 | ||||||
4 | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION | 46 | ||||||
4.1 | Reports and Notices | 46 | ||||||
4.2 | Communication with Accountants | 46 | ||||||
5 | AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS | 46 | ||||||
5.1 | Maintenance of Existence and Conduct of Business | 46 | ||||||
5.2 | Payment of Charges | 47 | ||||||
5.3 | Books and Records | 47 | ||||||
5.4 | Insurance; Damage to or Destruction of Collateral | 47 | ||||||
5.5 | Compliance with Laws | 49 | ||||||
5.6 | Supplemental Disclosure | 49 | ||||||
5.7 | Intellectual Property | 49 | ||||||
5.8 | Environmental Matters | 50 | ||||||
5.9 | Landlords' Agreements, Mortgagee Agreements, Bailee Letters, Real Estate Purchases and Vendor Inter-Creditor Agreements | 51 | ||||||
5.10 | Government Accounts | 52 | ||||||
5.11 | Further Assurances | 52 | ||||||
6 | NEGATIVE COVENANTS | 53 | ||||||
6.1 | Acquisitions, Subsidiaries, Etc. | 53 | ||||||
6.2 | Investments; Loans and Advances | 56 | ||||||
6.3 | Indebtedness | 57 | ||||||
6.4 | Employee Loans and Affiliate Transactions | 59 |
- iii -
(continued)
Clause | Page | |||||||
6.5 | Capital Structure and Business | 59 | ||||||
6.6 | Guaranteed Indebtedness | 60 | ||||||
6.7 | Liens | 60 | ||||||
6.8 | Disposition of Stock and Assets | 61 | ||||||
6.9 | ERISA | 62 | ||||||
6.10 | Financial Covenants | 62 | ||||||
6.11 | Hazardous Materials | 62 | ||||||
6.12 | Omitted. | 62 | ||||||
6.13 | Cancellation of Indebtedness | 62 | ||||||
6.14 | Restricted Payments | 62 | ||||||
6.15 | Change of Name or Location; Change of Fiscal Year | 63 | ||||||
6.16 | No Impairment of Intercompany Transfers | 63 | ||||||
6.17 | No Speculative Transactions | 63 | ||||||
6.18 | Changes Relating to Senior Debt; Subordinated Debt Designation of Credit Facility | 64 | ||||||
6.19 | Changes in Depreciation Schedules | 64 | ||||||
6.20 | Credit Parties Other than Borrowers | 65 | ||||||
6.21 | Lock Box Remittances; Vendor Payments | 65 | ||||||
7 | TERM | 65 | ||||||
7.1 | Termination | 65 | ||||||
7.2 | Survival of Obligations Upon Termination of Financing Arrangements | 65 | ||||||
7.3 | Default Purchase Option | 66 | ||||||
8 | EVENTS OF DEFAULT: RIGHTS AND REMEDIES | 67 | ||||||
8.1 | Events of Default | 67 | ||||||
8.2 | Remedies | 69 |
- iv -
(continued)
Clause | Page | |||||||
8.3 | Waivers by Credit Parties | 70 | ||||||
9 | ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATIONS; APPOINTMENT OF AGENT | 70 | ||||||
9.1 | Assignment and Participations | 70 | ||||||
9.2 | Appointment of Agent | 73 | ||||||
9.3 | Agent's Reliance, Etc. | 74 | ||||||
9.4 | GE Capital and Affiliates | 74 | ||||||
9.5 | Lender Credit Decision | 74 | ||||||
9.6 | Indemnification | 75 | ||||||
9.7 | Successor Agent | 75 | ||||||
9.8 | Co Agents | 76 | ||||||
9.9 | Setoff and Sharing of Payments | 76 | ||||||
9.10 | Advances; Payments; Non Funding Lenders; Information; Actions in Concert | 77 | ||||||
10 | SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS | 80 | ||||||
10.1 | Successors and Assigns | 80 | ||||||
11 | MISCELLANEOUS | 80 | ||||||
11.1 | Complete Agreement; Modification of Agreement | 80 | ||||||
11.2 | Amendments and Waivers | 80 | ||||||
11.3 | Fees and Expenses | 82 | ||||||
11.4 | No Waiver | 84 | ||||||
11.5 | Remedies | 84 | ||||||
11.6 | Severability | 84 | ||||||
11.7 | Conflict of Terms | 85 | ||||||
11.8 | Confidentiality | 85 | ||||||
11.9 | GOVERNING LAW | 85 | ||||||
11.10 | Notices | 86 |
- v -
(continued)
Clause | Page | |||||||
11.11 | Section Titles | 87 | ||||||
11.12 | Counterparts | 87 | ||||||
11.13 | WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 87 | ||||||
11.14 | Press Releases and Related Matters | 87 | ||||||
11.15 | Reinstatement | 88 | ||||||
11.16 | Advice of Counsel | 88 | ||||||
11.17 | No Strict Construction | 88 |
- vi -
(continued)
Clause | Page |
INDEX OF APPENDICES | ||||
Exhibit 1.1(a)(i) | - | Form of Notice of Revolving Credit Advance | ||
Exhibit 1.1(a)(ii) | - | Form of Revolving Note | ||
Exhibit 1.1(b)(ii) | - | Form of Swing Line Note | ||
Exhibit 1.5(e) | - | Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation | ||
Exhibit 1.6B(a) | - | Form of Lease | ||
Exhibit 4.1(b) | - | Form of Borrowing Base Certificate | ||
Exhibit 6.7(d)(iii)(A) | - | Form of Intercreditor Agreement (Floor Plan Inventory) | ||
Exhibit 6.7(d)(iii)(B) | - | Form of Intercreditor Agreement (Off Balance Sheet Inventory) | ||
Exhibit 9.1(a) | - | Form of Assignment Agreement | ||
Exhibit B-1(a) | - | Form of Notice of Issuance of Letter of Credit | ||
Schedule I | - | Original Letters of Credit | ||
Schedule 1.1 | - | Responsible Individual | ||
Schedule 1.4 | - | Sources and Uses; Funds Flow Memorandum | ||
Schedule 2.1(b) | - | Terminating Prior Lenders | ||
Schedule 3.1 | - | Jurisdiction of Organization | ||
Schedule 3.2 | - | Executive Offices; FEIN | ||
Schedule 3.4(A) | - | Financial Statements | ||
Schedule 3.4(B) | - | Pro Forma | ||
Schedule 3.4(C) | - | Projections | ||
Schedule 3.4(D) | - | Fair Salable Balance Sheet | ||
Schedule 3.4(E) | - | Financial Statements | ||
Schedule 3.6 | - | Real Estate and Leases | ||
Schedule 3.7 | - | Labor Matters | ||
Schedule 3.8 | - | Ventures, Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock |
- vii -
(continued)
Clause | Page |
Schedule 3.11 | - | Tax Matters | ||
Schedule 3.12 | - | ERISA Plans | ||
Schedule 3.13 | - | Litigation | ||
Schedule 3.15 | - | Intellectual Property | ||
Schedule 3.17 | - | Hazardous Materials | ||
Schedule 3.18 | - | Insurance | ||
Schedule 3.19 | - | Deposit and Disbursement Accounts | ||
Schedule 3.20 | - | Government Contracts | ||
Schedule 3.22 | - | Material Agreements | ||
Schedule 3.24 | - | Certain Titled Vehicles | ||
Schedule 5.1 | - | Trade Names | ||
Schedule 6.2 | - | Investments | ||
Schedule 6.3 | - | Indebtedness | ||
Schedule 6.4(a) | - | Extraordinary Transactions | ||
Schedule 6.4(b) | - | Transactions with Affiliates | ||
Schedule 6.6 | - | Guaranteed Indebtedness | ||
Schedule 6.7 | - | Existing Liens | ||
Annex A (Recitals) | - | Definitions | ||
Annex B (Section 1.2) | - | Letters of Credit | ||
Annex C (Section 1.8) | - | Cash Management Systems | ||
Annex D (Section 2.2(a)) | - | Closing Checklist | ||
Annex E (Section 4.1(a)) | - | Financial Statements and Projections Reporting | ||
Annex F (Section 4.1(b)) | - | Collateral Reports | ||
Annex G (Section 6.10) | - | Financial Covenants | ||
Annex H (Section 9.10(a)) | - | Lenders Wire Transfer Information | ||
Annex I (Section 11.10) | - | Notice Addresses |
- viii -
1.1 | Credit Facilities |
(a) | Revolving Credit Facility |
(i) | On the Closing Date, the Original Revolving Credit Advances (if any) shall be continued as Revolving Credit Advances hereunder. | ||
(ii) | Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Revolving Lender agrees to make available to Borrowers from time to time until the Commitment Termination Date its Pro Rata Share of advances (each, a Revolving Credit Advance). The Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loan of any Revolving Lender shall not at any time exceed its separate Revolving Loan Commitment. The obligations of each Revolving Lender hereunder shall be several and not joint. Until the Commitment Termination Date, each Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow under this Section 1.1(a); provided, that the amount of any Revolving Credit Advance to be made to such Borrower at any time shall not exceed Borrowing Availability of such Borrower at such time or cause the Borrowing Availability of all Borrowers to be exceeded. Moreover, the sum of the Revolving Loan and Swing Line Loan outstanding to any Borrower shall not exceed at any time that Borrowers separate Borrowing Base. Each Revolving Credit Advance shall be made on notice by Borrower Representative on behalf of the applicable Borrower to the representative of Agent identified in Schedule 1.1 at the address specified therein. Any such notice must be given no later than (1) noon (New York time) on the Business Day of the proposed Revolving Credit Advance, in the case of an Index Rate Loan, or (2) noon (New York time) on the date which is three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed Revolving Credit Advance, in the case of a LIBOR Loan. Each such notice (a Notice of Revolving Credit Advance) must be given in writing (by telecopy or overnight courier) substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.1(a)(i), and shall include the information required in such Exhibit and such other administrative information as may be reasonably required by Agent. If any Borrower desires to have the Revolving Credit Advances bear interest by reference to a LIBOR Rate, Borrower Representative must comply with Section 1.5(e). | ||
(iii) | Upon the request of any Revolving Lender, each Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Revolving Lender a note to evidence the Revolving Loan Commitment of that Revolving Lender. Each such note shall be in the maximum principal amount of the Revolving Loan Commitment of the applicable |
2
Revolving Lender, dated the Closing Date and substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.1(a)(ii) (each as amended or replaced from time to time, a Revolving Note and, collectively, the Revolving Notes). Each Revolving Note shall represent the obligation of the applicable Borrower to pay the amount of the applicable Revolving Lenders Revolving Loan Commitment or, if less, such Revolving Lenders Pro Rata Share of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Revolving Credit Advances to such Borrower together with interest thereon as prescribed in Section 1.5. The entire unpaid balance of the aggregate Revolving Loan and all other noncontingent Obligations shall be immediately due and payable in full in immediately available funds on the Commitment Termination Date. Without limitation of the foregoing, in the event that any Original Lender holds a Revolving Note and its Revolving Loan Commitment from and after the Closing Date exceeds its Revolving Loan Commitment prior to the Closing Date, upon request by such Original Lender, the applicable Borrower shall execute and deliver a Revolving Note to evidence the increased Revolving Loan Commitment and the Original Lender shall, upon receipt of such Revolving Note, return to such Borrower the Revolving Note it so holds. Any Revolving Note issued (and as such term was defined) prior to the Closing Date shall in any event constitute a Revolving Note issued under this Agreement. |
(b) | Swing Line Facility |
(i) | On the Closing Date, all Original Swing Line Advances (if any) shall be continued as Swing Line Advances hereunder. Agent shall notify the Swing Line Lender upon Agents receipt of any Notice of Revolving Credit Advance. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender may, in its discretion, make available from time to time until the Commitment Termination Date advances (each, a Swing Line Advance) in accordance with any such notice. The provisions of this Section 1.1(b) shall not relieve Revolving Lenders of their obligations to make Revolving Credit Advances under Section 1.1(a); provided, that if the Swing Line Lender makes a Swing Line Advance pursuant to any such notice, such Swing Line Advance shall be in lieu of any Revolving Credit Advance that otherwise may be made by Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant to such notice. The aggregate amount of Swing Line Advances outstanding shall not exceed at any time the lesser of (A) the Swing Line Commitment and (B) the lesser of (x) the Maximum Amount and (y) the Borrowing Base in each case, less the outstanding balance of the Revolving Loan at such time (Swing Line Availability). Moreover, the Swing Line Loan outstanding to any Borrower shall not exceed at any time such Borrowers separate Borrowing Base less the Revolving Loan outstanding to such Borrower. Until the Commitment Termination Date, each Borrower may from time to time borrow, repay and reborrow under this Section 1.1(b). Each Swing Line Advance shall be made on the day requested pursuant to a Notice of Revolving |
3
Credit Advance delivered to Agent by Borrower Representative on behalf of the applicable Borrower requesting a Swing Line Advance in accordance with Section 1.1(a). Any such notice must be given no later than noon (New York time) on the Business Day of the proposed Swing Line Advance. Unless the Swing Line Lender has received at least one Business Days prior written notice from Requisite Lenders instructing it not to make a Swing Line Advance, the Swing Line Lender shall, notwithstanding the failure of any condition precedent set forth in Section 2.2, except in the case of a Prohibited Swing Line Advance, be entitled to fund that Swing Line Advance, and to have each Revolving Lender make Revolving Credit Advances in accordance with Section 1.1(b)(iii) or purchase participating interests in accordance with Section 1.1(b)(iv). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, the Swing Line Loan shall constitute an Index Rate Loan. Each Borrower shall repay the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Swing Line Advances made to such Borrower upon demand therefor by Agent. | |||
(ii) | Upon the request of the Swing Line Lender, each Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Swing Line Lender a promissory note to evidence the Swing Line Commitment. If a promissory note is requested, each such note shall be in the principal amount of the Swing Line Commitment of the Swing Line Lender, dated the Closing Date and substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.1(b)(ii) (each as amended or replaced from time to time, a Swing Line Note and, collectively, the Swing Line Notes). Each Swing Line Note shall represent the obligation of such Borrower to pay the amount of the Swing Line Commitment or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Swing Line Advances made to such Borrower together with interest thereon as prescribed in Section 1.5. The entire unpaid balance of the Swing Line Loan and all other non contingent Obligations shall be immediately due and payable in full in immediately available funds on the Commitment Termination Date if not sooner paid in full. Any Swing Line Note issued (and as such term was defined) prior to the Closing Date shall in any event constitute a Swing Line Note issued under this Agreement. | ||
(iii) | The Swing Line Lender shall at any time and from time to time in its sole and absolute discretion, but not less frequently than on each Settlement Date on behalf of any Borrower (and each Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so act on its behalf), request each Revolving Lender (including the Swing Line Lender) to make a Revolving Credit Advance to such Borrower (which shall be an Index Rate Loan) in an amount equal to such Revolving Lenders Pro Rata Share of the principal amount of such Borrowers Swing Line Loan (the Refunded Swing Line Loan) outstanding on the date such notice is given. Unless any of the events described in Sections 8.1(h) or (i) has occurred (in which event the procedures of Section 1.1(b)(iv) shall apply) and regardless of whether the conditions precedent set forth in this Agreement to |
4
the making of a Revolving Credit Advance are then satisfied, each Revolving Lender shall disburse directly to Agent, its Pro Rata Share of a Revolving Credit Advance on behalf of the Swing Line Lender, prior to 3:00 p.m. (New York time), in immediately available funds on the Business Day next succeeding the date such notice is given. The proceeds of such Revolving Credit Advances made to a Borrower shall be immediately paid to the Swing Line Lender and applied to repay the Refunded Swing Line Loan of such Borrower. | |||
(iv) | If, prior to refunding a Swing Line Loan with a Revolving Credit Advance pursuant to Section 1.1(b)(iii), one of the events described in Sections 8.1(h) or (i) has occurred, then, subject to the provisions of Section 1.1(b)(v) below, each Revolving Lender shall, on the date such Revolving Credit Advance was to have been made for the benefit of the applicable Borrower, purchase from the Swing Line Lender an undivided participation interest in the Swing Line Loan to such Borrower in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of such Swing Line Loan. Upon request, each Revolving Lender shall promptly transfer to the Swing Line Lender, in immediately available funds, the amount of its participation interest. | ||
(v) | Each Revolving Lenders obligation to make Revolving Credit Advances in accordance with Section 1.1(b)(iii) and to purchase participation interests in accordance with Section 1.1(b)(iv) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Revolving Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, any Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of any Default or Event of Default; (C) any inability of any Borrower to satisfy the conditions precedent to borrowing set forth in this Agreement at any time; or (D) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. If any Revolving Lender does not make available to Agent or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, the amount required pursuant to Section 1.1(b)(iii) or 1.1(b)(iv), as the case may be, the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Revolving Lender, together with interest thereon for each day from the date of non-payment until such amount is paid in full at the Federal Funds Rate for the first two Business Days and at the Index Rate thereafter. |
(c) | Reliance on Notices; Appointment of Borrower Representative | ||
Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, any Notice of Revolving Credit Advance, Notice of Conversion/Continuation or similar notice believed by Agent to be genuine. Agent may assume that each Person executing and delivering any such notice in accordance herewith was duly authorized, unless the responsible individual acting thereon for Agent has actual knowledge to the contrary. Each Borrower, and to the extent applicable, each other Credit Party, hereby designates |
5
H&E Delaware as its representative and agent on its behalf for the purposes of issuing Notices of Revolving Credit Advances and Notices of Conversion/Continuation, giving instructions with respect to the disbursement of the proceeds of the Loans, selecting interest rate options, requesting Letters of Credit, giving and receiving all other notices and consents hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents and taking all other actions (including in respect of compliance with covenants) on behalf of any Credit Party or Credit Parties under the Loan Documents. Borrower Representative hereby accepts such appointment. Agent and each Lender may regard any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document from Borrower Representative as a notice or communication from all Credit Parties, and may give any notice or communication required or permitted to be given to any Credit Party or Credit Parties hereunder to Borrower Representative on behalf of such Credit Party or Credit Parties. Each Credit Party agrees that each notice, election, representation and warranty, covenant, agreement and undertaking made on its behalf by Borrower Representative shall be deemed for all purposes to have been made by such Credit Party and shall be binding upon and enforceable against such Credit Party to the same extent as if the same had been made directly by such Credit Party. |
1.2 | Letters of Credit | |
Subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions contained herein and in Annex B, Borrower Representative, on behalf of any Borrower, shall have the right to request, and Revolving Lenders agree to incur, or purchase participations in, Letter of Credit Obligations in respect of such Borrower. The parties hereto agree that all Original Letters of Credit and Original Letter of Credit Obligations shall be deemed, respectively, Letters of Credit and Letter of Credit Obligations issued or existing under and subject to and governed by the terms of this Agreement. | ||
1.2A | Swap Related Reimbursement Obligations |
6
7
1.3 | Prepayments |
(a) | Voluntary Prepayments; Reductions in Revolving Loan Commitments | ||
Any Borrower may at any time voluntarily prepay all or part of the Revolving Credit Advances made to such Borrower at any time or from time to time without premium or penalty, subject to Section 1.13(b)(i). Borrowers may at any time on at least ten (10) days prior written notice by Borrower Representative to Agent permanently reduce (but not terminate) the Revolving Loan Commitment; provided, that (A) any such reductions shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $250,000 in excess of such amount, (B) the Revolving Loan Commitment shall not be reduced to an amount less than the amount of the Revolving Loan plus the Swingline Loan then outstanding, and (C) after giving effect to such reductions, Borrowers shall comply with Section 1.3(b)(i). In addition, Borrowers may at any time on at least 10 days prior written notice by Borrower Representative to Agent terminate the Revolving Loan Commitment; provided, that upon such termination, all Loans and other Obligations shall be immediately due and payable in full and all Letter of Credit Obligations shall be cash collateralized or otherwise satisfied in accordance with Annex B. Any such payment resulting from termination of the Revolving Loan Commitment must be accompanied by payment of all accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and other Obligations and any LIBOR funding breakage costs in accordance with Section 1.13(b). Upon any such reduction or termination of the Revolving Loan Commitment, each Borrowers right to request Revolving Credit Advances, or request that Letter of Credit Obligations be incurred on its behalf, or request Swing Line Advances, shall simultaneously be permanently reduced or terminated, as the case may be; provided, that a permanent reduction of the Revolving Loan Commitment shall not require a corresponding pro rata reduction in the L/C Sublimit. Each notice of partial prepayment shall designate the Borrower whose Revolving Credit Advances are to be repaid and identify the particular Revolving Credit Advances to be repaid. | |||
(b) | Mandatory Prepayments |
(i) | If at any time the aggregate outstanding balances of the Revolving Loan exceeds the lesser of (A) the Maximum Amount less the aggregate outstanding Swing Line Loan at such time and (B) the Aggregate Borrowing Base less the aggregate outstanding Swing Line Loan at such time, Borrowers shall immediately repay the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Advances to the extent required to eliminate such excess. If any such excess remains after repayment in full of the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Advances, Borrowers shall provide cash collateral for the Letter of Credit Obligations in the manner set forth in Annex B to the extent required to eliminate such excess. Furthermore, if, at any time, the outstanding balance of the Revolving Loan to any Borrower exceeds such Borrowers separate Borrowing Base less the outstanding balance of the Swing Line Loan to such Borrower, the applicable Borrower shall immediately repay its |
8
Revolving Credit Advances in the amount of such excess (and, to the extent necessary, provide cash collateral for its Letter of Credit Obligations as described above). | |||
(ii) | Immediately upon receipt by any Credit Party of proceeds of any asset disposition (excluding proceeds of dispositions of Equipment Inventory and P&E permitted by Section 6.8 having an aggregate Net Book Value in any one Fiscal Year, not exceeding $500,000) or any sale of Stock of any Subsidiary of such Credit Party, Borrowers shall prepay the Loans in an amount equal to all such proceeds, net of (A) commissions and other reasonable and customary transaction costs, fees and expenses properly attributable to such transaction and payable by any Credit Party in connection therewith (in each case, paid to non Affiliates), (B) amounts payable to holders of senior Liens (to the extent such Liens constitute Permitted Encumbrances hereunder), if any, on the assets so disposed, and (C) transfer taxes plus an appropriate reserve for income taxes in accordance with GAAP in connection therewith (Net Proceeds). Any such prepayment shall, subject to Section 1.3(b)(iv), be applied in accordance with Section 1.3(c). Notwithstanding the foregoing and provided no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such prepayment shall not be required to the extent such Credit Party reinvests the Net Proceeds of such disposition in productive assets (other than Equipment Inventory and Parts and Tools Inventory) of a kind then used or usable in the business of such Credit Party, within one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of such disposition or enters into a binding commitment thereof within said one hundred eighty (180) day period and subsequently makes such reinvestment. Pending such reinvestment, the Net Proceeds shall be delivered to the Agent and retained in a cash collateral account established for that purpose and shall be available for reinvestment so long as no Default or Event of Default is continuing. | ||
(iii) | If any Credit Party issues Stock or any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.3) in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate of such Stock and such Indebtedness, no later than the Business Day following the date of receipt of the cash proceeds thereof, the issuing Credit Party shall prepay the Loans in an amount equal to all such proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs paid to non Affiliates in connection therewith; provided, that no such prepayment shall be required, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, from the proceeds of any issuance of Stock by a Credit Party (i) to any director, officer or other employee of such Credit Party pursuant to the stock incentive plan adopted by H&E Delaware prior to, and as in effect on, the Closing Date, (ii) in connection with the Related Transactions, (iii) as consideration for any Person (other than any Affiliate of a Credit Party) providing permitted Indebtedness under Section 6.3, (iv) to any other Credit Party or (v) as consideration to any Person (other than an |
9
Affiliate) selling assets in any Permitted Acquisition. Any such prepayment shall, subject to Section 1.3(b)(iv), be applied in accordance with Section 1.3(c). | |||
(iv) | In the event that Section 1.3(b)(i), (ii) or (iii) shall require any prepayment to be made on a day other than an Interest Payment Date, then upon receipt of such prepayment and to the extent requested by any Borrower, Agent shall hold such amount as cash collateral (provided that the Borrower delivering the same shall have executed and delivered such documents as Agent shall have requested in connection with such cash collateral) and, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, shall not apply such cash collateral to the prepayment under the applicable paragraph of this Section 1.3 until the next succeeding Interest Payment Date. Such cash collateral shall be invested in Cash Equivalents as directed by such Borrower in accordance with such documents. Interest earned on such cash collateral shall accrue for the account of the Borrower providing the same, shall constitute additional cash collateral and (assuming no Default or Event of Default shall be continuing) shall be, to the extent remaining, applied to such prepayment on such next succeeding Interest Payment Date. |
(c) | Application of Certain Mandatory Prepayments | ||
Any prepayments made by any Borrower or Credit Party pursuant to Section 1.3(b)(ii) or (iii) shall be applied as follows: first, to Fees and reimbursable expenses of Agent then due and payable pursuant to any of the Loan Documents; second, to Fees and any other fees and reimbursable expenses of Lenders then due and payable pursuant to any of the Loan Documents; third, to interest then due and payable on the Swing Line Loan; fourth, to the principal balance of the Swing Line Loan until the same has been repaid in full; fifth, to interest then due and payable on the Revolving Credit Advances; sixth, to the outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Credit Advances until the same has been paid in full; seventh, to any Letter of Credit Obligations, to provide cash collateral therefor in the manner set forth in Annex B and last to any other Obligations. So long as no Event of Default is outstanding, the Borrowers may direct that any such prepayments be applied to Index Rate Loans to the extent outstanding, rather than LIBOR Loans. Neither the Revolving Loan Commitment nor the Swing Line Commitment shall be permanently reduced by the amount of any such prepayments; provided, that any prepayment made by any Borrower pursuant to Section 1.3(b)(iii) in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness shall also permanently reduce the Revolving Loan Commitment by the amount of such prepayment. | |||
(d) | Application of Prepayments from Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds | ||
Prepayments from insurance or condemnation proceeds in accordance with Section 5.4 shall be applied first to the Swing Line Loans and second to the Revolving Credit Advances of the applicable Borrower. Neither the Revolving Loan Commitment nor the |
10
Swing Line Loan Commitment shall be permanently reduced by the amount of any such prepayments. So long as no Event of Default is outstanding, Borrower Representative may direct that any such prepayments be applied to Index Rate Loans to the extent outstanding, rather than LIBOR Loans. Notwithstanding the foregoing and provided no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such prepayment shall not be required to the extent such Credit Party reinvests such insurance or condemnation proceeds in productive assets (other than Equipment Inventory) of a kind then used or usable in the business of such Credit Party, within one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of such disposition or enters into a binding commitment thereof within said one hundred eighty (180) day period and subsequently makes such reinvestment. Pending such reinvestment, such proceeds shall be delivered to the Agent and retained in a cash collateral account established for that purpose and shall be available for reinvestment so long as no Default or Event of Default is continuing. | |||
(e) | No Implied Consent | ||
Nothing in this Section 1.3 shall be construed to constitute Agents or any Lenders consent to any transaction referred to in Sections 1.3(b)(ii) and 1.3(b)(iii) which is not permitted by other provisions of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents. |
1.4 | Use of Proceeds | |
Borrowers shall utilize the proceeds of the Revolving Loan and the Swing Line Loan solely for the financing of Borrowers ordinary working capital and general corporate needs including, on the Closing Date, for the refinancing or repurchase of Senior Notes or Senior Subordinated Notes and the payment of interest, fees and expenses in connection therewith. Disclosure Schedule (1.4) contains a description of Borrowers sources and uses of funds as of the Closing Date, including Revolving Credit Advances and Letter of Credit Obligations to be made or incurred on that date, and a funds flow memorandum detailing how funds from each source are to be transferred to particular uses. | ||
1.5 | Interest and Applicable Margins |
(a) | Borrowers shall pay interest to Agent, for the ratable benefit of Lenders in accordance with the various Revolving Credit Advances and Swing Line Loans being made by each Lender, and in respect of all unreimbursed Letters of Credit Obligations, in arrears on each applicable Interest Payment Date, at the following rates: (i) with respect to the Revolving Credit Advances and unreimbursed Letter of Credit Obligations and all other Obligations (other than LIBOR Loans and Swing Line Loans), the Index Rate plus the Applicable Revolver Index Margin per annum or, at the election of Borrower Representative, the applicable LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Revolver LIBOR Margin; and (ii) with respect to the Swing Line Loan, the Index Rate plus the Applicable Revolver Index Margin per annum. |
11
The Applicable Margins, on a per annum basis for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the date Financial Statements in respect of the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2006 are required to be delivered hereunder, or are actually delivered hereunder, whichever is earlier, are as follows: |
Applicable Revolver Index Margin | 0.50 | % | ||
Applicable Revolver LIBOR Margin | 1.50 | % | ||
Applicable L/C Margin | 1.50 | % | ||
Applicable Unused Line Fee Margin | 0.25 | % |
Thereafter, the Applicable Margins (other than the Applicable Unused Line Fee Margin) shall be adjusted (up or down) on a quarterly basis as determined by H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries consolidated financial performance, based on the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the most recent Fiscal Quarter then ended. Adjustments in Applicable Margins (other than the Applicable Unused Line Fee Margin) will be determined by reference to the following grids: |
Level of | ||||
Applicable | ||||
If Leverage Ratio is: | Margins: | |||
< 1.50 to 1.00 | Level I | |||
< 2.50 to 1.00 but > 1.50 to 1.00 | Level II | |||
< 3.50 to 1.00 but > 2.50 to 1.00 | Level III | |||
> 3.50 to 1.00 | Level IV |
Applicable Margins | ||||||||||||||||
Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV | |||||||||||||
Applicable Revolver Index Margin | 0.25 | % | 0.50 | % | 0.75 | % | 1.00 | % | ||||||||
Applicable Revolver LIBOR Margin | 1.25 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.75 | % | 2.00 | % |
12
Applicable Margins | ||||||||||||||||
Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV | |||||||||||||
Applicable L/C Margin | 1.25 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.75 | % | 2.00 | % |
All adjustments in the Applicable Margins (other than the Applicable Unused Line Fee Margin) after the date Financial Statements in respect of the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2006 are required to be delivered hereunder, or are actually delivered hereunder, whichever is earlier, shall be implemented quarterly on a prospective basis, for each Fiscal Quarter commencing at least one (1) day after the date of delivery to Lenders of the quarterly unaudited Financial Statements evidencing the need for an adjustment. Concurrently with the delivery of those Financial Statements, Borrower Representative shall deliver to Agent and Lenders a certificate, signed by its chief financial officer, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for the continuance of, or any change in, the Applicable Margins (other than the Applicable Unused Line Fee Margin). Failure to timely deliver such Financial Statements shall, in addition to any other remedy provided for in this Agreement, result in an increase in the Applicable Margins (other than the Applicable Unused Line Fee Margin) to the highest level set forth in the foregoing grid, until the first day of the first Fiscal Quarter following the delivery of those Financial Statements demonstrating that such an increase is not required. If any Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time any reduction in the Applicable Margins (other than the Applicable Unused Line Fee Margin) is to be implemented, that reduction shall be deferred until the first day of the first Fiscal Quarter following the date on which all Defaults or Events of Default are waived or cured. |
(b) | If any payment on any Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof will be extended to the next succeeding Business Day (except as set forth in the definition of LIBOR Period) and, with respect to payments of principal, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension. | |
(c) | All computations of Fees calculated on a per annum basis and interest shall be made by Agent on the basis of a three hundred sixty (360) day year, in each case for the actual number of days occurring in the period for which such interest and Fees are payable. The Index Rate is a floating rate determined for each day. Each determination by Agent of an interest rate and Fees hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive on Borrowers, absent manifest error. | |
(d) | So long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and at the election of Agent (or upon the written request of Requisite Lenders) confirmed by written notice from Agent to Borrower Representative, the interest rates applicable to the Loans and the Letter of Credit Fees shall be increased by two percentage points (2%) per annum above the rates of interest or the rate of such Fees otherwise applicable hereunder (Default Rate), and all outstanding Obligations shall bear interest at the Default Rate |
13
applicable to such Obligations. Interest and Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate shall accrue from the initial date of such Event of Default until that Event of Default is cured or waived and shall be payable upon demand. | ||
(e) | So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower Representative shall have the option to (i) request that any Revolving Credit Advance be made as a LIBOR Loan, (ii) convert at any time all or any part of outstanding Loans (other than the Swing Line Loan) from Index Rate Loans to LIBOR Loans, (iii) convert any LIBOR Loan to an Index Rate Loan, subject to payment of LIBOR breakage costs in accordance with Section 1.13(b) if such conversion is made prior to the expiration of the LIBOR Period applicable thereto, or (iv) continue all or any portion of any Loan (other than the Swing Line Loan) as a LIBOR Loan upon the expiration of the applicable LIBOR Period and the succeeding LIBOR Period of that continued Loan shall commence on the first day after the last day of the LIBOR Period of the Loan to be continued. Any Loan or group of Loans having the same proposed LIBOR Period to be made or continued as, or converted into, a LIBOR Loan must be in a minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of such amount. Any such election must be made by noon (New York time) on the third (3rd) Business Day prior to (1) the date of any proposed Advance which is to bear interest at the LIBOR Rate, (2) the end of each LIBOR Period with respect to any LIBOR Loans to be continued as such, or (3) the date on which the applicable Borrower wishes to convert any Index Rate Loan to a LIBOR Loan for a LIBOR Period designated by Borrower Representative in such election. If no election is received with respect to a LIBOR Loan by noon (New York time) on the third (3rd) Business Day prior to the end of the LIBOR Period with respect thereto (or if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), that LIBOR Loan shall be converted to an Index Rate Loan at the end of its LIBOR Period. Borrower Representative must make such election by notice to Agent in writing, by telecopy or overnight courier. In the case of any conversion or continuation, such election must be made pursuant to a written notice (a Notice of Conversion/Continuation) in the form of Exhibit 1.5(e). | |
(f) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 1.5, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final order that the rate of interest payable hereunder exceeds the highest rate of interest permissible under law (the Maximum Lawful Rate), then so long as the Maximum Lawful Rate would be so exceeded, the rate of interest payable hereunder shall be equal to the Maximum Lawful Rate; provided, that if at any time thereafter the rate of interest payable hereunder is less than the Maximum Lawful Rate, Borrowers shall continue to pay interest hereunder at the Maximum Lawful Rate until such time as the total interest received by Agent, on behalf of Lenders, is equal to the total interest that would have been received had the interest rate payable hereunder been (but for the operation of this paragraph) the interest rate payable since the Closing Date as otherwise provided in this Agreement. Thereafter, interest hereunder shall be paid at the rate(s) of interest and in the manner provided in |
14
Sections 1.5(a) through (d) above, unless and until the rate of interest again exceeds the Maximum Lawful Rate, and at that time this paragraph shall again apply. In no event shall the total interest received by any Lender pursuant to the terms hereof exceed the amount that such Lender could lawfully have received had the interest due hereunder been calculated for the full term hereof at the Maximum Lawful Rate. If the Maximum Lawful Rate is calculated pursuant to this paragraph, such interest shall be calculated at a daily rate equal to the Maximum Lawful Rate divided by the number of days in the year in which such calculation is made. If, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 1.5(f), a court of competent jurisdiction shall finally determine that a Lender has received interest hereunder in excess of the Maximum Lawful Rate, Agent shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, promptly apply such excess in the order specified in Section 1.11 and thereafter shall refund any excess to Borrowers or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise order. |
1.2 | Eligible Accounts | |
All of the Accounts owned by any Borrower and reflected in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by such Borrower to Agent shall be Eligible Accounts for purposes of this Agreement, except any Account to which any of the exclusionary criteria set forth below applies. In addition, Agent reserves the right, at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date, to adjust any of the criteria set forth below, to establish new criteria and to adjust advance rates with respect to Eligible Accounts, in its reasonable credit judgment exercised in good faith; provided, that (i) any increase of any advance rate above its Original Advance Rate is subject to the approval of all Lenders and (ii) any adjustment by Agent to any criterion set forth below that results in such criterion being less restrictive than as in effect on the Closing Date shall be subject to approval of Requisite Lenders. Eligible Accounts shall not include any Account of any Borrower: |
(a) | which does not arise from the sale of goods or the performance of services by such Borrower in the ordinary course of its business; | ||
(b) | upon which (i) such Borrowers right to receive payment is contingent upon the fulfillment of any condition by such Borrower or (ii) such Borrower is not able to bring suit or otherwise enforce its remedies against the Account Debtor through judicial process; | ||
(c) | to the extent that any defense, counterclaim, setoff or dispute is asserted as to such Account; | ||
(d) | if the Account represents a progress billing consisting of an invoice for goods sold or used or services rendered pursuant to a contract under which the Account Debtors obligation to pay that invoice is subject to such Borrowers completion of further performance under such contract; |
15
(e) | that is not a true and correct statement of bona fide indebtedness incurred in the amount of the Account for merchandise sold to or services rendered and accepted by the applicable Account Debtor; | ||
(f) | with respect to which an invoice, that is not unacceptable to Agent (in its reasonable judgment) in form and substance, has not been sent to the applicable Account Debtor; | ||
(g) | (i) that is not owned by such Borrower or (ii) to the extent it is subject to any right, claim, security interest or other interest of any other Person, other than Liens in favor of Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, and other than Permitted Encumbrances; | ||
(h) | that arises from a sale to any director, officer, other employee or Affiliate of any Credit Party, or to any entity that has any common officer or director with any Credit Party; provided, however, that a sale to any Person that is an Affiliate or such an entity shall not be excluded under this paragraph (h) if such Person is an Affiliate or such an entity solely because it is controlled by BRS or a fund managed by BRS; | ||
(i) | that is the obligation of an Account Debtor that is the United States or Canadian government or a political subdivision thereof, or any state, county, province or municipality or department, agency or instrumentality thereof unless Agent, in its sole discretion, has agreed to the contrary in writing and such Borrower, if necessary or desirable, has complied with the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940, any Canadian equivalent thereof, or any applicable state, county or municipal law restricting assignment thereof, with respect to such obligation; provided, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Accounts described in this Section 1.6(i) and identified to the Agent pursuant to Section 5.10 shall be deemed Eligible Accounts to the extent such Accounts in the aggregate outstanding at any time do not exceed $1,500,000 and otherwise meet the eligibility criteria set forth in this Section 1.6; | ||
(j) | that is the obligation of an Account Debtor located in a foreign country other than Canada (excluding the provinces of Newfoundland, the Northwest Territories and the Territory of Nunavut), unless payment thereof is assured by a letter of credit assigned and delivered to Agent, reasonably satisfactory to Agent as to form, amount and issuer; | ||
(k) | to the extent such Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof is liable for goods sold or services rendered by the applicable Account Debtor to such Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof but only to the extent of the potential offset; | ||
(l) | that arises with respect to goods that are delivered on a bill-and-hold, cash-on-delivery basis or placed on consignment, guaranteed sale or other terms by reason of which the payment by the Account Debtor is or may be conditional; | ||
(m) | that is in default; provided, that, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, an Account shall be deemed in default upon the occurrence of any of the following: |
16
(i) | the Account is not paid within the earlier of: sixty (60) days following its due date or ninety (90) days following its original invoice date; | ||
(ii) | the Account Debtor obligated upon such Account suspends business, makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or fails to pay its debts generally as they come due; or | ||
(iii) | a petition is filed by or against any Account Debtor obligated upon such Account under any bankruptcy law or any other federal, state or foreign (including any provincial) receivership, insolvency relief or other law or laws for the relief of debtors; |
(n) | that is the obligation of an Account Debtor if fifty percent (50%) or more of the Dollar amount of all Accounts owing by that Account Debtor are ineligible under the other criteria set forth in paragraph (m) of this Section 1.6; | ||
(o) | that is not subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders; | ||
(p) | as to which any of the representations or warranties in the Loan Documents are untrue; | ||
(q) | to the extent such Account is evidenced by a judgment; | ||
(r) | to the extent such Account exceeds any credit limit established by Agent, in its reasonable credit judgment; | ||
(s) | that is payable in any currency other than Dollars; or | ||
(t) | that is otherwise unacceptable to Agent in its reasonable credit judgment. |
1.6A | Eligible Rolling Stock | |
All of the P&E owned by such Borrower and reflected in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by such Borrower to Agent shall be Eligible Rolling Stock for purposes of this Agreement, except any P&E to which any of the exclusionary criteria set forth below applies. In addition, Agent reserves the right, at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date, to adjust any of the criteria set forth below, to establish new criteria and to adjust advance rates with respect to Eligible Rolling Stock in its reasonable credit judgment; provided, that (i) any increase of any advance rate above its Original Advance Rate is subject to the approval of all Lenders and (ii) any adjustment by Agent to any criterion set forth below that results in such criterion being less restrictive than as in effect on the Closing Date shall be subject to approval of Requisite Lenders. Eligible Rolling Stock shall not include any P&E of any Borrower: |
(a) | that is not owned by such Borrower free and clear of all Liens and rights of any other person, except the Liens in favor of Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, and the |
17
rights of a lessee pursuant to any permitted lease of such P&E or Permitted Encumbrances; | |||
(b) | if such P&E (i) (except to the extent in use and not then being stored) is not stored on premises owned, leased or rented by such Borrower and set forth in Disclosure Schedule (3.2), or (ii) is stored at a leased location in respect of which Agent has requested a landlord waiver, unless a reasonably satisfactory landlord waiver has been delivered to Agent, provided that Agent may, treat any such P&E at any such location as Eligible Rolling Stock and, in lieu of imposing the exclusionary criterion in this paragraph (b) to such P&E, impose a Reserve (without duplicating any Reserve established for other eligible collateral at such location as a consequence of the failure to obtain such landlords waiver) in an amount not less than six months rent for all such P&E stored at such location in respect of which such a landlord waiver has not been delivered, or (iii) is stored with a bailee or warehouseman unless a reasonably satisfactory, acknowledged bailee letter has been received by Agent and Reserves reasonably satisfactory to Agent have been established with respect thereto, (iv) is stored at an owned location subject to a mortgage in favor of a lender other than Agent unless a reasonably satisfactory mortgagee waiver requested by Agent has been delivered to Agent or such P&E is stored at the Santa Fe Springs Property (as defined in the Disclosure Schedules to the Eagle Acquisition Agreement) or (v) is anything other than automotive equipment, a trailer, a truck, a forklift, a motor vehicle or other rolling stock; | ||
(c) | that is covered by a certificate of title unless the interest of Agent in the P&E has been noted on such certificate of title in accordance with applicable law; | ||
(d) | that is excess, obsolete or damaged; | ||
(e) | that is held for sale or lease in the ordinary course of such Borrowers business; | ||
(f) | that is not subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of Agent on behalf of itself and Lenders; | ||
(g) | as to which any of the representations or warranties pertaining to P&E set forth in the Loan Documents are untrue; | ||
(h) | that is not covered by casualty insurance as to which Agent is listed as loss payee in accordance with Section 5.4(c); or | ||
(i) | that is otherwise unacceptable to Agent in its reasonable credit judgment. |
1.6B | Eligible Rentals | |
All of the Rentals of each Borrower and reflected in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by such Borrower to Agent shall be Eligible Rentals for purposes of this Agreement, except any Rental to which any of the exclusionary criteria set forth below applies. In addition, Agent reserves the right, at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date to adjust any |
18
such criteria and to establish new criteria with respect to Eligible Rentals in its reasonable credit judgment, provided, that (i) any increase of any advance rate above its Original Advance Rate is subject to the approval of all Lenders and (ii) any adjustment by Agent of any criteria set forth below that results in such criteria being less restrictive than as in effect on the Closing Date shall be subject to the approval of Requisite Lenders. Eligible Rentals shall not include any Rental of any Borrower: |
(a) | that is not subject to a written lease agreement in the form attached as Exhibit 1.6B(a) or otherwise in form and substance acceptable to Agent; | ||
(b) | that is not subject to a first priority perfected security interest of Agent on behalf of itself and Lenders, perfected by possession of all Chattel Paper related to such Rental by possession or by the stamping of notice of Agents security interest thereon; | ||
(c) | that is not due within ninety (90) days of the applicable date of determination; | ||
(d) | upon which such Borrower is not able to bring suit or otherwise enforce its remedies against the relevant lessee through judicial process; | ||
(e) | (i) that is not owned by such Borrower, (ii) that is subject to any right, claim, security interest or other interest of any other Person, other than Liens in favor of Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, except Permitted Encumbrances, or (iii) to the extent that any counterclaim, dispute, offset or defense is asserted as to such Rental; | ||
(f) | that is the obligation of a lessee that is the United States or Canadian government or a political subdivision thereof, or any state, county, province or municipality or department, agency or instrumentality thereof unless Agent, in its sole discretion, has agreed to the contrary in writing and such Borrower, if necessary or desirable, has complied with the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940, and any amendments thereto, its Canadian equivalent or any applicable state, county or municipal law restricting assignment thereof, with respect to such obligation; | ||
(g) | that is the obligation of a lessee located in a foreign country other than Canada (excluding the province of Newfoundland, the Northwest Territories and the Territory of Nunavut), unless payment thereof is assured by a letter of credit, reasonably satisfactory to Agent as to form, amount and issuer; | ||
(h) | that is in default, or is due under a lease which is in default; | ||
(i) | if any lessee obligated upon such Rental suspends business, makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or fails to pay its debts generally as they come due; | ||
(j) | if any petition is filed by or against any lessee obligated upon such Rental under any bankruptcy law or any other federal, state or foreign (including any provincial) receivership, insolvency relief or other law or laws for the relief of debtors; |
19
(k) | that is the obligation of a lessee if fifty percent (50%) or more of the Dollar amount of all Rentals owing by that lessee are ineligible under the other criteria set forth in this Section 1.6B; | ||
(l) | as to which any of the representations or warranties in the Loan Documents are untrue; | ||
(m) | to the extent such Rental exceeds any credit limit established by Agent, in its reasonable credit judgment; | ||
(n) | that is payable in any currency other than Dollars; or | ||
(o) | that is otherwise unacceptable to Agent in its reasonable credit judgment. |
1.7 | Eligible Parts and Tools Inventory | |
All of the Parts and Tools Inventory owned by any Borrower and reflected in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by such Borrower to Agent shall be Eligible Parts and Tools Inventory for purposes of this Agreement, except any Parts and Tools Inventory to which any of the exclusionary criteria set forth below applies. In addition, Agent reserves the right, at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date, to adjust any of the criteria set forth below, to establish new criteria and to adjust advance rates with respect to Eligible Parts and Tools Inventory in its reasonable credit judgment; provided, that (i) any increase of any advance rate above its Original Advance Rate is subject to the approval of all Lenders and (ii) any adjustment by Agent to any criterion set forth below that results in such criterion being less restrictive than as in effect on the Closing Date shall be subject to approval of Requisite Lenders. Eligible Parts and Tools Inventory shall not include any Parts and Tools Inventory of any Borrower: |
(a) | that (i) is not owned by such Borrower free and clear of all Liens and rights of any other Person (including the rights of a purchaser that has made progress payments and the rights of a surety that has issued a bond to assure such Borrowers performance with respect to that Parts and Tools Inventory), except the Liens in favor of Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, and Permitted Encumbrances in favor of landlords and bailees to the extent permitted in Section 5.9 hereof (subject to Reserves established by Agent in accordance with Section 5.9 hereof); | ||
(b) | (i) that is not located on premises owned, leased or rented by such Borrower and set forth in Disclosure Schedule (3.2), or (ii) is stored at a leased location in respect of which Agent has requested a landlord waiver, unless a reasonably satisfactory landlord waiver has been delivered to Agent, provided that Agent may, treat any such Parts and Tools Inventory at any such location as Eligible Parts and Tools Inventory and, in lieu of imposing the exclusionary criterion in this paragraph (b) to such Parts and Tools Inventory, impose a Reserve (without duplicating any Reserve established for other eligible collateral at such location as a consequence of the failure to obtain such landlords waiver) in an amount not less than six months rent for all Parts and Tools Inventory stored at such location in respect of which such a landlord waiver has not |
20
been delivered, or (iii) is stored with a bailee or warehouseman unless a reasonably satisfactory, acknowledged bailee letter has been received by Agent and Reserves reasonably satisfactory to Agent have been established with respect thereto, or (iv) is located at an owned location subject to a mortgage in favor of a lender other than Agent unless a reasonably satisfactory mortgagee waiver requested by Agent has been delivered to Agent, or (v) is located at any site if the aggregate book value of Parts and Tools Inventory at any such location is less than $25,000; | |||
(c) | that is placed on consignment or is in transit; | ||
(d) | that is covered by a negotiable document of title, unless such document has been delivered to Agent with all necessary endorsements, free and clear of all Liens except those in favor of Agent and Lenders; | ||
(e) | that is excess, obsolete, unsalable or damaged; | ||
(f) | that consists of display items or packing or shipping materials, manufacturing supplies or work-in-process Inventory; | ||
(g) | that is not held for sale in the ordinary course of such Borrowers business; | ||
(h) | that is not subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of Agent on behalf of itself and Lenders; | ||
(i) | as to which any of the representations or warranties pertaining to Parts and Tools Inventory set forth in the Loan Documents are untrue; | ||
(j) | that consists of Hazardous Materials or goods that can be transported or sold only with licenses that are not readily available; | ||
(k) | that is not covered by casualty insurance as to which Agent is listed as loss payee in accordance with Section 5.4(c); or | ||
(l) | that is otherwise unacceptable to Agent in its reasonable credit judgment. |
1.7A | Eligible Equipment Inventory | |
All of the Equipment Inventory owned by any Borrower and reflected in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by such Borrower to Agent shall be Eligible Equipment Inventory for purposes of this Agreement, except any Equipment Inventory to which any of the exclusionary criteria set forth below applies. In addition, Agent reserves the right, at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date, to adjust any of the criteria set forth below, to establish new criteria and to adjust advance rates with respect to Eligible Equipment Inventory in its reasonable credit judgment; provided, that (i) any increase of any advance rate above its Original Advance Rate is subject to the approval of all Lenders and (ii) any adjustment by Agent to any criterion set forth below that results in such criterion being less restrictive than as in effect |
21
on the Closing Date shall be subject to approval of Requisite Lenders. Eligible Equipment Inventory shall not include any Equipment Inventory of any Borrower: |
(a) | that is not owned by such Borrower free and clear of all Liens and rights of any other person (including the rights of a purchaser that has made progress payments and the rights of a surety that has issued a bond to assure such Borrowers performance with respect to that Equipment Inventory), except the Liens in favor of Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, and the rights of a lessee pursuant to any permitted lease of such Equipment Inventory or Permitted Encumbrances; | ||
(b) | that (i) except to the extent in the possession of a lessee or being transported to or from a lessee) is not located on premises owned, leased or rented by such Borrower and set forth in Disclosure Schedule (3.2), or (ii) is stored at a leased location in respect of which Agent has requested a landlord waiver, unless a reasonably satisfactory landlord waiver has been delivered to Agent, provided that Agent may, treat any such Equipment Inventory stored at any such location as Eligible Equipment Inventory and, in lieu of imposing the exclusionary criterion in this paragraph (b) to such Equipment Inventory, impose a Reserve (without duplicating any Reserve established for other eligible collateral at such location as a consequence of the failure to obtain such landlords waiver) in an amount not less than six months rent for all Equipment Inventory stored at such location in respect of which such a landlord waiver has not been delivered, or (iii) is stored with a bailee or warehouseman unless a reasonably satisfactory, acknowledged bailee letter has been received by Agent and Reserves reasonably satisfactory to Agent have been established with respect thereto, or (iv) is located at an owned location (other than the Santa Fe Springs Property (as defined in the Disclosure Schedules to the Eagle Acquisition Agreement)) subject to a mortgage in favor of a lender other than Agent unless a reasonably satisfactory mortgagee waiver requested by Agent has been delivered to Agent, or (v) is leased to a lessee other than pursuant to a lease of such Equipment Inventory entered into in the ordinary course of business or is not located in the United States or Canada (excluding. the provinces of Newfoundland, the Northwest Territories and the Territory of Nunavut); | ||
(c) | that is placed on consignment; | ||
(d) | that is covered by a negotiable document of title or a certificate of title unless such negotiable document has been delivered to Agent with all necessary endorsements free and clear of all Liens except those in favor of Agent and Lenders, or where it is required to perfect the security interest of Agent in the Equipment Inventory such certificate of title has been noted in such certificate of title in accordance with applicable law; | ||
(e) | that is obsolete, unsalable or damaged beyond repair; | ||
(f) | that is not held for sale or lease in the ordinary course of such Borrowers business; |
22
(g) | that is not subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of Agent on behalf of itself and Lenders; | ||
(h) | as to which any of the representations or warranties pertaining to Equipment Inventory set forth in the Loan Documents are untrue; | ||
(i) | that is not covered by casualty insurance as to which Agent is listed as loss payee in accordance with Section 5.4(c); or | ||
(j) | that is otherwise unacceptable to Agent in its reasonable credit judgment. |
1.8 | Cash Management Systems | |
On or prior to the Closing Date, Borrowers will establish and will maintain until the Termination Date, the cash management systems described in Annex C (the Cash Management Systems). | ||
1.9 | Fees |
(a) | Borrowers shall pay to GE Capital, individually, the Fees specified in that certain fee letter dated June 8, 2006 between H&E Delaware and GE Capital (the GE Capital Fee Letter), at the times specified for payment therein which shall include the annual Administrative Agents fee, which will be due and payable on the Closing Date and on each anniversary thereof. | ||
(b) | As additional compensation for the Revolving Lenders, Borrowers agree to pay to Agent, for the ratable benefit of such Lenders, in arrears, on the first Business Day of each month prior to the Commitment Termination Date and on the Commitment Termination Date, a Fee for Borrowers non use of available funds in an amount equal to the Applicable Unused Line Fee Margin per annum (calculated on the basis of a 360 day year for actual days elapsed) multiplied by the difference between (x) the Maximum Amount (as it may be reduced from time to time) and (y) the average for the period of the daily closing balances of the aggregate Revolving Loan and the Swing Line Loan outstanding during the period for which such Fee is due. | ||
(c) | As additional compensation for the Agent, Borrowers agree to pay to the L/C Issuer with respect to any Letter of Credit, at the time such Letter of Credit is issued or extended, a fronting fee in an amount equal twelve and one half (12.5) basis points of the face amount of such Letter of Credit. | ||
(d) | Borrowers shall pay to Agent, for the ratable benefit of Revolving Lenders, the Letter of Credit Fee as provided in Annex B. | ||
(e) | In addition, and in addition to the costs of Equipment Inventory Appraisals, P&E Appraisals and Inspections, Borrowers agree to pay to Agent, which are due and payable as incurred, all out of pocket costs (including reasonable fees and expenses) paid by Agent to third party auditors, or a fee of $800 per audit day per in-house |
23
auditor, plus out of pocket expenses; provided, that Borrowers shall not be required to pay such costs and expenses in relation to (unless an Event of Default or an Audit and Appraisal Liquidity Event has occurred and is continuing) more than one (1) audit in any year (such audit to be conducted, while no Event of Default or Audit or Appraisal Liquidity Event is continuing, during an Inspection). |
1.10 | Receipt of Payments | |
Each Borrower shall make each payment under this Agreement not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York time) on the day when due in immediately available funds in Dollars to the Collection Account. For purposes of computing interest and Fees and determining Borrowing Availability as of any date, all payments shall be deemed received on the Business Day on which immediately available funds therefor are received in the Collection Account prior to 2:00 p.m. New York time. Payments received after 2:00 p.m. New York time on any Business Day or on a day that is not a Business Day shall be deemed to have been received on the following Business Day. | ||
1.11 | Application and Allocation of Payments |
(a) | So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (i) payments consisting of proceeds of Accounts received in the ordinary course of business shall be applied, first, to the Swing Line Loan and, second, to the Revolving Loan; (ii) payments matching specific scheduled payments then due shall be applied to those scheduled payments; (iii) voluntary prepayments shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.3(a); and (iv) mandatory prepayments shall be applied as set forth in Sections 1.3(c) and 1.3(d). All payments and prepayments applied to a particular Loan shall be applied ratably to the portion thereof held by each Lender as determined by its Pro Rata Share. As to any other payment, and as to all payments made when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or following the Commitment Termination Date, each Borrower hereby irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of any and all payments received from or on behalf of such Borrower, and each Borrower hereby irrevocably agrees that Agent shall have the continuing exclusive right to apply any and all such payments against the Obligations as Agent may deem advisable notwithstanding any previous entry by Agent in the Loan Account or any other books and records. In the absence of a specific determination by Agent with respect thereto, payments shall be applied to amounts then due and payable in the following order: (1) to Fees and Agents expenses reimbursable hereunder; (2) to interest on the Swing Line Loan; (3) to principal payments on the Swing Line Loan; (4) to interest on the other Loans, unpaid Swap Related Reimbursement Obligations and unpaid swap obligations owing to Lenders other than GE Capital, ratably in proportion to the interest accrued as to each Loan, unpaid Swap Related Reimbursement Obligation or other unpaid swap obligation, as applicable; (5) to principal payments on the other Loans, unpaid Swap Related Reimbursement Obligations and unpaid swap obligations owing to Lenders other than GE Capital and to provide cash collateral for Letter of Credit Obligations in the manner described in Annex B, ratably to the aggregate, |
24
combined principal balance of the other Loans, unpaid Swap Related Reimbursement Obligations, other unpaid swap obligation and outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations; and (6) to all other Obligations including expenses of Lenders to the extent reimbursable under Section 11.3. | |||
(b) | Agent is authorized to, and at its sole election may, charge to the Revolving Loan balance on behalf of each Borrower and cause to be paid all Fees, expenses, Charges, costs (including insurance premiums in accordance with Section 5.4(a)) and interest and principal, other than principal of the Revolving Credit Advances, due and owing by Borrowers under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents if and to the extent Borrowers fail to pay promptly any such amounts as and when due, even if the amount of such charges would exceed Borrowing Availability at such time or would cause the aggregate balance of the Revolving Loan and the Swing Line Loan of any Borrower to exceed such Borrowers separate Borrowing Base after giving effect to such charges or if such charges would cause the aggregate balance of the Revolving Loan and Swing Line Loan to exceed the Aggregate Borrowing Base after giving effect to such charges. At Agents option and to the extent permitted by law, any charges so made shall constitute part of the Revolving Loan hereunder. |
1.12 | Loan Account and Accounting | |
Agent, as agent of Borrowers solely for purposes of this Section 1.12, shall maintain and update from time to time a loan account (the Loan Account) on its books to record: (a) all Advances, including principal thereof and interest thereon, (b) all payments made by any Borrower and other Credit Parties, and (c) all other debits and credits as provided in this Agreement with respect to the Loans or any other Obligations. All entries in the Loan Account shall be made in accordance with Agents customary accounting practices as in effect from time to time. The balance in the Loan Account, as recorded on Agents most recent printout or other written statement, shall, absent manifest error, be presumptive evidence of the amounts due and owing to Agent and Lenders by each Borrower; provided, that any failure to so record or any error in so recording shall not limit or otherwise affect any Borrowers duty to pay the Obligations. Agent shall render to Borrower Representative a monthly accounting of transactions with respect to the Loans setting forth the balance of the Loan Account (including the principal of each Advance and interest thereon) as to each Borrower for the immediately preceding month. Unless Borrower Representative notifies Agent in writing of any objection to any such accounting (specifically describing the basis for such objection), within thirty (30) days after the date thereof, each and every such accounting shall (absent manifest error) be deemed final, binding and conclusive on Borrowers in all respects as to all matters reflected therein. Only those items expressly objected to in such notice shall be deemed to be disputed by Borrowers. | ||
1.13 | Indemnity |
(a) | Each Credit Party shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless each of Agent, Arranger, Lenders and their respective Affiliates, and each such Persons |
25
respective officers, directors, employees, attorneys, agents and representatives (each, an Indemnified Person), from and against any and all suits, actions, proceedings, claims, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements and other costs of investigation or defense, including those incurred upon any appeal) that may be instituted or asserted against or incurred by any such Indemnified Person as the result of credit having been extended, suspended or terminated under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the administration of such credit, and in connection with or arising out of the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder and any actions or failures to act in connection therewith, including any and all Environmental Liabilities and legal costs and expenses arising out of or incurred in connection with disputes between or among any parties to any of the Loan Documents (collectively, Indemnified Liabilities); provided, that no Credit Party shall be liable for any indemnification to an Indemnified Person to the extent that any such suit, action, proceeding, claim, damage, loss, liability or expense results solely from that Indemnified Persons gross negligence or willful misconduct. NO INDEMNIFIED PERSON SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE TO ANY OTHER PARTY TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, ANY SUCCESSOR, ASSIGNEE OR THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY OF SUCH PERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON ASSERTING CLAIMS DERIVATIVELY THROUGH SUCH PARTY, FOR INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY BE ALLEGED AS A RESULT OF CREDIT HAVING BEEN EXTENDED, SUSPENDED OR TERMINATED UNDER ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR AS A RESULT OF ANY OTHER TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER. | |||
(b) | To induce Lenders to provide the LIBOR Rate option on the terms provided herein, if (i) any LIBOR Loans are repaid in whole or in part prior to the last day of any applicable LIBOR Period (whether that repayment is made pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or occurs as a the result of acceleration, by operation of law or otherwise), subject to Section 1.3(b)(iv); (ii) any Borrower shall default in payment when due of the principal amount of or interest on any LIBOR Loan; (iii) any Borrower shall refuse to accept any borrowing of, or shall request a termination of, any borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of, LIBOR Loans after such Borrower has given notice requesting the same in accordance herewith; or (iv) any Borrower shall fail to make any prepayment of a LIBOR Loan after such Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance herewith, then Borrowers shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless each Lender from and against all losses, costs and expenses resulting from or arising from any of the foregoing. Such indemnification shall include any loss (including loss of margin) or expense arising from the reemployment of funds obtained by it or from fees payable to terminate deposits from which such funds were obtained. For the purpose of calculating amounts payable to a Lender under this subsection, each Lender shall be deemed to have actually funded its relevant LIBOR Loan through the purchase of a deposit bearing interest at the LIBOR |
26
Rate in an amount equal to the amount of that LIBOR Loan and having a maturity comparable to the relevant LIBOR Period; provided, that each Lender may fund each of its LIBOR Loans in any manner it sees fit, and the foregoing assumption shall be utilized only for the calculation of amounts payable under this subsection. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Notes and all other amounts payable hereunder. As promptly as practicable under the circumstances, each Lender shall provide Borrowers with its written calculation of all amounts payable pursuant to this Section 1.13(b), and such calculation shall be binding on the parties hereto unless Borrower Representative shall object in writing within 10 Business Days of receipt thereof, specifying the basis for such objection in detail. |
1.14 | Access | |
Each Credit Party shall, during normal business hours, from time to time upon reasonable advance notice as frequently as Agent reasonably determines to be appropriate: (a) provide Agent and any of its officers, employees and agents access to its properties, facilities, advisors and employees (including officers) of such Credit Party and to the Collateral, (b) permit Agent, and any of its officers, employees and agents, to inspect, audit and make extracts from such Credit Partys books and records, and (c) permit Agent, and its officers, employees and agents, to inspect, review, evaluate and make test verifications and counts of the Accounts, Inventory and other Collateral of such Credit Party (clauses (a), (b) and (c) collectively, Inspections). Borrowers agree to pay to Agent, which are due and payable as incurred, all out of pocket costs (including fees and expenses) incurred by Agent in relation to any Inspections; provided, that Borrowers shall not be required to pay such costs and expenses in relation to (unless an Event of Default or an Audit and Appraisal Liquidity Event has occurred and is continuing) more than one (1) Inspection in any year. Borrowers obligation to pay for Inspections is in addition to its obligation to pay for Equipment Inventory Appraisals and P&E Appraisals. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or if action is necessary to preserve or protect the Collateral as determined by Agent, each Credit Party shall provide such access to Agent and to each Lender at all times and without advance notice. Furthermore, so long as any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, each Borrower shall provide Agent and each Lender with access to its suppliers and customers. Each Credit Party shall make available to Agent and its counsel, as quickly as is possible under the circumstances, originals or copies of all books and records that Agent may reasonably request. Each Credit Party shall deliver any document or instrument necessary for Agent, as it may from time to time reasonably request, to obtain records from any service bureau or other Person that maintains records for such Credit Party, and shall maintain duplicate records or supporting documentation on media consistent with reasonable commercial standards, including computer tapes and discs owned by such Credit Party. Agent will give Lenders at least five (5) days prior written notice of regularly scheduled Inspections. Representatives of other Lenders may accompany Agents representatives on regularly scheduled Inspections at no charge to any Credit Party. |
27
1.15 | Taxes |
(a) | Any and all payments by each Credit Party hereunder or under the Notes shall be made, in accordance with this Section 1.15, free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future Non-Excluded Taxes, unless required by law. If any Credit Party shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder or under the Notes, (i) in the case of Non-Excluded Taxes, the sum payable shall be increased as much as shall be necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 1.15) Agent or Lenders, as applicable, receive an amount equal to the sum they would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) such Credit Party shall make such deductions, and (iii) such Credit Party shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxing or other authority in accordance with applicable law. Within thirty (30) days after the date of any payment of Taxes, Borrower Representative shall furnish to Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof. Agent and Lenders shall not be obligated to return or refund any amounts received pursuant to this Section, except that in the event a Lender or Agent receives a refund of, or credit with respect to any Taxes that it determines in its reasonable discretion were paid (directly or indirectly) by a Credit Party pursuant to Section 1.15(a) or Section 1.15(b), such Lender or Agent, as applicable, shall pay the amount of such refund or credit to such Credit Party within thirty (30) days of receipt of such refund or application of such credit; provided that the calculation of such refund or credit shall be determined solely by such Lender or Agent, as applicable. In addition, the Borrowers shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law. | ||
(b) | Each Credit Party shall jointly and severally indemnify and, within ten (10) days of demand therefor, pay Agent and each Lender for the full amount of Non-Excluded and Other Taxes (including any Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 1.15) paid by Agent or such Lender, as appropriate, and any liability (including penalties and interest, neither of which are the result of gross negligence by Agent or such Lender, and reasonable expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. | ||
(c) | Each Lender organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States (a Foreign Lender) as to which payments to be made under this Agreement or under the Notes are exempt from, or entitled to a reduction in, United States federal withholding tax under an applicable statute or tax treaty shall provide to Borrower Representative and Agent, at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8ECI or Form W-8BEN or other applicable form, certificate or document prescribed by the IRS or the United States certifying as to such Foreign Lenders entitlement to such exemption or reduction (a Certificate of Exemption). Any foreign Person that seeks to become a Lender under |
28
this Agreement shall provide a Certificate of Exemption to Borrower Representative and Agent prior to becoming a Lender hereunder, and each Foreign Lender shall complete all further documentation reasonably requested by Borrower Representative or the Agent required to establish and maintain such exemption from or reduction in United States federal withholding tax. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 1.15 to the contrary, a Lender shall not be required to deliver any form pursuant to this paragraph that such Lender is not legally able to deliver. |
1.16 | Capital Adequacy; Increased Costs; Illegality |
(a) | If any Lender shall have determined in good faith that any law, treaty, governmental (or quasi-governmental) rule, regulation, guideline or order regarding capital adequacy, reserve requirements or similar requirements or compliance by any Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy, reserve requirements or similar requirements (whether or not having the force of law), in each case adopted after the Closing Date, from any central bank or other Governmental Authority increases or would have the effect of increasing the amount of capital, reserves or other funds required to be maintained by such Lender and thereby reducing the rate of return on such Lenders capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder, then Borrowers shall from time to time upon written demand by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to Agent) pay to Agent, for the account of such Lender, additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender for such reduction. A certificate as to the amount of that reduction and showing the basis of the computation thereof submitted by such Lender to Borrower Representative and to Agent shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes. | ||
(b) | If, due to either (i) the introduction of or any change in any law or regulation (or any change in the interpretation thereof) or (ii) the compliance with any guideline or request from any central bank or other Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law), in each case adopted after the Closing Date, there shall be any increase in the cost to any Lender of agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining any Loan (excluding for purposes of this Section 1.16(b) Non-Excluded Taxes, as to which Section 1.15 shall govern), then Borrowers shall from time to time, upon written demand by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to Agent), pay to Agent for the account of such Lender additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender for such increased cost. A certificate as to the amount of such increased cost, submitted to Borrower Representative and to Agent by such Lender, shall be conclusive and binding on Borrowers for all purposes, absent manifest error. Each Lender agrees that, as promptly as practicable after it becomes aware of any circumstances referred to above which would result in any such increased cost, the affected Lender shall, to the extent not inconsistent with such Lenders internal policies of general application, use reasonable commercial efforts to minimize costs and expenses incurred by it and payable to it by Borrowers pursuant to this Section 1.16(b). |
29
(c) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the introduction of or any change in any law or regulation (or any change in the interpretation thereof) shall make it unlawful, or any central bank or other Governmental Authority shall assert that it is unlawful, for any Lender to agree to make or to make or to continue to fund or maintain any LIBOR Loan, then, unless that Lender is able to make or to continue to fund or to maintain such LIBOR Loan at another branch or office of that Lender without, in that Lenders good faith opinion, adversely affecting it or its Loans or the income obtained therefrom, on written notice thereof and written demand therefor by such Lender to Borrower Representative through Agent, (i) the obligation of such Lender to agree to make or to make or to continue to fund or maintain LIBOR Loans shall terminate and (ii) each Borrower shall forthwith prepay in full all outstanding LIBOR Loans owing by such Borrower to such Lender, together with interest accrued thereon, unless such Borrower, within five (5) Business Days after the delivery of such notice and demand, converts all LIBOR Loans into Index Rate Loans. | ||
(d) | Within fifteen (15) days after receipt by Borrower Representative of written notice and demand from any Lender (an Affected Lender) for payment of additional amounts, increased costs or reserve costs as provided in Section 1.15(a), 1.15(b), 1.16(a), 1.16(b) or 1.16(c), Borrower Representative may, at its option, notify Agent and such Affected Lender of its intention to replace the Affected Lender. So long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower Representative, with the consent of Agent not to be unreasonably withheld, may obtain, at Borrowers expense, a replacement Lender (Replacement Lender) for the Affected Lender, which Replacement Lender must be reasonably satisfactory to Agent. If Borrower Representative obtains a Replacement Lender within ninety (90) days following notice of its intention to do so, the Affected Lender must sell and assign (in accordance with the requirements for assignments in Section 9.1) its Loans and Commitments to such Replacement Lender for an amount equal to the principal balance of all Loans held by the Affected Lender and all accrued interest and Fees with respect thereto through the date of such sale and the Replacement Lender shall assume all Commitments of the Affected Lender (and the Affected Lender shall be released from its Commitments), provided, that Borrowers shall have reimbursed such Affected Lender for the additional amounts or increased costs that it is entitled to receive under this Agreement through the date of such sale and assignment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrowers shall not have the right to obtain a Replacement Lender if the Affected Lender rescinds its demand for increased costs or additional amounts within fifteen (15) days following its receipt of Borrower Representatives notice of intention to replace such Affected Lender. Furthermore, if Borrower Representative gives a notice of intention to replace and does not so replace such Affected Lender within ninety (90) days thereafter, Borrowers rights under this Section 1.16(d) shall terminate and Borrowers shall promptly pay all increased costs or additional amounts demanded by such Affected Lender pursuant to Sections 1.15(a), 1.15(b), 1.16(a), 1.16(b) and 1.16(c). |
30
(e) | Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1.16(a) and (b), if any Lender fails to notify Borrower Representative of any event or circumstance which will entitle such Lender to compensation pursuant to Section 1.16(a) or (b) within 180 days after such Lender becomes aware of such event or occurrence, then such Lender shall not be entitled to compensation from Borrowers for any amount arising prior to the date which is 180 days before the date of such notice to Borrower Representative. |
1.17 | Single Loan | |
All Loans to each Borrower and all of the other Obligations of each Borrower arising under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall constitute one general obligation of that Borrower secured, until the Termination Date, by all of the Collateral and shall be a joint and several obligation of such Borrower with the obligations of the other Borrowers for all Loans and other Obligations arising under this Agreement and the Loan Documents of the other Borrowers. |
2.1 | Conditions to Amendment and Restatement and the Initial Loans | |
The Amendment and Restatement of the Original Credit Agreement shall not be effective, and no Lender shall be obligated to make any Loan to, or incur any Letter of Credit Obligations on the Closing Date, or to take, fulfill or perform any other action hereunder, until the following conditions have been satisfied or provided for in a manner satisfactory to Agent, or waived in writing by Agent and Lenders: |
(a) | Amended and Restated Credit Agreement; Loan Documents | ||
This Agreement or counterparts hereof shall have been duly executed by, and delivered to, each Credit Party, Agent and Lenders; and Agent shall have received such documents, instruments, agreements and legal opinions as Agent shall reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including all those listed in the Closing Checklist attached hereto as Annex D, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent. | |||
(b) | Approvals | ||
Agent shall have received (i) reasonably satisfactory evidence that each Credit Party has obtained all required consents and approvals of all Persons including all requisite Governmental Authorities, to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the consummation of the Related Transactions or (ii) a certificate of an Authorized Officer in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent affirming that no such consents or approvals are required. | |||
(c) | Opening Availability; Initial Revolving Credit Advance |
31
The Eligible Accounts, Eligible Rentals, Eligible Parts and Tools Inventory, Eligible Rolling Stock and Eligible Equipment Inventory supporting the Original Revolving Credit Advances, the Original Letter of Credit Obligations, the Original Swing Line Advances, the Revolving Credit Advance and the Letter of Credit Obligations incurred on the Closing Date and the amount of the Reserves to be established or continued on the Closing Date shall be sufficient in value, as determined by Agent, to provide Borrowers, collectively, with Borrowing Availability, after giving effect to the Revolving Credit Advance made on the Closing Date to each Borrower, the incurrence on the Closing Date of any Letter of Credit Obligations and the consummation of the Related Transactions (on a pro forma basis, with trade payables being paid currently, and expenses and liabilities being paid in the ordinary course of business and without acceleration of sales) and the payment of or reserve for all costs and expenses related thereto of at least $195,000,000, and the outstanding balance of the Revolving Loan and Swing Line Loan, together with the amount Revolving Credit Advance made on the Closing Date and Letter of Credit Obligation incurred on the Closing Date, shall be no more than $45,000,000. | |||
(d) | Payment of Fees | ||
Borrowers shall have paid the Fees required to be paid on the Closing Date in the respective amounts specified in Section 1.9 (including the Fees specified in the GE Capital Fee Letter), and shall have reimbursed Agent for all fees, costs and expenses of closing presented as of the Closing Date in accordance with Section 11.3. | |||
(e) | Capital Structure; Other Indebtedness | ||
The organizational documents, terms of equity interests, ownership, capital, corporate, tax and legal structure of each Credit Party and the terms and conditions of all Indebtedness of each Credit Party shall be reasonably acceptable to Agent with no material change from that reported in Borrowers June 30, 2006 Financial Statements. | |||
(f) | Due Diligence | ||
Agent shall have completed its legal due diligence with results reasonably satisfactory to Agent. | |||
(g) | Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes | ||
Not less than $195,080,000 of Senior Notes and not less than all of the Senior Subordinated Notes shall have been repurchased and retired pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation, without waiver or amendment except as approved by the Agent, the Senior Note Indenture and the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture shall have been amended in a manner satisfactory to Agent, as contemplated by and in accordance with the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation and without waiver or amendment except as approved by the Agent. |
32
(h) | Related Transactions Documents | ||
Agent shall have received fully executed copies of each of the Related Transactions Documents, each of which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and its counsel. | |||
(i) | Senior Unsecured Notes | ||
H&E Delaware shall have issued not more than $250,000,000 in original principal amount of Senior Unsecured Notes and shall have received in consideration thereof not less than $245,000,000 in cash. | |||
(j) | Financial Conditions | ||
On the Closing Date, after giving effect to the consummation of the Related transactions, |
(i) | EBITDA of H&E Delaware for the 12 month period ending June 30, 2006 on a pro forma basis as if the Related Transactions had occurred on the first day of such period and taking into account such adjustments to EBITDA as may be acceptable to the Agent (Adjusted EBITDA) shall be no less than $148,200,000, | ||
(ii) | the aggregate consolidated total Indebtedness of the Borrowers (including Letter of Credit Obligations) shall be no greater than $305,000,000 and | ||
(iii) | the ratio of the consolidated total Indebtedness (including Letter of Credit Obligations) of Borrowers to Adjusted EBITDA of H&E Delaware shall be no greater than 2.10:1.00. |
(k) | Ongoing Conditions | ||
The conditions set forth in Section 2.2 shall have been satisfied or waived. |
2.2 | Further Conditions to Each Loan | |
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no Lender shall be obligated to fund any Advance, convert or continue any Loan as a LIBOR Loan or incur any Letter of Credit Obligation, if, as of the date thereof: |
(a) | (i) any representation or warranty by any Credit Party contained herein or in any other Loan Document is untrue or incorrect as of such date in any material respect, except to the extent that such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date and except for changes therein expressly permitted or expressly contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) Agent or Requisite Lenders have determined not to make such Advance, convert or continue any Loan as a LIBOR Loan or incur such Letter of Credit |
33
Obligation as a result of the fact that such warranty or representation is untrue or incorrect; or | |||
(b) | (i) any event or circumstance having a Material Adverse Effect has occurred since the date hereof as determined by the Requisite Lenders and (ii) Agent or Requisite Lenders have determined not to make such Advance, convert or continue any Loan as a LIBOR Loan or incur such Letter of Credit Obligation as a result of the fact that such event or circumstance has occurred; or | ||
(c) | (i) any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result after giving effect to any Advance (or the incurrence of any Letter of Credit Obligation), and (ii) Agent or Requisite Lenders shall have determined not to make any Advance, convert or continue any Loan as a LIBOR Loan or incur any Letter of Credit Obligation as a result of such Default or Event of Default; or | ||
(d) | after giving effect to any Advance (or the incurrence of any Letter of Credit Obligations), (i) the outstanding principal amount of the aggregate Revolving Loan would exceed the lesser of the Aggregate Borrowing Base and the Maximum Amount, in each case, less the aggregate outstanding Swing Line Loan at such time or (ii) the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loan to the applicable Borrower would exceed such Borrowers separate Borrowing Base less the aggregate outstanding Swing Line Loan at such time, to that Borrower; or | ||
(e) | after giving effect to any Swing Line Advance, the outstanding principal amount of the Swing Line Loan would exceed Swing Line Availability. | ||
The request and acceptance by any Borrower of the proceeds of any Advance, the incurrence of any Letter of Credit Obligations or the conversion or continuation of any Loan into, or as, a LIBOR Loan, shall be deemed to constitute, as of the date thereof, (i) a representation and warranty by such Borrower that the conditions in this Section 2.2 have been satisfied and (ii) a reaffirmation by such Borrower of the cross-guaranty provisions set forth in Section 12 and of the granting and continuance of Agents Liens, on behalf of itself and Lenders, pursuant to the Collateral Documents. |
2.3 | Effect of Amendment and Restatement. | |
Upon this Agreement becoming effective pursuant to Section 2.1, from and after the Closing Date: (a) the Revolving Loan Commitments shall be increased in accordance with the terms hereof; (b) all terms and conditions of the Original Credit Agreement and any other Loan Document as defined therein, as amended and restated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents being executed and delivered on or as of the Closing Date, shall be and remain in full force and effect, as so amended and restated, and shall constitute the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Credit Parties party thereto, except as enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other laws relating to the enforcement of creditors rights and by general principles of equity (whether considered at law or |
34
in equity); (c) the terms and conditions of the Original Credit Agreement shall be amended as set forth herein and, as so amended, shall be restated in their entirety; provided that any rights, duties and obligations among Borrowers, Lenders and Agent accruing before the Closing Date under the Original Credit Agreement and any other Loan Documents shall survive in their entirety unless specifically amended hereunder; (d) this Agreement shall not in any way release or impair the rights, duties, Obligations or Liens created pursuant to the Original Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or affect the relative priorities thereof, in each case to the extent in force and effect thereunder as of the Closing Date, except as amended hereby or by documents, instruments and agreements executed and delivered in connection herewith, and all of such rights, duties, Obligations and Liens are assumed, ratified and affirmed by Borrowers; (e) all indemnification obligations of the Credit Parties under the Original Credit Agreement and any other Loan Documents shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect for the benefit of Lenders, Agent, and any other Person indemnified under the Original Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document at any time prior to the Closing Date; (f) the Obligations incurred under the Original Credit Agreement shall, to the extent outstanding on the Closing Date, continue outstanding under this Agreement and shall not be deemed to be paid, released, discharged or otherwise satisfied by the execution of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall not constitute a refinancing, substitution or novation of such Obligations or any of the other rights, duties and obligations of the parties hereunder; (g) the execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of Lenders or Agent under the Original Credit Agreement, nor constitute a waiver of any covenant, agreement or obligation under the Original Credit Agreement, except to the extent that any such covenant, agreement or obligation is no longer set forth herein or is amended hereby; (h) any and all references in the Loan Documents to the Original Credit Agreement shall, without further action of the parties, be deemed a reference to the Original Credit Agreement, as amended and restated by this Agreement, and as this Agreement shall be further amended or amended and restated from time to time hereafter; (i) any and all references in the Loan Documents that were executed or delivered prior to the date hereof to the Closing Date shall, without further action of the parties, be deemed a reference to the Original Closing Date and (j) all security interests created under the Original Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents executed and delivered on the Original Closing Date continue to be in full force and effect after giving effect to the consummation of this Agreement. |
To induce Lenders to make the Loans and to incur Letter of Credit Obligations, each Credit Party, jointly and severally, makes the following representations and warranties to Agent and each Lender, with respect to all Credit Parties, each and all of which shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement. |
35
3.1 | Corporate or Limited Liability Company Existence; Compliance with Law |
3.2 | Executive Offices; Collateral Locations; FEIN |
3.3 | Corporate or Limited Liability Company Power, Authorization, Enforceable Obligations |
36
3.4 | Financial Statements and Projections |
(a) | Financial Statements |
(i) | The audited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets at December 31, 2005 and the related statements of income and cash flows of H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year then ended certified by KPMG LLP. | ||
(ii) | The unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets and related statements of income and cash flows of H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries for each Fiscal Month from January 2006 through April 2006. |
(b) | Pro Forma |
(c) | Projections |
37
3.5 | Material Adverse Effect |
3.6 | Ownership of Property; Liens |
(a) | As of the Closing Date, the real estate (together with any real property acquired by any Borrower or Guarantor after the Closing Date, Real Estate) designated as such and listed in Disclosure Schedule (3.6) constitutes all of the real property owned, leased, subleased, or operated by any Credit Party. Except as disclosed in Disclosure Schedule (3.6), each Credit Party owns good and marketable fee simple title to all of its owned Real Estate, and valid and marketable leasehold interests in all of its leased Real Estate, all as more particularly described on such schedule, and copies of all such leases or a summary of terms thereof reasonably satisfactory to Agent have been delivered to Agent. Disclosure Schedule (3.6) further describes any Real Estate with respect to which any Credit Party is a lessor, sublessor or assignor as of the Closing Date. Each Credit Party also has good and marketable title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all of its personal properties and assets, including, without limitation, those Titled Vehicles described in Disclosure Schedule (3.6). As of the Closing Date, none of the properties and assets of any Credit Party are subject to any Liens other than Permitted Encumbrances, and there are no facts, circumstances or conditions known to any Credit Party that may result in any Liens (including Liens arising under Environmental Laws) other than Permitted Encumbrances. Except as described in Disclosure Schedule (3.6), |
38
each Credit Party has received all deeds, certificates of title, assignments, waivers, consents, nondisturbance and attornment or similar agreements, bills of sale and other documents, and has duly effected all recordings, filings and other actions necessary to establish, protect and perfect such Credit Partys right, title and interest in and to all such Real Estate and other properties and assets including, without limitation, the Titled Vehicles. Disclosure Schedule (3.6) also describes any purchase options, rights of first refusal or other similar contractual rights pertaining to any Real Estate. No portion of any Credit Partys Real Estate has suffered any material damage by fire or other casualty loss that has not heretofore been repaired and restored in all material respects to its original condition or otherwise remedied. All material permits required to have been issued or appropriate to enable the Real Estate to be lawfully occupied and used for all of the purposes for which it is currently occupied and used have been lawfully issued and are in full force and effect. |
3.7 | Labor Matters |
3.8 | Ventures, Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock and Indebtedness |
39
3.9 | Government Regulation |
3.10 | Margin Regulations |
3.11 | Taxes |
40
3.12 | ERISA |
(a) | Disclosure Schedule (3.12) lists all material Plans and separately identifies all Pension Plans, including Title IV Plans, Multiemployer Plans and Welfare Plans, including all Retiree Welfare Plans. Copies of all Title IV Plans, together with a copy of the latest IRS/DOL 5500-series form for each such Title IV Plan, have been made available to Agent. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (i) except with respect to Multiemployer Plans, each Qualified Plan has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS, and nothing has occurred that would cause the loss of such Qualified Plans qualification; (ii) each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the IRC, including the timely filing of all reports required under the IRC or ERISA; (iii) neither any Credit Party nor any ERISA Affiliate has failed to make any contribution or pay any amount due as required by either Section 412 of the IRC or Section 302 of ERISA or the terms of any Title IV Plan; and (iv) no Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a prohibited transaction, as defined in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the IRC, that will subject any Credit Party to a material tax on prohibited transactions imposed by Section 502(i) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the IRC. | ||
(b) | Except as set forth in Disclosure Schedule (3.12): (i) no Title IV Plan has any material Unfunded Pension Liability; (ii) no ERISA Event or event described in Section 4062(e) |
41
of ERISA with respect to any Title IV Plan has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that in all cases could reasonably be expected a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) there are no pending, or to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened claims (other than claims for benefits in the normal course), sanctions, actions or lawsuits, asserted or instituted against any Plan or any Person as fiduciary or sponsor of any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iv) no Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any liability as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from a Multiemployer Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (v) within the last five years no Title IV Plan of any Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate has been terminated, whether or not in a standard termination as that term is used in Section 4041(b)(1) of ERISA, nor has any Title IV Plan of any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate (determined at any time within the last five years) with Unfunded Pension Liabilities been transferred outside of the controlled group (within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA) of any Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate (determined at the time of any such transfer). |
3.13 | No Litigation |
3.14 | Brokers |
3.15 | Intellectual Property |
42
3.16 | Full Disclosure |
3.17 | Environmental Matters |
(a) | Except as set forth in Disclosure Schedule (3.17), as of the Closing Date: (i) the Real Estate is free of contamination from any Hazardous Material except for such contamination that would not adversely impact the value or marketability of such Real Estate and that would not result in Environmental Liabilities that could reasonably be expected to exceed $250,000; (ii) no Credit Party has caused or suffered to occur any Release of Hazardous Materials on, at, in, under, above, to, from or about any of its Real Estate that would result in Environmental Liabilities that could reasonably be expected to exceed $250,000; (iii) each Credit Party is and has been in compliance with all Environmental Laws, except for such noncompliance that would not result in Environmental Liabilities which could reasonably be expected to exceed $250,000; (iv) each Credit Party has obtained, and is in compliance with, all Environmental Permits required by Environmental Laws for the operations of its businesses as presently conducted or as proposed to be conducted, except where the failure to so obtain or comply with such Environmental Permits would not result in Environmental Liabilities that could reasonably be expected to exceed $250,000, and all such Environmental Permits are valid, uncontested and in good standing; (v) no Credit Party is involved in operations or knows of any facts, circumstances or conditions, including any Releases of Hazardous Materials, that are likely to result in any Environmental Liabilities of Borrowers that could reasonably be expected to exceed $250,000, and no Credit Party has permitted any current or former tenant or occupant of the Real Estate to engage in any such operations; (vi) there is no Litigation arising under or related to any Environmental Laws, Environmental Permits or Hazardous Material that seeks damages, penalties, fines, costs or expenses in excess of $100,000 or injunctive relief, or which alleges criminal misconduct by any Credit Party, (vii) no notice has been |
43
received by any Credit Party identifying it as a potentially responsible party or requesting information under CERCLA or analogous state statutes, and to the knowledge of any Credit Party, there are no facts, circumstances or conditions that may result in any Credit Party being identified as a potentially responsible party under CERCLA or analogous state statutes; and (viii) the Credit Parties have provided to Agent copies of all material existing environmental reports, reviews and audits and all material written information in their possession pertaining to actual or potential Environmental Liabilities, in each case relating to the Credit Parties. |
(b) | Each Credit Party hereby acknowledges and agrees that Agent (i) is not now, and has not ever been in control of any of the Real Estate or any Credit Partys affairs, and (ii) does not have the capacity through the provisions of the Loan Documents or otherwise to influence any Credit Partys conduct with respect to the ownership, operation or management of any of its Real Estate or compliance with Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits. |
3.18 | Insurance |
3.19 | Deposit and Disbursement Accounts |
3.20 | Government Contracts |
3.21 | Customer and Trade Relations |
44
3.22 | Agreements and Other Documents |
3.23 | Solvency |
3.24 | Titled Vehicles |
45
3.25 | Omitted. |
3.26 | Senior Unsecured Notes and Other Related Transactions Document |
4.1 | Reports and Notices |
(a) | Each Credit Party hereby agrees that from and after the Closing Date and until the Termination Date, it shall deliver to Agent or to Agent and Lenders, as required, the Financial Statements, notices, Projections and other information at the times, to the Persons and in the manner set forth in Annex E. | ||
(b) | Each Credit Party hereby agrees that from and after the Closing Date and until the Termination Date, it shall deliver to Agent or to Agent and Lenders, as required, the various Collateral Reports (including Borrowing Base Certificates in the form of Exhibit 4.1(b)) at the times, to the Persons and in the manner set forth in Annex F. |
4.2 | Communication with Accountants |
5.1 | Maintenance of Existence and Conduct of Business |
46
5.2 | Payment of Charges |
(a) | Subject to Section 5.2(b), each Credit Party shall pay and discharge or cause to be paid and discharged promptly all Charges payable by it, including (i) Charges imposed upon it, its income and profits, or any of its property (real, personal or mixed) and all Charges with respect to tax, social security and unemployment withholding with respect to its employees, and (ii) lawful claims for labor, materials, supplies and services or otherwise, and (iii) all storage or rental charges payable to warehousemen or bailees, in each case, before any thereof shall become past due. | ||
(b) | Each Credit Party may in good faith contest, by appropriate proceedings, the validity or amount of any Charges, Taxes or claims described in Section 5.2(a); provided, that (i) adequate reserves with respect to such contest are maintained on the books of such Credit Party, in accordance with GAAP; (ii) no Lien shall be imposed to secure payment of such Charges (other than payments to warehousemen and/or bailees and Permitted Encumbrances) that is superior to any of the Liens securing the Obligations and such contest is maintained and prosecuted continuously and with diligence and operates to suspend collection or enforcement of such Charges; (iii) none of the Collateral becomes subject to forfeiture or loss as a result of such contest; (iv) such Credit Party shall promptly pay or discharge such contested Charges, Taxes or claims and all additional charges, interest, penalties and expenses, if any, and shall deliver to Agent evidence reasonably acceptable to Agent of such compliance, payment or discharge, if such contest is terminated or discontinued adversely to such Credit Party or the conditions set forth in this Section 5.2(b) are no longer met, and (v) Agent has not advised such Credit Party in writing that Agent reasonably believes that nonpayment or nondischarge thereof could have or result in a Material Adverse Effect. |
5.3 | Books and Records |
5.4 | Insurance; Damage to or Destruction of Collateral |
(a) | Each Credit Party shall at its sole cost and expense, maintain the policies of insurance described in Disclosure Schedule (3.18) as in effect on the date hereof, and each Person |
47
succeeding to the position of such individual, or otherwise in form and amounts and with insurers reasonably acceptable to Agent. Such policies of insurance (or the loss payable and additional insured endorsements delivered to Agent) shall contain provisions pursuant to which the insurer agrees to provide 30 days prior written notice to Agent in the event of any non-renewal, cancellation or amendment of any such insurance policy. If any Credit Party at any time or times hereafter shall fail to obtain or maintain any of the policies of insurance required above or to pay all premiums relating thereto, Agent may at any time or times thereafter obtain and maintain such policies of insurance and pay such premiums and take any other action with respect thereto that Agent deems advisable. Agent shall have no obligation to obtain insurance for any Credit Party or pay any premiums therefor. By doing so, Agent shall not be deemed to have waived any Default or Event of Default arising from any Credit Partys failure to maintain such insurance or pay any premiums therefor. All sums so disbursed, including reasonable attorneys fees, court costs and other charges related thereto, shall be payable on demand by Borrowers to Agent and shall be additional Obligations hereunder secured by the Collateral. | |||
(b) | Agent reserves the right at any time upon any change in any Credit Partys risk profile (including any change in the product mix maintained by any Credit Party or any laws affecting the potential liability of such Credit Party) to require additional forms and limits of insurance to, in Agents opinion, adequately protect both Agents and Lenders interests in all or any portion of the Collateral and to ensure that each Credit Party is protected by insurance in amounts and with coverage customary for its industry. If reasonably requested by Agent, each Credit Party shall deliver to Agent from time to time a report of a reputable insurance broker, reasonably satisfactory to Agent, with respect to its insurance policies. | ||
(c) | Each Credit Party shall deliver to Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, endorsements to (i) all All Risk, keyman life insurance and business interruption insurance naming Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, as loss payee, and (ii) all general liability and other liability policies naming Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, as additional insured. Each Credit Party irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints Agent (and all officers, employees or agents designated by Agent), so long as any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or the anticipated insurance proceeds exceed $5,000,000, as such Credit Partys true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact for the purpose of making, settling and adjusting claims under such All Risk policies of insurance, endorsing the name of such Credit Party on any check or other item of payment for the proceeds of such All Risk policies of insurance and for making all determinations and decisions with respect to such All Risk policies of insurance. Agent shall have no duty to exercise any rights or powers granted to it pursuant to the foregoing power-of-attorney. Borrower Representative shall promptly notify Agent of any loss, damage, or destruction to the Collateral in the amount of $1,000,000 or more, whether or not covered by insurance. After deducting from such |
48
proceeds the expenses, if any, incurred by Agent in the collection or handling thereof, such proceeds shall be applied to the Obligations except as otherwise provided by Section 1.3(d). |
(d) | Borrower Representative shall, immediately upon learning of the institution of any proceeding for the condemnation or other taking of any property of any Credit Party in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate for all such condemnations or takings, notify the Agent of the pendency of such proceeding, and agree that the Agent may participate in any such proceeding, and Borrower Representative from time to time will deliver to the Agent all instruments reasonably requested by the Agent to permit such participation. The Agent is authorized to collect the proceeds of any such condemnation claim or award and such proceeds shall be applied to the Obligations, except as otherwise provided in Section 1.3(d). |
5.5 | Compliance with Laws |
5.6 | Supplemental Disclosure |
5.7 | Intellectual Property |
49
5.8 | Environmental Matters |
50
5.9 | Landlords Agreements, Mortgagee Agreements, Bailee Letters, Real Estate Purchases and Vendor Inter-Creditor Agreements |
(a) | If requested by Agent, Credit Party shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain a landlords agreement, mortgagee agreement or bailee letter, as applicable, from the lessor of each leased property, mortgagee of owned property or bailee with respect to any warehouse, processor or converter facility or other location where Collateral is stored or located (other than with respect to Equipment Inventory which is being leased by a Borrower to others in the ordinary course of such Borrowers business), which agreement or letter shall contain a waiver or subordination of all Liens or claims that the landlord, mortgagee or bailee may assert against the Collateral at that location, and shall otherwise be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Agent. If Agent has not received a landlord or mortgagee agreement or bailee letter at any such location within thirty (30) days following the first placement of Collateral at such location, the applicable Borrowers Eligible Parts and Tools Inventory, Eligible Rolling Stock or Eligible Equipment Inventory at that location shall, in Agents discretion, be excluded from the applicable Borrowers Borrowing Base or be subject to such Reserves as may be established in good faith by Agent in its reasonable credit judgment and as set forth in Sections 1.6A, 1.7 and 1.7A. After the Closing Date, no real property or warehouse space shall be leased by any Borrower and no Parts and Tools Inventory or Equipment Inventory shall be shipped to a processor or converter under arrangements established after the Closing Date without prior written notice to Agent. Each Credit Party shall timely and fully pay and perform its obligations in all material respects under all leases and other agreements with respect to each leased location or public warehouse where any Collateral is or may be located. To the extent otherwise permitted hereunder, if any Credit Party proposes to acquire a fee ownership or leasehold interest in Real Estate after the Closing Date, it shall first provide to Agent written notice thereof and (at the reasonable request of Agent) a mortgage or deed of trust granting Agent a first priority Lien on such Real Estate, together with a FIRREA compliant appraisal (if requested by Agent), environmental audits, mortgage title insurance commitment, real property survey, local counsel opinions, and, if required by Agent, supplemental casualty insurance and flood insurance, and such other documents, instruments or agreements reasonably requested by Agent, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent. | ||
(b) | At the request of Agent, each applicable Borrower shall execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered to Agent a mortgage or deed of trust granting to Agent a first priority Lien on any Real Estate at any time owned by such Borrower (or, if such Real Estate is subject to any prior Liens as of the Closing Date, a Lien subject only to such prior Liens), together with a FIRREA compliant appraisal, environmental audit, mortgage title insurance commitment, real property survey, local counsel opinion, and if required by Agent, supplemental casualty insurance, and such other documents, |
51
instruments or agreements reasonably requested by Agent, in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent. | |||
(c) | Prior to entering into any financing arrangement described in Section 6.7(c) or Section 6.7(d), a Borrower shall notify Agent. In the event that a Borrower obtains knowledge of the assignment by any holder of any such Lien referred to in Section 6.7(c) or Section 6.7(d), or the owner of any equipment leased by such Borrower has transferred or sold such Lien or Equipment to another Person, such Borrower shall notify Agent and use reasonable efforts to cause such Person to enter into an applicable Vendor Inter-Creditor Agreement with such Person. |
5.10 | Government Accounts |
5.11 | Further Assurances |
(a) | Each Credit Party shall ensure that all written information, exhibits and reports furnished to the Agent or the Lenders do not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact and do not and will not omit to state any material fact or any fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which made, and will promptly disclose to the Agent and the Lenders and correct any defect or error that may be discovered therein or in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgement or recordation thereof. | ||
(b) | Promptly upon request by the Agent, the Credit Parties shall (and, subject to the limitations hereinafter set forth, shall cause each of their Subsidiaries to) take such additional actions as the Agent may reasonably require from time to time in order (i) to carry out more effectively the purposes of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) to subject to the Liens created by any of the Collateral Documents any of the properties, rights or interests covered by any of the Collateral Documents, (iii) to perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of any of the Collateral Documents and the Liens intended to be created thereby, and (iv) to better assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer, preserve, protect and confirm to the Agent and Lenders the rights granted or now or hereafter intended to be granted to the Agent and the Lenders under any Loan Document or under any other document executed in connection therewith. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and except as otherwise approved in writing by Requisite Lenders, the Credit Parties shall cause each of their Domestic Subsidiaries to guaranty the Obligations and to cause each such Subsidiary to grant to |
52
the Agent, for the benefit of the Agent and Lenders, a security interest in, subject to the limitations hereinafter set forth, all of such Subsidiarys property to secure such guaranty. Furthermore and except as otherwise approved in writing by Requisite Lenders, each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Domestic Subsidiaries to, pledge all of the Stock and Stock equivalents of each of its Domestic Subsidiaries, in each instance, to the Agent, for the benefit of the Agent and Lenders, to secure the Obligations. In connection with each pledge of Stock and Stock equivalents, the Credit Parties shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Agent, irrevocable proxies and stock powers and/or assignments, as applicable, duly executed in blank. In the event any Credit Party or any Domestic Subsidiary of any Credit Party acquires any real property, simultaneously with such acquisition, such Person shall execute and/or deliver, or cause to be executed and/or delivered, to the Agent, (x) a fully executed mortgage, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent together with an A.L.T.A. lenders title insurance policy issued by a title insurer reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, in form and substance and in an amount reasonably satisfactory to the Agent insuring that the mortgage is a valid and enforceable first priority Lien on the respective property, free and clear of all defects, encumbrances and Liens, (y) then current A.L.T.A. surveys, certified to the Agent and the Lenders by a licensed surveyor sufficient to allow the issuer of the lenders title insurance policy to issue such policy without a survey exception and (z) an environmental site assessment prepared by a qualified firm reasonably acceptable to the Agent, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent. Within 30 days following the Closing Date, at their own cost and expense, the Credit Parties shall cause applications to be filed with the appropriate motor vehicle authorities to cause all certificates of title for Titled Vehicles owned as of the Closing Date by H&E California to indicate the name of the Agent as first lienholder. |
6.1 | Acquisitions, Subsidiaries, Etc. |
53
(i) | Agent shall receive at least forty-five (45) days prior written notice of such proposed Permitted Acquisition, which notice shall include a detailed description of such proposed Permitted Acquisition including, without limitation, financial statements of Target and any other due diligence items requested by Lenders; | ||
(ii) | such Permitted Acquisition shall only involve a Target that upon acquisition would constitute a Domestic Subsidiary and 75% or more of whose assets are located in the United States and comprising or conducting a business, or those assets of a business, of the type engaged in by such Borrower as of the Closing Date or a business reasonably related thereto or a logical extension thereof, and which business would not subject Agent or any Lender to regulatory or third party approvals in connection with the exercise of its rights and remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents other than approvals applicable to the exercise of such rights and remedies with respect to such Borrower prior to such Permitted Acquisition; | ||
(iii) | no additional Indebtedness or Guaranteed Indebtedness, contingent obligations or other liabilities shall be incurred, assumed or otherwise be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of any Credit Party and Target after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition, except (A) Indebtedness permitted under clause (v) and (B) ordinary course trade payables, accrued expenses and unsecured Indebtedness and other liabilities and contingent obligations of the Target to the extent no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition; | ||
(iv) | omitted; | ||
(v) | no Indebtedness for borrowed money to finance such acquisitions shall be incurred, guaranteed, assumed or consolidated in connection with such Permitted Acquisitions other than Revolving Credit Advances subject to the terms hereof; | ||
(vi) | the business and assets acquired in such Permitted Acquisition shall be free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Encumbrances); | ||
(vii) | at or prior to the closing of any Permitted Acquisition, (x) to the extent such Permitted Acquisition consists of the acquisition of assets from Target, Agent will be granted a first priority perfected Lien (subject to Permitted Encumbrances) in all assets acquired pursuant thereto and H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries shall have taken such actions and executed and delivered such documents as Agent may have reasonably requested in connection therewith and in addition, H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries shall have complied with the requirements of Section 5.9(a) in respect of any real property acquired in such Permitted Acquisition and (y) to the extent such Permitted Acquisition consists of the acquisition of the Stock of Target, Target shall have become a party to this |
54
Agreement pursuant to a joinder agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, Target shall have provided a Subsidiary Guaranty as well as such Collateral Documents as Agent shall have required in order to provide to Agent a first priority security interest (subject to Permitted Encumbrances) in all then owned or thereafter acquired assets of Target pursuant to a Pledge Agreement and shall have delivered certificates evidencing such Stock and blank undated stock powers therewith to Agent, and H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries shall have provided to Agent a first priority perfected security interest in all Stock of Target, in each case, together with such legal opinions, certificates and other documents as Agent shall have reasonably requested, and in addition, H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries shall comply and cause the Target to comply with all other requirements of Section 5.11(b) as to such Target. |
(viii) | Concurrently with delivery of the notice referred to in clause (i) above, the Borrower Representative shall have delivered to Agent, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent: |
(A) | (x) a pro forma consolidated and consolidating, if applicable, balance sheet of H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries (the Acquisition Pro Forma), based on recent financial data, which shall be complete and shall accurately and fairly represent the assets, liabilities, financial condition and results of operations of H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, but taking into account such Permitted Acquisition and the funding of all Loans in connection therewith, and such Acquisition Pro Forma shall reflect that on a pro forma basis, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition and H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries would have been in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Annex G for the twelve month period reflected in the Compliance Certificate most recently delivered to Agent pursuant to Annex E prior to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition (after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition and all Loans funded in connection therewith as if made on the first day of such period); | ||
(B) | updated versions of the most recently delivered operating plan in form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent taking into account such Permitted Acquisition (the Acquisition Projections); and | ||
(C) | a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower Representative to the effect that: (w) such Borrower will be Solvent upon the consummation of the Permitted Acquisition; (x) the Acquisition Pro Forma fairly presents the financial condition of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated and consolidating basis, if applicable) as |
55
of the date thereof after giving effect to the Permitted Acquisition; (y) the Acquisition Projections are reasonable estimates of the future financial performance of H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries subsequent to the date thereof based upon the historical performance of H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries and the Target and show that H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries shall continue to be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Annex G for the three (3) year period thereafter or the balance remaining of the Commitment term; and (z) such Borrower has completed its due diligence investigation with respect to the Target and such Permitted Acquisition, which investigation was conducted in a manner similar to that which would have been conducted by a prudent purchaser of a comparable business and the results of which investigation were delivered to Agent and Lenders; |
(ix) | on or prior to the date of such Permitted Acquisition, Agent shall have received, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, copies of the acquisition agreement and related agreements and instruments, and all opinions, certificates, lien search results and other documents reasonably requested by Agent; | ||
(x) | Agent and Lenders shall have received results of an appraisal and audit of the Target, its assets, and its books and records, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent; | ||
(xi) | the structure and terms of the Permitted Acquisition shall be satisfactory to the Agent and no Credit Party shall acquire any liabilities in such transaction other than those approved by the Agent or described in clause (iii)(B); | ||
(xii) | at the time of such Permitted Acquisition and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and |
(xiii) | at the time of such Permitted Acquisition and after giving effect thereto and the making of any Loans in connection therewith, Borrowing Availability shall exceed $25,000,000. |
6.2 | Investments; Loans and Advances |
56
Notes permitted to be incurred under Section 6.3, (c) a Borrower may invest in P&E Capital Expenditures, (d) a Credit Party may hold investments received pursuant to a sale of assets permitted under Section 6.8, (e) a Credit Party may hold investments held in the ordinary course of business in any Deposit Account subject to a Lien in favor of Agent, (f) a Credit Party may hold investments in existence on the date hereof and summarized in Disclosure Schedule (6.2), and (g) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrowers may make investments, subject to Control Letters or otherwise subject to a perfected security interest in favor of Agent for the benefit of Lenders, in (i) marketable direct obligations issued, unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof, (ii) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof and currently having the highest rating obtainable from either Standard & Poors Ratings Group or Moodys Investors Service, Inc., (iii) certificates of deposit, maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof, issued by commercial banks incorporated under the laws of the United States of America, each having combined capital, surplus and undivided profits of not less than $300,000,000 and having a senior secured rating of A or better by a nationally recognized rating agency (an A Rated Bank), (iv) time deposits, maturing no more than 30 days from the date of creation thereof with A Rated Banks, (v) mutual funds that invest solely in one or more of the investments described in clauses (i) through (iv) above and (vi) other investments not exceeding $100,000 in aggregate amount in which Agent has a perfected first priority security interest. Each Credit Party may maintain its existing investments in its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date. | ||
6.3 | Indebtedness |
(a) | No Credit Party shall create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except (without duplication) (i) Indebtedness secured by purchase money security interests, Refinancing Liens and Capital Leases permitted in clause (c) or (d) of Section 6.7, (ii) the Loans and the other Obligations, (iii) deferred taxes, to the extent permitted under applicable law, (iv) unfunded pension fund and other employee benefit plan obligations and liabilities to the extent they are permitted to remain unfunded under applicable law, (v) existing Indebtedness described in Disclosure Schedule (6.3) and refinancings thereof or amendments or modifications thereto that do not have the effect of increasing the principal amount thereof or changing the amortization thereof (other than to extend the same) and that are otherwise on terms and conditions no less favorable to any Credit Party than the terms of the Indebtedness being refinanced, amended or modified, (vi) Indebtedness specifically permitted under Section 6.1, (vii) Indebtedness of Borrowers not exceeding (x) $4,920,000 in aggregate principal amount (less all payments of principal and repurchases and redemptions thereof) evidenced by the Senior Notes, and (y) $250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount evidenced by Senior Unsecured Notes (less all payments of principal and repurchases and redemptions thereof), (viii) Indebtedness consisting of intercompany loans and advances made by any Borrower to any other Borrower; provided, that: (A) each Borrower shall have executed and delivered to each other Borrower, on the Closing Date, a demand note (collectively, the |
57
Intercompany Notes) to evidence any such intercompany Indebtedness owing at any time by such Borrower to such other Borrowers, which Intercompany Notes shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and shall be pledged and delivered to Agent pursuant to the applicable Pledge Agreement or Security Agreement as additional collateral security for the Obligations; (B) each Borrower shall record all intercompany transactions on its books and records in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Agent; (C) the obligations of each Borrower under any such Intercompany Notes shall be subordinated to the Obligations of such Borrower hereunder in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Agent; (D) at the time any such intercompany loan or advance is made by any Borrower to any other Borrower and after giving effect thereto, each such Borrower shall be Solvent; (E) no Default or Event of Default would occur and be continuing after giving effect to any such proposed intercompany loan; and (F) in the case of any intercompany Indebtedness, the Borrower advancing such funds shall have Borrowing Availability under its separate Borrowing Base of not less than $1.00 after giving effect to such intercompany loan, (ix) Indebtedness owing to Affiliates and holders of Stock of such Credit Party that constitutes Subordinated Debt, is unsecured, interest on which is not payable in cash until after the Termination Date and as to which no principal is payable until after the Termination Date, (x) Indebtedness owing by H&E California to CNL Commercial Mortgage Funding, Inc. in a principal amount not to exceed $1,285,066 or any refinancing thereof, (xi) Indebtedness under Hedging Agreements to the extent permitted under Section 6.17 and (xii) unsecured Indebtedness not otherwise referred to in this Section 6.3 not exceeding $1,000,000 in aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time for all Credit Parties, and (xiii) hedging obligations under swaps, caps and collar arrangements arranged by GE Capital or provided by any Lender entered into for the sole purpose of hedging in the normal course of business and consistent with industry practices. |
(b) | No Credit Party shall, directly or indirectly, voluntarily purchase, redeem, defease or prepay any principal of, premium, if any, interest or other amount payable in respect of any Indebtedness, other than (i) the Obligations, (ii) Indebtedness secured by a Permitted Encumbrance if the asset securing such Indebtedness has been sold or otherwise disposed of in accordance with Sections 6.8(b) or (c), (iii) Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.3(a)(v) upon any refinancing thereof in accordance with Section 6.3(a)(v) and (iv) the repurchase of Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes in accordance with the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation (so long as such notes are thereupon retired) and, so long as no Event of Default is continuing or would arise as a result of any such purchase or prepayment, the purchase or redemption (at the prices determined pursuant to the Indenture) of Senior Notes outstanding after the Closing Date in accordance with the terms of the Indenture (so long as such notes are thereupon retired). |
58
6.4 | Employee Loans and Affiliate Transactions |
(a) | No Credit Party shall enter into or be a party to any transaction with any Affiliate of any Credit Party (other than another Credit Party) thereof except in the ordinary course of and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of such Credit Partys business and upon fair and reasonable terms that are no less favorable to such Credit Party than would be obtained in a comparable arms length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of such Credit Party; provided, that other than a transaction described in any Related Transaction Documents or Disclosure Schedule 6.4(a), no Credit Party shall in any event enter into any such transaction or series of related transactions (i) involving payments in excess of $10,000 without disclosing to Agent in advance the terms of such transactions and (ii) involving payments in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate. | ||
(b) | All employee loans (except loans from a Qualified Plan) and affiliate transactions existing as of the Closing Date hereof are described in Disclosure Schedule (6.4(b)). No Credit Party shall enter into any lending or borrowing transaction with any employees of any Credit Party, except loans to its respective employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices for travel and entertainment expenses, relocation costs and similar purposes up to a maximum of $100,000 to any employee and up to a maximum of $500,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding. No Credit Party shall repurchase any Stock of any employee of such Credit Party, except as permitted in the Credit Partys equity incentive plans for income tax withholding purposes and upon termination of such employee consistent with past practices for such repurchase up to a maximum amount of $2,000,000 in the aggregate for all employees of all Credit Parties in any one Fiscal Year; provided, that at the time of any such repurchase and after giving effect thereto the aggregate Borrowing Availability for all Borrowers is in excess of $25,000,000. |
6.5 | Capital Structure and Business | |
No Credit Party shall (a) make any changes in any of its business objectives, purposes or operations that could in any way adversely affect the repayment of the Loans or any of the other Obligations or could reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material Adverse Effect, (b) make any change in its capital structure as described in Disclosure Schedule (3.8), including the issuance or sale of any shares of Stock, warrants or other securities convertible into Stock or any revision of the terms of its outstanding Stock, provided, that any Borrower may issue or sell shares of its Stock for cash so long as (i) the proceeds thereof are applied in prepayment of the Obligations as required by Section 1.3(b)(iii), and (ii) no Change of Control occurs after giving effect thereto, and (iii) other than with respect to H&E Delaware, such shares are pledged to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders pursuant to a Pledge Agreement, or (c) amend its charter, bylaws, certificate of formation or operating agreement, each as applicable, in a manner that would adversely affect Agent or Lenders or Credit Partys duty or ability to repay the Obligations. No Credit Party shall engage in any business other than the businesses currently engaged in by it or reasonably related thereto or a logical extension thereof. |
59
6.6 | Guaranteed Indebtedness | |
No Credit Party shall create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Guaranteed Indebtedness except (a) for Guaranteed Indebtedness in existence on the date hereof described in Disclosure Schedule (6.6), (b) for Guaranteed Indebtedness incurred for the benefit of the purchasers of Equipment Inventory to support sales by any Borrower or any Guarantor of such Equipment Inventory in the ordinary course of business to such purchasers, not to exceed $2,000,000 at any one time outstanding for all Credit Parties, (c) by endorsement of instruments or items of payment for deposit to the general account of any Credit Party, and (d) for Guaranteed Indebtedness incurred for the benefit of any other Credit Party if the primary obligation is expressly permitted by this Agreement other than Indebtedness, if any, of a Target existing at the time such Target is acquired. | ||
6.7 | Liens | |
No Credit Party shall create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on or with respect to its Accounts or any of its other properties or assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) except for (a) Permitted Encumbrances; (b) Liens in existence on the date hereof and summarized in Disclosure Schedule (6.7) securing the Indebtedness described in Disclosure Schedule (6.3) (other than under the heading Vendor Financings it being understood that Liens reflected under such heading shall be permitted only if in compliance with Section 6.7(c) or Section 6.7(d)) and permitted refinancings, extensions and renewals thereof, including extensions or renewals of any such Liens, provided, that the principal amount of the Indebtedness so secured is not increased and the Lien does not attach to any other property; (c) Liens created by conditional sale or other title retention agreements (including Capital Leases) or in connection with purchase money Indebtedness, in each case, with respect to P&E and Fixtures acquired by a Credit Party in the ordinary course of its business, involving the incurrence of an aggregate principal amount under this clause (c) for all Credit Parties of not more than $25,000,000 outstanding at any one time for all such Liens (provided, that (i) such Liens attach only to the assets subject to such purchase money debt and proceeds thereof and, (ii) such Indebtedness is incurred within ninety (90) days following such purchase); and (d) (x) Liens created by conditional sale or other title retention agreements (including Capital Leases) or in connection with purchase money Indebtedness provided by the seller of such Equipment Inventory or an Affiliate of such seller or a third party financing source not affiliated with such seller or as Refinancing Liens, in each case, with respect to Equipment Inventory purchased by a Credit Party in the ordinary course of its business, involving the incurrence of an aggregate principal amount under this clause (x) for all Credit Parties of not more than $175,000,000 outstanding at any one time for all such Liens and (y) Liens on rental proceeds of Equipment Inventory leased by any Borrower securing true lease obligations of such Borrower of such Equipment Inventory; provided, that in the case of (x) and (y) (i) such Liens attach only to (1) the Equipment Inventory subject to such conditioned sale or title retention agreements (including Capital Leases), purchased with the proceeds of such purchase money Indebtedness or subject to the Open Account Refinancing and or (2) such rental proceeds, in each case, except as otherwise permitted by any agreement referred to in |
60
subparagraph (iii) below, (ii) such Indebtedness is incurred at the time of such purchase of such Equipment Inventory by such Credit Party or, in the case of Open Account Refinancing, within six (6) months following original purchase by such Credit Party on Open Account of such Equipment Inventory, and (iii) a Vendor Inter-Creditor Agreement between the holder of such Lien and Agent (in the form of Exhibit 6.7(d)(iii)(A) in the case of Floor Plan Equipment Inventory, and in the form of Exhibit 6.7(d)(iii)(B) in the case of Off Balance Sheet Equipment Inventory, in each case with such changes thereto as may be acceptable to Agent or such other form of intercreditor agreement as Agent may approve) has been delivered to Agent, provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Credit Parties may have outstanding true lease obligations secured by a Lien described in clause (y) of in this paragraph (d) without a Vendor Inter-Creditor Agreement so long as the aggregate amount of such true lease obligations does not exceed $4,000,000 in the aggregate for all Credit Parties, excluding, purchase option amounts payable under any such true leases, it being understood that the Agent may establish Reserves in respect of any such true lease obligations for which no Vendor Inter-Creditor Agreement has been delivered. In addition, no Credit Party shall become a party to any agreement, note, indenture or instrument, or take any other action, that would prohibit the creation of a Lien on any of its properties or other assets in favor of Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, as additional collateral for the Obligations, except true leases, Capital Leases or Licenses which prohibit Liens upon the assets that are subject thereto. |
6.8 | Disposition of Stock and Assets | |
No Credit Party shall sell, lease, license, transfer, convey, assign or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or other assets (other than cash), including the Stock of any of its Subsidiaries (whether in a public or a private offering or otherwise) or any of their Accounts, other than (a) the sale or lease by a Borrower of Equipment Inventory in the ordinary course of its business, (b) the sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition by a Credit Party of P&E, Equipment Inventory, Fixtures or Real Estate that are obsolete or no longer used or useful in such Credit Partys business and having a Net Book Value not exceeding $250,000 in any single transaction or $500,000 for all Credit Parties in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year, (c) the sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition by a Credit Party of Equipment Inventory that is part of a discontinued line, (d) the sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition by a Credit Party of other P&E and Fixtures having a value not exceeding $500,000 in any single transaction or $1,000,000 in the aggregate for all Credit Parties in any Fiscal Year, (e) the licensing of Intellectual Property by any Credit Party in the ordinary course of its business, (f) the sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets from a Borrower to another Borrower, and (g) a trade-in or trade-up of assets (pursuant to which such Credit Party acquires a substantially similar asset to the one disposed of within forty-five (45) days following such disposition and the value of the asset disposed of is credited against the purchase price of the asset so acquired) by a Credit Party in the ordinary course of its business. With respect to any disposition of assets or other properties permitted pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) above, subject to Section 1.3(b), Agent agrees on reasonable prior written notice to release its Lien (and the Lenders authorize Agent to do so) on such assets or other properties in order to permit the applicable Credit Party to effect such |
61
disposition and shall execute and deliver to such Credit Party, at such Credit Partys expense, appropriate UCC 3 termination statements and other releases as reasonably requested by such Credit Party. |
6.9 | ERISA | |
No Credit Party shall, nor shall it cause or permit any ERISA Affiliate to, cause or permit to occur an event that could result in the imposition of a Lien under Section 412(n) of the IRC or Section 302(f) or 4068 of ERISA or cause or permit to occur an ERISA Event to the extent such Lien or such ERISA Event could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. | ||
6.10 | Financial Covenants | |
No Borrower shall breach or fail to comply with any of the Financial Covenants. | ||
6.11 | Hazardous Materials | |
No Credit Party shall cause or permit a Release of any Hazardous Material on, at, in, under, above, to, from or about any of the Real Estate where such Release would (a) violate in any respect, or form the basis for any Environmental Liabilities under, any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits or (b) otherwise adversely impact the value or marketability of any of the Real Estate or any of the Collateral, other than such violations or impacts that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. | ||
6.12 | Omitted. | |
6.13 | Cancellation of Indebtedness | |
No Credit Party shall cancel any claim or debt owing to it having a face value exceeding $100,000 except for reasonable consideration negotiated on an arms-length basis and in the ordinary course of its business consistent with past practices. | ||
6.14 | Restricted Payments | |
No Credit Party shall make any Restricted Payment, except (a) intercompany loans and advances between Borrowers and payments of principal and interest on Intercompany Notes, in each case to the extent permitted by Section 6.3, (b) dividends and distributions by Subsidiaries of any Borrower paid to such Borrower, (c) employee loans permitted under Section 6.4(b) above, (d) scheduled payments of interest as and when due and payable with respect to the Subordinated Debt, subject to the subordination terms thereof, (e) repurchases of Stock of any employee of such Credit Party upon termination of such employee, subject to Section 6.4(b), (f) distributions of Stock of such Credit Party in connection with the cashless exercise of options by the holders of options for Stock of such Credit Party and (g) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.3(b)(iv); provided, that in the case of clause (e) above no Default or Event of Default shall have |
62
occurred and be continuing or would result after giving effect to any Restricted Payment pursuant to clause (e) above. |
6.15 | Change of Name or Location; Change of Fiscal Year | |
No Credit Party shall (a) change its name as it appears in official filings in the state of its incorporation or organization, or (b) change its offices or warehouses or locations at which Collateral is held or stored, or the location of its records concerning the Collateral, (c) change the type of entity that it is, (d) change its organization identification number, if any, issued by its state of incorporation or organization, or (e) change its state of incorporation or organization, in each case without at least thirty (30) days prior written notice to Agent and after Agents written acknowledgment that any reasonable action requested by Agent in connection therewith, including to continue the perfection of any Liens in favor of Agent, on behalf of Lenders, in any Collateral, has been completed or taken; provided that any such new location shall be in the continental United States. Without limiting the foregoing, no Credit Party shall change its name, identity or limited liability company (or corporate, as the case may be) structure in any manner that might make any financing or continuation statement filed in connection herewith seriously misleading within the meaning of Section 9 506 or 9 507 of the Code or any other then applicable provision of the Code except upon prior written notice to Agent and Lenders and after Agents written acknowledgment that any reasonable action requested by Agent in connection therewith, including to continue the perfection of any Liens in favor of Agent, on behalf of Lenders, in any Collateral, has been completed or taken. No Credit Party shall change its Fiscal Year without the prior consent of Agent. | ||
6.16 | No Impairment of Intercompany Transfers | |
No Credit Party shall directly or indirectly enter into or become bound by any agreement, instrument, indenture or other obligation (other than this Agreement and the other Loan Documents) that could directly or indirectly restrict, prohibit or require the consent of any Person with respect to the payment of dividends or distributions or the making or repayment of intercompany loans by a Subsidiary of a Borrower to such Borrower or between Borrowers. | ||
6.17 | No Speculative Transactions | |
No Credit Party shall engage in any transaction involving commodity options, futures contracts or similar transactions, except solely to hedge against fluctuations in the prices of commodities owned or purchased by it and the values of foreign currencies receivable or payable by it and interest swaps, caps or collars under a Hedging Agreement; provided that (i) any such Hedging Agreement must have a Lender as the sole counterparty or be arranged by GE Capital, (ii) at any time, the aggregate amount payable upon termination, liquidation or cancellation of such Hedging Agreements for all Credit Parties, calculated in accordance with GAAP, shall not exceed $1,000,000 and (iii) at any time, Agent may maintain Reserves in the amount of such aggregate amount. |
63
6.18 | Changes Relating to Senior Debt; Subordinated Debt Designation of Credit Facility |
(a) | No Credit Party shall change or amend the terms of the Senior Note Indenture, the Senior Notes, the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture or the Senior Subordinated Notes, except pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation or the Supplemental Indentures or in a manner approved by the Agent. No Credit Party shall change or amend the terms of the Senior Unsecured Note Indenture or Senior Unsecured Notes without the prior written consent of the Requisite Lenders. No Credit Party shall change or amend the terms of any Subordinated Debt (other than the Senior Subordinated Notes and Senior Subordinated Note Indenture) if the effect of such amendment is to (a) increase the interest rate on such Subordinated Debt by more than two percentage points (2%); (b) change the dates upon which payments of principal or interest are due on such Subordinated Debt other than to extend such dates; (c) add any default, event of default or change any default or event of default other than to delete or make less restrictive any default provision therein, or add any covenant with respect to such Subordinated Debt; (d) add any covenant or change any covenant in a matter adverse to such Credit Party, (e) change the redemption or prepayment provisions of such Subordinated Debt other than to extend the dates therefor or to reduce the premiums payable in connection therewith; (f) grant any security or collateral to secure payment of such Subordinated Debt; or (g) change or amend any other term if such change or amendment would materially increase the obligations of the Credit Party thereunder or confer additional material rights on the holder of such Subordinated Debt in a manner adverse to any Credit Party, Agent or any Lender. | ||
(b) | No Credit Party shall designate any credit agreement, credit facility, documents, agreement or indebtedness as a Credit Facility under and as such term is defined in the Senior Note Indenture, as originally in effect or as a Credit Facility under and as such term is defined in the Senior Unsecured Note Indenture, as originally in effect, other than, in each case, this Agreement, or, except for this Agreement and the Loan Documents, otherwise grant to any Indebtedness or Liens securing the same the rights of Priority Lien Obligations or Priority Liens as such terms are defined in the Senior Note Indenture, as originally in effect. Borrowers hereby designate this Agreement and the credit facilities now or hereafter created hereunder as a Credit Facility under and as such term is defined in the Senior Unsecured Note Indenture. | ||
(c) | No Credit Party shall incur any Indebtedness pursuant to clause (1) or clause (16) of Section 4.09(b) of the Senior Unsecured Note Indenture other than Indebtedness incurred under this Agreement. |
6.19 | Changes in Depreciation Schedules | |
No Credit Party shall change or amend the schedules or methodology used to calculate depreciation on its assets (except as required by applicable law or by a change in GAAP). |
64
6.20 | Credit Parties Other than Borrowers | |
None of H&E Finance or GNE Investments shall engage in any trade or business, or own any assets (other than Stock of its Subsidiaries) or incur any Indebtedness or Guaranteed Indebtedness (other than the Obligations); provided that (i) H&E Finance may consummate the transactions contemplated by the Senior Note Indenture and the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture and the Senior Unsecured Note Indenture and the Supplemental Indentures and (ii) GNE Investments may provide the guaranty of (x) the Senior Notes as provided for in the Senior Note Indenture (y) the Senior Subordinated Notes as provided for in the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture and (z) the Senior Unsecured Notes as provided for in the Senior Unsecured Note Indenture and (iv) H&E Finance and GNE Investments may consummate the Related Transactions. | ||
6.21 | Lock Box Remittances; Vendor Payments | |
No Credit Party shall make, direct or permit any remittance to be made into any lock box maintained for the benefit of Agent that is subject to any Lien or claim or other interest of any Person, other than Liens in favor of Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, and Liens in favor of the applicable depository bank permitted by the applicable lock box or pledged account agreement with such depository bank; provided, that the Credit Parties shall not be in default under this Section 6.21 if the amount on deposit in the deposit accounts associated with all such lock boxes and subject to any Lien or claim of any Person (other than the Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders and the depositary bank) does not exceed $200,000 in the aggregate at any time. No Credit Party shall send an invoice or otherwise bill any purchaser with respect to the sale by such Credit Party of any Floor Plan Equipment Inventory or any Off Balance Sheet Equipment Inventory (that has been purchased by a Credit Party) prior to the payment by such Credit Party of the purchase price of such Floor Plan Equipment Inventory or such Off Balance Sheet Equipment Inventory into such a lock box. Each Credit Party shall comply with all requirements of each Vendor Inter-Creditor Agreement and shall give all notices and take all other actions under each Vendor Inter-Creditor Agreement to insure compliance with the requirements of this Section 6.21. | ||
7 | TERM | |
7.1 | Termination | |
The financing arrangements contemplated hereby shall be in effect until the Commitment Termination Date, and the Loans and all other Obligations shall be automatically due and payable in full on such date. | ||
7.2 | Survival of Obligations Upon Termination of Financing Arrangements | |
Except as otherwise expressly provided for in the Loan Documents, no termination or cancellation (regardless of cause or procedure) of any financing arrangement under this Agreement shall in any way affect or impair the obligations, duties and liabilities of Credit Parties or the rights of Agent and Lenders relating to any unpaid portion of the Loans or any other |
65
Obligations, due or not due, liquidated, contingent or unliquidated, or any transaction or event occurring prior to such termination, or any transaction or event, the performance of which is required after the Commitment Termination Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in any other Loan Document, all undertakings, agreements, covenants, warranties and representations of or binding upon any Credit Party, and all rights of Agent and each Lender, all as contained in the Loan Documents, shall not terminate or expire, but rather shall survive any such termination or cancellation and shall continue in full force and effect until the Termination Date, whereupon it shall terminate; provided, that the provisions of Section 11, the payment obligations under Sections 1.15 and 1.16, and the indemnities contained in the Loan Documents shall survive the Termination Date and provided further that the indemnities contained in the Loan Documents in favor of a Lender shall survive the assignment by such Lender of the Commitments and Loans of such Lender. |
7.3 | Default Purchase Option | |
Agent agrees to promptly provide notice to the trustee under the Senior Note Indenture when there has occurred the maturity (including as a result of acceleration or the commencement of an Event of Default under Section 8.1(h) or 8.1(i)) of the Obligations and the termination of the Revolving Loan Commitment. Such notice (the Default Notice) shall include the name and address of each Lender, and Agent agrees to notify Trustee of the name and address of any new Lender that acquires a Loan during the period beginning on the date of such Default Notice and ending on the earlier of the date twenty (20) Business Days following the delivery of the Default Notice or the Authorized Representative Properly Elects under this Section 7.3. If an Authorized Representative Properly Elects to purchase all Priority Lien Indebtedness (as such term is defined in the Senior Note Indenture as originally in effect) arising under or secured by the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, Indebtedness arising under Hedging Agreements secured thereby), each Lender agrees to sell all, but not less than all, of the principal of and interest on and all prepayment or acceleration penalties and premiums in respect of the Loans outstanding at the time of purchase and all other Obligations (except Unasserted Contingent Obligations (as defined in the Senior Note Indenture as originally in effect)) then outstanding, together with all rights of such Lender with respect to Liens securing such Obligations and all Guarantees and other supporting obligations relating to such Obligations (the Subject Property), to Eligible Purchasers (as such term is defined in the Senior Note Indenture as originally in effect) identified by the Authorized Representative upon the following terms and conditions: (a) for a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount and accrued interest outstanding on the Obligations included in the Subject Property on the date of purchase plus all other Obligations included in the Subject Property (except any prepayment or acceleration penalty or premium (the term prepayment penalty or acceleration premium being deemed not to include default interest or LIBOR Rate breakage costs)) then unpaid, (b) with such purchase price payable in cash on the date of purchase (which date of purchase shall occur before the latter of (i) twenty (20) Business Days following the date of receipt by such trustee of the Default Notice and (ii) five (5) Business Days after the Authorized Representative shall have Properly Elected to purchase under this Section 7.3), against transfer to one or more Eligible Purchasers or its |
66
nominee or transferee identified by the Authorized Representative (such transfer to be without recourse and without any representation or warranty whatsoever, whether as to the enforceability of any Obligations included in the Subject Property or the validity, enforceability, perfection or priority or sufficiency of any Lien securing, or Guaranty or other supporting obligation for, any Obligations included in the Subject Property or as to any other matter whatsoever, except only the representation and warranty that the transferee is transferring free and clear of all Liens and encumbrances (other than those that will be satisfied and discharged concurrently with the closing of such purchase), and has good right to convey, whatever claims and interest it may have in respect of the Subject Property pursuant to the Loan Documents), (c) with such purchase accompanied by a deposit by the Authorized Representative on behalf of such Eligible Purchasers of cash collateral under control of the Agent (pursuant to agreements reasonably acceptable to the Agent and with a depositary reasonably acceptable to the Agent) in an amount equal to 105% of the undrawn amount of each Letter of Credit then outstanding, as security for the additional obligation of the purchaser to purchase, at par plus accrued interest, the reimbursement obligation in respect of such Letters of Credit as and when such Letters of Credit are funded and to pay all Obligations included in the Subject Property then outstanding relating to such Letter of Credit and (d) upon documents reasonably acceptable to Agent, such Lender and the Authorized Representative and consistent with the foregoing clauses (a) through (c). The option to purchase under this Section 7.3 is exercisable only once. An Authorized Representative shall mean the Trustee or an Eligible Purchaser (as such term is defined in the Senior Note Indenture as originally in effect) who the Trustee, in a writing delivered to the Agent and each Lender, indicates is authorized to exercise rights under this Section 7.3. The term Properly Elects means the delivery within twenty (20) Business Days following receipt by the Trustee of notice of acceleration of the Obligations and termination of the Commitments to the Agent and each Lender by an Authorized Representative of an irrevocable written notice to purchase all Priority Lien Indebtedness (as such term is defined in the Senior Note Indenture as originally in effect) arising under or secured by the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, Indebtedness arising under Hedging Agreements) pursuant to the terms of this Section 7.3. |
8 | EVENTS OF DEFAULT: RIGHTS AND REMEDIES | |
8.1 | Events of Default | |
The occurrence of any one or more of the following events (regardless of the reason therefor) shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder: |
(a) | Any Borrower (i) fails to make any payment of principal of, or interest on, or Fees owing in respect of, the Loans or any of the other Obligations when due and payable, or fails to provide cash collateral as and when required, or (ii) fails to pay or reimburse Agent or Lenders for any expense reimbursable hereunder or under any other Loan Document within ten (10) days following Agents demand for such reimbursement or payment of expenses. |
67
(b) | Any Credit Party fails or neglects to perform, keep or observe any of the provisions of Sections 1.4, 1.8, 5.4(a) or 6 applicable to it, or any of the provisions set forth in Annexes C, E or G, respectively applicable to it. | ||
(c) | Any Credit Party fails or neglects to perform, keep or observe any of the provisions of Section 4 or any provisions set forth in Annex F, applicable to it and the same shall remain unremedied for ten (10) days or more. | ||
(d) | Any Credit Party fails or neglects to perform, keep or observe any other provision of this Agreement or of any of the other Loan Documents applicable to it, (other than any provision embodied in or covered by any other clause of this Section 8.1) and the same shall remain unremedied for thirty (30) days or more. | ||
(e) | A default or breach occurs under any other agreement, document or instrument to which any Credit Party is a party that is not cured within any applicable grace period therefor, and such default or breach (i) involves the failure to make any payment when due in respect of any Indebtedness or Guaranteed Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) of any Credit Party, including Indenture Debt, in excess of $2,000,000 in the aggregate (including (x) undrawn committed or available amounts and (y) amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangements), or in respect of any true lease under which any Credit Party is lessee under which the aggregate cost of the leased property exceeds $2,000,000, or (ii) causes, or permits any holder of such Indebtedness or Guaranteed Indebtedness or a trustee to cause, Indebtedness or Guaranteed Indebtedness or a portion thereof, including Indenture Debt, in excess of $2,000,000 in the aggregate, or rent in excess of $2,000,000 in the aggregate, to become due prior to its stated maturity or prior to its regularly scheduled dates of payment, or cash collateralized in respect thereof to be demanded, in each case, regardless of whether such right is exercised, by such holder or trustee. | ||
(f) | Any information contained in any Borrowing Base Certificate is untrue or incorrect in any respect (other than inadvertent, immaterial errors not exceeding $5,000,000 in the aggregate in any Borrowing Base Certificate), or any representation or warranty herein or in any Loan Document or in any written statement, report, financial statement or certificate (other than a Borrowing Base Certificate) made or delivered to Agent or any Lender by any Credit Party is untrue or incorrect in any material respect as of the date when made or deemed made. | ||
(g) | Assets with a value in excess of $1,000,000 of any Credit Party are attached, seized, levied upon or subjected to a writ or distress warrant, or come within the possession of any receiver, trustee, custodian or assignee for the benefit of creditors of any Credit Party and such condition continues for sixty (60) days or more. | ||
(h) | A case or proceeding is commenced against any Credit Party seeking a decree or order in respect of such Credit Party (i) under the Bankruptcy Code, or any other applicable |
68
federal, state or foreign bankruptcy or other similar law, (ii) appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) for such Credit Party or for any substantial part of any such Credit Partys assets, or (iii) ordering the winding-up or liquidation of the affairs of such Credit Party, and such case or proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for 60 days or more or a decree or order granting the relief sought in such case or proceeding shall be entered by a court of competent jurisdiction. |
(i) | Any Credit Party (i) files a petition seeking relief under the Bankruptcy Code, or any other applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy or other similar law, (ii) consents to or fails to contest in a timely and appropriate manner the institution of proceedings thereunder or the filing of any such petition or the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) for such Credit Party or for any substantial part of any such Credit Partys assets, (iii) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iv) takes any action in furtherance of any of the foregoing or (v) admits in writing its inability to, or is generally unable to, pay its debts as such debts become due. | ||
(j) | A final judgment or judgments for the payment of money in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any time are outstanding against one or more of the Credit Parties and the same are not, within 30 days after the entry thereof, discharged or execution thereof stayed or bonded pending appeal, or such judgments are not discharged prior to the expiration of any such stay. | ||
(k) | Any material provision of any Loan Document for any reason ceases to be valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms (or any Credit Party shall challenge the enforceability of any Loan Document or shall assert in writing, or engage in any action or inaction based on any such assertion, that any provision of any of the Loan Documents has ceased to be or otherwise is not valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms), or any Lien created under any Loan Document on assets with a value in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate ceases to be a valid and perfected first priority Lien (except as otherwise permitted herein or therein) in any of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby. | ||
(l) | Any Change of Control occurs. |
8.2 | Remedies |
(a) | If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Agent may (and at the written request of the Requisite Lenders shall), without notice, suspend this facility with respect to additional Advances and/or the incurrence of additional Letter of Credit Obligations, whereupon any additional Advances and additional Letter of Credit Obligations shall be made or incurred in Agents sole discretion (or in the sole discretion of the Requisite Lenders, if such suspension occurred at their direction) so |
69
long as such Default or Event of Default is continuing. If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Agent may (and at the written request of Requisite Lenders shall), without notice except as otherwise expressly provided herein, increase the rate of interest applicable to the Loans and the Letter of Credit Fees to the Default Rate. |
(b) | If any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Agent may (and at the written request of the Requisite Lenders shall), without notice, (i) terminate this facility with respect to further Advances or the incurrence of further Letter of Credit Obligations, (ii) declare all or any portion of the Obligations, including all or any portion of any Loan to be forthwith due and payable, and require that the Letter of Credit Obligations be cash collateralized as provided in Annex B, all without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by each Credit Party, or (iii) exercise any rights and remedies provided to Agent under the Loan Documents or at law or equity, including all remedies provided under the Code; provided, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 8.1(h) or Section 8.1(i), all of the Obligations, including the Revolving Loan, shall become immediately due and payable without declaration, notice or demand by any Person. |
8.3 | Waivers by Credit Parties | |
Except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement or by applicable law, each Credit Party waives (including for purposes of Section 12): (a) presentment, demand and protest and notice of presentment, dishonor, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration, protest, default, nonpayment, maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension or renewal of any or all commercial paper, accounts, contract rights, documents, instruments, chattel paper and guaranties at any time held by Agent on which any Credit Party may in any way be liable, and hereby ratifies and confirms whatever Agent may do in this regard, (b) all rights to notice and a hearing prior to Agents taking possession or control of, or to Agents replevy, attachment or levy upon, the Collateral or any bond or security that might be required by any court prior to allowing Agent to exercise any of its remedies, and (c) the benefit of all valuation, appraisal, marshalling and exemption laws. | ||
9 | ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATIONS; APPOINTMENT OF AGENT | |
9.1 | Assignment and Participations |
(a) | Subject to the terms of this Section 9.1, any Lender may make an assignment of, or sell participations in, at any time or times, the Loan Documents, Loans, Letter of Credit Obligations and any Commitment or any portion thereof or interest therein, including any Lenders rights, title, interests, remedies, powers or duties thereunder. Any assignment by a Lender shall (i) require the consent of Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed with respect to a Qualified Assignee) and, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower |
70
Representative (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and the execution of an assignment agreement (an Assignment Agreement) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 9.1(a) and otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to, and acknowledged by, Agent, provided, that neither the Agents nor Borrower Representatives consent shall be required if such assignment is to an existing Lender, to an Affiliate of such assigning Lender or to a special purpose entity organized to acquire commercial loans and managed by an existing Lender or an Affiliate or an existing Lender, and, provided, further that Borrower Representatives consent shall not be required if such assignment is to a Qualified Assignee; (ii) be conditioned on such assignee Lender representing to the assigning Lender and Agent that it is purchasing the applicable Loans to be assigned to it for its own account, for investment purposes and not with a view to the distribution thereof; (iii) after giving effect to any such partial assignment, the assignee Lender shall have Commitments in an amount at least equal to $5,000,000 and the assigning Lender shall have retained Commitments in an amount at least equal to $5,000,000; (iv) include a payment to Agent by the assignor or assignee of an assignment fee of $3,500 and (v) not be effective until such assignment is reflected in the Loan Account. In the case of an assignment by a Lender under this Section 9.1, the assignee shall have, to the extent of such assignment, the same rights, benefits and obligations as all other Lenders hereunder. Subject to the provisos in the last sentence of Section 7.2, the assigning Lender shall be relieved of its obligations hereunder with respect to its Commitments or assigned portion thereof from and after the date of such assignment. Each Credit Party hereby acknowledges and agrees that any assignment shall give rise to a direct obligation of such Credit Party to the assignee and that the assignee shall be considered to be a Lender. In all instances, each Lenders liability to make Loans hereunder shall be several and not joint and shall be limited to such Lenders Pro Rata Share of the applicable Commitment. In the event Agent or any Lender assigns or otherwise transfers all or any part of a Note, Agent or any such Lender shall so notify Borrowers and each Borrower shall execute new Notes in exchange for the Notes being assigned. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.1(a), any Lender may at any time pledge as security for obligations of such Lender or assign all or any portion of such Lenders rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to any Person, including to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided, that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from such Lenders obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document. |
(b) | Any participation by a Lender of all or any part of its Commitments and Loans shall be entered into with the understanding that all amounts payable by Borrowers hereunder shall be determined as if that Lender had not sold such participation, and that the holder of any such participation shall not be entitled to require such Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder except actions directly affecting (i) any reduction in the principal amount of, or interest rate or Fees payable with respect to, any Loan in which such holder participates, (ii) any extension of the final maturity of the principal amount of any Loan in which such holder participates, and (iii) any release of all or substantially |
71
all of the Collateral (other than in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Collateral Documents or the other Loan Documents). Each participation created by any Lender shall provide that it shall be terminated by such Lender upon sale of such Lenders Obligations pursuant to Section 7.3 (and such Lender shall pay to the participant all amounts required to be paid under such participation upon termination). Solely for purposes of Sections 1.13, 1.15, 1.16 and 9.9, each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that a participation shall give rise to a direct obligation of such Borrower to the participant and the participant shall be considered to be a Lender; provided, that any such participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 1.15 or Section 1.16 than the Lender granting such participation would have been entitled to receive with respect to the portion of its Commitment and Loans so participated. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence no Borrower shall have any obligation or duty to any participant. Neither Agent nor any Lender (other than the Lender selling a participation) shall have any duty to any participant and may continue to deal solely with the Lender selling a participation as if no such sale had occurred. |
(c) | Except as expressly provided in this Section 9.1, no Lender shall, as between the Credit Parties, and that Lender, or Agent and that Lender, be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder as a result of any sale, assignment, transfer or negotiation of, or granting of participation in, all or any part of the Loans, the Notes or other Obligations owed to such Lender. | ||
(d) | Each Credit Party shall assist any Lender permitted to sell assignments or participations under this Section 9.1 as reasonably required to enable the assigning or selling Lender to effect any such assignment or participation, including the execution and delivery of any and all agreements, notes and other documents and instruments as shall be requested and, in connection with the initial syndication of the Loans and Commitments and if otherwise requested by Agent, the preparation of informational materials for, and the participation of management in meetings with, potential assignees or participants. Each Credit Party shall certify the correctness, completeness and accuracy of all descriptions of the Credit Parties and their respective affairs contained in any selling materials provided by it and all other information provided by it and included in such materials, except that any Projections delivered by Borrowers shall only be certified by Borrowers as having been prepared by Borrowers in compliance with the representations contained in Section 3.4(c). | ||
(e) | Any Lender may furnish any information concerning any Credit Party in the possession of such Lender from time to time to assignees and participants (including prospective assignees and participants); provided, that such Lender shall obtain from assignees or participants confidentiality covenants substantially equivalent to those contained in Section 11.8. | ||
(f) | So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Lender shall assign or sell participations in any portion of its Loans or Commitments to a potential Lender or |
72
participant, if, as of the date of the proposed assignment or sale, the assignee Lender or participant would be subject to capital adequacy, reserve or similar requirements under Section 1.16(a), increased costs under Section 1.16(b), an inability to fund LIBOR Loans under Section 1.16(c), or withholding taxes in accordance with Section 1.16(d). |
(g) | Nothing contained in this Section 9 shall require the consent of any party for GE Capital to assign any of its rights in respect of any Swap Related Reimbursement Obligation. |
9.2 | Appointment of Agent | |
GE Capital is hereby appointed to act on behalf of all Lenders as Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The provisions of this Section 9.2 are solely for the benefit of Agent and Lenders and no Credit Party nor any other Person shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions hereof. In performing its functions and duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Agent shall act solely as an agent of Lenders and does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation toward or relationship of agency or trust with or for any Credit Party or any other Person. Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities except for those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The duties of Agent shall be mechanical and administrative in nature and Agent shall not have, or be deemed to have, by reason of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or otherwise a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for failure to disclose, any information relating to any Credit Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries or any Account Debtor that is communicated to or obtained by GE Capital or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. Neither Agent nor any of its Affiliates nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives shall be liable to any Lender for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or in connection herewith or therewith, except for damages solely caused by its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Each Lender which is a party to a Hedging Agreement hereby appoints GE Capital as collateral agent under the Collateral Documents. | ||
If Agent shall request instructions from Requisite Lenders, or all affected Lenders with respect to any act or action (including failure to act) in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, then Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking such action unless and until Agent shall have received instructions from Requisite Lenders or all affected Lenders, as the case may be, and Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining. Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document (a) if such action would, in the opinion of Agent, be contrary to law or the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (b) if such action would, in the opinion of Agent, expose Agent to Environmental Liabilities or (c) if Agent shall not first be indemnified to its satisfaction against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against Agent as a result of Agent acting or refraining from |
73
acting hereunder or under any other Loan Document in accordance with the instructions of Requisite Lenders, or all affected Lenders, as applicable. |
9.3 | Agents Reliance, Etc. | |
Neither Agent nor any of its Affiliates nor any of their respective directors, officers, agents or employees shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, except for damages solely caused by its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Agent: (a) may treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof until Agent receives written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof signed by such payee and in form reasonably satisfactory to Agent; (b) may consult with legal counsel, independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts; (c) makes no warranty or representation to any Lender and shall not be responsible to any Lender for any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents; (d) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents on the part of any Credit Party or to inspect the Collateral (including the books and records) of any Credit Party; (e) shall not be responsible to any Lender for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; and (f) shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents by acting upon any notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be by telecopy, telegram, cable or telex) believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent by the proper party or parties. | ||
9.4 | GE Capital and Affiliates | |
With respect to its Commitments hereunder, GE Capital shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not Agent; and the term Lender or Lenders shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated, include GE Capital in its individual capacity. GE Capital and its Affiliates may lend money to, invest in, and generally engage in any kind of business with, any Credit Party, any of its Affiliates and any Person who may do business with or own securities of any Credit Party or any such Affiliate, all as if GE Capital were not Agent and without any duty to account therefor to Lenders. GE Capital and its Affiliates may accept fees and other consideration from any Credit Party for services in connection with this Agreement or otherwise without having to account for the same to Lenders. | ||
9.5 | Lender Credit Decision | |
Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon Agent or any other Lender and based on the Financial Statements referred to in Section 3.4(a) and such other |
74
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit and financial analysis of the Credit Parties and its own decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement. Each Lender acknowledges the potential conflict of interest of each other Lender as a result of Lenders holding disproportionate interests in the Loans, and expressly consents to, and waives any claim based upon, such conflict of interest. |
9.6 | Indemnification | |
Lenders agree to indemnify Agent and Arranger (to the extent not reimbursed by Credit Parties and without limiting the obligations of Credit Parties hereunder), ratably according to their respective Pro Rata Shares, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against Agent or Arranger in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any action taken or omitted to be taken by Agent or Arranger in connection therewith; provided, that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting solely from Agents or Arrangers gross negligence or willful misconduct as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing, each Lender agrees to reimburse Agent or Arranger promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) incurred by Agent or Arranger in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement and each other Loan Document, to the extent that Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by the Credit Parties. | ||
9.7 | Successor Agent | |
Agent may resign at any time by giving not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice thereof to Lenders and Borrower Representative. Upon any such resignation, the Requisite Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent. If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the Requisite Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the resigning Agents giving notice of resignation, then the resigning Agent may, on behalf of Lenders, appoint a successor Agent, which shall be a Lender, if a Lender is willing to accept such appointment, or otherwise shall be a commercial bank or financial institution or a subsidiary of a commercial bank or financial institution if such commercial bank or financial institution is organized under the laws of the United States of America or of any State thereof and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $300,000,000. If no successor Agent has been appointed pursuant to the foregoing, within thirty (30) days after the date such notice of resignation was given by the resigning Agent, such resignation shall become effective and the Requisite Lenders |
75
shall thereafter perform all the duties of Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Requisite Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided above. Any successor Agent appointed by Requisite Lenders hereunder shall be subject to the approval of Borrower Representative, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, that such approval shall not be required if a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor Agent shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the resigning Agent. Upon the earlier of the acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent or the effective date of the resigning Agents resignation, the resigning Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, except that any indemnity rights or other rights in favor of such resigning Agent shall continue. After any resigning Agents resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Section 9 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Agent may be removed at the written direction of the holders (other than Agent) of two-thirds or more of the Commitments (excluding Agents Commitment); provided, that in so doing, such Lenders shall be deemed to have waived and released any and all claims they may have against Agent. |
9.8 | Co Agents | |
None of the Lenders identified on the facing page or signature pages of this Agreement or any related document as documentation agent, syndication agent or arranger shall have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Lenders so identified as documentation agent, syndication agent or arranger shall have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on any of the Lenders so identified in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder. | ||
9.9 | Setoff and Sharing of Payments | |
In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default and subject to Section 9.10(f), each Lender is hereby authorized at any time or from time to time, without notice to any Credit Party or to any other Person, any such notice being hereby expressly waived, to offset and to appropriate and to apply any and all balances held by it at any of its offices for the account of any Credit Party (regardless of whether such balances are then due to such Credit Party) and any other properties or assets at any time held or owing by that Lender or that holder to or for the credit or for the account of any Credit Party against and on account of any of the Obligations that are not paid when due. Any Lender exercising a right of setoff or otherwise receiving any payment on account of the Obligations in excess of its Pro Rata Share thereof (other than any right of setoff exercised with respect to, or payments under, Section 1.13, 1.15 or 1.16) shall purchase for cash (and the other Lenders or holders shall sell) such |
76
participations in each such other Lenders or holders Pro Rata Share of the Obligations as would be necessary to cause such Lender to share the amount so offset or otherwise received with each other Lender or holder in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares. Each Lenders obligation under this Section 9.9 shall be in addition to and not in limitation of its obligations to purchase a participation in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the Swing Line Loans under Section 1.1. Each Credit Party agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that (a) any Lender may exercise its right to offset with respect to amounts in excess of its Pro Rata Share of the Obligations and may sell participations in such amounts so offset to other Lenders and holders and (b) any Lender so purchasing a participation in the Loans made or other Obligations held by other Lenders or holders may exercise all rights of offset, bankers lien, counterclaim or similar rights with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender or holder were a direct holder of the Loans and the other Obligations in the amount of such participation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if all or any portion of the offset amount or payment otherwise received is thereafter recovered from the Lender that has exercised the right of offset, the purchase of participations by that Lender shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored without interest. |
9.10 | Advances; Payments; Non Funding Lenders; Information; Actions in Concert |
(a) | Advances; Payments |
(i) | Revolving Lenders shall refund or participate in the Swing Line Loan in accordance with clauses (iii) and (iv) of Section 1.1(b). If the Swing Line Lender declines to make a Swing Line Loan or if Swing Line Availability is zero, Agent shall notify Revolving Lenders, promptly after receipt of a Notice of Revolving Credit Advance and in any event prior to noon (New York time) on the date such Notice of Revolving Credit Advance is received, by telecopy, telephone or other similar form of transmission. Each Revolving Lender shall make the amount of such Lenders Pro Rata Share of each Revolving Credit Advance available to Agent in same day funds by wire transfer to Agents account as set forth in Annex H not later than 3:00 p.m. (New York time) on the requested funding date, in the case of an Index Rate Loan, and not later than 3:00 p.m. (New York time) on the requested funding date in the case of a LIBOR Loan. After receipt of such wire transfers (or, in the Agents sole discretion, before receipt of such wire transfers), subject to the terms hereof, Agent shall make the requested Revolving Credit Advance to the Borrower designated by Borrower Representative in the Notice of Revolving Credit Advance. All payments by each Revolving Lender shall be made without setoff, counterclaim or deduction of any kind. | ||
(ii) | On the 2nd Business Day of each calendar week or more frequently at Agents election (each, a Settlement Date), Agent shall advise each Lender by telephone or telecopy of the amount of such Lenders Pro Rata Share of principal, interest and Fees paid for the benefit of Lenders with respect to each applicable Loan. Provided that each Lender has funded all payments or Advances required to be made by it and purchased all participations required to |
77
be purchased by it under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as of such Settlement Date, Agent shall pay to each Lender such Lenders Pro Rata Share of principal, interest and Fees paid by Borrowers since the previous Settlement Date for the benefit of such Lender on the Loans held by it. To the extent that any Lender (a Non-Funding Lender) has failed to fund all such payments and Advances or failed to fund the purchase of all such participations, Agent shall be entitled to set off the funding short-fall against that Non-Funding Lenders Pro Rata Share of all payments received from Borrowers. Such payments shall be made by wire transfer to such Lenders account (as specified by such Lender in Annex H or the applicable Assignment Agreement) not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York time) on the next Business Day following each Settlement Date. |
(b) | Availability of Lenders Pro Rata Share | ||
Agent may assume that each Revolving Lender will make its Pro Rata Share of each Revolving Credit Advance available to Agent on each funding date. If such Pro Rata Share is not, in fact, paid to Agent by such Revolving Lender when due, Agent will be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Revolving Lender without setoff, counterclaim or deduction of any kind. If any Revolving Lender fails to pay the amount of its Pro Rata Share forthwith upon Agents demand, Agent shall promptly notify Borrower Representative and the applicable Borrower shall immediately repay such amount to Agent. Nothing in this Section 9.10(b) or elsewhere in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be deemed to require Agent to advance funds on behalf of any Revolving Lender or to relieve any Revolving Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights that any Borrower may have against any Revolving Lender as a result of any default by such Revolving Lender hereunder. To the extent that Agent advances funds to any Borrower on behalf of any Revolving Lender and is not reimbursed therefor on the same Business Day as such Advance is made, Agent shall be entitled to retain for its account all interest accrued on such Advance until reimbursed by the applicable Revolving Lender. | |||
(c) | Return of Payments |
(i) | If Agent pays an amount to a Lender under this Agreement in the belief or expectation that a related payment has been or will be received by Agent from Borrowers and such related payment is not received by Agent, then Agent will be entitled to recover such amount from such Lender on demand without setoff, counterclaim or deduction of any kind. | ||
(ii) | If Agent determines at any time that any amount received by Agent under this Agreement must be returned to any Borrower or paid to any other Person pursuant to any insolvency law or otherwise, then, notwithstanding any other term or condition of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, Agent will not |
78
be required to distribute any portion thereof to any Lender. In addition, each Lender will repay to Agent on demand any portion of such amount that Agent has distributed to such Lender, together with interest at such rate, if any, as Agent is required to pay to any Borrower or such other Person, without setoff, counterclaim or deduction of any kind. |
(d) | Non-Funding Lenders |
The failure of any Non-Funding Lender to make any Revolving Credit Advance or any payment required by it hereunder or to purchase any participation in any Swing Line Loan to be made or purchased by it on the date specified therefor shall not relieve any other Lender (each such other Revolving Lender, an Other Lender) of its obligations to make such Advance or purchase such participation on such date, but neither any Other Lender nor Agent shall be responsible for the failure of any Non-Funding Lender to make an Advance, purchase a participation or make any other payment required hereunder. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, a Non-Funding Lender shall not have any voting or consent rights under or with respect to any Loan Document or constitute a Lender or a Revolving Lender (or be included in the calculation of Requisite Lenders hereunder) for any voting or consent rights under or with respect to any Loan Document. At Borrower Representatives request, Agent or a Person reasonably acceptable to Agent shall have the right with Agents consent and in Agents sole discretion (but shall have no obligation) to purchase from any Non-Funding Lender, and each Non-Funding Lender agrees that it shall, at Agents request, sell and assign to Agent or such Person, all of the Commitments of that Non-Funding Lender for an amount equal to the principal balance of all Loans held by such Non-Funding Lender and all accrued interest and fees with respect thereto through the date of sale, such purchase and sale to be consummated pursuant to an executed Assignment Agreement and in accordance with the recording requirements for transfers in Section 9.1. |
(e) | Dissemination of Information |
Agent shall use reasonable efforts to provide Lenders with (i) any notice of Default or Event of Default received by Agent from, or delivered by Agent to, any Borrower, with notice of any Event of Default of which Agent has actually become aware and with notice of any action taken by Agent following any Event of Default; provided, that Agent shall not be liable to any Lender for any failure to do so, except to the extent that such failure is attributable solely to Agents gross negligence or willful misconduct as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction and (ii) any Equipment Inventory Appraisals, P&E Appraisals and Collateral audits received by Agent. Lenders acknowledge that Borrowers are required to provide Financial Statements and Collateral Reports to Lenders in accordance with Annexes E and F hereto and agree that Agent shall have no duty to provide the same to Lenders. |
79
(f) | Actions in Concert |
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, each Lender hereby agrees with each other Lender that no Lender shall take any action to protect or enforce its rights arising out of this Agreement or the Notes (including exercising any rights of setoff) without first obtaining the prior written consent of Agent and Requisite Lenders, it being the intent of Lenders that any such action to protect or enforce rights under this Agreement and the Notes shall be taken in concert and at the direction or with the consent of Agent or Requisite Lenders. | ||
10 | SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS | |
10.1 | Successors and Assigns | |
This Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of each Credit Party, Agent, Lenders and their respective successors and assigns (including, in the case of any Credit Party, a debtor-in-possession on behalf of such Credit Party), except as otherwise provided herein or therein. No Credit Party may assign, transfer, hypothecate or otherwise convey its rights, benefits, obligations or duties hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents without the prior express written consent of Agent and Requisite Lenders. Any such purported assignment, transfer, hypothecation or other conveyance by any Credit Party without the prior express written consent of Agent and Requisite Lenders shall be void. The terms and provisions of this Agreement are for the purpose of defining the relative rights and obligations of each Credit Party, Agent and Lenders with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and no Person shall be a third party beneficiary of any of the terms and provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. | ||
11 | MISCELLANEOUS | |
11.1 | Complete Agreement; Modification of Agreement | |
The Loan Documents constitute the complete agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter thereof and may not be modified, altered or amended except as set forth in Section 11.2. Any letter of interest, commitment letter or fee letter (other than the GE Capital Fee Letter) or confidentiality agreement, if any, between any Credit Party and Agent or any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates, predating this Agreement and relating to a financing of substantially similar form, purpose or effect shall be superseded by this Agreement. | ||
11.2 | Amendments and Waivers |
(a) | Except for actions expressly permitted to be taken by Agent, no amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Agent and Borrowers, and by Requisite Lenders or all affected Lenders, as applicable. Except as |
80
set forth in clauses (b) and (c) below, all such amendments, modifications, terminations or waivers requiring the consent of any Lenders shall require the written consent of Requisite Lenders. |
(b) | No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of or consent with respect to any provision of this Agreement that increases the percentage advance rates set forth in the definitions of the Great Northern Borrowing Base, the H&E Borrowing Base or the H&E California Borrowing Base, in each case, above the Original Advance Rates, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Agent, Lenders and Borrowers. No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of or consent with respect to any provision of this Agreement that waives compliance with the conditions precedent set forth in Section 2.2 to the making of any Loan or the incurrence of any Letter of Credit Obligations, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Agent, Requisite Lenders and Borrowers. | ||
(c) | No amendment, modification, termination or waiver shall, unless in writing and signed by Agent and each Lender directly affected thereby: (i) increase the principal amount of any Lenders Commitment (which action shall be deemed to directly affect all Lenders); (ii) reduce the principal of, rate of interest on or Fees payable with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit Obligations of any affected Lender; (iii) extend any scheduled payment date (other than payment dates of mandatory prepayments under Sections 1.3(b)(ii) and (iii)) or final maturity date of the principal amount of any Loan of any affected Lender; (iv) waive, forgive, defer, extend or postpone any payment of interest or Fees payable to any affected Lender; (v) release any Guaranty or, (vi) except as otherwise permitted herein or in the other Loan Documents, permit any Credit Party to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral with a value exceeding $5,000,000 in the aggregate (which action shall be deemed to directly affect all Lenders); (vii) change the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans that shall be required for Lenders or any of them to take any action hereunder; (viii) amend the definition of Prohibited Swing Line Advance; (ix) change Section 1.1(b)(i) in any manner that increases the obligations of the Lenders with respect to any Swing Line Advance, (x) eliminate or make less restrictive any condition to lending under Section 2.2; or (xi) amend or waive this Section 11.2 or the definition of the term Requisite Lenders. Furthermore, no amendment, modification, termination or waiver affecting the rights or duties of Agent or L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be effective unless in writing and signed by Agent or L/C Issuer, as the case may be, in addition to Lenders required hereinabove to take such action. Each amendment, modification, termination or waiver shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. Furthermore, no amendment, modification, termination or waiver affecting the rights or duties of Agent or L/C Issuer, or of GE Capital in respect of any Swap Related Reimbursement Obligations, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including any release of any Guaranty or Collateral requiring a writing signed by all Lenders, shall be |
81
effective unless in writing and signed by Agent or L/C Issuer or GE Capital, as the case may be, in addition to Lenders required hereinabove to take such action. No amendment, modification, termination or waiver shall be required for Agent to take additional Collateral pursuant to any Loan Document. No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of any Note shall be effective without the written concurrence of the holder of that Note. No notice to or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle such Credit Party or any other Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. Any amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent effected in accordance with this Section 11.2 shall be binding upon each Lender. |
(d) | If, in connection with any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or termination (a Proposed Change): |
(i) | requiring the consent of all affected Lenders, the consent of Requisite Lenders is obtained, but the consent of other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is not obtained as described in this clause (i) being referred to as a Non-Consenting Lender), |
then, so long as Agent is not a Non-Consenting Lender, at Borrower Representatives request, Agent, or a Person reasonably acceptable to Agent, shall have the right with Agents consent and in Agents sole discretion (but shall have no obligation) to purchase from such Non Consenting Lenders, and such Non-Consenting Lenders agree that they shall, upon Agents request, sell and assign to Agent or such Person (who shall assume such Commitments), all of the Commitments of such Non-Consenting Lenders for an amount equal to the principal balance of all Loans held by the Non-Consenting Lenders and all accrued interest and Fees with respect thereto through the date of sale, such purchase and sale to be consummated pursuant to an executed Assignment Agreement. | |||
(e) | Upon payment in full in cash and performance of all of the Obligations (other than Unasserted Contingent Obligations), termination of the Commitments and all Letters of Credit (or the cash collateralization or backing with standby letters of credit of all Letters of Credit in accordance with Annex B) and a release of all claims against Agent and Lenders, and so long as no suits, actions, proceedings or claims are pending or threatened against any Indemnified Person asserting any damages, losses or liabilities that are Indemnified Liabilities, Agent shall deliver to the Credit Parties payoff letters, termination statements, mortgage releases and other documents necessary or appropriate to evidence the termination of the Liens securing payment of the Obligations. |
11.3 | Fees and Expenses | |
Borrowers shall reimburse (i) Agent and Arranger for all fees, costs and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of all of its counsel, advisors, consultants and auditors) and (ii) Agent and Arranger (and, with respect to clauses (c) and (d) below, all Lenders) for all fees, costs |
82
and expenses, including the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of counsel or other advisors (including environmental and management consultants and appraisers), incurred in connection with the negotiation and preparation of the Loan Documents as well as those incurred in connection with: |
(a) | the forwarding to any Borrower or any other Person on behalf of any Borrower by Agent of the proceeds of any Loan; | ||
(b) | any amendment, modification or waiver of, consent with respect to, or termination of, any of the Loan Documents, Original Related Transactions Documents or Related Transactions Documents or in connection with the syndication and administration of the Loans made pursuant hereto or its rights hereunder or thereunder; | ||
(c) | any litigation, contest, dispute, suit, proceeding or action (whether instituted by Agent, any Lender, any Borrower or any other Person and whether as a party, witness or otherwise) in any way relating to the Collateral, any of the Loan Documents or any other agreement to be executed or delivered in connection herewith or therewith, including any litigation, contest, dispute, suit, case, proceeding or action, and any appeal or review thereof, in connection with a case commenced by or against any or all of the Borrowers or any other Person that may be obligated to Agent by virtue of the Loan Documents; including any such litigation, contest, dispute, suit, proceeding or action arising in connection with any work out or restructuring of the Loans during the pendency of one or more Events of Default; provided, that in the case of reimbursement of counsel for Lenders other than Agent, such reimbursement shall be limited to one counsel for all such Lenders; provided further, that no Person shall be entitled to reimbursement under this clause (c) in respect of any litigation, contest, dispute, suit, proceeding or action to the extent any of the foregoing results from such Persons gross negligence or willful misconduct; | ||
(d) | any attempt to enforce any remedies of Agent or any Lender against any or all of the Credit Parties or any other Person that may be obligated to Agent or any Lender by virtue of any of the Loan Documents, including any such attempt to enforce any such remedies in the course of any work out or restructuring of the Loans during the pendency of one or more Events of Default; provided, that in the case of reimbursement of counsel for Lenders other than Agent, such reimbursement shall be limited to one counsel for all such Lenders; | ||
(e) | any workout or restructuring of the Loans during the pendency of one or more Events of Default; and | ||
(f) | efforts to (i) monitor the Loans or any of the other Obligations, (ii) evaluate, observe or assess any Credit Party or its affairs, and (iii) verify, protect, evaluate, assess, appraise, collect, sell, liquidate or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents; |
83
including, as to each of clauses (a) through (f) above, all reasonable attorneys and other professional and service providers fees arising from such services and other advice, assistance or other representation, including those in connection with any appellate proceedings, and all expenses, costs, charges and other fees incurred by such counsel and others in connection with or relating to any of the events or actions described in this Section 11.3, all of which shall be payable, on demand, by Borrowers to Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such expenses, costs, charges and fees may include: fees, costs and expenses of accountants, environmental advisors, appraisers, investment bankers, management and other consultants and paralegals; court costs and expenses; photocopying and duplication expenses; court reporter fees, costs and expenses; long distance telephone charges; air express charges; telegram or telecopy charges; secretarial overtime charges; and expenses for travel, lodging and food paid or incurred in connection with the performance of such legal or other advisory services. |
11.4 | No Waiver | |
Agents or any Lenders failure, at any time or times, to require strict performance by any Credit Party of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall not waive, affect or diminish any right of Agent or such Lender thereafter to demand strict compliance and performance herewith or therewith. Any suspension or waiver of an Event of Default shall not suspend, waive or affect any other Event of Default whether the same is prior or subsequent thereto and whether the same or of a different type. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.2, none of the undertakings, agreements, warranties, covenants and representations of any Credit Party contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and no Default or Event of Default by any Credit Party shall be deemed to have been suspended or waived by Agent or any Lender, unless such waiver or suspension is by an instrument in writing signed by an officer of or other authorized employee of Agent and the applicable required Lenders and directed to Borrower Representative specifying such suspension or waiver. | ||
11.5 | Remedies | |
Agents and Lenders rights and remedies under this Agreement shall be cumulative and nonexclusive of any other rights and remedies that Agent or any Lender may have under any other agreement, including the other Loan Documents, by operation of law or otherwise. Recourse to the Collateral shall not be required. | ||
11.6 | Severability | |
Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement or such other Loan Document. |
84
11.7 | Conflict of Terms | |
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents by specific reference to the applicable provisions of this Agreement, if any provision contained in this Agreement conflicts with any provision in any of the other Loan Documents, the provision contained in this Agreement shall govern and control. | ||
11.8 | Confidentiality | |
Agent and each Lender agree to use commercially reasonable efforts (equivalent to the efforts Agent or such Lender applies to maintain the confidentiality of its own confidential information) to maintain as confidential all confidential information provided to them by any Credit Party and designated as confidential for a period of two (2) years following receipt thereof, except that Agent and each Lender may disclose such information (a) to Persons employed or engaged by Agent or such Lender; (b) to any bona fide assignee or participant or potential assignee or participant that has agreed to comply with the covenant contained in this Section 11.8 (and any such bona fide assignee or participant or potential assignee or participant may disclose such information to Persons employed or engaged by them as described in clause (a) above); (c) as required or requested by any Governmental Authority or reasonably believed by Agent or such Lender to be compelled by any court decree, subpoena or legal or administrative order or process; (d) as, in the opinion of Agents or such Lenders counsel, is required by law; (e) in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy under the Loan Documents or in connection with any Litigation to which Agent or such Lender is a party; or (f) that ceases to be confidential through no fault of Agent or any Lender. | ||
11.9 | GOVERNING LAW | |
EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, IN ALL RESPECTS, INCLUDING ALL MATTERS OF CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY AND PERFORMANCE, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE OBLIGATIONS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN THAT STATE AND ANY APPLICABLE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. EACH CREDIT PARTY, AGENT AND LENDERS HEREBY CONSENT AND AGREE THAT THE STATE OR FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION TO HEAR AND DETERMINE ANY CLAIMS OR DISPUTES BETWEEN ANY CREDIT PARTY, AGENT AND LENDERS PERTAINING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, PROVIDED, THAT AGENT, LENDERS AND CREDIT PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANY APPEALS FROM THOSE COURTS MAY HAVE TO BE HEARD BY A COURT LOCATED OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK, NEW YORK AND, PROVIDED, FURTHER NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL |
85
BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO PRECLUDE AGENT FROM BRINGING SUIT OR TAKING OTHER LEGAL ACTION IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION TO REALIZE ON THE COLLATERAL OR ANY OTHER SECURITY FOR THE OBLIGATIONS, OR TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER IN FAVOR OF AGENT. EACH CREDIT PARTY, AGENT AND LENDERS EXPRESSLY SUBMIT AND CONSENT IN ADVANCE TO SUCH JURISDICTION IN ANY ACTION OR SUIT COMMENCED IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND EACH CREDIT PARTY, AGENT AND LENDERS HEREBY WAIVE ANY OBJECTION WHICH ANY CREDIT PARTY, AGENT OR ANY LENDER MAY HAVE BASED UPON LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION, IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND HEREBY CONSENTS TO THE GRANTING OF SUCH LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RELIEF AS IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY SUCH COURT. EACH CREDIT PARTY HEREBY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF THE SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER PROCESS ISSUED IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR SUIT AND AGREES THAT SERVICE OF SUCH SUMMONS, COMPLAINTS AND OTHER PROCESS MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL ADDRESSED TO SUCH CREDIT PARTY AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN ANNEX I OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLETED UPON THE EARLIER OF EACH CREDIT PARTYS ACTUAL RECEIPT THEREOF OR THREE (3) DAYS AFTER DEPOSIT IN THE U.S. MAILS, PROPER POSTAGE PREPAID. |
11.10 | Notices | |
Except as otherwise provided herein, whenever it is provided herein that any notice, demand, request, consent, approval, declaration or other communication shall or may be given to or served upon any of the parties by any other parties, or whenever any of the parties desires to give or serve upon any other parties any communication with respect to this Agreement, each such notice, demand, request, consent, approval, declaration or other communication shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered (a) upon actual receipt in the case of notice sent by United States Mail, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, with proper postage prepaid, (b) upon transmission, when sent by telecopy or other similar facsimile transmission (with such telecopy or facsimile promptly confirmed by delivery of a copy by personal delivery or United States Mail as otherwise provided in this Section 11.10), (c) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier with all charges prepaid or (d) when delivered, if hand-delivered by messenger, all of which shall be addressed to the party to be notified and sent to the address or facsimile number indicated in Annex I or to such other address (or facsimile number) as may be substituted by notice given as herein provided. The giving of any notice required hereunder may be waived in writing by the party entitled to receive such notice. Failure or delay in delivering copies of any notice, demand, request, consent, approval, declaration or other communication to any Person (other than Borrowers or Agent) designated in Annex I to receive copies shall in no way adversely affect the effectiveness of such notice, demand, request, consent, approval, declaration or other communication. |
86
11.11 | Section Titles | |
The Section titles and Table of Contents contained in this Agreement are and shall be without substantive meaning or content of any kind whatsoever and are not a part of the agreement between the parties hereto. | ||
11.12 | Counterparts | |
This Agreement may be executed in any number of separate counterparts, each of which shall collectively and separately constitute one agreement. | ||
11.13 | WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | |
BECAUSE DISPUTES ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH COMPLEX FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS ARE MOST QUICKLY AND ECONOMICALLY RESOLVED BY AN EXPERIENCED AND EXPERT PERSON AND THE PARTIES WISH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS TO APPLY (RATHER THAN ARBITRATION RULES), THE PARTIES DESIRE THAT THEIR DISPUTES BE RESOLVED BY A JUDGE APPLYING SUCH APPLICABLE LAWS. THEREFORE, TO ACHIEVE THE BEST COMBINATION OF THE BENEFITS OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND OF ARBITRATION, THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, AMONG AGENT, LENDERS AND ANY CREDIT PARTY ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED AMONG THEM IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO. | ||
11.14 | Press Releases and Related Matters | |
Each Credit Party agrees that neither it nor its Affiliates will in the future issue any press releases or other public disclosure with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement using the name of GE Capital, any of the Lenders parties hereto or any of their affiliates or referring to this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Original Related Transactions Documents or the Related Transactions Documents without at least two (2) Business Days prior notice to such party and without the prior written consent of such party unless (and only to the extent that) such Credit Party or Affiliate is required to do so under law and then, in any event, such Credit Party or Affiliate will consult with such party before issuing such press release or other public disclosure. Each Credit Party consents to the publication by Agent or any Lender of a tombstone or similar advertising material relating to the financing transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Agent reserves the right to provide to industry trade organizations information necessary and customary for inclusion in league table measurements. |
87
11.15 | Reinstatement | |
This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against any Credit Party for liquidation or reorganization, should any Credit Party become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of any creditor or creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of any Credit Partys assets, and shall continue to be effective or to be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Obligations, or any part thereof, is, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee of the Obligations, whether as a voidable preference, fraudulent conveyance, or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment, or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Obligations shall be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned. | ||
11.16 | Advice of Counsel | |
Each of the parties represents to each other party hereto that it has discussed this Agreement and, specifically, the provisions of Sections 11.9 and 11.13, with its counsel. | ||
11.17 | No Strict Construction | |
The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement. | ||
12 | CROSS-GUARANTY | |
12.1 | Cross-Guaranty | |
Each Borrower hereby agrees that such Borrower is jointly and severally liable for, and hereby absolutely and unconditionally guarantees to Agent and Lenders and their respective successors and assigns, the full and prompt payment (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) and performance of, all Obligations owed or hereafter owing to Agent and Lenders by each other Borrower. Each Borrower agrees that its guaranty obligation hereunder is a continuing guaranty of payment and performance and not of collection, that its obligations under this Section 12 shall not be discharged until payment and performance, in full, of the Obligations has occurred, and that its obligations under this Section 12 shall be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of, and unaffected by: |
(a) | the genuineness, validity, regularity, enforceability or any future amendment of, or change in, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, document or instrument to which any Borrower is or may become a party; |
88
(b) | the absence of any action to enforce this Agreement (including this Section 12) or any other Loan Document or the waiver or consent by Agent and Lenders with respect to any of the provisions thereof; | ||
(c) | the existence, value or condition of, or failure to perfect its Lien against, any security for the Obligations or any action, or the absence of any action, by Agent and Lenders in respect thereof (including the release of any such security); | ||
(d) | the insolvency of any Credit Party; or | ||
(e) | any other action or circumstances that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor. |
Each Borrower shall be regarded, and shall be in the same position, as principal debtor with respect to the Obligations guaranteed hereunder. | ||
12.2 | Waivers by Borrowers | |
Each Borrower expressly waives all rights it may have now or in the future under any statute, or at common law, or at law or in equity, or otherwise, to compel Agent or Lenders to marshal assets or to proceed in respect of the Obligations guaranteed hereunder against any other Credit Party, any other party or against any security for the payment and performance of the Obligations before proceeding against, or as a condition to proceeding against, such Borrower. It is agreed among each Borrower, Agent and Lenders that the foregoing waivers are of the essence of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and that, but for the provisions of this Section 12 and such waivers, Agent and Lenders would decline to enter into this Agreement. | ||
12.3 | Benefit of Guaranty | |
Each Borrower agrees that the provisions of this Section 12 are for the benefit of Agent and Lenders and their respective successors, transferees, endorsees and assigns, and nothing herein contained shall impair, as between any other Borrower and Agent or Lenders, the obligations of such other Borrower under the Loan Documents. | ||
12.4 | Subordination of Subrogation, Etc. | |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, and except as set forth in Section 12.7, each Borrower hereby expressly and irrevocably subordinates to payment of the Obligations any and all rights at law or in equity to subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnification or set off and any and all defenses available to a surety, guarantor or accommodation co obligor until the Obligations are indefeasibly paid in full in cash. Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that this subordination and waiver is intended to benefit Agent and Lenders and shall not limit or otherwise affect such Borrowers liability hereunder or the enforceability of this Section 12, and that Agent, Lenders |
89
and their respective successors and assigns are intended third party beneficiaries of the waivers and agreements set forth in this Section 12.4. |
12.5 | Election of Remedies | |
If Agent or any Lender may, under applicable law, proceed to realize its benefits under any of the Loan Documents giving Agent or such Lender a Lien upon any Collateral, whether owned by any Borrower or by any other Person, either by judicial foreclosure or by non judicial sale or enforcement, Agent or any Lender may, at its sole option, determine which of its remedies or rights it may pursue without affecting any of its rights and remedies under this Section 12. If, in the exercise of any of its rights and remedies, Agent or any Lender shall forfeit any of its rights or remedies, including its right to enter a deficiency judgment against any Borrower or any other Person, whether because of any applicable laws pertaining to election of remedies or the like, each Borrower hereby consents to such action by Agent or such Lender and waives any claim based upon such action, even if such action by Agent or such Lender shall result in a full or partial loss of any rights of subrogation that each Borrower might otherwise have had but for such action by Agent or such Lender. Any election of remedies that results in the denial or impairment of the right of Agent or any Lender to seek a deficiency judgment against any Borrower shall not impair any other Borrowers obligation to pay the full amount of the Obligations. In the event Agent or any Lender shall bid at any foreclosure or trustees sale or at any private sale permitted by law or the Loan Documents, Agent or such Lender may bid all or less than the amount of the Obligations and the amount of such bid need not be paid by Agent or such Lender but shall be credited against the Obligations. The amount of the successful bid at any such sale, whether Agent, Lender or any other party is the successful bidder, shall be conclusively deemed to be the fair market value of the Collateral and the difference between such bid amount and the remaining balance of the Obligations shall be conclusively deemed to be the amount of the Obligations guaranteed under this Section 12, notwithstanding that any present or future law or court decision or ruling may have the effect of reducing the amount of any deficiency claim to which Agent or any Lender might otherwise be entitled but for such bidding at any such sale. | ||
12.6 | Limitation | |
Notwithstanding any provision herein contained to the contrary, each Borrowers liability under this Section 12 (which liability is in any event in addition to amounts for which such Borrower is primarily liable under Section 1) shall be limited to an amount not to exceed as of any date of determination the greater of: |
(a) | the net amount of all Loans advanced to any other Borrower under this Agreement and then re-loaned or otherwise transferred to, or for the benefit of, such Borrower; and | ||
(b) | the amount that could be claimed by Agent and Lenders from such Borrower under this Section 12 without rendering such claim voidable or avoidable under Section 548 of Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any applicable state Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act or similar statute or common law |
90
after taking into account, among other things, such Borrowers right of contribution and indemnification from each other Borrower under Section 12.7. |
12.7 | Contribution with Respect to Guaranty Obligations |
(a) | To the extent that any Borrower shall make a payment under this Section 12 of all or any of the Obligations (other than Loans made to that Borrower for which it is primarily liable) (a Guarantor Payment) that, taking into account all other Guarantor Payments then previously or concurrently made by any other Borrower, exceeds the amount that such Borrower would otherwise have paid if each Borrower had paid the aggregate Obligations satisfied by such Guarantor Payment in the same proportion that such Borrowers Allocable Amount (as defined below) (as determined immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment) bore to the aggregate Allocable Amounts of each of the Borrowers as determined immediately prior to the making of such Guarantor Payment, then, following indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Obligations and termination of the Commitments, such Borrower shall be entitled to receive contribution and indemnification payments from, and be reimbursed by, each other Borrower for the amount of such excess, pro rata based upon their respective Allocable Amounts in effect immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment. | ||
(b) | As of any date of determination, the Allocable Amount of any Borrower shall be equal to the maximum amount of the claim that could then be recovered from such Borrower under this Section 12 without rendering such claim voidable or avoidable under Section 548 of Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any applicable state Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act or similar statute or common law. | ||
(c) | This Section 12.7 is intended only to define the relative rights of Borrowers and nothing set forth in this Section 12.7 is intended to or shall impair the obligations of Borrowers, jointly and severally, to pay any amounts as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, including Section 12.1. Nothing contained in this Section 12.7 shall limit the liability of any Borrower to pay the Loans made directly or indirectly to that Borrower and accrued interest, Fees and expenses with respect thereto for which such Borrower shall be primarily liable. | ||
(d) | The parties hereto acknowledge that the rights of contribution and indemnification hereunder shall constitute assets of the Borrower to which such contribution and indemnification is owing. | ||
(e) | The rights of the indemnifying Borrowers against other Credit Parties under this Section 12.7 shall be exercisable upon the full and indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Obligations and the termination of the Commitments and Letters of Credit (or the cash collateralization or backing with standby letters of credit of all Letters of Credit in accordance with Annex B). |
91
12.8 | Liability Cumulative | |
The liability of Borrowers under this Section 12 is in addition to and shall be cumulative with all liabilities of each Borrower to Agent and Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Borrower is a party or in respect of any Obligations or obligation of the other Borrower, without any limitation as to amount, unless the instrument or agreement evidencing or creating such other liability specifically provides to the contrary. |
92
H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC., as a Borrower | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES (CALIFORNIA), LLC, as a Borrower | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
GREAT NORTHERN EQUIPMENT, INC., as a Borrower | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: |
93
GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, as Agent and a Lender | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
LASALLE BUSINESS CREDIT, LLC, as a Lender | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: |
94
GNE INVESTMENTS, INC., as a Credit Party | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
H&E FINANCE CORP., as a Credit Party | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
H&E CALIFORNIA HOLDING, INC., as a Credit Party | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: |
95
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
A-5
A-6
A-7
A-8
A-9
A-10
A-11
A-12
A-13
A-14
(a) | up to eighty-five percent (85%) of Great Northerns Eligible Accounts plus eighty-five percent (85%) of Great Northerns Eligible Rentals, in each case, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time, plus | ||
(b) | up to one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Book Value of Great Northerns new Eligible Equipment Inventory held for sale, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time; plus | ||
(c) | up to fifty percent (50%) of the Net Book Value of Great Northerns used Eligible Equipment Inventory held for sale, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time; plus | ||
(d) | up to fifty percent (50%) of the Net Book Value of Great Northerns Eligible Parts and Tools Inventory, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time; plus | ||
(e) | up to fifty percent (50%) of the Net Book Value of Great Northerns Eligible Rolling Stock, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time; plus |
A-15
(f) | the lesser of (i) one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Book Value of Great Northerns Eligible Equipment Inventory held for lease to third parties or being leased to third parties and (ii) up to eighty-five percent (85%) of the Orderly Liquidation Value of Great Northerns Eligible Equipment Inventory held for lease to third parties or being leased to third parties, in each case, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time. |
(a) | up to eighty-five percent (85%) of H&E Delawares Eligible Accounts plus eighty-five percent (85%) of H&E Delawares Eligible Rentals, in each case, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time, plus | ||
(b) | up to one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Book Value of H&E Delawares new Eligible Equipment Inventory held for sale, less any Reserves (without |
A-16
duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time; plus | |||
(c) | up to fifty percent (50%) of the Net Book Value of H&E Delawares used Eligible Equipment Inventory held for sale, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time; plus | ||
(d) | up to fifty percent (50%) of the Net Book Value of H&E Delawares Eligible Parts and Tools Inventory, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time; plus | ||
(e) | up to fifty percent (50%) of the Net Book Value of H&E Delawares Eligible Rolling Stock, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time; plus | ||
(f) | the lesser of (i) one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Book Value of H&E Delawares Eligible Equipment Inventory held for lease to third parties or being leased to third parties and (ii) up to eighty-five percent (85%) of the Orderly Liquidation Value of H&E Delawares Eligible Equipment Inventory held for lease to third parties or being leased to third parties, in each case, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time. |
(a) | up to eighty-five percent (85%) of H&E Californias Eligible Accounts plus eighty-five percent (85%) of H&E Californias Eligible Rentals, in each case, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time, plus | ||
(b) | up to one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Book Value of H&E Californias new Eligible Equipment Inventory held for sale, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time; plus | ||
(c) | up to fifty percent (50%) of the Net Book Value of H&E Californias used Eligible Equipment Inventory held for sale, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time; plus | ||
(d) | up to fifty percent (50%) of the Net Book Value of H&E Californias Eligible Parts and Tools Inventory, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time; plus |
A-17
(e) | up to fifty percent (50%) of the Net Book Value of H&E Californias Eligible Rolling Stock, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time; plus | ||
(f) | the lesser of (i) one hundred percent (100%) of the H&E Californias Net Book Value of Eligible Equipment Inventory held for lease to third parties or being leased to third parties and (ii) up to eighty-five percent (85%) of the Orderly Liquidation Value of H&E Californias Eligible Equipment Inventory held for lease to third parties or being leased to third parties, in each case, less any Reserves (without duplication) established by Agent in good faith using reasonable credit judgment as of such time. |
A-18
A-19
A-20
A-21
(a) | if any LIBOR Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a LIBOR Business Day, such LIBOR Period shall be extended to the next succeeding LIBOR Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such LIBOR Period into another calendar month in which event such LIBOR Period shall end on the immediately preceding LIBOR Business Day; | ||
(b) | any LIBOR Period that would otherwise extend beyond the Commitment Termination Date shall end 1 LIBOR Business Days prior to such date; | ||
(c) | any LIBOR Period that begins on the last LIBOR Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such LIBOR Period) shall end on the last LIBOR Business Day of a calendar month; | ||
(d) | Borrower Representative shall select LIBOR Periods so as not to require a payment or prepayment of any LIBOR Loan during a LIBOR Period for such Loan; and | ||
(e) | Borrower Representative shall select LIBOR Periods so that there shall be no more than seven (7) separate LIBOR Loans in existence at any one time. |
A-22
A-23
A-24
A-25
A-26
A-27
A-28
A-29
A-30
A-31
A-32
A-33
A-34
A-35
A-36
A-37
A-38
(a) | Issuance | |
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, Agent and Revolving Lenders agree to incur, from time to time prior to the Commitment Termination Date, upon the request of Borrower Representative on behalf of the applicable Borrower and for such Borrowers account, Letter of Credit Obligations by causing Letters of Credit to be issued by an L/C Issuer for Borrowers account and guaranteed by Agent; provided, that if the L/C Issuer is a Revolving Lender, then such Letters of Credit shall not be guaranteed by Agent but rather each Revolving Lender shall, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, purchase (or be deemed to have purchased) risk participations in all such Letters of Credit issued with the written consent of Agent, as more fully described in paragraph (b)(ii) below. The aggregate amount of all such Letter of Credit Obligations shall not at any time exceed the least of (i) Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000) (the L/C Sublimit), and (ii) the Maximum Amount less the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Credit Advances and the Swing Line Loan, and (iii) the Aggregate Borrowing Base less the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Credit Advances and the Swing Line Loan. Furthermore, the aggregate amount of any Letter of Credit Obligations incurred on behalf of any Borrower shall not at any time exceed such Borrowers separate Borrowing Base less the aggregate principal balance of the Revolving Credit Advances and the Swing Line Loan to such Borrower. No such Letter of Credit shall have an expiry date that is more than one year following the date of issuance thereof, unless otherwise determined by Agent in its sole discretion, and neither Agent nor Revolving Lenders shall be under any obligation to incur Letter of Credit Obligations in respect of, or purchase risk participations in, any Letter of Credit having an expiry date that is later than the date that is referred to in clause (a) of the definition of Commitment Termination Date. Each issuance of a Letter of Credit shall be made on notice by Borrower Representative on behalf of the applicable Borrower to the representative of Agent identified in Schedule 1.1 at the address specified therein. Any such notice must be given no later noon (New York time) on the date which is three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed issuance of such Letter of Credit. Each such notice (a Notice of Issuance of Letter of Credit) must be given in writing (by telecopy or overnight courier) substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1(a), shall be accompanied by the proposed form of Letter of Credit (which must be acceptable to the L/C Issuer) and shall include the information required in such Exhibit and such other administrative information as may be reasonably required by Agent. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Letter of Credit applications by Borrowers and approvals by Agent and the L/C Issuer may be made and transmitted pursuant to electronic codes and security measures mutually agreed upon and established by and among Borrowers, Agent and the L/C Issuer. |
B-1
(b) | Advances Automatic; Participations |
(i) | In the event that Agent or any Revolving Lender shall make any payment on or pursuant to any Letter of Credit Obligation, such payment shall then be deemed automatically to constitute a Revolving Credit Advance to the applicable Borrower under Section 1.1(a) of the Agreement regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and notwithstanding any Borrowers failure to satisfy the conditions precedent set forth in Section 2, and each Revolving Lender shall be obligated to pay its Pro Rata Share thereof in accordance with the Agreement. The failure of any Revolving Lender to make available to Agent for Agents own account its Pro Rata Share of any such Revolving Credit Advance or payment by Agent under or in respect of a Letter of Credit shall not relieve any other Revolving Lender of its obligation hereunder to make available to Agent its Pro Rata Share thereof, but no Revolving Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Revolving Lender to make available such other Revolving Lenders Pro Rata Share of any such payment. | ||
(ii) | If it shall be illegal or unlawful for any Borrower to incur Revolving Credit Advances as contemplated by paragraph (b)(i) above because of an Event of Default described in Section 8.1(h) or Section 8.1(i) or otherwise or if it shall be illegal or unlawful for any Revolving Lender to be deemed to have assumed a ratable share of the reimbursement obligations owed to an L/C Issuer, or if the L/C Issuer is a Revolving Lender, then (A) immediately and without further action whatsoever, each Revolving Lender shall be deemed to have irrevocably and unconditionally purchased from Agent (or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be) an undivided interest and participation equal to such Revolving Lenders Pro Rata Share (based on the Revolving Loan Commitments) of the Letter of Credit Obligations in respect of all Letters of Credit then outstanding and (B) thereafter, immediately upon issuance of any Letter of Credit, each Revolving Lender shall be deemed to have irrevocably and unconditionally purchased from Agent (or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be) an undivided interest and participation in such Revolving Lenders Pro Rata Share (based on the Revolving Loan Commitments) of the Letter of Credit Obligations with respect to such Letter of Credit on the date of such issuance. Each Revolving Lender shall fund its participation in all payments or disbursements made under the Letters of Credit in the same manner as provided in the Agreement with respect to Revolving Credit Advances. |
(c) | Cash Collateral |
(i) | If Borrowers are required to provide cash collateral for any Letter of Credit Obligations pursuant to the Agreement prior to the Commitment Termination Date, each Borrower will pay to Agent for the ratable benefit of itself and Revolving Lenders cash or cash equivalents acceptable to Agent (Cash Equivalents) in an amount equal to 105% of the maximum amount then available to be drawn under each applicable Letter of Credit outstanding for the benefit of such Borrower. Such funds or Cash Equivalents shall be |
B-2
held by Agent in a cash collateral account (the Cash Collateral Account) maintained at a bank or financial institution acceptable to Agent. The Cash Collateral Account shall be in the name of the applicable Borrower and shall be pledged to, and subject to the control of, Agent, for the benefit of Agent and Lenders, in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Agent. Each Borrower hereby pledges and grants to Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, a security interest in all such funds and Cash Equivalents held in the Cash Collateral Account from time to time and all proceeds thereof, as security for the payment of all amounts due in respect of the Letter of Credit Obligations and other Obligations, whether or not then due. The Agreement, including this Annex B, shall constitute a security agreement under applicable law. | |||
(ii) | If any Letter of Credit Obligations, whether or not then due and payable, shall for any reason be outstanding on the Commitment Termination Date, each applicable Borrower shall either (A) provide cash collateral therefor in the manner described above, or (B) cause all such Letters of Credit and guaranties thereof, if any, to be canceled and returned, or (C) with the consent of Agent, deliver a stand-by letter (or letters) of credit in guaranty of such Letter of Credit Obligations, which stand-by letter (or letters) of credit shall be of like tenor and duration as, and in an amount equal to 105% of the aggregate maximum amount then available to be drawn under, the Letters of Credit to which such outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations relate and shall be issued by a Person, and shall be subject to such terms and conditions, as are be satisfactory to Agent in its sole discretion. | ||
(iii) | From time to time after funds are deposited in the Cash Collateral Account by Borrower, whether before or after the Commitment Termination Date, Agent may apply such funds or Cash Equivalents then held in the Cash Collateral Account to the payment of any amounts, and in such order as Agent may elect, as shall be or shall become due and payable by such Borrower to Agent and Lenders with respect to such Letter of Credit Obligations of such Borrower and, upon the satisfaction in full of all Letter of Credit Obligations, to any other Obligations of such Borrower then due and payable. | ||
(iv) | No Borrower nor any Person claiming on behalf of or through any Borrower shall have any right to withdraw any of the funds or Cash Equivalents held in the Cash Collateral Account, except that upon the termination of all Letter of Credit Obligations and the payment of all amounts payable by Borrowers to Agent and Lenders in respect thereof, any funds remaining in the Cash Collateral Account shall be applied to other Obligations then due and owing and upon payment in full of such other Obligations, any remaining amount shall be paid to Borrowers or as otherwise required by law. Interest earned on deposits in the Cash Collateral Account shall be for the account of Agent. |
(d) | Fees and Expenses | |
Each Borrower agree to pay to Agent for the benefit of Revolving Lenders, as compensation to such Lenders for Letter of Credit Obligations incurred by such Borrower hereunder, (i) all costs |
B-3
and expenses incurred by Agent or any Lender on account of such Letter of Credit Obligations, and (ii) for each month during which any such Letter of Credit Obligation shall remain outstanding, a fee (the Letter of Credit Fee) in an amount equal to the Applicable L/C Margin from time to time in effect multiplied by the maximum amount available from time to time to be drawn under the applicable Letter of Credit. Such fee shall be paid to Agent for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders in arrears, on the first day of each month and on the Commitment Termination Date. In addition, each Borrower shall pay to any L/C Issuer, on demand, such fees (including all per annum fees), charges and expenses of such L/C Issuer in respect of the issuance, negotiation, acceptance, amendment, transfer and payment of such Letter of Credit or otherwise payable pursuant to the application and related documentation under which such Letter of Credit is issued. | ||
(e) | Omitted | |
(f) | Obligation Absolute | |
The obligation of Borrowers to reimburse Agent and Revolving Lenders for payments made with respect to any Letter of Credit Obligation shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, without necessity of presentment, demand, protest or other formalities, and the obligations of each Revolving Lender to make payments to Agent with respect to Letters of Credit shall be unconditional and irrevocable. Such obligations of Borrowers and Revolving Lenders shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms hereof under all circumstances including the following: |
(i) | any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or the Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any other agreement; | ||
(ii) | the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right that any Borrower or any of its Affiliates or any Lender may at any time have against a beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons or entities for whom any such transferee may be acting), Agent, any Lender, or any other Person, whether in connection with the Agreement, the Letter of Credit, the transactions contemplated herein or therein or any unrelated transaction (including any underlying transaction between any Borrower or any of its Affiliates and the beneficiary for which the Letter of Credit was procured); | ||
(iii) | any draft, demand, certificate or any other document presented under any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; | ||
(iv) | payment by Agent (except as otherwise expressly provided in paragraph (g)(ii)(C) below) or any L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof against presentation of a demand, draft or certificate or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or such guaranty; | ||
(v) | any other circumstance or event whatsoever, that is similar to any of the foregoing; or | ||
(vi) | the fact that a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. |
B-4
(g) | Indemnification; Nature of Lenders Duties |
(i) | In addition to amounts payable as elsewhere provided in the Agreement, Borrowers hereby agree to pay and to protect, indemnify, and save harmless Agent and each Lender from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and allocated costs of internal counsel) that Agent or any Lender may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (A) the issuance of any Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof, or (B) the failure of Agent or any Lender seeking indemnification or of any L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under any Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof as a result of any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto government or Governmental Authority, in each case other than to the extent solely as a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Agent or such Lender (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction). | ||
(ii) | As between Agent and any Lender and Borrowers, Borrowers assume all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of any Letter of Credit by beneficiaries of any Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by law neither Agent nor any Lender shall be responsible for: (A) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document issued by any party in connection with the application for and issuance of any Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (B) the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, that may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (C) failure of the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit substantially to comply with conditions required in order to demand payment under such Letter of Credit; provided that, in the case of any payment by Agent under any Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof, Agent shall be liable to the extent such payment was made solely as a result of its gross negligence or willful misconduct (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction) in determining that the demand for payment under such Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof complies on its face with any applicable requirements for a demand for payment under such Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof; (D) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise, whether or not they may be in cipher; (E) errors in interpretation of technical terms; (F) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a payment under any Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof or of the proceeds thereof; (G) the credit of the proceeds of any drawing under any Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof; and (H) any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of Agent or any Lender. None of the above shall affect, impair, or prevent the vesting of any of Agents or any Lenders rights or powers hereunder or under the Agreement. |
B-5
(iii) | Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit or to expand any waivers, covenants or indemnities made by Borrowers in favor of any L/C Issuer in any letter of credit application, reimbursement agreement or similar document, instrument or agreement between or among Borrowers and such L/C Issuer. |
(h) | Reimbursement | |
Borrowers shall be irrevocably and unconditionally obligated forthwith without presentment, demand, protest or other formalities of any kind (including for purposes of Section 12), to reimburse any L/C Issuer on demand in immediately available funds for any amounts paid by such L/C Issuer with respect to a Letter of Credit, including all reimbursement payments, fees, Charges, costs and expenses paid by such L/C Issuer. Borrowers hereby authorize and direct Agent, at Agents option, to debit Borrowers account (by increasing the outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Credit Advances) in the amount of any payment made by an L/C Issuer with respect to any Letter of Credit. |
B-6
(a) | On or before the Closing Date, and until the Termination Date, each Borrower shall (i) establish lock boxes (Lock Boxes) or at Agents discretion, blocked accounts (Blocked Accounts) at one or more of the banks set forth in Disclosure Schedule (3.19), and shall request in writing and otherwise take such reasonable steps to ensure that all Account Debtors (except as set forth below) forward payment directly to such Lock Boxes, and (ii) deposit and cause its Subsidiaries to deposit or cause to be deposited promptly, and in any event no later than the first Business Day after the date of receipt thereof, all cash, checks, drafts or other similar items of payment relating to or constituting payments made in respect of any and all Collateral (whether or not otherwise delivered to a Lock Box) into one or more Blocked Accounts in such Borrowers name or any such Subsidiarys name and at a bank identified in Disclosure Schedule (3.19) (each, a Relationship Bank). At the request of Agent, each Borrower shall have established a concentration account in its name (each a Concentration Account and collectively, the Concentration Accounts) at the bank which shall be designated as the Concentration Account bank for such Borrower in Disclosure Schedule (3.19) (the Concentration Account Bank and, collectively, the Concentration Account Banks) which bank shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent and such Borrower. No Credit Party shall maintain a deposit account that is not subject to a Blocked Account Agreement. | |
(b) | Each Borrower may maintain, in its name, an account (each a Disbursement Account and collectively, the Disbursement Accounts) at a bank reasonably acceptable to Agent into which Agent shall, from time to time, deposit proceeds of Revolving Credit Advances and Swing Line Advances made to such Borrower pursuant to Section 1.1 for use by such Borrower solely in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.4. No Credit Party shall maintain any deposit account other than a deposit account that is subject to a Blocked Account Agreement. | |
(c) | On or before the Closing Date (or such later date as Agent shall consent to in writing), each Concentration Account Bank, each bank where a Disbursement Account is maintained and all other Relationship Banks, shall have entered into tri-party blocked account agreements with Agent, for the benefit of itself and Lenders, and the applicable Credit Party and Subsidiaries thereof, as applicable, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Agent, which shall become operative on or prior to the Closing Date (a Blocked Account Agreement). Each such blocked account agreement shall provide, among other things, that (i) all items of payment deposited in such account and proceeds thereof deposited in the applicable Concentration Account are held by |
C-1
such bank as agent or bailee-in-possession for Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, (ii) the bank executing such agreement has no rights of setoff or recoupment or any other claim against such account, as the case may be, other than for payment of its service fees and other charges directly related to the administration of such account and for returned checks or other items of payment, and (iii) from and after the Closing Date (A) with respect to banks at which a Blocked Account is maintained, such bank agrees, from and after the receipt of a notice (an Activation Notice) from Agent (which Activation Notice may be given by Agent at any time at which (1) a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (2) Agent reasonably believes based upon information available to it that a Default or an Event of Default is likely to occur; (3) Agent reasonably believes that an event or circumstance that is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect has occurred, or (4) Agent reasonably has grounds to believe that the integrity of any Credit Party Cash Management Systems has been compromised or any Credit Party compliance with the provisions of this Annex C or any other provisions of the Loan Documents to the extent related to such Cash Management Systems (any of the foregoing being referred to herein as an Activation Event)), to forward immediately all amounts in each Blocked Account to such Borrowers Concentration Account Bank and to commence the process of daily sweeps from such Blocked Account into the applicable Concentration Account and (B) with respect to each Concentration Account Bank, such bank agrees from and after the receipt of an Activation Notice from Agent upon the occurrence of an Activation Event, to immediately forward all amounts received in the applicable Concentration Account to the Collection Account through daily sweeps from such Concentration Account into the Collection Account. From and after the date Agent has delivered an Activation Notice to any bank with respect to any Blocked Account(s), no Credit Party shall, or shall cause or permit any Subsidiary thereof to, accumulate or maintain cash in Disbursement Accounts or payroll accounts as of any date of determination in excess of checks outstanding against such accounts as of that date and amounts necessary to meet minimum balance requirements. | ||
(d) | So long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Credit Parties may amend Disclosure Schedule (3.19) to add or replace a Relationship Bank, Lock Box or Blocked Account or to replace any Concentration Account or any Disbursement Account; provided, that (i) Agent shall have consented in writing in advance to the opening of such account or Lock Box with the relevant bank and (ii) prior to the time of the opening of such account or Lock Box, the applicable Credit Party or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, and such bank shall have executed and delivered to Agent a tri-party blocked or Lock Box account agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent. Each Credit Party shall close any of its accounts (and establish replacement accounts in accordance with the foregoing sentence) promptly and in any event within thirty (30) days following notice from Agent that the creditworthiness of any bank holding an account is no longer acceptable in Agents reasonable judgment, or as promptly as practicable and in any event within sixty (60) days following notice from Agent that the operating performance, funds transfer or availability procedures or performance with respect to accounts or Lock Boxes of the bank holding such accounts or Agents liability under any tri-party blocked or Lock Box blocked account agreement with such bank is no longer acceptable in Agents reasonable judgment. |
C-2
(e) | The Lock Boxes, Blocked Accounts, Disbursement Accounts and the Concentration Accounts shall be cash collateral accounts, with all cash, checks and other similar items of payment in such accounts securing payment of the Loans and all other Obligations, and in which the applicable Credit Party and each Subsidiary thereof shall have granted a Lien to Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, pursuant to its Security Agreement. | |
(f) | All amounts deposited in the Collection Account shall be deemed received by Agent in accordance with Section 1.6 and shall be applied (and allocated) by Agent in accordance with Section 1.7. In no event shall any amount be so applied unless and until such amount shall have been credited in immediately available funds to the Collection Account. | |
(g) | Each Credit Party shall and shall cause its Affiliates, officers, employees, agents, directors or other Persons acting for or in concert with such Credit Party (each a Related Person) to (i) hold in trust for Agent, for the benefit of itself and Lenders, all checks, cash and other items or payment constituting proceeds of Collateral received by such Credit Party or any such Related Person, and (ii) within one (1) Business Day after receipt by such Credit Party or any such Related Person of any checks, cash or other items or payment, deposit the same into a Blocked Account of such Credit Party. Each Credit Party and each Related Person thereof acknowledges and agrees that all cash, checks or other items of payment constituting proceeds of Collateral are part of the Collateral. All proceeds of the sale or other disposition of any Collateral, shall be deposited directly into the applicable Blocked Accounts. |
C-3
(A) | Appendices | |
All Appendices to the Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent. | ||
(B) | Revolving Notes and Swing Line Note | |
Duly executed originals of the Revolving Notes and Swing Line Notes for each applicable Lender, dated the Closing Date, if requested by the respective Lenders. | ||
(C) | Insurance | |
Satisfactory evidence that the insurance policies required by Section 5.4 are in full force and effect, together with appropriate evidence showing loss payable and/or additional insured clauses or endorsements, as requested by Agent, in favor of Agent, on behalf of Lenders. | ||
(D) | Security Documents | |
Such amendments, confirmations and assumptions of or relating to the Collateral Documents and such additional security, pledge and similar documents as Agent may reasonably request. | ||
(E) | Security Interests and Code Filings |
(a) | Evidence satisfactory to Agent that Agent (for the benefit of itself and Lenders) has a valid and perfected first priority security interest in the Collateral, including (i) such documents duly executed by each Credit Party (including financing statements under the Code and other applicable documents under the laws of any jurisdiction with respect to the perfection of Liens) as Agent may request in order to perfect its security interests in the Collateral and (ii) copies of Code search reports listing all effective financing statements that name any Credit Party as debtor, together with copies of such financing statements, none of which shall cover the Collateral, except for Permitted Encumbrances. |
D-1
(b) | Evidence satisfactory to Agent, including copies, of all UCC-1 and other financing statements filed in favor of any Credit Party with respect to each location, if any, at which Parts and Tools Inventory or Equipment Inventory may be consigned. | ||
(c) | Control Letters from (i) all issuers of uncertificated securities and financial assets held by any Borrower, (ii) all securities intermediaries with respect to all securities accounts and securities entitlements of any Borrower, and (iii) all futures commission agents and clearing houses with respect to all commodities contracts and commodities accounts held by any Borrower. | ||
(d) | Evidence that Agent has been named as lien-holder or secured party on all certificates of title for all Title Vehicles owned by Credit Parties, other than Titled Vehicles constituting Equipment Inventory (except that Agent must be named as lien-holder on Titled Vehicles constituting Equipment Inventory of the type listed on Disclosure Schedule (3.24)). |
(F) | Borrowing Base Certificate | |
Duly executed originals of a Borrowing Base Certificate from each Borrower, dated the Closing Date, reflecting information concerning Eligible Accounts, Eligible Rentals, Eligible Parts and Tools Inventory, Eligible Rolling Stock and Eligible Equipment Inventory of Borrowers. | ||
(G) | Notice of Revolving Credit Advance | |
Duly executed originals of a Notice of Revolving Credit Advance, dated the Closing Date, with respect to the Revolving Credit Advance to be requested by Borrowers on the Closing Date. | ||
(H) | Letter of Direction | |
Duly executed originals of a letter of direction from Borrowers addressed to Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, with respect to the disbursement on the Closing Date of the proceeds of the Revolving Credit Advance made hereunder. | ||
(I) | Cash Management System; Blocked Account Agreements | |
Evidence satisfactory to Agent that, as of the Closing Date, Cash Management Systems complying with Annex C to the Agreement have been established and are currently being maintained in the manner set forth in such Annex C, together with copies of duly executed tri-party blocked account and lock box agreements, reasonably satisfactory to Agent, with the banks as required by Annex C. | ||
(J) | Certificate of Formation and Good Standing | |
For each Credit Party, (a) its articles or certificate of incorporation or certificate of formation, as applicable, and all amendments thereto, (b) good standing certificates (including verification of tax status) in its state of incorporation or formation, as applicable, and (c) good standing certificates (including verification of tax status) and certificates of qualification to conduct |
D-2
business in each jurisdiction where its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, each dated a recent date prior to the Closing Date and certified by the applicable Secretary of State or other authorized Governmental Authority. | ||
(K) | By-laws and Resolutions | |
For each Credit Party, (a) its by-laws or operating agreement, as applicable, together with all amendments thereto and (b) resolutions of such Persons Board of Directors or Board of Members, as applicable, approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the transactions to be consummated in connection therewith, each certified as of the Closing Date by such Persons secretary or an assistant secretary as being in full force and effect without any modification or amendment. | ||
(L) | Incumbency Certificates | |
For each Credit Party, signature and incumbency certificates of the officers of such Person executing any of the Loan Documents, certified as of the Closing Date by such Persons secretary or an assistant secretary as being true, accurate, correct and complete. | ||
(M) | Opinions of Counsel | |
Duly executed originals of opinions of Dechert LLP, New York and California counsel for the Credit Parties, together with opinions of Delaware, Washington and Montana counsel, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and its counsel, dated the Closing Date, and each accompanied by a letter addressed to such counsel from the Credit Parties, authorizing and directing such counsel to address its opinion to Agent, on behalf of Lenders, and to include in such opinion an express statement to the effect that Agent and Lenders are authorized to rely on such opinion. | ||
(N) | GE Capital Fee Letter | |
Duly executed originals of the GE Capital Fee Letter in form and substance satisfactory to GE Capital. | ||
(O) | Officers Certificate | |
Duly executed originals of a certificate of an Authorized Officer of each Credit Party, dated the Closing Date, stating that, (i) since June 30, 2006 (a) no event or condition has occurred or is existing which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) there has been no material adverse change in the industry in which any Borrower operates; (c) no Litigation has been commenced against such Credit Party which, if successful, would have a Material Adverse Effect or could challenge any of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and the other Loan Documents; and (d) there has been no material increase in liabilities, liquidated or contingent, and no material decrease in assets of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) no default or event of default has occurred under any material contract to which any Borrower is a |
D-3
party; (iii) that the conditions set forth in Section 2.1(k) have been satisfied and (iv) that the attached copies of the Related Transactions Documents are correct and complete. | ||
(P) | Waivers | |
Landlord waivers and consents, bailee letters and mortgagee agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, in each case as required pursuant to Section 5.9, provided that Agent may waive this condition as to any one or more locations as contemplated by Section 5.9 and the various borrowing base definitions. | ||
(Q) | Appraisals | |
Equipment Inventory Appraisals and P&E Appraisals conducted by an appraiser reasonably satisfactory to Agent and Borrowers and using a methodology reasonably satisfactory to Agent, each of which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent. | ||
(R) | Environmental Reports | |
Agent shall have received such environmental review and audit reports with respect to the Real Estate of any Credit Party as Agent shall have requested, and Agent shall be satisfied, in its sole discretion, with the contents of all such environmental reports. | ||
(S) | Audited Financials; Financial Condition | |
The Financial Statements, Projections and other materials set forth in Section 3.4, certified by an Authorized Officer of Borrower Representative, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, and Agent shall be satisfied, in its sole discretion, with all of the foregoing. Agent shall have further received a certificate of an Authorized Officer of each Borrower, based on such Pro Forma and Projections, to the effect that (a) such Borrower will be Solvent upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein; (b) the Pro Forma fairly presents the financial condition of such Borrower as of the date thereof after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents; (c) the Projections are based upon estimates and assumptions stated therein, all of which such Borrower believes to be reasonable and fair in light of current conditions and current facts known to such Borrower and, as of the Closing Date, reflect such Borrowers good faith and reasonable estimates of its future financial performance and of the other information projected therein for the period set forth therein; and (e) containing such other statements with respect to the solvency of such Borrower and matters related thereto as Agent shall request. | ||
(T) | Other Documents | |
Such other certificates, documents and agreements respecting and Credit Party as Agent may, in its sole discretion, request. |
D-4
(a) | Monthly Financials | ||
To Agent and Lenders, within thirty (30) days after the end of each Fiscal Month, financial information regarding H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries, certified by an Authorized Officer of Borrower Representative, consisting of consolidated and consolidating, if applicable (i) unaudited balance sheets as of the close of such Fiscal Month (including a summary of the outstanding balance of all Intercompany Notes as of the last day of such Fiscal Month) and the related statements of income and cash flow and shareholders equity for that portion of the Fiscal Year ending as of the close of such Fiscal Month and (ii) unaudited statements of income, cash flows and shareholders equity for such Fiscal Month, setting forth in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period in the prior year and the figures contained in the Projections for such Fiscal Year, all prepared in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end adjustments). Such financial information shall be accompanied by (A) a statement in reasonable detail (each, a Compliance Certificate) showing the calculations used in determining compliance with each Financial Covenant which is tested on a monthly basis as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter, and (B) the certification of an Authorized Officer of Borrower Representative that (i) such financial information presents fairly in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end adjustments) the financial position and results of operations of H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated and consolidating basis, if applicable, in each case as at the end of such Fiscal Month and for that portion of the Fiscal Year then ended and (ii) any other information presented is true, correct and complete in all material respects and that there was no Default or Event of Default in existence as of such time or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, describing the nature thereof and all efforts undertaken to cure such Default or Event of Default. | |||
(b) | Quarterly Financials | ||
To Agent and Lenders, within forty-five (45) days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter, consolidated and consolidating, if applicable, financial information regarding H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries, certified by an Authorized Officer of Borrower Representative, including (i) unaudited balance sheets as of the close of such Fiscal |
E-1
Quarter and the related statements of income and cash flow for that portion of the Fiscal Year ending as of the close of such Fiscal Quarter and (ii) unaudited statements of income and cash flows for such Fiscal Quarter, in each case setting forth in comparative form, the figures for the corresponding period in the prior year and the figures contained in the Projections for such Fiscal Year, all prepared in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end adjustments). Such financial information shall be accompanied by (A) a Compliance Certificate in respect of each of the Financial Covenants that are tested on a quarterly basis as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and (B) the certification of an Authorized Officer of Borrower Representative that (i) such financial information presents fairly in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end adjustments) the financial position, results of operations and statements of cash flows of H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries, on both a consolidated and consolidating basis, if applicable, as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and for that portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, (ii) any other information presented is true, correct and complete in all material respects and that there was no Default or Event of Default in existence as of such time or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, describing the nature thereof and all efforts undertaken to cure such Default or Event of Default. In addition, Borrowers shall deliver to Agent and Lenders, within forty-five (45) days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter, a management discussion and analysis that includes a comparison to budget for that Fiscal Quarter and a comparison of performance for that Fiscal Quarter to the corresponding period in the prior year. | |||
(c) | Operating Plan | ||
To Agent and Lenders, as soon as available, but not later than forty-five (45) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, an annual operating plan for H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated and consolidating basis, approved by the Board of Directors of H&E Delaware, (a) for the first Fiscal Year following the Closing Date, which (i) includes a statement of all of the material assumptions on which such plan is based and (ii) includes monthly balance sheets, a monthly budget, income statements and statements of cash flow for the following year and (b) for the four Fiscal Years thereafter, which (i) includes a statement of all of the material assumptions on which such plan is based and (ii) includes monthly balance sheets, a monthly budget, income statements and statements of cash flow for the following year, and in each such case, integrates sales, gross profits, operating expenses, operating profit, cash flow projections and Borrowing Availability projections, all prepared on the same basis and in similar detail as that on which operating results are reported (and in the case of cash flow projections, representing managements good faith estimates of future financial performance based on historical performance), and including plans for personnel, P&E Capital Expenditures and facilities. |
E-2
(d) | Annual Audited Financials | ||
To Agent and Lenders, within ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, audited Financial Statements for H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated and (unaudited) consolidating basis, if applicable, consisting of balance sheets and statements of income and retained earnings and cash flows, setting forth in comparative form in each case the figures for the previous Fiscal Year which Financial Statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP and certified without qualification, by an independent certified public accounting firm of national standing or otherwise acceptable to Agent. Such Financial Statements shall be accompanied by (i) a statement prepared in reasonable detail showing the calculations used in determining compliance with each of the Financial Covenants as of the end of such Fiscal Year, (ii) a report from such accounting firm to the effect that, in connection with their audit examination, nothing has come to their attention to cause them to believe that a Default or Event of Default has occurred (or specifying those Defaults and Events of Default that they became aware of), it being understood that such audit examination extended only to accounting matters and that no special investigation was made with respect to the existence of Defaults or Events of Default, (iii) a letter addressed to Agent, on behalf of itself and Lenders, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and subject to standard qualifications required by nationally recognized accounting firms, signed by such accounting firm acknowledging that Agent and Lenders are entitled to rely upon such accounting firms certification of such audited Financial Statements, (iv) the annual letters to such accountants in connection with their audit examination detailing contingent liabilities and material litigation matters, and (v) the certification of an Authorized Officer of Borrower Representative that all such Financial Statements present fairly in accordance with GAAP the financial position, results of operations and statements of cash flows of H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated and consolidating basis, if applicable, as at the end of such Fiscal Year and for the period then ended, and that there was no Default or Event of Default in existence as of such time or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, describing the nature thereof and all efforts undertaken to cure such Default or Event of Default. | |||
(e) | Management Letters | ||
To Agent and Lenders, within ten (10) Business Days after receipt thereof by any Credit Party, copies of all management letters, exception reports or similar letters or reports received by such Credit Party from its independent certified public accountants. | |||
(f) | Default Notices | ||
To Agent and Lenders, as soon as practicable, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after an executive officer of any Credit Party has actual knowledge of the existence of any Default, Event of Default or other event that has had a Material Adverse Effect, telephonic or telecopied notice specifying the nature of such Default or Event of Default |
E-3
or other event, including the anticipated effect thereof, which notice, if given telephonically, shall be promptly confirmed in writing on the next Business Day. | |||
(g) | SEC Filings and Press Releases | ||
To Agent and Lenders, promptly upon their becoming available, copies of: (i) all Financial Statements, reports, notices and proxy statements made publicly available by any Credit Party to its security holders; (ii) all regular and periodic reports and all registration statements and prospectuses, if any, filed by any Credit Party with any securities exchange or with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental regulatory authority; and (iii) all press releases and other statements made available by any Credit Party to the public concerning material adverse changes or developments in the business of such Credit Party. | |||
(h) | Subordinated Debt, Senior Notes Senior Unsecured Notes and Equity Notices | ||
To Agent and Lenders, as soon as practicable, copies of all material written notices given or received by any Credit Party with respect to any Subordinated Debt (including the Senior Subordinated Notes), the Senior Notes, the Senior Unsecured Notes or Stock of such Credit Party, and, within two (2) Business Days after such Credit Party obtains knowledge of any matured or unmatured event of default with respect to any Subordinated Debt (including the Senior Subordinated Notes), the Senior Notes, or the Senior Unsecured Notes notice of such event of default. | |||
(i) | Supplemental Schedules | ||
To Agent, supplemental disclosures, if any, required by Section 5.6. | |||
(j) | Litigation | ||
To Agent and Lenders in writing, promptly upon learning thereof, written notice of any Litigation commenced or threatened against any Credit Party that (i) seeks damages in excess of $500,000, (ii) seeks injunctive relief, (iii) is asserted or instituted against any Plan, its fiduciaries or its assets or against any Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate in connection with any Plan, (iv) alleges criminal misconduct by any Credit Party, or (v) alleges the violation of any law regarding, or seeks remedies in connection with, any Environmental Liabilities or (vi) involves any product recall. | |||
(k) | Insurance Notices | ||
To Agent, disclosure of losses or casualties required by Section 5.4. | |||
(l) | Default and Other Notices | ||
To Agent and Lenders, within five (5) Business Days after receipt thereof, copies of (i) any and all default notices received under or with respect to any leased location or |
E-4
public warehouse where Collateral is located, and (ii) such other notices or documents as Agent may reasonably request. | |||
(m) | Lease Amendments | ||
To Agent within five (5) Business Days after the receipt thereof, copies of all material amendments to any of the five (5) largest real estate leases (by the value of annual payments of the real estate so leased) or to any real estate lease to which Don Wheeler or John Engquist is a lessor. | |||
(n) | Other Documents | ||
To Agent and Lenders, such other financial and other information respecting any Credit Partys business or financial condition as Agent or any Lender shall, from time to time, reasonably request. |
E-5
(a) | To Agent, upon its request, and in no event less frequently than ten (10) Business Days after the end of each Fiscal Month (together with a copy of all or any part of the following reports requested by any Lender in writing after the Closing Date), each of the following reports, each of which shall be prepared by such Borrower as of the last day of the immediately preceding Fiscal Month or the date two (2) days prior to the date of any such request: |
(b) | To Agent, on a weekly basis or at such more frequent intervals as Agent may request from time to time (together with a copy of all or any part of such delivery requested by any Lender in writing after the Closing Date), collateral reports with respect to such Borrower, including all additions and reductions (cash and non-cash) with respect to Accounts and Rentals of such Borrower, in each case accompanied by such supporting detail and documentation as shall be requested by Agent in its reasonable discretion each of which shall be prepared by such Borrower as of the last day of the immediately preceding week or the date 2 days prior to the date of any such request; | |
(c) | To Agent, at the time of delivery of each of the monthly Financial Statements delivered pursuant to Annex E: |
F-1
(d) | To Agent, at the time of delivery of each of the quarterly Financial Statements delivered pursuant to Annex E, (i) a listing of government contracts of such Borrower subject to the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940; and (ii) a list of any applications for the registration of any Patent, Trademark or Copyright filed by any Credit Party with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency in the prior Fiscal Quarter; | |
(e) | At its own expense, to Agent the results of each physical verification, if any, that such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may in their discretion have made, or caused any other Person to have made on their behalf, of all or any portion of their Parts and Tools Inventory or Equipment Inventory (and, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such Borrower shall, upon the request of Agent, conduct, and deliver the results of, such physical verifications as Agent may require); | |
(f) | At its own expense, to Agent monthly, a fleet utilization report for such Borrower, prepared on a days rented basis, or on such other basis or format as is reasonably acceptable to the Agent; | |
(g) | At its own expense, to Agent the Equipment Inventory Appraisal for such Borrower, the P&E Appraisal and such other appraisals of its assets as Agent may request at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, such appraisals to be conducted by an appraiser, and in form and substance, reasonably satisfactory to Agent; and | |
(h) | Such other reports, statements and reconciliations with respect to the Borrowing Base, Collateral or Obligations of such Borrower or any other Credit Party as Agent shall from time to time request in its reasonable discretion. |
F-2
(a) | Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. So long as a Covenant Liquidity Event is continuing, H&E Delaware and its Subsidiaries shall have on a consolidated basis at the end of each Fiscal Month, a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the period of twelve consecutive Fiscal Months then ending of not less than 1.10 to 1.00. |
G-1
Name: | General Electric Capital Corporation | |
Bank: | Deutsche Bank Trust Company | |
ABA #: | 021 001 033 | |
Account #: | 50279791 | |
Account Name: | GECC/CAF Depository | |
Reference: | CFN8650 H&E Equipment Services | |
Name: | Bank of America, N.A. | |
Bank: | Bank of America, N.A. | |
ABA #: | 026-009-593 | |
Account #: | 9369337536 | |
Account Name: | Bank of America Business Capital | |
Reference: | BABC and H&E Equipment | |
Name: | LaSalle Business Credit, Inc. | |
Bank: | LaSalle National Bank | |
ABA #: | 071000505 | |
Account #: | 5800333378 | |
Account Name: | LaSalle Business | |
Reference: | Head & Engquist Participation | |
Name: | PNC Bank National Association | |
Bank: | PNC Bank | |
ABA #: | 031207607 | |
Account #: | 196039957830 | |
Account Name: | PNC Business Credit | |
Reference: | H&E Equipment Services |
H-1
(A) | If to Agent or GE Capital, at: | |
General Electric Capital Corporation 299 Park Ave, 6th Floor New York, NY 10171 Attention: H&E Equipment Services Account Manager Telephone No.: (212)  ###-###-#### Telecopier No.: (646)  ###-###-#### | ||
with copies to: | ||
Global Sponsor Finance GE Corporate Financial Services, Inc. 201 Merritt Seven Norwalk, Connecticut Attention: Corporate Counsel Telecopier No.: (203)  ###-###-#### | ||
and | ||
King & Spalding LLP 1185 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10036-4003 Attention: Robert S. Finley Telephone No.: (212)  ###-###-#### Telecopier No.: (212)  ###-###-#### | ||
(B) | If to a Lender other than GE Capital, at the following, as applicable: | |
PNC Bank, National Association One PNC Plaza 249 Fifth Avenue, 6th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Attention: Doug Hoffman Telephone No.: (412)  ###-###-#### Telecopier No: (212)  ###-###-#### LaSalle Business Credit, Inc. |
I-1
One Centerpointe Drive Suite 500 Lake Oswego, OR 97035 Attention: Andrew Moulton Telephone No.: (503)  ###-###-#### Telecopier No.: (503)  ###-###-#### | ||
Bank of America, N.A. 335 Madison Avenue 6th Floor New York, NY 10017 Attention: Ed Kahn Telephone No.: (212)  ###-###-#### Telecopier No.: (212)  ###-###-#### | ||
(C) | If to any Credit Party, to Borrower Representative at: | |
H&E Equipment Services, Inc. 11100 Mead Road, Suite 200 Baton Rouge, LA 70816 Attention: Leslie Magee Telecopier No.: (225)  ###-###-#### Telephone No.: (225)  ###-###-#### |
I-2
Lender(s): | ||||
General Electric Capital Corporation | ||||
Revolving Loan Commitment: | $ | 100,000,000 | ||
Swing Line Commitment: | $ | 15,000,000 | ||
Bank of America, N.A. | $ | 90,000,000 | ||
PNC Bank, National Association | $ | 30,000,000 | ||
LaSalle Business Credit | $ | 30,000,000 |