SIXTH AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT AND LIMITED WAIVER OF DEFAULTS

EX-10.78 4 exhibit3.htm EX-10.78 EX-10.78

Exhibit 10.78

SIXTH AMENDMENT TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
AND LIMITED WAIVER OF DEFAULTS

This Sixth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (this “Amendment”) is dated as of June 13, 2006 (the “Amendment Closing Date”) and entered into by and among Bank of America, N.A., as lender (the “Lender”), with offices at 55 South Lake Avenue, Suite 900, Pasadena, California 91101, and Meade Instruments Corp., a Delaware corporation, Simmons Outdoor Corp., a Delaware corporation, and Coronado Instruments, Inc., a California corporation (such entities being referred to hereinafter each individually as a “Borrower” and collectively, the “Borrowers”).

WHEREAS, the Lender and the Borrowers have entered into that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 25, 2002 (as amended, restated or modified from time to time, the “Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Borrowers have informed the Lender that a violation may occur as of the fiscal quarter ending February 28, 2006 of certain financial covenants set forth in the Agreement (the “Prospective Covenant Violation”). The Prospective Covenant Violation would constitute an Event of Default under the Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested a waiver of the Prospective Covenant Violation and certain amendments to the Agreement, and the Lender has agreed to waive the Prospective Covenant Violation and to amend the Agreement pursuant to the terms and conditions provided herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual conditions and agreements set forth in the Agreement and this Amendment, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

Section 1.01. Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Amendment, to the extent not otherwise defined herein, shall have the same meanings as in the Agreement, as amended hereby.

ARTICLE II

Amendments

Section 2.01. Amendment of Section 5.2(a). Solely with respect to the Fiscal Year of the Borrower ending February 28, 2006, the ninety (90) day period set forth in Section 5.2(a) of the Agreement shall be replaced with one hundred fifty (150) days. Section 5.2(a) shall remain unchanged with respect to all other Fiscal Years of the Borrower ending thereafter.

Section 2.02. Amendment of Section 5.2(b). Solely with respect to the fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending May 31, 2006, the text “forty-five (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter” set forth in Section 5.2(b) of the Agreement shall be replaced to read “the earlier to occur of August 5, 2006 or five (5) days after the delivery of the 10K for the Fiscal Year ending February 28, 2006”. Section 5.2(b) shall remain unchanged with respect to all other fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending thereafter.

Section 2.03. Deleted Financial Covenants. The following financial covenants set forth in the Agreement are hereby deleted in their respective entireties: Section 7.22 titled “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”, Section 7.23 titled “Adjusted Tangible Net Worth”; and Section 7.24 titled “US Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”.

Section 2.04. Minimum Availability. A new Section 7.22 titled “Minimum Availability” is hereby added to the Agreement to read in its entirety as follows:

“ 7.22 Minimum Availability. The Borrowers shall maintain, at all times, Availability of at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000).”

Section 2.05. Minimum EBITDA. A new Section 7.23 titled “Minimum EBITDA” is hereby added to the Agreement to read in its entirety as follows:

“ 7.23 Minimum EBITDA. Tested on a quarterly basis beginning with the fiscal quarter ending February 28, 2007, Meade and its consolidated Subsidiaries shall have positive EBITDA on rolling four quarter basis.”

Section 2.06. New Definition of “Special Reserve”. A new definition of “Special Reserve” is hereby added to Annex A to the Agreement to read in its entirety as follows:

“‘Special Reserve’ means a reserve in the amount of $4,000,000.”

Section 2.07. Amended Definition of “Applicable Margin”. The definition of “Applicable Margin” set forth in Annex A to the Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

“ ‘Applicable Margin’ means:

(i) with respect to Base Rate Revolving Loans and all other Obligations (other than LIBOR Loans), 2.00%; and

(ii) with respect to LIBOR Revolving Loans, 4.25%; and

(iii) with respect to LIBOR Term Loans, 4.25%.

Provided, that, once Meade and its consolidated Subsidiaries achieve a positive EBITDA for the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters, the Applicable Margin will be determined based upon the following grid:


If Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio		Pricing Level
Greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00		Level I

Greater than or equal to 1.75 to 1.00 but less than 2.00 to 1.00		Level II

Greater than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00 but less than 1.75 to 1.00		Level III

Greater than or equal to 1.20 to 1.00 but less than 1.50 to 1.00		Level IV

Greater than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00 but less than 1.20 to 1.00		Level V

Greater than or equal to .75 to 1.00 but less than 1.00 to 1.00		Level VI

Greater than or equal to .50 to 1.00 but less than .75 to 1.00		Level VII

Greater than or equal to .25 to 1.00 but less than .50 to 1.00		Level VIII

Greater than or equal to .00 to 1.00 but less than .25 to 1.00		Level IX

		Applicable Margins


	Level I			Level II			Level III			Level IV			Level V			Level VI			Level VII			Level VIII			Level IX
Base Rate Revolving Loans		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.25	%		0.50	%		0.75	%		1.00	%		1.25	%		1.75	%
LIBOR Revolving Loans		1.75	%		2.00	%		2.25	%		2.50	%		2.75	%		3.00	%		3.25	%		3.50	%		4.00	%
Term Loans		3.00	%		3.00	%		3.00	%		3.00	%		3.00	%		3.00	%		3.25	%		3.50	%		4.00	%

Once Meade and its consolidated Subsidiaries achieve a positive EBITDA for the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters, all adjustments in the Applicable Margins shall be implemented quarterly on a prospective basis, commencing with the first day of the first calendar month that occurs more than 5 days after the required date of delivery to the Lender of quarterly unaudited or annual draft audited (as applicable) Financial Statements evidencing the need for an adjustment. In the event the draft audited Financial Statements are subsequently determined to be in error, then any resulting change in the Applicable Margin shall be made retroactively to the date when the incorrect Applicable Margin was utilized. Concurrently with the delivery of all quarterly Financial Statements, Meade shall deliver to the Lender 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. 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 to the highest level set forth in the foregoing grid, until the first day of the first calendar month following the delivery of those Financial Statements demonstrating that such an increase is not required. If a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time any reduction in the Applicable Margins is to be implemented, no reduction may occur until the first day of the first calendar month following the date on which such Default or Event of Default is waived or cured.”

Section 2.08. Amended Definition of “Availability”. The definition of “Availability” set forth in Annex A to the Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“ ‘Availability’ means, at any time (a) the lesser of (i) the Maximum Revolver Amount or (ii) the Borrowing Base, minus (b) Reserves, other than the Special Reserve and Reserves deducted in the calculation of the Borrowing Base, minus (c) the Special Reserve, and minus (d) in each case, the Aggregate Revolver Outstandings.”

Section 2.09. Amended Definition of “Reserves”. The definition of “Reserves” set forth in Annex A to the Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“ ‘Reserves’ means reserves that limit the availability of credit hereunder, consisting of reserves against Availability, Eligible Accounts or Eligible Inventory, established by Lender from time to time in Lender’s reasonable credit judgment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following reserves shall be deemed to be a reasonable exercise of Lender’s credit judgment: (a) Bank Product Reserves; (b) a reserve for accrued, unpaid interest on the Obligations; (c) reserves for rent at leased locations subject to statutory or contractual landlord liens; (d) the Slow Moving Reserve; (e) the Dilution Adjustment Reserve; (f) warehousemen’s or bailees’ charges; and (g) the Working Capital Reserve; and (h) the Special Reserve.”

Section 2.10. Deleted Definitions. Each of the following definitions is hereby deleted from Annex A to the Agreement in its respective entirety: “Availability Reserve” and “Fixed Charge Coverage Reserve”.

ARTICLE III

Section 3.01. Waiver. The Lender hereby waives the Prospective Covenant Violation and agrees not to exercise any rights or remedies available as a result of the occurrence thereof.

Section 3.02. Limitation of Waiver. The waiver granted in Section 3.01 of this Amendment shall be limited strictly as written and shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of, or any consent to noncompliance with, any term or provision of this Amendment, the Agreement or any other Loan Document except as expressly set forth herein. Further, the waiver granted in Section 3.01 of this Amendment shall not constitute a waiver of any other Default or Event of Default arising as a result of the violation of any other term or provision of this Amendment, the Agreement or any other Loan Document or a waiver of any rights or remedies arising as a result of any such other Defaults or Events of Default.

Section 3.03. Amendment Fee. In connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Amendment, the Borrowers shall pay to the Lender an amendment fee (the “Amendment Fee”) in the amount of Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000), which, at the Lender’s option, may be charged as an advance and a Revolving Loan under the Agreement, and which fee is fully earned and payable as of the Amendment Closing Date.

ARTICLE IV

Section 4.01. Conditions Precedent. The effectiveness of this Amendment is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

(i) The representations and warranties contained herein and in the Agreement, as amended hereby, shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof as if made on the date hereof, except for such representations and warranties limited by their terms to a specific date;

(ii) The Borrowers shall have delivered to the Lender an executed original copy of this Amendment;

(iii) The Borrowers shall have delivered to the Lender executed original copies of each of the Consents and Reaffirmations attached to this Amendment;

(iv) The Borrowers shall have paid the Lender the Amendment Fee;

(v) No Default or Event of Default (other than the Prospective Covenant Violation) shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(vi) All proceedings taken in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Amendment and all documentation and other legal matters incident thereto shall be satisfactory to the Lender in its sole and absolute discretion.

ARTICLE V

Section 5.01. Acknowledgment. Each Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the execution and delivery of this Amendment and compliance by such Borrower with all of the provisions of this Amendment, (i) are within its powers and purposes, (ii) have been duly authorized or approved by such Borrower, and (iii) when executed and delivered by or on behalf of such Borrower, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with their terms. Each Borrower reaffirms its obligation to pay all amounts due the Lender under the Loan Documents in accordance with the terms thereof, as modified hereby.

Section 5.02. Loan Documents Unmodified. Except as otherwise specifically modified by this Amendment, all terms and provisions of the Agreement and all other Loan Documents, as modified hereby, shall remain in full force and effect. Nothing contained in this Amendment shall in any way impair the validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents, as modified hereby or alter, waive, annul, vary, affect, or impair any provisions, conditions, or covenants contained therein or any rights, powers, or remedies granted therein. Any lien and/or security interest granted to the Lender in the Collateral set forth in the Agreement or any other Loan Document is and shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect and the Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall continue to secure the payment and performance of all of the Obligations thereunder, as modified hereby, and the Borrowers’ obligations hereunder.

Section 5.03. Parties, Successors and Assigns. This Amendment shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the Borrowers, the Lender, and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 5.04. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 5.05. Headings. The headings, captions and arrangements used in this Amendment are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Amendment.

Section 5.06. Expenses of the Lender. The Borrowers agree to pay on demand (i) all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Lender in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents executed pursuant hereto and any and all subsequent amendments, modifications, and supplements hereto or thereto, including, without limitation, the costs and fees of the Lender’s legal counsel and the allocated cost of staff counsel and (ii) all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Lender in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under the Agreement, this Amendment and/or other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the reasonable costs and fees of the Lender’s legal counsel, the allocated cost of staff counsel, and the costs and fees associated with any environmental due diligence conducted in relation hereto.

Section 5.07. Total Agreement. This Amendment, the Agreement, and all other Loan Documents shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and shall rescind all prior agreements and understandings between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof, and shall not be changed or terminated orally.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Amendment as of the day and year first above written.

“BORROWERS”:

MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP.

By: /s/Brent W. Christensen

Name: Brent W. Christensen

Title:

CFO

SIMMONS OUTDOOR CORP.

By: /s/Brent W. Christensen

Name: Brent W. Christensen

Title:

CFO

CORONADO INSTRUMENTS, INC.

By: /s/Brent W. Christensen

Name: Brent W. Christensen

Title:

CFO

“LENDER”:

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

By: /s/Todd R. Eggertsen

Name: Todd R. Eggertsen

Title:

Vice President

CONSENTS AND REAFFIRMATIONS

Each of MEADE INSTRUMENTS EUROPE CORP., a California corporation, and MEADE INSTRUMENTS HOLDINGS CORP., a California corporation, hereby acknowledges the execution of, and consent to, the terms and conditions of that Sixth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Limited Waiver of Defaults dated as of June , 2006, among MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP., SIMMONS OUTDOOR CORP., CORONADO INSTRUMENTS, INC. and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (“Creditor”), and reaffirms its obligations under (a) that certain Continuing Guaranty (the “Guaranty”) dated as of September 24, 2001, made by the undersigned in favor of the Creditor, and (b) that certain Security Agreement (the “Security Agreement”) dated as of September, 2001, by and between the undersigned and the Creditor. Each of the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that each of the Guaranty and the Security Agreement remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed.

Dated as of June 13, 2006.

MEADE INSTRUMENTS EUROPE CORP., a California corporation

By: /s/Brent W. Christensen

Name: Brent W. Christensen

Title:

CFO

MEADE INSTRUMENTS HOLDINGS CORP., a California corporation

By: /s/Brent W. Christensen

Name: Brent W. Christensen

Title:

CFO

CONSENTS AND REAFFIRMATIONS

Each of MTSC HOLDINGS, INC., a California corporation (“MTSC”), MC HOLDINGS, INC., a California corporation (“MC HOLDINGS”), and MEADE CORONADO HOLDINGS CORP., a California corporation (“MCHC”), hereby acknowledges the execution of, and consents to, the terms and conditions of that Sixth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Limited Waiver of Defaults dated as of June , 2006, among MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP., SIMMONS OUTDOOR CORP., CORONADO INSTRUMENTS, INC. and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (“Creditor”), and reaffirms its obligations under that certain Continuing Guaranty (the “Guaranty”) dated as of September 24, 2001 executed in favor of the Creditor and joined by each of the undersigned pursuant to an Instrument of Joinder, dated as of (i) October 25, 2002 with respect to MTSC and MC HOLDINGS, and (ii) December 1, 2004 with respect to MCHC (respectively, the “Instrument”). Each of the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that each of the Guaranty and Instrument remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed.

Dated as of June 13, 2006.

MTSC HOLDINGS, INC., a California corporation,

By: /s/Brent W. Christensen

Name: Brent W. Christensen

Title:

CFO

MC HOLDINGS, INC., a California corporation

By: /s/Brent W. Christensen

Name: Brent W. Christensen

Title:

CFO

MEADE CORONADO HOLDINGS CORP., a California corporation

By: /s/Brent W. Christensen

Name: Brent W. Christensen } Title: CFO } Name: Brent W. Christensen

Title:

CFO