LOAN AGREEMENT

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Loan Agreements
EX-10.(I) 2 dex10i.htm CREDIT AGREEMENT BETWEEN REGISTRANT AND LASALLE BANK Credit Agreement between registrant and LaSalle Bank

Exhibit 10.(i)

 

LOAN AGREEMENT

 

This LOAN AGREEMENT dated as of December 16, 2005 (the “Agreement”), is executed by and between NEOGEN CORPORATION, a Michigan corporation (the “Borrower”), which has its chief executive office located at 620 Lesher Place, Lansing, Michigan 48912, and LASALLE BANK MIDWEST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association (the “Bank”), whose address is 124 West Allegan Street, P.O. Box 40766, Lansing, Michigan ###-###-####.

 

R E C I T A L S:

 

A. The Borrower desires to borrow funds and obtain other financial accommodations from the Bank.

 

B. Pursuant to the Borrower’s request, the Bank is willing to extend such financial accommodations to the Borrower under the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, the Borrower agrees to borrow from the Bank, and the Bank agrees to lend to the Borrower, subject to and upon the following terms and conditions:

 

A G R E E M E N T S:

 

Section 1 DEFINITIONS.

 

1.1 Defined Terms. For the purposes of this Agreement, the following capitalized words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth below.

 

Affiliate” of any Person shall mean (a) any other Person which, directly or indirectly, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such Person, (b) any officer or director of such Person, and (c) with respect to the Bank, any entity administered or managed by the Bank, or an Affiliate or investment advisor thereof and which is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans. A Person shall be deemed to be “controlled by” any other Person if such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract, ownership of voting securities, membership interests or otherwise.

 

Bank Product Agreements” shall mean those certain agreements entered into from time to time by the Borrower or any Subsidiary with the Bank or any Affiliate of the Bank concerning Bank Products.

 

Bank Product Obligations” shall mean all obligations, liabilities, contingent reimbursement obligations, fees, and expenses owing by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the Bank or any Affiliate of the Bank pursuant to or evidenced by the Bank Product Agreements and irrespective of whether for the payment of money, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising.

 

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Bank Products” shall mean any service or facility extended to the Borrower or any Subsidiary by the Bank or any Affiliate of the Bank, including: (a) credit cards, (b) credit card processing services, (c) debit cards, (d) purchase cards, (e) ACH Transactions, (f) cash management, including controlled disbursement, accounts or services, or (g) Hedging Agreements.

 

Bankruptcy Code” shall mean the United States Bankruptcy Code, as now existing or hereafter amended.

 

Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday on which banks are authorized or required to be closed for the conduct of commercial banking business in Lansing, Michigan.

 

Capital Expenditures” shall mean all expenditures (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) which, in accordance with GAAP, would be required to be capitalized and shown on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower, but excluding expenditures made in connection with the replacement, substitution or restoration of assets to the extent financed (i) from insurance proceeds (or other similar recoveries) paid on account of the loss of or damage to the assets being replaced or restored or (ii) with awards of compensation arising from the taking by eminent domain or condemnation of the assets being replaced.

 

Capital Lease” shall mean, as to any Person, a lease of any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, by such Person, as lessee, that is, or should be, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 13, as amended from time to time, or, if such statement is not then in effect, such statement of GAAP as may be applicable, recorded as a “capital lease” on the financial statements of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Capital Securities” shall mean, with respect to any Person, all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) of such Person’s capital, whether now outstanding or issued or acquired after the date hereof, including common shares, preferred shares, membership interests in a limited liability company, limited or general partnership interests in a partnership or any other equivalent of such ownership interest.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligations” shall mean, as to any Person, all rental obligations of such Person, as lessee under a Capital Lease which are or will be required to be capitalized on the books of such Person.

 

Cash Equivalent Investment” shall mean, at any time, (a) any evidence of Debt, maturing not more than one year after such time, issued or guaranteed by the United States government or any agency thereof, (b) commercial paper, maturing not more than one year from the date of issue, or corporate demand notes, in each case (unless issued by the Bank or its holding company) rated at least A-l by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. or P-l by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., (c) any certificate of deposit, time deposit or banker’s acceptance, maturing not more than one year after such time, or any overnight Federal Funds transaction that is issued or sold by the Bank or its holding company (or by a commercial banking institution that is a member of the Federal Reserve System and has

 

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a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000), (d) any repurchase agreement entered into with the Bank, or other commercial banking institution of the nature referred to in clause (c), which (i) is secured by a fully perfected security interest in any obligation of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (c) above, and (ii) has a market value at the time such repurchase agreement is entered into of not less than 100% of the repurchase obligation of the Bank, or other commercial banking institution, thereunder, (e) money market accounts or mutual funds which invest exclusively in assets satisfying the foregoing requirements, and (f) other short term liquid investments approved in writing by the Bank.

 

Contingent Liability” and “Contingent Liabilities” shall mean, respectively, each obligation and liability of the Borrower and all such obligations and liabilities of the Borrower incurred pursuant to any agreement, undertaking or arrangement by which the Borrower: (a) guarantees, endorses or otherwise becomes or is contingently liable upon (by direct or indirect agreement, contingent or otherwise, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds to, or otherwise to invest in, a debtor, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss) the indebtedness, dividend, obligation or other liability of any other Person in any manner (other than by endorsement of instruments in the course of collection), including without limitation, any indebtedness, dividend or other obligation which may be issued or incurred at some future time; (b) guarantees the payment of dividends or other distributions upon the shares or ownership interest of any other Person; (c) undertakes or agrees (whether contingently or otherwise): (i) to purchase, repurchase, or otherwise acquire any indebtedness, obligation or liability of any other Person or any property or assets constituting security therefor, (ii) to advance or provide funds for the payment or discharge of any indebtedness, obligation or liability of any other Person (whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions or otherwise), or to maintain solvency, assets, level of income, working capital or other financial condition of any other Person, or (iii) to make payment to any other Person other than for value received; (d) agrees to lease property or to purchase securities, property or services from such other Person with the purpose or intent of assuring the owner of such indebtedness or obligation of the ability of such other Person to make payment of the indebtedness or obligation; (e) to induce the issuance of, or in connection with the issuance of, any letter of credit for the benefit of such other Person; or (f) undertakes or agrees otherwise to assure a creditor against loss. The amount of any Contingent Liability shall (subject to any limitation set forth herein) be deemed to be the outstanding principal amount (or maximum permitted principal amount, if larger) of the indebtedness, obligation or other liability guaranteed or supported thereby.

 

Daily Rate” shall mean an interest rate equal to LIBOR for a one month Interest Period, as determined by the Bank for each calendar day. The Daily Rate for any day that is not a Business Day will be the Daily Rate for the most recent preceding Business Day.

 

Debt” shall mean, as to any Person, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person; (b) all borrowed money of such Person (including principal, interest, fees and charges), whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments; (c) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services; (d) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, with respect to the maximum face amount of all letters of credit (whether or not drawn), bankers’ acceptances and similar obligations issued for the account of

 

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such Person (including the letters of credit), and all unpaid drawings in respect of such letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and similar obligations; (e) all indebtedness secured by any Lien on any property owned by such Person, whether or not such indebtedness has been assumed by such Person (provided, however, if such Person has not assumed or otherwise become liable in respect of such indebtedness, such indebtedness shall be deemed to be in an amount equal to the fair market value of the property subject to such Lien at the time of determination); (f) the aggregate amount of all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (g) all Contingent Liabilities of such Person, whether or not reflected on its balance sheet; (h) all Hedging Obligations of such Person; (i) all Debt of any partnership of which such Person is a general partner; and (j) all monetary obligations of such Person under (i) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (ii) an agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Debt shall not include trade payables, and accrued expenses incurred by such Person in accordance with customary practices and in the ordinary course of business of such Person and for purposes of this Agreement Debt shall not include the Obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

Debt Service Coverage Ratio” means the ratio of Net Cash Flow to Debt Service Expense, for the four fiscal quarters preceding the end of the current fiscal period.

 

Debt Service Expense” means Interest Charges, plus the current portion of any long-term debt, plus the portion attributable to principal of all payments on Capital Leases (computed at the implicit rate, if known, or 10% per annum otherwise), computed in accordance with GAAP.

 

Default Rate” shall mean a per annum rate of interest equal to the Prime Rate plus two percent (2%).

 

Depreciation” shall mean the total amounts added to depreciation, amortization, obsolescence, valuation and other proper reserves, as reflected on the Borrower’s financial statements and determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

EBITDA” means, for any period, the sum for such period of: (a) Net Income, plus (b) Interest Charges, plus (c) federal and state income taxes as determined in accordance with GAAP, plus (d) Depreciation, plus (e) all other non-cash charges, minus (f) any items of gain which are extraordinary items as defined by GAAP, including, without limitation, that portion of net income arising out of the sale of assets outside of the ordinary course of business, minus (g) income or loss attributable to equity in any affiliated corporation or subsidiary, in each case to the extent included in determining Net Income for such period.

 

Employee Plan” includes any pension, stock bonus, employee stock ownership plan, retirement, profit sharing, deferred compensation, stock option, bonus or other incentive plan, whether qualified or nonqualified, or any disability, medical, dental or other health plan, life insurance or other death benefit plan, vacation benefit plan, severance plan or other employee benefit plan or arrangement, including, without limitation, those pension, profit-sharing and retirement plans of the Borrower described from time to time in the financial statements of the

 

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Borrower and any pension plan, welfare plan, Defined Benefit Pension Plans (as defined in ERISA) or any multi-employer plan, maintained or administered by the Borrower or to which the Borrower is a party or may have any liability or by which the Borrower is bound.

 

Environmental Laws” shall mean all present or future federal, state or local laws, statutes, common law duties, rules, regulations, ordinances and codes, together with all administrative or judicial orders, consent agreements, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any governmental authority, in each case relating to any matter arising out of or relating to public health and safety, or pollution or protection of the environment or workplace, including any of the foregoing relating to the presence, use, production, generation, handling, transport, treatment, storage, disposal, distribution, discharge, emission, release, threatened release, control or cleanup of any Hazardous Substance.

 

ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

 

Event of Default” shall mean any of the events or conditions which are set forth in Section 10 hereof.

 

Funded Debt” shall mean, as of any date, the sum of the following (without duplication): (i) all Obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and all other Debt of the Borrower to Bank as of such date (ii) all other Debt and liabilities of the Borrower which would be classified as “funded indebtedness” or “long-term indebtedness” on a balance sheet of the Borrower prepared as of such date in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (iii) all Debt and liabilities, whether secured or unsecured, of Borrower, having a final maturity (or which is renewable or extendable at the option of the Borrower for a period ending) more than one year after the date of creation thereof, notwithstanding the fact that payments in respect thereof (whether installment, serial maturity or sinking fund payments, or otherwise) are required to be made by the Borrower less than one year after the date of the creation thereof and notwithstanding the fact that any amount thereof is at the time included also in Current Liabilities of the Borrower, (iv) all Debt and liabilities of the Borrower outstanding under a revolving credit or similar agreement providing for borrowings (and renewals and extensions thereof) over a period of more than one year, notwithstanding the fact that any such Debt and liabilities are created within one year of the expiration of such agreement, (v) the present value of all obligations in respect of Capital Leases of the Borrower, and (vi) all obligations under Guaranties made by Borrower.”

 

GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles set forth from time to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with similar functions of comparable stature and authority within the U.S. accounting profession), which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, provided, however, that interim financial statements or reports shall be deemed in compliance with GAAP despite the absence of footnotes and fiscal year-end adjustments as required by GAAP.

 

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Hazardous Substances” shall mean (a) any petroleum or petroleum products, radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that is or could become friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas and mold; (b) any chemicals, materials, pollutant or substances defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances”, “hazardous waste”, “hazardous materials”, “extremely hazardous substances”, “restricted hazardous waste”, “toxic substances”, “toxic pollutants”, “contaminants”, “pollutants” or words of similar import, under any applicable Environmental Law; and (c) any other chemical, material or substance, the exposure to, or release of which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any governmental authority or for which any duty or standard of care is imposed pursuant to, any Environmental Law.

 

Hedging Agreements” shall mean any interest rate, currency or commodity swap agreement, cap agreement or collar agreement, and any other agreement or arrangement designed to protect a Person against fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices.

 

Hedging Obligation” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any liability of such Person under any Hedging Agreement.

 

Indemnified Party” and “Indemnified Parties” shall mean, respectively, each of the Bank and any parent corporations, Affiliate or Subsidiary of the Bank, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, attorneys and agents, and all of such parties and entities.

 

Intellectual Property” shall mean the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including copyrights, patents, service marks and trademarks, and all registrations and applications for registration therefor and all licensees thereof, trade names, domain names, technology, know-how and processes, and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.

 

Interest Charges” shall mean, for any period, the sum of: (a) all interest, charges and related expenses payable with respect to that fiscal period to a lender in connection with borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of assets that are treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, plus (b) the portion of Capitalized Lease Obligations with respect to that fiscal period that should be treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, plus (c) all charges paid or payable (without duplication) during that period with respect to any Hedging Agreements.

 

Interest Period” shall mean successive one month periods, beginning and ending as provided in this Agreement.

 

Investment” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any investment in another Person, whether by acquisition of any debt or equity security, by making any loan or advance, by becoming obligated with respect to a Contingent Liability in respect of obligations of such other Person (other than travel and similar advances to employees in the ordinary course of business).

 

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Liabilities” shall mean at all times all liabilities of the Borrower that would be shown as such on a balance sheet of the Borrower prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

LIBOR” shall mean a rate of interest equal to (a) the per annum rate of interest at which United States dollar deposits for a period equal to the relevant Interest Period are offered in the London Interbank Eurodollar market at 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period (or three Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period if banks in London, England were not open and dealing in offshore United States dollars on such second preceding Business Day), as displayed in the Bloomberg Financial Markets system (or other authoritative source selected by the Bank in its sole discretion), divided by (b) a number determined by subtracting from 1.00 the then stated maximum reserve percentage for determining reserves to be maintained by member banks of the Federal Reserve System for Eurocurrency funding or liabilities as defined in Regulation D (or any successor category of liabilities under Regulation D), or as LIBOR is otherwise determined by the Bank in its sole and absolute discretion. The Bank’s determination of LIBOR shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

Lien” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any interest granted by such Person in any real or personal property, asset or other right owned or being purchased or acquired by such Person (including, without limitation, an interest in respect of a Capital Lease) which secures payment or performance of any obligation and shall include any mortgage, lien, encumbrance, title retention lien, charge or other security interest of any kind, whether arising by contract, as a matter of law, by judicial process or otherwise.

 

Loans” shall mean, collectively, all Revolving Loans made by the Bank to the Borrower, under and pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Loan Documents” shall mean each of the agreements, documents, instruments and certificates set forth in Section 3.1 hereof, and any and all such other instruments, documents, certificates and agreements from time to time executed and delivered by the Borrower for the benefit of the Bank pursuant to any of the foregoing, and all amendments, restatements, supplements and other modifications thereto.

 

Material Adverse Effect” shall mean (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the assets, business, properties, prospects, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Borrower taken as a whole, (b) a material impairment of the ability of the Borrower to perform any of the Obligations under any of the Loan Documents, or (c) a material adverse effect on (i) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Borrower of any of the Loan Documents or (ii) the rights or remedies of the Bank under any Loan Document.

 

Net Cash Flow” means EBITDA minus dividends or other distributions minus provision for federal, state and local income taxes minus Capital Expenditures which are not financed by long term debt.

 

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Net Income” means, with respect to any period, the amount shown opposite the caption “Net Income” or a similar caption on financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Non-Excluded Taxes” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a) hereof.

 

Note” shall mean the Revolving Note.

 

Obligations” shall mean the Loans, as evidenced by the Note, all interest accrued thereon (including interest which would be payable as post-petition in connection with any bankruptcy or similar proceeding, whether or not permitted as a claim thereunder), any fees due the Bank hereunder, any expenses incurred by the Bank hereunder and any and all other liabilities and obligations of the Borrower to the Bank under this Agreement and any other Loan Document, including any reimbursement obligations of the Borrower in respect of letters of credit and surety bonds, all Hedging Obligations of the Borrower which are owed to the Bank or any Affiliate of the Bank, and all Bank Product Obligations of the Borrower, all in each case howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now or hereafter existing, or due or to become due, together with any and all renewals or extensions thereof.

 

Obligor” shall mean the Borrower, any guarantor, accommodation endorser, third party pledgor, or any other party liable with respect to the Obligations.

 

Organizational Identification Number” means, with respect to Borrower, the organizational identification number assigned to Borrower by the applicable governmental unit or agency of the jurisdiction of organization of the Borrower.

 

Other Taxes” shall mean any present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies which arise from the execution, delivery, enforcement or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

 

Permitted Liens” shall mean (a) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not at the time delinquent or thereafter payable without penalty or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and, in each case, for which it maintains adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP and in respect of which no Lien has been filed; (b) Liens arising in the ordinary course of business (such as (i) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen and other similar Liens imposed by law, and (ii) Liens in the form of deposits or pledges incurred in connection with worker’s compensation, unemployment compensation and other types of social security (excluding Liens arising under ERISA) or in connection with surety bonds, bids, performance bonds and similar obligations) for sums not overdue or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and not involving any advances or borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of property or services, which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of the property or assets of the Borrower or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of the Borrower’s business and, in each case, for which it maintains adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP and in respect of which no Lien has been filed; (c) attachments, appeal bonds, judgments and other similar Liens, for sums not

 

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exceeding at any time Two Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($200,000) in the aggregate, arising in connection with court proceedings; (d) easements, rights of way, restrictions, minor defects or irregularities in title and other similar Liens not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower; (e) subject to the limitation set forth in Section 8.1(d), if any, Liens arising in connection with Capitalized Lease Obligations (and attaching only to the property being leased); (g) subject to the limitation set forth in Section 8.1(e), Liens that constitute purchase money security interests on any property securing Debt incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the cost of acquiring such property, provided that any such Lien attaches to such property within twenty (20) days of the acquisition thereof and attaches solely to the property so acquired; and (h) any matter discussed in this agreement or any dispute that is not expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Person” shall mean any natural person, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, joint venture, joint stock company, association, unincorporated organization, government or agency or political subdivision thereof, or other entity, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.

 

Prime Loan” or “Prime Loans” shall mean that portion, and collectively, those portions of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Loans that bear interest at the Prime Rate.

 

Prime Rate” shall mean the floating per annum rate of interest which at any time, and from time to time, shall be most recently announced by the Bank as its Prime Rate, which is not intended to be the Bank’s lowest or most favorable rate of interest at any one time. The effective date of any change in the Prime Rate shall for purposes hereof be the date the Prime Rate is changed by the Bank. The Bank shall not be obligated to give notice of any change in the Prime Rate.

 

Regulatory Change” shall mean the introduction of, or any change in any applicable law, treaty, rule, regulation or guideline or in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority or any central bank or other fiscal, monetary or other authority having jurisdiction over the Bank or its lending office.

 

Revolving Interest Rate” shall mean the Trailing Average LIBOR Rate.

 

Revolving Loan” and “Revolving Loans” shall mean, respectively, each direct advance and the aggregate of all such direct advances and readvances made by the Bank to the Borrower under and pursuant to this Agreement, as set forth in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

 

Revolving Loan Commitment” shall mean Seventeen Million Five Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($17,500,000.00).

 

Revolving Loan Maturity Date” shall mean December 1, 2007, unless extended by the Bank pursuant to any modification, extension or renewal note executed by the Borrower and accepted by the Bank in its sole and absolute discretion in substitution for the Revolving Note.

 

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Revolving Note” shall mean a revolving note in the form prepared by and acceptable to the Bank, dated as of the date hereof, in the amount of the Revolving Loan Commitment and maturing on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, duly executed by the Borrower and payable to the order of the Bank, together with any and all renewal, extension, modification or replacement notes executed by the Borrower and delivered to the Bank and given in substitution therefor.

 

Subordinated Debt” shall mean that portion of the Debt of the Borrower which is subordinated to the Obligations in a manner satisfactory to the Bank, including right and time of payment of principal and interest.

 

Subsidiary” and “Subsidiaries” shall mean, respectively, with respect to any Person, each and all such corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, joint ventures or other entities of which or in which such Person owns, directly or indirectly, such number of outstanding Capital Securities as have more than fifty percent (50.00%) of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity. Unless the context otherwise requires, each reference to Subsidiaries herein shall be a reference to Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

 

Tangible Assets” shall mean the total of all assets appearing on a balance sheet of the Borrower prepared in accordance with GAAP (with Inventory being valued at the lower of cost or market), after deducting all proper reserves (including reserves for Depreciation) minus the sum of (i) goodwill, patents, trademarks, deposits, deferred charges and other personal property which is classified as intangible property in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) any amounts due from shareholders, Affiliates, officers or employees of the Borrower.

 

Tangible Net Worth” shall mean at any time the total of Tangible Assets minus Liabilities plus Subordinated Debt.

 

Taxes” shall mean any and all present and future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, charges or withholdings, and any and all liabilities (including interest and penalties and other additions to taxes) with respect to the foregoing.

 

Total Debt” shall mean all Debt of the Borrower, determined on a consolidated basis, excluding (i) Contingent Liabilities (except to the extent constituting Contingent Liabilities in respect of the Debt of a Person other than the Borrower or any Subsidiaries), and (ii) Hedging Obligations.

 

Trailing Average LIBOR” shall mean a floating per annum rate of interest equal to the average of the thirty (30) most recent Daily Rates, adjusted each Business Day. Trailing Average LIBOR for any day that is not a Business Day shall be Trailing Average LIBOR for the most recent preceding Business Day.

 

Trailing Average LIBOR Loan” or “Trailing Average LIBOR Loans” shall mean that portion, and collectively those portions, of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Loans that bear interest at the Trailing Average LIBOR Rate.

 

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Trailing Average LIBOR Rate” shall mean a per annum rate of interest equal to Trailing Average LIBOR, plus ninety-five basis points (.95%).

 

UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the state of Michigan from time to time.

 

Unmatured Event of Default” shall mean any event which, with the giving of notice, the passage of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Voidable Transfer” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.21 hereof.

 

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary of which or in which the Borrower owns, directly or indirectly, one hundred percent (100%) of the Capital Securities of such Subsidiary.

 

1.2 Accounting Terms. Any accounting terms used in this Agreement which are not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings customarily given them in accordance with GAAP. Calculations and determinations of financial and accounting terms used and not otherwise specifically defined hereunder and the preparation of financial statements to be furnished to the Bank pursuant hereto shall be made and prepared, both as to classification of items and as to amount, in accordance with sound accounting practices and GAAP as used in the preparation of the financial statements of the Borrower on the date of this Agreement. If any changes in accounting principles or practices from those used in the preparation of the financial statements are hereafter occasioned by the promulgation of rules, regulations, pronouncements and opinions by or required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or any successor thereto or agencies with similar functions), which results in a material change in the method of accounting in the financial statements required to be furnished to the Bank hereunder or in the calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree to enter into good faith negotiations to amend such provisions so as equitably to reflect such changes to the end that the criteria for evaluating the financial condition and performance of the Borrower will be the same after such changes as they were before such changes; and if the parties fail to agree on the amendment of such provisions, the Borrower will furnish financial statements in accordance with such changes, but shall provide calculations, which are reviewed and certified by the Borrower’s accountants, for all financial covenants, shall perform all financial covenants and shall otherwise observe all financial standards and terms in accordance with applicable accounting principles and practices in effect immediately prior to such changes. Calculations with respect to financial covenants required to be stated in accordance with applicable accounting principles and practices in effect immediately prior to such changes shall be reviewed and certified by the Borrower’s accountants.

 

1.3 Other Interpretive Provisions.

 

(a) The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms. Whenever the context so requires, the neuter gender includes the masculine and feminine, the single number includes the plural, and vice versa, and in particular the word “Borrower” shall be so construed.

 

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(b) Section and Schedule references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement

 

(c) The term “including” is not limiting, and means “including, without limitation”.

 

(d) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”; the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding”, and the word “through” means “to and including”.

 

(e) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (i) references to agreements (including this Agreement and the other Loan Documents) and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent such amendments, restatements, supplements and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of any Loan Document, and (ii) references to any statute or regulation shall be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such statute or regulation.

 

(f) To the extent any of the provisions of the other Loan Documents are inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement the provisions of this Agreement shall govern.

 

(g) This Agreement and the other Loan Documents may use several different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar matters. All such limitations, tests and measurements are cumulative and each shall be performed in accordance with its terms.

 

Section 2 COMMITMENT OF THE BANK.

 

2.1 Revolving Loans.

 

(a) Revolving Loan Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, the Bank agrees to make such Revolving Loans at such times as the Borrower may from time to time request until, but not including, the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, and in such amounts as the Borrower may from time to time request, provided, however, that the aggregate principal balance of all Revolving Loans outstanding at any time shall not exceed the Revolving Loan Commitment. Revolving Loans made by the Bank may be repaid and, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, borrowed again up to, but not including the Revolving Loan Maturity Date unless the Revolving Loans are otherwise accelerated, terminated or extended as provided in this Agreement. The Revolving Loans shall be used by the Borrower for the purposes of business acquisitions and working capital in the course of normal Borrower operations.

 

(b) Revolving Loan Interest and Payments. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 2.1(b), the principal amount of the Revolving Loans outstanding from time to time shall bear interest at the applicable Revolving Interest Rate. Accrued and unpaid interest on the

 

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unpaid principal balance of all Revolving Loans outstanding from time to time shall be due and payable monthly, in arrears, commencing on January 1, 2006 and continuing on the first day of each calendar month thereafter. Any amount of principal or interest on the Revolving Loans which is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, shall, upon written notice to Borrower from Bank, bear interest payable on demand at the Default Rate.

 

(c) Revolving Loan Principal Payments.

 

(i) Revolving Loan Mandatory Payments. All Revolving Loans hereunder shall be repaid by the Borrower on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, unless payable sooner pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement. In the event the aggregate outstanding principal balance of all Revolving Loans hereunder exceeds the Revolving Loan Commitment, the Borrower shall, upon notice from the Bank, immediately make such repayments of the Revolving Loans or take such other actions as are satisfactory to the Bank as shall be necessary to eliminate such excess.

 

(ii) Optional Prepayments. The Borrower may from time to time prepay the Revolving Loans, in whole or in part, without any prepayment penalty whatsoever, provided that any prepayment of the entire principal balance shall include accrued interest on such Loans to the date of such prepayment.

 

2.2 Additional Trailing Average LIBOR Loan Provisions.

 

(a) LIBOR Unavailability. If the Bank determines in good faith (which determination shall be conclusive, absent manifest error) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period that (i) the making or maintenance of any Trailing Average LIBOR Loan would violate any applicable law, rule, regulation or directive, whether or not having the force of law, (ii) United States dollar deposits for one-month Interest Periods in the principal amount for funding any Trailing Average LIBOR Loan are not available in the London Interbank Eurodollar market in the ordinary course of business, (iii) by reason of circumstances affecting the London Interbank Eurodollar market, adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the Trailing Average LIBOR Rate to be applicable to the relevant Trailing Average LIBOR Loan, or (iv) the Trailing Average LIBOR Rate does not accurately reflect the cost to the Bank of a Trailing Average LIBOR Loan, the Bank shall promptly notify the Borrower thereof and, so long as the foregoing conditions continue, none of the Loans may be advanced as Trailing Average LIBOR Loans thereafter. In addition, at the Borrower’s option, each existing Trailing Average LIBOR Loan shall be immediately (i) converted to a Prime Loan, or (ii) due and payable without further demand, presentment, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

 

(b) Regulatory Change. In addition, if, after the date hereof, a Regulatory Change shall, in the reasonable determination of the Bank, make it unlawful for the Bank to make or maintain Trailing Average LIBOR Loans, then the Bank shall promptly notify the Borrower and none of the Loans may be advanced as a Trailing Average LIBOR Loan thereafter. In addition, at the Borrower’s option, each existing Trailing Average LIBOR Loan shall be immediately (i) converted to a Prime Loan or (ii) due and payable all without further demand, presentment, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

 

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(c) LIBOR Indemnity. If any Regulatory Change, or compliance by the Bank or any Person controlling the Bank with any request or directive of any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency (whether or not having the force of law) shall (a) impose, modify or deem applicable any assessment, reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets held by, or deposits in or for the account of or loans by, or any other acquisition of funds or disbursements by, the Bank; (b) subject the Bank or any Trailing Average LIBOR Loan to any tax, duty, charge, stamp tax or fee or change the basis of taxation of payments to the Bank of principal or interest due from the Borrower to the Bank hereunder (other than a change in the taxation of the overall net income of the Bank); or (c) impose on the Bank any other condition regarding such Trailing Average LIBOR Loan or the Bank’s funding thereof, and the Bank shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive, absent manifest error) that the result of the foregoing is to increase the cost to, or to impose a cost on, the Bank or such controlling person of making or maintaining such Trailing Average LIBOR Loan or to reduce the amount of principal or interest received by the Bank hereunder, then the Borrower shall pay to the Bank or such controlling Person, on demand, such additional amounts as the Bank shall, from time to time, determine are sufficient to compensate and indemnify the Bank for such increased cost or reduced amount.

 

2.3 Interest and Fee Computation; Collection of Funds. Except as otherwise set forth herein, all interest and fees shall be calculated on the basis of a year consisting of 360 days and shall be paid for the actual number of days elapsed. Principal payments submitted in funds not immediately available shall continue to bear interest until collected. If any payment to be made by the Borrower hereunder or under any Note shall become due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in computing any interest in respect of such payment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the final payment due under any of the Loans must be made by wire transfer or other immediately available funds. All payments made by the Borrower hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents shall be made without setoff, counterclaim, or other defense. To the extent permitted by applicable law, all payments hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents (including any payment of principal, interest, or fees) to, or for the benefit, of any Person shall be made by the Borrower free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for, or account of, any taxes now or hereinafter imposed by any taxing authority.

 

2.4 Late Charge. If any payment of interest or principal due hereunder is not made within ten (10) days after such payment is due in accordance with the terms hereof, then, in addition to the payment of the amount so due, the Borrower shall pay to the Bank a “late charge” of five cents for each whole dollar so overdue to defray part of the cost of collection and handling such late payment. The Borrower agrees that the damages to be sustained by the Bank for the detriment caused by any late payment are extremely difficult and impractical to ascertain, and that the amount of five cents for each one dollar due is a reasonable estimate of such damages, does not constitute interest, and is not a penalty.

 

2.5 Taxes.

 

(a) All payments made by the Borrower under this Agreement shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future income, stamp or other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or

 

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withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any governmental authority, excluding net income taxes and franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of net income taxes) imposed on the Bank as a result of a present or former connection between the Bank and the jurisdiction of the governmental authority imposing such tax or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (other than any such connection arising solely from the Bank having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or any other Loan Document). If any such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings (collectively, “Non-Excluded Taxes”) or Other Taxes are required to be withheld from any amounts payable to the Bank hereunder, the amounts so payable to the Bank shall be increased to the extent necessary to yield to the Bank (after payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes) interest or any such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this Agreement, provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be required to increase any such amounts payable to the Bank with respect to any Non-Excluded Taxes that are attributable to the Bank’s failure to comply with the requirements of subsection (c).

 

(b) The Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant governmental authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(c) At the request of the Borrower and at the Borrower’s sole cost, the Bank shall take reasonable steps to (i) contest its liability for any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes that have not been paid, or (ii) seek a refund of any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes that have been paid.

 

(d) Whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are payable by the Borrower, as promptly as possible thereafter the Borrower shall send to the Bank a certified copy of an original official receipt received by the Borrower showing payment thereof. If the Borrower fails to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority or fails to remit to the Bank the required receipts or other required documentary evidence or if any governmental authority seeks to collect a Non-Excluded Tax or Other Tax directly from the Bank for any other reason, the Borrower shall indemnify the Bank on an after-tax basis for any incremental taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable by the Bank.

 

(e) The agreements in this Section shall survive the satisfaction and payment of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

2.6 Closing Fee: Borrower shall pay to the Bank a closing fee of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000), which fee shall be deemed fully earned on the date of disbursement of the initial Loans hereunder, and which fee shall be payable at the closing hereof.

 

2.7 Unused Line Fee: Borrower shall pay to the Bank an unused line fee equal to one-sixteenth percent (0.0625%) per annum of the difference between the Revolving Loan Commitment and the average daily balance of the Revolving Loans (“Unused Line Fee”). The Unused Line Fee shall be (i) computed for each calendar quarter using the average daily balance of the Revolving Loans for that calendar quarter, and (ii) deemed fully earned by the Bank and payable in arrears on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter for the immediately preceding quarter. The Unused Line Fee shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year.

 

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2.8 All Loans to Constitute Single Obligation. The Loans shall constitute one general obligation of the Borrower.

 

Section 3 CONDITIONS OF BORROWING.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Bank shall not be required to disburse, make or continue all or any portion of the Loans, if any of the following conditions shall have occurred.

 

3.1 Loan Documents. The Borrower shall have failed to execute and deliver to the Bank any of the following Loan Documents, all of which must be satisfactory to the Bank and the Bank’s counsel in form, substance and execution:

 

(a) Loan Agreement. Two copies of this Agreement duly executed by the Borrower.

 

(b) Revolving Note. A Revolving Note duly executed by the Borrower, in the form prepared by and acceptable to the Bank.

 

(c) Organizational and Authorization Document. Certified copies of (i) Articles of Incorporation of the Borrower, (ii) good standing certificates in the state of formation of the Borrower and in each other state requested by the Bank, (iii) resolutions of the shareholders of the Borrower approving and authorizing the Borrower’s execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is party and the transactions contemplated thereby, and (iv) signature and incumbency certificates of the officers of the Borrower, executing any of the Loan Documents, it being understood that the Bank may conclusively rely on each such certificate until formally advised by a like certificate of any changes therein, all certified by its secretary or an assistant secretary (or similar officer) as being in full force and effect without modification.

 

(d) Insurance. Evidence satisfactory to the Bank of the existence of insurance required to be maintained pursuant to Section 7.6.

 

(e) Additional Documents. Such other certificates, financial statements, schedules, resolutions, opinions of counsel, notes and other documents which are provided for hereunder or which the Bank shall require.

 

3.2 Event of Default. Any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

3.3 Material Adverse Effect. The occurrence of any event having a Material Adverse Effect upon the Borrower.

 

3.4 Litigation. Any litigation or governmental proceeding shall have been instituted against the Borrower or any of its officers or shareholders reasonably likely of having a Materially Adverse Effect upon the Borrower, other than as disclosed in Schedule 6.9.

 

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3.5 Representations and Warranties. Any representation or warranty of the Borrower contained herein or in any Loan Document shall be untrue or incorrect in any material respect as of the date of any Loan as though made on such date, except to the extent such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date.

 

Section 4 NOTES EVIDENCING LOANS.

 

4.1 Revolving Note. The Revolving Loans shall be evidenced by the Revolving Note. At the time of the initial disbursement of a Revolving Loan and at each time any additional Revolving Loan shall be requested hereunder or a repayment made in whole or in part thereon, a notation thereof shall be made on the books and records of the Bank. All amounts recorded shall be, absent manifest error, conclusive and binding evidence of (i) the principal amount of the Revolving Loans advanced hereunder, (ii) any accrued and unpaid interest owing on the Revolving Loans, and (iii) all amounts repaid on the Revolving Loans. The failure to record any such amount or any error in recording such amounts shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower under the Revolving Note to repay the principal amount of the Revolving Loans, together with all interest accruing thereon.

 

Section 5 MANNER OF BORROWING.

 

5.1 Borrowing Procedures. Each Loan shall be made available to the Borrower upon any written, verbal, electronic, telephonic or telecopy loan request which the Bank in good faith believes to emanate from a properly authorized representative of the Borrower, whether or not that is in fact the case. Each such request shall be effective upon receipt by the Bank, shall be irrevocable and shall specify the date, amount and type of borrowing. A request for a direct advance must be received by the Bank no later than 3:00 p.m. Lansing, Michigan time, on the day it is to be funded. The proceeds of each direct advance shall be made available at the office of the Bank by credit to the account of the Borrower or by other means requested by the Borrower and acceptable to the Bank. The Borrower does hereby irrevocably confirm, ratify and approve all such advances by the Bank and does hereby indemnify the Bank against losses and expenses (including court costs, attorneys’ and paralegals’ fees) and shall hold the Bank harmless with respect thereto.

 

5.2 Automatic Debit. In order to effectuate the timely payment of any of the Obligations when due, the Borrower hereby authorizes and directs the Bank, at the Bank’s option, to (a) debit the amount of the Obligations to any ordinary deposit account of the Borrower, or (b) make a Revolving Loan hereunder to pay the amount of the Obligations.

 

5.3 Discretionary Disbursements. The Bank, in its sole and absolute discretion, may immediately upon notice to the Borrower, disburse any or all proceeds of the Loans made or available to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement to pay any fees, costs, expenses or other amounts required to be paid by the Borrower hereunder and not so paid. All monies so disbursed shall be a part of the Obligations, payable by the Borrower on demand from the Bank.

 

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Section 6 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

 

To induce the Bank to make the Loans, the Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to the Bank, each of which shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement:

 

6.1 Borrower Organization and Name. The Borrower is a corporation existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Michigan, with full and adequate power to carry on and conduct its business as presently conducted. The Borrower is duly licensed or qualified in all foreign jurisdictions wherein the nature of its activities require such qualification or licensing, except for such jurisdictions where the failure to so qualify would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower’s Corporate Identification Number is 059-092. The exact legal name of the Borrower is as set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

6.2 Authorization. The Borrower has full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to make the borrowings and execute and deliver the Loan Documents as provided herein and to perform all of its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents will not, nor will the observance or performance of any of the matters and things herein or therein set forth, violate or contravene any provision of law or of the articles of organization of the Borrower. All necessary and appropriate action has been taken on the part of the Borrower to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Loan Documents.

 

6.3 Validity and Binding Nature. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity.

 

6.4 Consent; Absence of Breach. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any other documents or instruments to be executed and delivered by the Borrower in connection with the Loans, and the borrowings by the Borrower hereunder, do not and will not (a) require any consent, approval, authorization, or filings with, notice to or other act by or in respect of, any governmental authority or any other Person (other than any consent or approval which has been obtained and is in full force and effect); or (b) conflict with (i) any provision of law or any applicable regulation, order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or governmental authority, (ii) the articles of incorporation of the Borrower, or (iii) any material agreement, indenture, instrument or other document, or any judgment, order or decree, which is binding upon the Borrower or any of its properties or assets.

 

6.5 Ownership of Properties; Liens. The Borrower is the sole owner of all of its properties and assets, real and personal, tangible and intangible, of any nature whatsoever (including patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks and copyrights), free and clear of all Liens, charges and claims (including infringement claims with respect to patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights and the like), other than Permitted Liens.

 

6.6 Equity Ownership. All issued and outstanding Capital Securities of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries are duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable, and

 

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free and clear of all Liens other than those in favor of the Bank, if any, and such securities were issued in material compliance with all applicable state and federal laws concerning the issuance of securities. As of the date hereof, there are no pre-emptive or other outstanding rights, options (other than employee stock options), warrants (other than warrants issued to scientific review council members), conversion rights or other similar agreements or understandings for the purchase or acquisition of any Capital Securities of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries.

 

6.7 Intellectual Property. Except as discussed in this Agreement, the Borrower owns and possesses or has a license or other right to use all Intellectual Property as are necessary for the conduct of the businesses of the Borrower, without any infringement upon rights of others which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect upon the Borrower, and no material claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any Intellectual Property nor does the Borrower know of any valid basis for any such claim.

 

6.8 Financial Statements. All financial statements submitted to the Bank have been prepared in accordance with sound accounting practices and GAAP on a basis, except as otherwise noted therein, consistent with the previous fiscal year and present fairly the financial condition of the Borrower and the results of the operations for the Borrower as of such date and for the periods indicated. Since the date of the most recent financial statement submitted by the Borrower to the Bank, there has been no change in the financial condition or in the assets or liabilities of the Borrower having a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower.

 

6.9 Litigation and Contingent Liabilities. There is no litigation, arbitration proceeding, demand, charge, claim, petition or governmental investigation or proceeding pending, or, to Borrower’s knowledge, threatened, against the Borrower, which, if adversely determined, which might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect upon the Borrower, except as set forth in Schedule 6.9. Other than any liability incident to such litigation or proceedings, the Borrower has no material guarantee obligations, contingent liabilities, liabilities for taxes, or any long-term leases or unusual forward or long-term commitments, including any interest rate or foreign currency swap or exchange transaction or other obligation in respect of derivatives, that are not fully-reflected or fully reserved for in the most recent audited financial statements delivered pursuant to subsection 7.8(a) or fully-reflected or fully reserved for in the most recent quarterly financial statements delivered pursuant to subsection 7.8(b) and not permitted by Section 8.1.

 

6.10 Event of Default. No Event of Default or, to Borrower’s knowledge, Unmatured Event of Default exists or would result from the incurrence by the Borrower of any of the Obligations hereunder or under any of the other Loan Document, and the Borrower is not in default (without regard to grace or cure periods) under any other contract or agreement to which it is a party.

 

6.11 Adverse Circumstances. Except as discussed in this Agreement, no condition, circumstance, event, agreement, document, instrument, restriction, litigation or proceeding (or threatened litigation or proceeding or basis therefor) exists which (a) would have a Material Adverse Effect upon the Borrower, or (b) would constitute an Event of Default or an Unmatured Event of Default.

 

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6.12 Environmental Laws and Hazardous Substances. Except as set forth on Schedule 6.12, the Borrower has not generated, used, stored, treated, transported, manufactured, handled, produced or disposed of any Hazardous Substances, on or off any of the premises of the Borrower (whether or not owned by it) in any manner which at any time violates any Environmental Law or any license, permit, certificate, approval or similar authorization thereunder. The Borrower will comply in all material respects with all Environmental Laws and will obtain all licenses, permits, certificates, approvals and similar authorizations thereunder. Borrower has received no notice of any investigation, proceeding, complaint, order, directive, claim, citation or notice by any governmental authority or any other Person, nor, to Borrower’s knowledge, is any pending or threatened, and the Borrower shall immediately notify the Bank upon becoming aware of any such investigation, proceeding, complaint, order, directive, claim, citation or notice, and shall take prompt and appropriate actions to respond thereto, with respect to any non-compliance with, or violation of, the requirements of any Environmental Law by the Borrower or the release, spill or discharge, threatened or actual, of any Hazardous Material or the generation, use, storage, treatment, transportation, manufacture, handling, production or disposal of any Hazardous Material or any other environmental, health or safety matter, which affects the Borrower or its business, operations or assets or any properties at which the Borrower has transported, stored or disposed of any Hazardous Substances. The Borrower has no material liability, contingent or otherwise, in connection with a release, spill or discharge, threatened or actual, of any Hazardous Substances or the generation, use, storage, treatment, transportation, manufacture, handling, production or disposal of any Hazardous Material. The Borrower further agrees to allow the Bank or its agent access to the properties of the Borrower to confirm compliance with all Environmental Laws, and the Borrower shall, following determination by the Bank that there is non-compliance, or any condition which requires any action by or on behalf of the Borrower in order to avoid any non-compliance, with any Environmental Law, at the Borrower’s sole expense, cause an independent environmental engineer acceptable to the Bank to conduct such tests of the relevant site as are appropriate, and prepare and deliver a report setting forth the result of such tests, a proposed plan for remediation and an estimate of the costs thereof.

 

6.13 Solvency, etc. As of the date hereof, and immediately prior to and after giving effect to the issuance of each Loan hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof, (a) the fair value of the Borrower’s assets is greater than the amount of its liabilities (including disputed, contingent and unliquidated liabilities) as such value is established and liabilities evaluated as required under the Section 548 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, (b) the present fair saleable value of the Borrower’s assets is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) the Borrower is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities (including disputed, contingent and unliquidated liabilities) as they mature in the normal course of business, (d) the Borrower does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, and (e) the Borrower is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which its property would constitute unreasonably small capital.

 

6.14 ERISA Obligations. All Employee Plans of the Borrower meet the minimum funding standards of Section 302 of ERISA and 412 of the Internal Revenue Code where applicable, and each such Employee Plan that is intended to be qualified within the meaning of

 

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Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is qualified. No withdrawal liability has been incurred under any such Employee Plans and no “Reportable Event” or “Prohibited Transaction” (as such terms are defined in ERISA), has occurred with respect to any such Employee Plans, unless approved by the appropriate governmental agencies. The Borrower has promptly paid and discharged all obligations and liabilities arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) of a character which if unpaid or unperformed might result in the imposition of a Lien against any of its properties or assets.

 

6.15 Labor Relations. Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) there are no strikes, lockouts or other labor disputes against the Borrower or threatened, (ii) hours worked by and payment made to employees of the Borrower have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable law, and (ii) no unfair labor practice complaint is pending against the Borrower or threatened before any governmental authority.

 

6.16 Lending Relationship. The relationship hereby created between the Borrower and the Bank is and has been conducted on an open and arm’s length basis in which no fiduciary relationship exists and that the Borrower has not relied and is not relying on any such fiduciary relationship in executing this Agreement and in consummating the Loans. The Bank represents that it will receive any Note payable to its order as evidence of a bank loan.

 

6.17 Business Loan. The Loans, including interest rate, fees and charges as contemplated hereby, (i) are extensions of credit to a business entity within the purview of MCL 438.61, as amended from time to time, (ii) are an exempted transaction under the Truth In Lending Act, 12 U.S.C. 1601 et seq., as amended from time to time, and (iii) do not, and when disbursed shall not, violate the provisions of the Michigan usury laws, any consumer credit laws or the usury laws of any state which may have jurisdiction over this transaction, the Borrower or any property securing the Loans.

 

6.18 Taxes. The Borrower has timely filed all tax returns and reports required by law to have been filed by it and has paid all taxes, governmental charges and assessments due and payable with respect to such returns, except any such taxes or charges which are being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP shall have been set aside on its books, are insured against or bonded over to the satisfaction of the Bank and the contesting of such payment does not create a Lien which is not a Permitted Lien. There is no controversy or objection pending, or threatened in respect of any tax returns of the Borrower. The Borrower has made adequate reserves on its books and records in accordance with GAAP for all taxes that have accrued but which are not yet due and payable.

 

6.19 Compliance with Regulation U. No portion of the proceeds of the Loans shall be used by the Borrower, or any Affiliates of the Borrower, either directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock, within the meaning of Regulation U as adopted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any successor thereto.

 

6.20 Governmental Regulation. The Borrower is not, or after giving effect to any loan, will not be, subject to regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the

 

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Federal Power Act, the ICC Termination Act of 1995 or the Investment Company Act of 1940 or to any federal or state statute or regulation limiting its ability to incur indebtedness for borrowed money.

 

6.21 Place of Business. The principal place of business and books and records of the Borrower is set forth in the preamble to this Agreement, if other than at such principal place of business, is as set forth on Schedule 6.21 attached hereto and made a part hereof, and the Borrower shall promptly notify the Bank of any change in such locations.

 

6.22 Complete Information. This Agreement and all financial statements, schedules, certificates, confirmations, agreements, contracts, and other materials and information heretofore or contemporaneously herewith furnished in writing by the Borrower to the Bank for purposes of, or in connection with, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby is, and all written information hereafter furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Bank pursuant hereto or in connection herewith will be, true and accurate in every material respect on the date as of which such information is dated or certified (it being recognized by the Bank that any projections and forecasts provided by the Borrower are based on good faith estimates and assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the date of the applicable projections or assumptions and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections and forecasts may differ from projected or forecasted results).

 

Section 7 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

 

7.1 Compliance with Bank Regulatory Requirements; Increased Costs. If the Bank shall reasonably determine that any Regulatory Change, or compliance by the Bank or any Person controlling the Bank with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the Bank’s or such controlling Person’s capital as a consequence of the Bank’s obligations hereunder to a level below that which the Bank or such controlling Person could have achieved but for such Regulatory Change or compliance (taking into consideration the Bank’s or such controlling Person’s policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by the Bank or such controlling Person to be material or would otherwise reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by the Bank under this Agreement or under any Note with respect thereto, then from time to time, upon demand by the Bank (which demand shall be accompanied by a statement setting forth the basis for such demand and a calculation of the amount thereof in reasonable detail), the Borrower shall pay directly to the Bank or such controlling Person such additional amount as will compensate the Bank for such increased cost or such reduction, so long as such amounts have accrued on or after the day which is one hundred eighty days (180) days prior to the date on which the Bank first made demand therefor.

 

7.2 Borrower Existence. The Borrower shall at all times preserve and maintain its (a) its existence and good standing in the jurisdiction of its organization, and (b) its qualification to do business and good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of its business makes such qualification necessary (other than such jurisdictions in which the failure to be qualified or in good standing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect), and shall at all times continue as a going concern in the business which the Borrower is presently conducting.

 

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7.3 Compliance With Laws. The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loans for business acquisition and working capital and other general corporate or business purposes not in contravention of any requirements of law and not in violation of this Agreement, and shall comply in all respects, including the conduct of its business and operations and the use of its properties and assets, with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, decrees, orders, judgments, licenses and permits, except where failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. In addition, and without limiting the foregoing sentence, the Borrower shall (a) ensure, and cause each Subsidiary to ensure, that no person who owns a controlling interest in or otherwise controls the Borrower or any Subsidiary is or shall be listed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Person List or other similar lists maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), the Department of the Treasury or included in any Executive Orders, (b) not use or permit the use of the proceeds of the Loans to violate any of the foreign asset control regulations of OFAC or any enabling statute or Executive Order relating thereto, and (c) comply, and cause each Subsidiary to comply, with all applicable Bank Secrecy Act laws and regulations, as amended.

 

7.4 Payment of Taxes and Liabilities. The Borrower shall pay and discharge, prior to delinquency and before penalties accrue thereon, all property and other taxes, and all governmental charges or levies against it, as well as claims of any kind which, if unpaid, could become a Lien on any of its property; provided that the foregoing shall not require the Borrower to pay any such tax or charge so long as it shall contest the validity thereof in good faith by appropriate proceedings and shall set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and, in the case of a claim which could become a Lien, such contest proceedings stay the foreclosure of such Lien or the sale of any property to satisfy such claim.

 

7.5 Maintain Property. The Borrower shall at all times maintain, preserve and keep its plant, properties and Equipment, in good repair, working order and condition, and shall from time to time make all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements, and additions thereto so that at all times the efficiency thereof shall be fully preserved and maintained. The Borrower shall permit the Bank to examine and inspect such plant, properties and Equipment at all reasonable times.

 

7.6 Maintain Insurance. The Borrower shall at all times maintain insurance with insurance companies reasonably acceptable to the Bank, such insurance coverage as may be required by any law or governmental regulation or court decree or order applicable to it and such other insurance, to such extent and against such hazards and liabilities, including employers’, public and professional liability risks, as is customarily maintained by companies similarly situated, and shall have insured amounts no less than, and deductibles no higher than, are reasonably acceptable to the Bank. Upon request of the Bank, the Borrower shall, from time to time, furnish to the Bank a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the nature and extent of all insurance maintained by the Borrower, which shall be reasonably acceptable in all respects to the Bank. The Bank acknowledges and agrees that Borrower’s insurance coverage reflected on the insurance certificate previously provided to the Bank by the Borrower, meets the requirements of this Section 7.6 is acceptable to the Bank.

 

7.7 ERISA Liabilities; Employee Plans. The Borrower shall (i) keep in full force and effect any and all Employee Plans which are presently in existence or may, from time to time,

 

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come into existence under ERISA, and not withdraw from any such Employee Plans, unless such withdrawal can be effected or such Employee Plans can be terminated without liability to the Borrower; (ii) make contributions to all of such Employee Plans in a timely manner and in a sufficient amount to comply with the standards of ERISA; including the minimum funding standards of ERISA; (iii) comply with all material requirements of ERISA which relate to such Employee Plans; (iv) notify the Bank immediately upon receipt by the Borrower of any notice concerning the imposition of any withdrawal liability or of the institution of any proceeding or other action which may result in the termination of any such Employee Plans or the appointment of a trustee to administer such Employee Plans; (v) promptly advise the Bank of the occurrence of any “Reportable Event” or “Prohibited Transaction” (as such terms are defined in ERISA), with respect to any such Employee Plans; and (vi) amend any Employee Plan that is intended to be qualified within the meaning of Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to the extent necessary to keep the Employee Plan qualified, and to cause the Employee Plan to be administered and operated in a manner that does not cause the Employee Plan to lose its qualified status.

 

7.8 Financial Statements. The Borrower shall at all times maintain a standard and modern system of accounting, on the accrual basis of accounting and in all respects in accordance with GAAP, and shall furnish to the Bank or its authorized representatives such information regarding the business affairs, operations and financial condition of the Borrower, including:

 

(a) promptly when available, and in any event, within one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of each of its fiscal years, a copy of (i) the annual audited financial statements of the Borrower, including balance sheet, statement of income and retained earnings, statement of cash flows for the fiscal year then ended and such other information (including nonfinancial information) as the Bank may request, in reasonable detail, prepared and certified without adverse reference to going concern value and without qualification by an independent auditor of recognized standing, selected by the Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Bank; and

 

(b) promptly when available, and in any event, within sixty (60) days following the end of each fiscal quarter, a copy of the Borrower’s Form 10-Q regarding such fiscal quarter.

 

No change with respect to such accounting principles shall be made by the Borrower without giving prior notification to the Bank. The Borrower represents and warrants to the Bank that the financial statements delivered to the Bank at or prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and to be delivered at all times thereafter accurately reflect and will accurately reflect the financial condition of the Borrower. The Bank shall have the right at all times during business hours to inspect the books and records of the Borrower and make extracts therefrom.

 

7.9 Supplemental Information. The Borrower shall immediately upon receipt thereof, provide to the Bank copies of interim and supplemental reports if any, submitted to the Borrower by independent accountants in connection with any interim audit or review of the books of the Borrower.

 

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7.10 Covenant Compliance Certificate. The Borrower shall, contemporaneously with the furnishing of the financial statements pursuant to Section 7.8, deliver to the Bank a duly completed compliance certificate, dated the date of such financial statements and certified as true and correct by an appropriate officer of the Borrower, containing a computation of each of the financial covenants set forth in Section 9 and stating that the Borrower has not become aware of any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing or, if there is any such Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default describing it and the steps, if any, being taken to cure it.

 

7.11 Other Reports. The Borrower shall, within such period of time as the Bank may specify, deliver to the Bank such other schedules and reports as the Bank may require.

 

7.12 Intellectual Property. The Borrower shall maintain, preserve and renew all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business as and where the same is currently located as heretofore or as hereafter conducted by it, except for a failure to maintain, preserve or renew which would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Borrower.

 

7.13 Notice of Proceedings. The Borrower, promptly upon becoming aware, shall give written notice to the Bank of any litigation, arbitration or governmental investigation or proceeding not previously disclosed by the Borrower to the Bank which has been instituted or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, is threatened against the Borrower or to which any of its properties is subject which might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.14 Notice of Event of Default or Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower shall, immediately after the commencement thereof, give notice to the Bank in writing of the occurrence of any Event of Default or any Unmatured Event of Default, or the occurrence of any condition or event which might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.15 Environmental Matters. If any release or threatened release or other disposal of Hazardous Substances shall occur or shall have occurred on any real property or any other assets of the Borrower, the Borrower shall cause the prompt containment and removal of such Hazardous Substances and the remediation of such real property or other assets as necessary to comply with all Environmental Laws and to preserve the value of such real property or other assets. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower shall comply with any Federal or state judicial or administrative order requiring the performance at any real property of the Borrower of activities in response to the release or threatened release of a Hazardous Substance. To the extent that the transportation of Hazardous Substances is permitted by this Agreement, the Borrower shall dispose of such Hazardous Substances, or of any other wastes, only at licensed disposal facilities operating in compliance with Environmental Laws.

 

7.16 Banking Relationship. Except for (i) those depository accounts set forth on Schedule 7.16 and (ii) a reasonable period of transition from Borrower’s existing lock box relationship, the Borrower covenants and agrees, at all times during the term of this Agreement, to utilize the Bank as its primary bank of accounts (“Deposit Accounts”) and depository for all financial services, including all receipts, disbursements, cash management and related services.

 

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Section 8 NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

 

8.1 Debt. The Borrower shall not, either directly or indirectly, create, assume, incur or have outstanding any Debt (including purchase money indebtedness), or become liable, whether as endorser, guarantor, surety or otherwise, for any debt or obligation of any other Person, except:

 

(a) obligations of the Borrower for Taxes, assessments, municipal or other governmental charges;

 

(b) Subordinated Debt;

 

(c) Hedging Obligations incurred in favor of the Bank or an Affiliate thereof for bona fide hedging purposes and not for speculation;

 

(d) Capitalized Lease Obligations, provided that the aggregate amount of all such Debt outstanding at any time shall not exceed One Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) in the aggregate;

 

(e) Debt for Capital Expenditures incurred after the date of this Agreement not to exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($250,000.00) in the aggregate;

 

(f) Debt described on Schedule 8.1 and any extension, renewal or refinancing thereof so long as the principal amount thereof is not increased.

 

8.2 Encumbrances. The Borrower shall not, either directly or indirectly, create, assume, incur or suffer or permit to exist any Lien or charge of any kind or character upon any asset of the Borrower, whether owned at the date hereof or hereafter acquired, except for Permitted Liens.

 

8.3 Investments. The Borrower shall not, either directly or indirectly, make or have outstanding any Investment, except:

 

(a) Investments through the acquisition of controlling interests in operating businesses.

 

(b) Investments constituting Debt permitted by Section 8.1;

 

(c) Contingent Liabilities constituting Debt permitted by Section 8.1 or Liens permitted by Section 8.2;

 

(d) Cash Equivalent Investments;

 

(e) Investments in securities of Account Debtors received pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such account debtors; and

 

(f) Investments listed on Schedule 8.3 as of the Closing Date.

 

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provided, however, that (i) any Investment which when made complies with the requirements of the definition of the term “Cash Equivalent Investment” may continue to be held notwithstanding that such Investment if made thereafter would not comply with such requirements; and (ii) no Investment otherwise permitted by subsections (a) or (c) shall be permitted to be made if, immediately before or after giving effect thereto, any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default exists.

 

8.4 Transfer; Merger; Sales. Except as approved in writing by Bank, the Borrower shall not, whether in one transaction or a series of related transactions, (a) be a party to any merger or consolidation, or purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the assets or any Capital Securities of any class of, or any partnership or joint venture interest in, any other Person, except for (i) any such merger, consolidation, sale, transfer, conveyance, lease or assignment of or by any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary into the Borrower or into any other domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; (ii) any such purchase or other acquisition by the Borrower or any domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the assets or equity interests of any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, (b) unless the Obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are satisfied in full at or prior to an applicable closing, sell, transfer, convey or lease all or any substantial part of its assets or Capital Securities (including the sale of Capital Securities of any Subsidiary), except for sales of Inventory in the ordinary course of business, or (c) sell or assign, with or without recourse, any receivables.

 

8.5 Issuance of Capital Securities. The Borrower shall not issue any Capital Securities other than (a) any issuance of shares of the Borrower’s common Capital Securities pursuant to any employee or director option program, benefit plan or compensation program, or (b) any issuance of Capital Securities by a Subsidiary to the Borrower or another Subsidiary in accordance with Section 8.6. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 8.5 shall not apply to the issuance of any Capital Securities by Borrower that does not materially impact (i) the Bank’s position relative to the Borrower’s other creditors nor (ii) the creditworthiness of the Borrower as determined pursuant to the underwriting standards applied by the Bank in connection with the credit facility established by this Agreement.

 

8.6 Distributions. The Borrower shall not (a) purchase or redeem any of its equity interests or any warrants, options or other rights in respect thereof in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) per fiscal year of the Borrower, (b) pay any management fees or similar fees to any of its equityholders or any Affiliate thereof, (c) pay or prepay interest on, principal of, premium, if any, redemption, conversion, exchange, purchase, retirement, defeasance, sinking fund or any other payment in respect of any Subordinated Debt, or (d) set aside funds for any of the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary may pay dividends or make other distributions to the Borrower or to a domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary. Further, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the distributions otherwise permitted herein shall be prohibited if any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or if after giving effect to such Distribution an Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default shall have then occurred.

 

8.7 Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction with any of its Affiliates or with any director, officer or employee of the Borrower other than transactions in the ordinary course of, and pursuant to the

 

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reasonable requirements of, the business of the Borrower and upon fair and reasonable terms which are fully disclosed to the Bank and are no less favorable to the Borrower than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Borrower.

 

8.8 Unconditional Purchase Obligations. The Borrower shall not enter into or be a party to any contract or contracts (which have a combined purchase price at any time in excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) at any one time) for the purchase of materials, supplies or other property or services if such contract or contracts require that payment be made by the Borrower regardless of whether delivery is ever made of such materials, supplies or other property or services

 

8.9 Cancellation of Debt. The Borrower shall not cancel any claim or debt owing to it, except for reasonable consideration or in the ordinary course of business.

 

8.10 Inconsistent Agreements. The Borrower shall not enter into any agreement containing any provision which would (a) be violated or breached by any borrowing by the Borrower hereunder or by the performance by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any of its Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (b) prohibit the Borrower or any Subsidiary from granting to the Bank a Lien on any of its assets or (c) create or permit to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make other distributions to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, or pay any Debt owed to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, (ii) make loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, or (iii) transfer any of its assets or properties to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, other than (A) customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of all or a substantial part of the assets of any Subsidiary pending such sale, provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (B) restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to purchase money Debt, Capital Leases and other secured Debt permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Debt, and (C) customary provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof.

 

8.11 Use of Proceeds. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall use any portion of the proceeds of the Loans, either directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing any securities underwritten by ABN AMRO Incorporated, an Affiliate of the Bank.

 

8.12 Bank Accounts. Other than the accounts listed on Schedule 7.16, the Borrower shall not establish any new Deposit Accounts or other bank accounts, other than Deposit Accounts or other bank accounts established at or with the Bank, without the prior written consent of the Bank, which will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

8.13 Business Activities; Change of Legal Status and Organizational Documents. The Borrower shall not (a) engage in any line of business other than the businesses engaged in on the date hereof and businesses reasonably related thereto, (b) change its name, its Organizational Identification Number, if it has one, its type of organization, its jurisdiction of organization or other legal structure, unless Borrower shall have provided not less than ninety (90) days prior written notice thereof to the Bank, and executed such documents as Bank shall require to

 

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maintain and continue the effectiveness of the Loan Documents and security interests and liens provided herein, or (c) permit its Articles of Organization, Operating Agreement (if any) or other organizational documents to be amended or modified in any way which could reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the interests of the Bank.

 

Section 9 FINANCIAL COVENANTS.

 

9.1 Tangible Net Worth. As of the end of each of its fiscal quarters, the Borrower shall maintain Tangible Net Worth in an amount not less than Twenty One Million and 00/100 Dollars ($21,000,000.00).

 

9.2 Funded Debt to EBITDA. As of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, the Borrower shall maintain a ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA of not greater than 2.50 to 1.00.

 

9.3 Debt Service Coverage Ratio. As of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, the Borrower shall maintain a Debt Service Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.50 to 1.00.

 

Section 10 EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

 

The Borrower, without notice or demand of any kind, shall be in default under this Agreement upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each an “Event of Default”).

 

10.1 Nonpayment of Obligations. Any amount due and owing on any Note or any of the Obligations, whether by its terms or as otherwise provided herein, is not paid within the ten (10) days after the date when due.

 

10.2 Misrepresentation. Any oral or written warranty, representation, certificate or statement of any Obligor in this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other agreement with the Bank shall be false when made or at any time thereafter in all material respects, or if any financial data or any other information now or hereafter furnished to the Bank by or on behalf of any Obligor shall prove to be false, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect.

 

10.3 Nonperformance. Any failure to perform or default in the performance of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement, or in the other Loan Documents or any other agreement with the Bank, and, if capable of being cured, such failure to perform or default in performance continues for a period of (i) ten (10) days as to any failure or default in performance which may be cured by the payment of money or (ii) thirty (30) days as to any other such failure or default in performance, after the Borrower receives written notice from Bank of such failure to perform or default in performance.

 

10.4 Default under Other Debt. Any default by any Obligor in the payment of any Debt for any other obligation (individually or in the aggregate in excess of $100,000) beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto or in the performance of any other term, condition or covenant contained in any agreement (including any capital or operating lease or any agreement in connection with the deferred purchase price of property) under which any such obligation is created, the effect of which default is to cause or permit the holder of such obligation (or the other party to such other agreement) to cause such obligation to become due prior to its stated maturity or terminate such other agreement.

 

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10.5 Other Material Obligations. Any default in the payment when due, or in the performance or observance of, any material obligation of, or condition agreed to by, any Obligor with respect to any material purchase or lease of goods or services where such default, singly or in the aggregate with all other such defaults, might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

10.6 Bankruptcy, Insolvency, etc. Any Obligor becomes insolvent or generally fails to pay, or admits in writing its inability or refusal to pay, debts as they become due; or any Obligor applies for, consents to, or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or other custodian for such Obligor or any property thereof, or makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or, in the absence of such application, consent or acquiescence, a trustee, receiver or other custodian is appointed for any Obligor or for a substantial part of the property of any Obligor and is not discharged within sixty (60) days; or any bankruptcy, reorganization, debt arrangement, or other case or proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, or any dissolution or liquidation proceeding, is commenced in respect of any Obligor, and if such case is not commenced by such Obligor, it is consented to or acquiesced in by such Obligor, or remains undismissed for sixty (60) days; or any Obligor takes any action to authorize, or in furtherance of, any of the foregoing.

 

10.7 Judgments. Except for Permitted Liens, the entry of any final judgment, decree, levy, attachment, garnishment or other process, or the filing of any Lien against any Obligor which is not fully covered by insurance and such judgment or other process shall not have been, within thirty (30) days from the entry thereof, (i) bonded over to the satisfaction of the Bank and appealed, (ii) vacated, or (iii) discharged.

 

10.8 Material Adverse Effect. The occurrence of any event which has a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower.

 

Section 11 REMEDIES.

 

Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Bank shall have all rights, powers and remedies set forth in the Loan Documents, in any written agreement or instrument (other than this Agreement or the Loan Documents) relating to any of the Obligations or as otherwise provided at law or in equity. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Bank may, at its option upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, declare its commitments to the Borrower to be terminated and all Obligations to be immediately due and payable, provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 10.6, all commitments of the Bank to the Borrower shall immediately terminate and all Obligations shall be automatically due and payable, all without demand, notice or further action of any kind required on the part of the Bank. The Borrower hereby waives any and all presentment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, and all other notices and demands in connection with the enforcement of Bank’s rights under the Loan Documents, and hereby consents to, and waives notice of release, with or without consideration, notwithstanding anything contained herein or in the Loan Documents to the contrary. In addition to the foregoing:

 

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11.1 UCC and Offset Rights. The Bank may exercise, from time to time, any and all rights and remedies available to it under the UCC or under any other applicable law in addition to, and not in lieu of, any rights and remedies expressly granted in this Agreement or in any other agreements between any Obligor and the Bank, and may, without demand or notice of any kind, appropriate and apply toward the payment of such of the Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, including costs of collection and attorneys’ and paralegals’ fees, and in such order of application as the Bank may, from time to time, elect, any indebtedness of the Bank to any Obligor, however created or arising, including balances, credits, deposits, accounts or moneys of such Obligor in the possession, control or custody of, or in transit to the Bank. The Borrower, on behalf of itself and each Obligor, hereby waives the benefit of any law that would otherwise restrict or limit the Bank in the exercise of its right, which is hereby acknowledged, to appropriate at any time hereafter any such indebtedness owing from the Bank to any Obligor.

 

11.2 Additional Remedies. The Bank shall have the right and power to:

 

(a) extend, renew or modify for one or more periods (whether or not longer than the original period) any Note, any other of the Obligations, any obligation of any nature of any other Obligor with respect to any Note or any of the Obligations; and

 

(b) grant releases, compromises or indulgences with respect to any Note, any of the Obligations, any extension or renewal of any of the Obligations, any security therefor, or to any other Obligor with respect to any Note or any of the Obligations.

 

11.3 Attorney-in-Fact. Following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default the Borrower hereby irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Bank (and any officer of the Bank or any Person designated by the Bank for that purpose) as the Borrower’s true and lawful proxy and attorney-in-fact (and agent-in-fact) in the Borrower’s name, place and stead, with full power of substitution, to (i) take such actions as are permitted in this Agreement and (ii) carry out any remedy provided for in this Agreement, including, without limitation, endorsing the Borrower’s name to checks, drafts, instruments and other items of payment, executing change of address forms with the postmaster of the United States Post Office serving the address of the Borrower, changing the address of the Borrower to that of the Bank, opening all envelopes addressed to the Borrower and applying any payments contained therein to the Obligations. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the constitution and appointment of such proxy and attorney-in-fact are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable. The Borrower hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorney-in-fact may do or cause to be done by virtue of any provision of this Agreement.

 

11.4 No Marshaling. The Bank shall not be required to marshal any future collateral security for or other assurances of payment of the Obligations or any of them or to resort to such collateral security or other assurances of payment in any particular order. To the extent that it lawfully may, the Borrower hereby agrees that it will not invoke any law relating to the marshaling of collateral which might cause delay in or impede the enforcement of the Bank’s rights under this Agreement or under any other instrument creating or evidencing any of the Obligations or under which any of the Obligations is outstanding or by which any of the Obligations is secured or payment thereof is otherwise assured, and, to the extent that it lawfully may, the Borrower hereby irrevocably waives the benefits of all such laws.

 

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11.5 Application of Proceeds. The Bank will within three (3) Business Days after receipt of cash or solvent credits from collection of items of payment or any other source, apply the whole or any part thereof against the Obligations secured hereby. The Bank shall further have the exclusive right to determine how, when and what application of such payments and such credits shall be made on the Obligations, and such determination shall be conclusive upon the Borrower.

 

11.6 No Waiver. No Event of Default shall be waived by the Bank except in writing. No failure or delay on the part of the Bank in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver of the exercise of the same or any other right at any other time; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy hereunder. There shall be no obligation on the part of the Bank to exercise any remedy available to the Bank in any order. The remedies provided for herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided at law or in equity. The Borrower agrees that in the event that the Borrower fails to perform, observe or discharge any of its Obligations or liabilities under this Agreement or any other agreements with the Bank, no remedy of law will provide adequate relief to the Bank, and further agrees that the Bank shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages.

 

Section 12 MISCELLANEOUS.

 

12.1 Obligations Absolute. None of the following shall affect the Obligations of the Borrower to the Bank under this Agreement:

 

(a) acceptance or retention by the Bank of property or any interest in property as security for the Obligations;

 

(b) release by the Bank of any party liable with respect to the Obligations; or

 

(c) release, extension, renewal, modification or substitution by the Bank of any Note, or any note evidencing any of the Obligations.

 

12.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents (i) are valid, binding and enforceable against the Borrower and the Bank in accordance with their respective provisions and no conditions exist as to their legal effectiveness; (ii) constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof; and (iii) are the final expression of the intentions of the Borrower and the Bank. No promises, either expressed or implied, exist between the Borrower and the Bank, unless contained herein or therein. This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, supersedes all negotiations, representations, warranties, commitments, term sheets, discussions, negotiations, offers or contracts (of any kind or nature, whether oral or written) prior to or contemporaneous with the execution hereof with respect to any matter, directly or indirectly related to the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the result of negotiations among the Bank, the Borrower and the other parties thereto, and have been reviewed (or have had the opportunity to be reviewed) by counsel to all such parties, and are the products of all parties. Accordingly, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be construed more strictly against the Bank merely because of the Bank’s involvement in their preparation.

 

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12.3 Amendments; Waivers. No delay on the part of the Bank in the exercise of any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by the Bank of any right, power or remedy preclude other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. No amendment, modification or waiver of, or consent with respect to, any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and acknowledged by the Bank, and then any such amendment, modification, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

 

12.4 WAIVER OF DEFENSES. THE BORROWER, ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND ANY GUARANTOR OF ANY OF THE OBLIGATIONS, WAIVES EVERY PRESENT AND FUTURE DEFENSE, CAUSE OF ACTION, COUNTERCLAIM OR SETOFF WHICH THE BORROWER MAY NOW HAVE OR HEREAFTER MAY HAVE TO ANY ACTION BY THE BANK IN ENFORCING THIS AGREEMENT. PROVIDED THE BANK ACTS IN GOOD FAITH, THE BORROWER RATIFIES AND CONFIRMS WHATEVER THE BANK MAY DO PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT. THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE BANK GRANTING ANY FINANCIAL ACCOMMODATION TO THE BORROWER.

 

12.5 FORUM SELECTION AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, SHALL BE BROUGHT AND MAINTAINED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN IN LANSING, MICHIGAN; PROVIDED THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO PRECLUDE THE BANK FROM BRINGING SUIT OR TAKING OTHER LEGAL ACTION IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN IN LANSING, MICHIGAN FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION AS SET FORTH ABOVE. THE BORROWER FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS BY REGISTERED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, OR BY PERSONAL SERVICE WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. THE BORROWER HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT REFERRED TO ABOVE AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH LITIGATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

 

12.6 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE BANK AND THE BORROWER, AFTER CONSULTING OR HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL, EACH KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE IRREVOCABLY, ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE

 

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OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, ANY NOTE, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, ANY OF THE OTHER OBLIGATIONS, OR ANY AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR WHICH MAY IN THE FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH OR ARISING FROM ANY LENDING RELATIONSHIP EXISTING IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OF THE FOREGOING, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT OR COURSE OF DEALING IN WHICH THE BANK AND THE BORROWER ARE ADVERSE PARTIES, AND EACH AGREES THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY. THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE BANK GRANTING ANY FINANCIAL ACCOMMODATION TO THE BORROWER.

 

12.7 Assignability. The Bank may at any time assign the Bank’s rights in this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Obligations, or any part thereof. In addition, the Bank may at any time sell one or more participations in the Loans. The Borrower may not sell or assign this Agreement, or any other agreement with the Bank or any portion thereof, either voluntarily or by operation of law, without the prior written consent of the Bank. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Bank and the Borrower and their respective legal representatives and successors. All references herein to the Borrower shall be deemed to include any successors, whether immediate or remote. In the case of a joint venture or partnership, the term “Borrower” shall be deemed to include all joint venturers or partners thereof, who shall be jointly and severally liable hereunder.

 

12.8 Confirmations. The Borrower and the Bank agree from time to time, upon written request received by it from the other, to confirm to the other in writing the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans then outstanding under such Note.

 

12.9 Confidentiality. The Bank agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts (equivalent to the efforts the Bank applies to maintain the confidentiality of its own confidential information) to maintain as confidential all information provided to them by the Borrower and designated as confidential, except that the Bank may disclose such information (a) to Persons employed or engaged by the Bank in evaluating, approving, structuring or administering the Loans; (b) to any assignee or participant or potential assignee or participant that has agreed to comply with the covenant contained in this Section 12.9 (and any such 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 federal or state regulatory authority or examiner, or any insurance industry association, or as reasonably believed by the Bank to be compelled by any court decree, subpoena or legal or administrative order or process; (d) as, on the advice of the Bank’s 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 the Bank is a party; (f) to any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about the Bank’s investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to the Bank; (g) to any Affiliate of the Bank who may provide Bank Products to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or (h) that ceases to be confidential through no fault of the Bank.

 

12.10 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall become effective upon execution by the Borrower and the Bank. If this Agreement is not dated or contains any blanks when executed by the Borrower, the Bank is hereby authorized, without notice to the Borrower, to date this Agreement as of the date when it was executed by the Borrower, and to complete any such blanks according to the terms upon which this Agreement is executed.

 

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12.11 Governing Law. This Agreement, the Loan Documents and any Note shall be delivered and accepted in and shall be deemed to be contracts made under and governed by the internal laws of the State of Michigan (but giving effect to federal laws applicable to national banks) applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such state, without regard to conflict of laws principles.

 

12.12 Enforceability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by, unenforceable or invalid under any jurisdiction, such provision shall as to such jurisdiction, be severable and be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

12.13 Survival of Borrower Representations. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein shall, notwithstanding any investigation by the Bank, be deemed material and relied upon by the Bank and shall survive the making and execution of this Agreement and the Loan Documents and the issuance of any Note, and shall be deemed to be continuing representations and warranties until such time as the Borrower has fulfilled all of its Obligations to the Bank, and the Bank has been indefeasibly paid in full in cash. The Bank, in extending financial accommodations to the Borrower, is expressly acting and relying on the aforesaid representations and warranties.

 

12.14 Extensions of Bank’s Commitment. This Agreement shall secure and govern the terms of (i) any extensions or renewals of the Bank’s commitment hereunder, and (ii) any replacement note executed by the Borrower and accepted by the Bank in its sole and absolute discretion in substitution for any Note.

 

12.15 Time of Essence. Time is of the essence in making payments of all amounts due the Bank under this Agreement and in the performance and observance by the Borrower of each covenant, agreement, provision and term of this Agreement.

 

12.16 Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Agreement. Receipt of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall constitute effective delivery thereof. Electronic records of executed Loan Documents maintained by the Bank shall be deemed to be originals thereof.

 

12.17 Notices. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Borrower waives all notices and demands in connection with the enforcement of the Bank’s rights hereunder. All notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and addressed as follows:

 

If to the Borrower:    Neogen Corporation
     620 Lesher Place
     Lansing, Michigan 48912
     Attention: Richard R. Current, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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If to the Bank:

  

LaSalle Bank Midwest National Association

    

124 West Allegan Street

    

P.O. Box 40766

    

Lansing, Michigan ###-###-####

    

Attention: David G. Grantham

 

or, as to each party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to each other party complying as to delivery with the terms of this subsection. All notices addressed as above shall be deemed to have been properly given (i) if served in person, upon acceptance or refusal of delivery; (ii) if mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, on the third (3rd) day following the day such notice is deposited in any post office station or letter box; or (iii) if sent by recognized overnight courier, on the first (1st) day following the day such notice is delivered to such carrier. No notice to or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

12.18 Release of Claims Against Bank. In consideration of the Bank making the Loans, the Borrower and all other Obligors do each hereby release and discharge the Bank of and from any and all claims, harm, injury, and damage of any and every kind, known or unknown, legal or equitable, which any Obligor may have against the Bank from the date of their respective first contact with the Bank until the date of this Agreement including any claim arising from any reports (environmental reports, surveys, appraisals, etc.) prepared by any parties hired or recommended by the Bank. The Borrower and all other Obligors confirm to Bank that they have reviewed the effect of this release with competent legal counsel of their choice, or have been afforded the opportunity to do so, prior to execution of this Agreement and the Loan Documents and do each acknowledge and agree that the Bank is relying upon this release in extending the Loans to the Borrower.

 

12.19 Costs, Fees and Expenses. The Borrower shall pay or reimburse the Bank for all reasonable costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Bank or for which the Bank becomes obligated in connection with the negotiation, preparation, consummation, collection of the Obligations or enforcement of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and all other documents provided for herein or delivered or to be delivered hereunder or in connection herewith (including any amendment, supplement or waiver to any Loan Document), or during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect thereof, including, without limitation, reasonable consultants’ fees and attorneys’ fees and time charges of counsel to the Bank, which shall also include attorneys’ fees and time charges of attorneys who may be employees of the Bank or any Affiliate of the Bank, plus costs and expenses of such attorneys or of the Bank; search fees, costs and expenses; and all taxes payable in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, whether or not the transaction contemplated hereby shall be

 

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consummated. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Borrower shall pay any and all stamp and other taxes, UCC search fees, filing fees and other costs and expenses in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any Note and the other Loan Documents to be delivered hereunder, and agrees to save and hold the Bank harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay in paying or omission to pay such costs and expenses. That portion of the Obligations consisting of costs, expenses or advances to be reimbursed by the Borrower to the Bank pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents which are not paid on or prior to the date hereof shall be payable by the Borrower to the Bank on demand. If at any time or times hereafter the Bank: (a) employs counsel for advice or other representation (i) with respect to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (ii) to represent the Bank in any litigation, contest, dispute, suit or proceeding or to commence, defend, or intervene or to take any other action in or with respect to any litigation, contest, dispute, suit, or proceeding (whether instituted by the Bank, the Borrower, or any other Person) in any way or respect relating to this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or the Borrower’s business or affairs, or (iii) to enforce any rights of the Bank against the Borrower or any other Person that may be obligated to the Bank by virtue of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents; and/or (b) attempts to or enforces any of the Bank’s rights or remedies under the Agreement or the other Loan Documents, the costs and expenses incurred by the Bank in any manner or way with respect to the foregoing, shall be part of the Obligations, payable by the Borrower to the Bank on demand.

 

12.20 Indemnification. The Borrower agrees to defend (with counsel satisfactory to the Bank), protect, indemnify, exonerate and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims, costs, expenses and distributions of any kind or nature (including, without limitation, the disbursements and the reasonable fees of counsel for each Indemnified Party thereto, which shall also include, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and time charges of attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnified Party), which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against, any Indemnified Party (whether direct, indirect or consequential and whether based on any federal, state or local laws or regulations, including, without limitation, securities laws, Environmental Laws, commercial laws and regulations, under common law or in equity, or based on contract or otherwise) in any manner relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, or any act, event or transaction related or attendant thereto, the preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Loan Documents, including the making or issuance and management of the Loans, the use or intended use of the proceeds of the Loans, the enforcement of the Bank’s rights and remedies under this Agreement, the Loan Documents, any Note, any other instruments and documents delivered hereunder, or under any other agreement between the Borrower and the Bank; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not have any obligations hereunder to any Indemnified Party with respect to matters determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have been caused by or resulting from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnified Party. To the extent that the undertaking to indemnify set forth in the preceding sentence may be unenforceable because it violates any law or public policy, the Borrower shall satisfy such undertaking to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. Any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, cost or expense covered by this indemnity shall be paid to each Indemnified Party on demand, and failing prompt payment, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate from the date incurred

 

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by each Indemnified Party until paid by the Borrower, shall be added to the Obligations of the Borrower. The provisions of this Section 12.20 shall survive the satisfaction and payment of the other Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

12.21 Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations. If the incurrence or payment of the Obligations by any Obligor or the transfer to the Bank of any property should for any reason subsequently be declared to be void or voidable under any state or federal law relating to creditors’ rights, including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code relating to fraudulent conveyances, preferences, or other voidable or recoverable payments of money or transfers of property (collectively, a “Voidable Transfer”), and if the Bank is required to repay or restore, in whole or in part, any such Voidable Transfer, or elects to do so upon the reasonable advice of its counsel, then, as to any such Voidable Transfer, or the amount thereof that the Bank is required or elects to repay or restore, and as to all reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys fees of the Bank, the Obligations shall automatically shall be revived, reinstated, and restored and shall exist as though such Voidable Transfer had never been made.

 

12.22 Customer Identification – USA PATRIOT Act Notice. The Bank hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56, signed into law October 26, 2001) (the “Act”), and the Bank’s policies and practices, the Bank is required to obtain, verify and record certain information and documentation that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and such other information that will allow the Bank to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.

 

[Signatures On Following Page]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower and the Bank have executed this Loan and Security Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

Borrower:

NEOGEN CORPORATION

By:

 

/s/ Richard R. Current


Name:

 

Richard R. Current

Title:

 

Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer

Agreed and accepted:

Bank:

LASALLE BANK MIDWEST NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION, a national banking

association

By:

 

/s/ David G. Grantham


Name:

 

David G. Grantham

Title:

 

First Vice President

 

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