$60,000,000 AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Credit Agreements
EX-10.1 2 dex101.htm AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

EXHIBIT 10.1

 


$60,000,000

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of October 21, 2003,

Amended and Restated as of May 2, 2006

among

NORCRAFT COMPANIES, L.P.,

as Borrower,

NORCRAFT INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, L.P.

and

THE OTHER GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO,

as Guarantors,

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO

and

UBS SECURITIES LLC, as Bookmanager and Lead Arranger,

WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Syndication Agent,

WACHOVIA CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC, as Co-Arranger,

CIT LENDING SERVICES CORPORATION,

as Documentation Agent,

UBS LOAN FINANCE LLC, as Swingline Lender,

and

UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH,

as Issuing Bank, Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section

        Page
ARTICLE I   
DEFINITIONS   
SECTION 1.01.   

Defined Terms

   2
SECTION 1.02.   

Classification of Loans and Borrowings

   32
SECTION 1.03.   

Terms Generally

   32
SECTION 1.04.   

Accounting Terms; GAAP

   32
SECTION 1.05.   

Effect of This Agreement on the Original Credit Agreement and the Other Loan Documents

   32
SECTION 1.06.   

Resolution of Drafting Ambiguities

   33
ARTICLE II   
THE CREDITS   
SECTION 2.01.   

Revolving Commitments

   33
SECTION 2.02.   

Loans

   33
SECTION 2.03.   

Borrowing Procedure

   34
SECTION 2.04.   

Evidence of Debt; Repayment of Loans

   35
SECTION 2.05.   

Fees

   36
SECTION 2.06.   

Interest on Loans

   37
SECTION 2.07.   

Termination and Reduction of Commitments

   37
SECTION 2.08.   

Interest Elections

   38
SECTION 2.09.   

[RESERVED]

   39
SECTION 2.10.   

Optional and Mandatory Prepayments of Loans and Mandatory Reductions of Revolving Commitments

   39
SECTION 2.11.   

Alternate Rate of Interest

   41
SECTION 2.12.   

Increased Costs

   42
SECTION 2.13.   

Breakage Payments

   43
SECTION 2.14.   

Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs

   43
SECTION 2.15.   

Taxes

   45
SECTION 2.16.   

Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders

   46
SECTION 2.17.   

Swingline Loans

   47
SECTION 2.18.   

Letters of Credit

   48
ARTICLE III   
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES   
SECTION 3.01.   

Organization; Powers

   53
SECTION 3.02.   

Authorization; Enforceability

   53
SECTION 3.03.   

Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts

   54
SECTION 3.04.   

Financial Statements

   54
SECTION 3.05.   

No Claims

   54
SECTION 3.06.   

Properties

   54

 

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Section

        Page
SECTION 3.07.   

Intellectual Property

   55
SECTION 3.08.   

Condition and Maintenance of Equipment

   55
SECTION 3.09.   

Equity Interests and Subsidiaries

   56
SECTION 3.10.   

Litigation; Compliance with Laws

   56
SECTION 3.11.   

Agreements

   56
SECTION 3.12.   

Federal Reserve Regulations

   57
SECTION 3.13.   

Investment Company Act

   57
SECTION 3.14.   

Use of Proceeds

   57
SECTION 3.15.   

Taxes

   57
SECTION 3.16.   

No Material Misstatements

   57
SECTION 3.17.   

Labor Matters

   58
SECTION 3.18.   

Solvency

   58
SECTION 3.19.   

Employee Benefit Plans

   58
SECTION 3.20.   

Environmental Matters

   59
SECTION 3.21.   

Insurance

   60
SECTION 3.22.   

Security Documents

   60
SECTION 3.23.   

Acquisition Documents; Representations and Warranties in Agreement

   61
SECTION 3.24.   

Subordination of Senior Subordinated Notes

   61
SECTION 3.25.   

Anti-Terrorism Law

   61
ARTICLE IV   
CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS   
SECTION 4.01.   

Conditions to Effectiveness

   62
SECTION 4.02.   

Conditions to All Credit Extensions

   64
SECTION 4.03.   

Conditions to Effectiveness

   65
ARTICLE V   
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS   
SECTION 5.01.   

Financial Statements, Reports, etc.

   65
SECTION 5.02.   

Litigation and Other Notices

   67
SECTION 5.03.   

Existence; Businesses and Properties

   68
SECTION 5.04.   

Insurance

   68
SECTION 5.05.   

Obligations and Taxes

   69
SECTION 5.06.   

Employee Benefits

   70
SECTION 5.07.   

Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections

   70
SECTION 5.08.   

Use of Proceeds

   70
SECTION 5.09.   

Compliance with Environmental Laws; Environmental Reports

   70
SECTION 5.10.   

Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors

   71
SECTION 5.11.   

Security Interests; Further Assurances

   72
SECTION 5.12.   

Information Regarding Collateral

   73
SECTION 5.13.   

Covenants of Existing Holdings

   73
SECTION 5.14.   

Post-Closing Collateral Matters

   74

 

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Section

        Page
ARTICLE VI   
NEGATIVE COVENANTS   
SECTION 6.01.   

Indebtedness

   74
SECTION 6.02.   

Liens

   76
SECTION 6.03.   

Sale and Leaseback Transactions

   78
SECTION 6.04.   

Investment, Loan and Advances

   78
SECTION 6.05.   

Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions

   79
SECTION 6.06.   

Dividends

   80
SECTION 6.07.   

Transactions with Affiliates

   81
SECTION 6.08.   

Financial Covenants

   83
SECTION 6.09.   

Prepayments of Other Indebtedness; Modifications of Organizational Documents and Other Documents, etc.

   84
SECTION 6.10.   

Limitation on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries

   84
SECTION 6.11.   

Limitation on Issuance of Capital Stock

   85
SECTION 6.12.   

Limitation on Creation of Subsidiaries

   85
SECTION 6.13.   

Business

   85
SECTION 6.14.   

Limitation on Accounting Changes

   86
SECTION 6.15.   

Fiscal Year

   86
SECTION 6.16.   

Lease Obligations

   86
SECTION 6.17.   

No Further Negative Pledge

   86
SECTION 6.18.   

Limitation on Finance Subsidiary

   86
SECTION 6.19.   

Anti-Terrorism Law; Anti-Money Laundering

   87
SECTION 6.20.   

Embargoed Person

   87
ARTICLE VII   
GUARANTEE   
SECTION 7.01.   

The Guarantee

   87
SECTION 7.02.   

Obligations Unconditional

   88
SECTION 7.03.   

Reinstatement

   89
SECTION 7.04.   

Subrogation; Subordination

   89
SECTION 7.05.   

Remedies

   89
SECTION 7.06.   

Instrument for the Payment of Money

   89
SECTION 7.07.   

Continuing Guarantee

   89
SECTION 7.08.   

General Limitation on Guarantee Obligations

   89
SECTION 7.09.   

Release of Guarantors

   90
ARTICLE VIII   
EVENTS OF DEFAULT   
ARTICLE IX   
COLLATERAL ACCOUNT; APPLICATION OF COLLATERAL PROCEEDS   
SECTION 9.01.   

Collateral Account

   92
SECTION 9.02.   

Proceeds of Destruction, Taking and Collateral Dispositions

   93
SECTION 9.03.   

Application of Proceeds

   94

 

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Section

        Page
ARTICLE X   
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT   
SECTION 10.01.   

Appointment

   94
SECTION 10.02.   

Agent in Its Individual Capacity

   94
SECTION 10.03.   

Exculpatory Provisions

   95
SECTION 10.04.   

Reliance by Agent

   95
SECTION 10.05.   

Delegation of Duties

   95
SECTION 10.06.   

Successor Agent

   95
SECTION 10.07.   

Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders

   96
SECTION 10.08.   

No Other Administrative Agent

   96
SECTION 10.09.   

Indemnification

   96
ARTICLE XI   
MISCELLANEOUS   
SECTION 11.01.   

Notices

   97
SECTION 11.02.   

Waivers; Amendment

   99
SECTION 11.03.   

Expenses; Indemnity

   101
SECTION 11.04.   

Successors and Assigns

   102
SECTION 11.05.   

Survival of Agreement

   104
SECTION 11.06.   

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness

   104
SECTION 11.07.   

Severability

   105
SECTION 11.08.   

Right of Setoff

   105
SECTION 11.09.   

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

   105
SECTION 11.10.   

Waiver of Jury Trial

   106
SECTION 11.11.   

Headings

   106
SECTION 11.12.   

Confidentiality

   106
SECTION 11.13.   

Interest Rate Limitation

   107
SECTION 11.14.   

Lender Addendum

   107
SECTION 11.15.   

Obligations Absolute

   107
SECTION 11.16.   

USA PATRIOT Act Notice

   108

 

ANNEXES

  

Annex I

  

Applicable Margin

SCHEDULES

  

Schedule 1.01(a)

  

Mortgaged Property

Schedule 1.01(c)

  

Subsidiary Guarantors

Schedule 3.06(b)

  

Real Property

Schedule 3.07(c)

  

Violations or Proceedings

Schedule 3.09(a)

  

Subsidiaries

Schedule 3.09(c)

  

Corporate Organizational Chart

Schedule 3.11(c)

  

Material Agreements

Schedule 3.20

  

Environmental Matters

 

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Schedule 3.21

  

Insurance

Schedule 4.01(e)

  

Local Counsel

Schedule 6.01(b)

  

Existing Indebtedness

Schedule 6.02(c)

  

Existing Liens

Schedule 6.04(b)

  

Existing Investments

EXHIBITS

  

Exhibit A

  

Form of Additional Revolving Lender Addendum

Exhibit B

  

Form of Assignment and Acceptance

 

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AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement” and, as in effect prior to the date hereof, the “Original Credit Agreement”) dated as of October 21, 2003, amended and restated as of May 2, 2006 among NORCRAFT COMPANIES, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Borrower”), NORCRAFT INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Holdings”), the Subsidiary Guarantors (such term and each other capitalized term used but not defined herein having the meaning given to it in Article I), the Lenders, UBS SECURITIES LLC, as bookmanager and lead arranger (in such capacity, the “Lead Arranger”), WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as syndication agent (in such capacity, the “Syndication Agent”), WACHOVIA CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC, as co-arranger (the “Co-Arranger”), UBS LOAN FINANCE LLC, as swingline lender (in such capacity, the “Swingline Lender”), UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, as Issuing Bank (as defined below), as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and as collateral agent for the Secured Parties and the Issuing Bank (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”), and CIT LENDING SERVICES CORPORATION, as documentation agent (in such capacity, the “Documentation Agent”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, Norcraft Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Existing Holdings”), and Borrower entered into a unit purchase agreement, dated as of August 29, 2003 and amended as of October 3, 2003 (as further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof and thereof, the “Acquisition Agreement”), with the unitholders of Borrower (collectively, “Seller”), whereby Existing Holdings acquired (the “Acquisition”) all of the outstanding Equity Interests of Borrower, and Borrower thereby became a direct Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Existing Holdings;

WHEREAS, the Equity Financing was consummated simultaneously with the initial extensions of credit under the Original Credit Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Original Credit Agreement provided for Borrower to have available credit under this Agreement in the form of (a) Term Loans (as defined in the Original Credit Agreement) made on the Closing Date, in an aggregate original principal amount of $45,000,000 and (b) Revolving Loans at any time and from time to time prior to the Revolving Maturity Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $25,000,000;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Amendment No. 1 (“Amendment No. 1”) dated as of August 17, 2004, Existing Holdings was released from all of its obligations under the Original Loan Documents and Holdings became a Guarantor under the Original Credit Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Obligations (as defined in the Original Credit Agreement, hereinafter the “Original Obligations”) of Borrower and the other Loan Parties under the Original Credit Agreement and the Security Documents (as defined in the Original Credit Agreement, such Security Documents hereinafter the “Original Security Documents”) are secured by certain collateral (hereinafter the “Original Collateral”) and are guaranteed or supported or otherwise benefited by the Original Security Documents;

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend and restate the Original Credit Agreement in its entirety to provide for the extension of additional credit by the Lenders on the Amendment Effectiveness Date in the form of additional Revolving Commitments and to incorporate the applicable terms of Amendment No. 1 into this Agreement (collectively, the “Amendment Transactions”); and


WHEREAS, the parties hereto intend that (a) the Original Obligations which remain unpaid and outstanding as of the Amendment Effectiveness Date (which shall include, without limitation, the Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and Reimbursement Obligations outstanding on the Amendment Effectiveness Date under the Original Credit Agreement) shall continue to exist under this Agreement on the terms set forth herein, (b) the Loans of each Class under the Original Credit Agreement outstanding as of the Amendment Effective Date shall be Loans of such Class under and as defined in this Agreement on the terms set forth herein, (c) any Letters of Credit outstanding under the Original Credit Agreement as of the Amendment Effective Date shall be Letters of Credit under this Agreement, (d) the Original Collateral and the Original Security Documents shall continue to secure, guarantee, support and otherwise benefit the Original Obligations as well as the other Obligations of Borrower and the other Loan Parties under this Agreement, in each case, on and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Amendment Agreement dated as of the Amendment Effectiveness Date (the “Amendment Agreement”) and (e) the applicable terms of Amendment No. 1 shall be incorporated into this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Original Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, is used when such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

ABR Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of ABR Loans.

ABR Loan” shall mean any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

Acquisition” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the first recital hereto.

Acquisition Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the first recital hereto.

Acquisition Consideration” shall mean the purchase consideration for any Permitted Acquisition and all other payments by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in exchange for, or as part of, or in connection with, any Permitted Acquisition, whether paid in cash or by exchange of Equity Interests or of assets or otherwise and whether payable at or prior to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition or deferred for payment at any future time, whether or not any such future payment is subject to the occurrence of any contingency, and includes any and all payments representing the purchase price and any assumptions of Indebtedness, “earn-outs” and other agreements to make any payment the amount of which is, or the terms of payment of which are, in any respect subject to or contingent upon the revenues, income, cash flow or profits (or the like) of any person or business; provided that any such future payment that is subject to a contingency shall only be considered Acquisition Consideration to the extent of the

 

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reserve, if any, required under GAAP at the time of such sale to be established in respect thereof by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries.

Acquisition Documents” shall mean the collective reference to the Acquisition Agreement, and the other documents listed on Schedule 3.23 of the Original Credit Agreement.

Additional Revolving Commitments” shall mean, with respect to any Additional Revolving Lender, such Lender’s commitment to make a Revolving Loan from and after the Amendment Effectiveness Date as set forth in Schedule I to the Additional Revolving Lender Addendum provided by such Additional Revolving Lender.

Additional Revolving Lender” shall mean each Person with an Additional Revolving Commitment.

Additional Revolving Lender Addendum” shall mean, with respect to any Additional Revolving Lender on the Amendment Effectiveness Date, a lender addendum in the form of Exhibit A hereto executed and delivered by such Additional Revolving Lender on the Amendment Effectiveness Date as provided in Section 11.14.

Adjusted LIBOR Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, (a) an interest rate per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1%) determined by the Administrative Agent to be equal to the LIBOR Rate for such Eurodollar Borrowing in effect for such Interest Period divided by (b) 1 minus the Statutory Reserves (if any) for such Eurodollar Borrowing for such Interest Period.

Administrative Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto and includes each other person appointed as the successor pursuant to Article X.

Administrative Agent Fees” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).

Administrative Questionnaire” shall mean an Administrative Questionnaire in the form of Exhibit A to the Original Credit Agreement, or such other form as may be supplied from time to time by the Administrative Agent.

Affiliate” shall mean, when used with respect to a specified person, another person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the person specified; provided, however, that, for purposes of Section 6.07, the term “Affiliate” shall also include (i) any person that directly or indirectly owns more than 10% of any class of Equity Interests of the person specified or (ii) any person that is an executive officer or director of the person specified.

Agents” shall mean the Lead Arranger, Co-Arranger, Syndication Agent, Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Documentation Agent.

Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

Alternate Base Rate” shall mean, for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1%) equal to the greater of (a) the Base Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 0.50%. If the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that it is unable to ascertain the Federal Funds Effective Rate for any reason, including the inability or failure of the Administrative Agent

 

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to obtain sufficient quotations in accordance with the terms of the definition thereof, the Alternate Base Rate shall be determined without regard to clause (b) of the preceding sentence until the circumstances giving rise to such inability no longer exist. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Base Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Base Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.

Amendment Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

Amendment Effectiveness Date” shall mean the first Business Day on which each of the conditions set forth in Sections 4.01, 4.02 and 4.03 shall have been satisfied.

Amendment Transactions” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

Applicable Fee” shall mean, for any day, 0.375%.

Applicable Margin” shall mean, for any day, 1.75% in the case of Eurodollar Loans and 0.75% in the case of ABR Loans; provided that after the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of the financial statements and certificates required by Section 5.01(a) or (b) and Section 5.01(c) for the fiscal period ending September 30, 2006, the Applicable Margin shall be determined in accordance with Annex I.

Arranger” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

Asset Sale” shall mean (a) any conveyance, sale, lease, sublease, assignment, transfer or other disposition (including by way of merger or consolidation and including any Sale and Leaseback Transaction) of any property (including stock of any Subsidiary of Holdings by the holder thereof but excluding sales of inventory and dispositions of cash equivalents, in each case, in the ordinary course of business) by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries and (b) any issuance or sale by any Subsidiary of Holdings of its Equity Interests, in each case, to any person other than (i) Borrower, (ii) any Subsidiary Guarantor or (iii) other than for purposes of Section 6.05, any other Subsidiary.

Assignment and Acceptance” shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit B to the Original Credit Agreement, or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent.

Base Rate” shall mean, for any day, a rate per annum that is equal to the corporate base rate of interest established by the Administrative Agent from time to time; each change in the Base Rate shall be effective on the date such change is effective. The corporate base rate is not necessarily the lowest rate charged by the Administrative Agent to its customers.

Board” shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.

Board of Directors” shall mean, with respect to any person, (i) in the case of any corporation, the board of directors of such person, (ii) in the case of any limited liability company, the board of managers of such person, (iii) in the case of any partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of such person and (iv) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing.

Borrower” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

 

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Borrowing” shall mean (a) Loans of the same Class and Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect or (b) a Swingline Loan.

Borrowing Request” shall mean a request by Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03 and substantially in the form of Exhibit C to the Original Credit Agreement, or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent.

Buller Employment” shall mean the employment of Mr. Mark Buller as president and chief executive officer of Holdings and Borrower.

Buller Investment” shall mean the $15.5 million (which amount shall be reduced by the value of the Winnipeg Contribution) in cash common equity investments in Holdings made by Mr. Mark Buller and members of his family on the terms and conditions set forth in the Acquisition Documents.

Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close; provided, however, that when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

Canadian Pledge Agreement” shall mean the pledge agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit J-3 to the Original Credit Agreement between Borrower and the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

Canadian Security Agreement” shall mean the collective reference to (i) the security agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit J-2 to the Original Credit Agreement between Norcraft Canada Corporation and the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and (ii) the Canadian Pledge Agreement.

Capital Expenditures” shall mean, with respect to any person, for any period, without duplication, the increase during that period in the gross property, plant or equipment account reflected in the consolidated balance sheet of such person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, in conformity with GAAP, but excluding expenditures made in connection with the replacement, substitution or restoration of property (a) to the extent financed from insurance proceeds paid on account of the loss of or damage to the property being replaced or restored, (b) with awards of compensation arising from the taking by eminent domain or condemnation of the property being replaced or (c) with regard to equipment that is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment, fixed assets or improvements, the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for the trade-in of such equipment, fixed assets or improvements; provided that Capital Expenditures shall in any event exclude any portion of such increase attributable solely to acquisitions of property, plant and equipment in connection with Permitted Acquisitions.

Capital Lease Obligations” of any person shall mean the obligations of such person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

Cash Equivalents” shall mean, as to any person: (a) securities issued, or directly, unconditionally and fully guaranteed or insured, by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition by such person; (b) time deposits and certificates of

 

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deposit of any Lender or any commercial bank having, or which is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or any foreign country having capital and surplus aggregating in excess of $500.0 million and a rating of “A” (or such other similar equivalent rating) or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act) with maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition by such person; (c) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (a) above entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (b) above, which repurchase obligations are secured by a valid perfected security interest in the underlying securities; (d) commercial paper issued by any person incorporated in the United States rated at least A2 or the equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor’s Rating Service or at least P2 or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and in each case maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition by such person; (e) investments in money market funds substantially all of whose assets are comprised of securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (d) above; and (f) demand deposit accounts maintained in the ordinary course of business.

Casualty Event” shall mean, with respect to any property (including Real Property) of any person, any loss of title with respect to such property or any loss of or damage to or destruction of, or any condemnation or other taking (including by any Governmental Authority) of, such property for which such person or any of its Subsidiaries receives insurance proceeds or proceeds of a condemnation award or other compensation. “Casualty Event” shall include but not be limited to any taking of all or any part of any Real Property of any person or any part thereof, in or by condemnation or other eminent domain proceedings pursuant to any law, or by reason of the temporary requisition of the use or occupancy of all or any part of any Real Property of any person or any part thereof by any Governmental Authority, civil or military.

CERCLA” shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.

A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if: (a) Holdings at any time ceases to own 100% of the Equity Interests of Borrower; (b) at any time a change of control occurs under and as defined in any documentation relating to any Material Indebtedness; (c) prior to an IPO, (i) the Permitted Holders cease to own, or to have the power to vote or direct the voting of, Voting Stock of Holdings representing a majority of the voting power of the total outstanding Voting Stock of Holdings or (ii) the Permitted Holders cease to own Equity Interests representing a majority of the total economic interests of the Equity Interests of Holdings; (d) following an IPO, (i) the Permitted Holders shall fail to own, or to have the power to vote or direct the voting of, Voting Stock of Holdings representing more than 25% of the voting power of the total outstanding Voting Stock of Holdings, (ii) the Permitted Holders cease to own Equity Interests representing more than 25% of the total economic interests of the Equity Interests of Holdings or (iii) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, except that in no event shall the parties to the LP Agreement be deemed a “group” solely by virtue of being parties to the LP Agreement), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes of this clause such person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that any such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of Voting Stock of Holdings representing more than 30% of the voting power of the total outstanding Voting Stock of Holdings; or (e) following an IPO, during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors of Holdings (together with any new directors whose election to such Board of Directors or whose nomination for election was approved by a majority of the voting power of the members of the Board of Directors of Holdings, which members comprising such majority are then still in office and

 

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were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings.

Change in Law” shall mean (a) the adoption of any law, treaty, order, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, treaty, order, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any Lender or Issuing Bank (or for purposes of Section 2.12(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement.

Charges” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.13.

Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans and, when used in reference to any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving Commitment or Swingline Commitment.

Closing Date” shall mean October 21, 2003, the date of the initial Credit Extension under the Original Credit Agreement.

Co-Arranger” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Collateral” shall mean, collectively, all of the Security Agreement Collateral, the Mortgaged Property and all other property of whatever kind and nature pledged as collateral under any Security Document.

Collateral Account” shall mean a collateral account or sub-account in the form of a deposit account established and maintained by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.01.

Collateral Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

Commercial Letter of Credit” shall mean any letter of credit or similar instrument issued for the account of Borrower for the benefit of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, for the purpose of providing credit support in connection with the purchase of materials, goods or services by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their businesses.

Commitment” shall mean, with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and Swingline Commitment.

Commitment Fee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a).

Companies” shall mean Holdings and its Subsidiaries; and “Company” shall mean any one of them.

Compliance Certificate” shall mean a certificate of a Financial Officer substantially in the form of Exhibit O to the Original Credit Agreement.

 

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Consolidated Amortization Expense” for any period means the amortization expense of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, including, to the extent in accordance with GAAP, the amortization of capitalized store displays.

Consolidated Companies” shall mean Holdings and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.

Consolidated Depreciation Expense” for any period means the depreciation expense of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated EBITDA” shall mean, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period, adjusted by (x) adding thereto, in each case only to the extent (and in the same proportion) deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income (and with respect to the portion of Consolidated Net Income attributable to any Subsidiary of Borrower only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be distributed to Borrower by such Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of its Organizational Documents and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and regulations applicable to such Subsidiary or its equityholders):

(a) Consolidated Interest Expense,

(b) Consolidated Amortization Expense,

(c) Consolidated Depreciation Expense,

(d) dividends paid to Holdings pursuant to Section 6.06(d) plus, without duplication, any other provision for taxes based on income for Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries,

(e) costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions (for the avoidance of doubt, including the payment by Borrower of bonus and severance payments to Mr. Hank Key and all other success bonuses paid by Borrower to employees of Borrower upon and in connection with the consummation of the Acquisition), the Exchange Offer pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and the Amendment Transactions (including amortization and write-offs of debt issuance costs, debt discount or premium and other financing fees and expenses directly relating thereto),

(f) the amount of any payments made in accordance with Section 6.07(d) and any management fees paid in the ordinary course by Borrower to its former financial sponsor during the period from and including October 1, 2003 to and excluding the Closing Date, and

(g) all other non-cash items reducing Consolidated Net Income (including non-cash write-offs of goodwill, intangibles and long-lived assets and non-cash items resulting from purchase accounting, but excluding any non-cash charge that results in an accrual of a reserve for cash charges in any future period) for such period, and

(y) subtracting therefrom the aggregate amount of all non-cash items, determined on a consolidated basis, to the extent such items increased Consolidated Net Income (other than the accrual of revenue, recording of receivables or the reversal of reserves in the ordinary course of business) for such period.

 

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Consolidated EBITDA shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis to give effect to the Acquisition, any Permitted Acquisition and Asset Sales (other than any Asset Sale pursuant to Section 6.05(b)(ii) or (d) and other dispositions in the ordinary course of business) consummated during the fiscal period of Borrower ended on the Test Period thereof as if each such Permitted Acquisition had been effected on the first day of such period and as if each such Asset Sale had been consummated on the day prior to the first day of such period.

Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” shall mean, for any Test Period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such Test Period to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such Test Period.

Consolidated Fixed Charges” shall mean, for any period, the sum, without duplication, of

(a) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, to the extent paid or payable in cash,

(b) the amount of all Capital Expenditures made by Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such period (other than to the extent financed by Excluded Issuances),

(c) all dividends paid pursuant to Section 6.06(d) during such period plus, without duplication, all cash payments in respect of income taxes in respect of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and

(d) the scheduled principal amount of all amortization payments on all Indebtedness (including the principal component of all Capital Lease Obligations) of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period (as determined on the first day of the respective period).

Consolidated Indebtedness” shall mean, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness (but including in any event the then outstanding principal amount of all Loans, all Capital Lease Obligations and all LC Exposure) of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio” shall mean, for any Test Period, the ratio of (x) Consolidated EBITDA for such Test Period to (y) Consolidated Interest Expense for such Test Period, to the extent paid or payable in cash.

Consolidated Interest Expense” shall mean, for any period, to the total consolidated interest expense of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period determined in accordance with GAAP plus, without duplication:

(a) imputed interest on Capital Lease Obligations of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period,

(b) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed by Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries with respect to letters of credit securing financial obligations, bankers’ acceptance financing and receivables financings,

(c) amortization of debt issuance costs, debt discount or premium and other financing fees and expenses incurred by Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries,

(d) cash contributions to any employee stock ownership plan or similar trust made by Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to the extent such contributions are used by such

 

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plan or trust to pay interest or fees to any person (other than Borrower or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary) in connection with Indebtedness incurred by such plan or trust,

(e) all interest paid or payable with respect to discontinued operations of Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries,

(f) the interest portion of any deferred payment obligations of Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries,

(g) all interest on any Indebtedness of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of the type described in clause (f) or (j) of the definition of “Indebtedness,”

(h) any other non-cash interest expense of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period, and

(i) all dividends paid pursuant to Section 6.06(e) during such period;

provided that (a) to the extent directly related to the Transactions, the Exchange Offer pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or the Amendment Transactions, debt issuance costs, debt discount or premium and other financing fees and expenses shall be excluded from the calculation of Consolidated Interest Expense and (b) Consolidated Interest Expense of Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be calculated after giving effect to Interest Rate Agreements (including associated costs), but excluding unrealized gains and losses with respect to Interest Rate Agreements.

Consolidated Interest Expense shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis to give effect to any Indebtedness incurred, assumed or permanently repaid or extinguished during the relevant Test Period in connection with any Permitted Acquisitions and Asset Sales (other than any Asset Sale pursuant to Section 6.05(b)(ii) or (d) and other dispositions in the ordinary course of business) as if such incurrence, assumption, repayment or extinguishing had been effected on the first day of such period.

Consolidated Net Income” shall mean, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein), without duplication:

(a) the net income (or loss) of any person (other than a Consolidated Subsidiary of Borrower) in which any person other than Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries has an ownership interest, except to the extent that cash in an amount equal to any such income has actually been received by Borrower or (subject to clause (c) below) any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries during such period,

(b) except to the extent includible in the Consolidated Net Income of Borrower pursuant to the foregoing clause (a), the net income (or loss) of any person that accrued prior to the date that (1) such person becomes a Consolidated Subsidiary of Borrower or is merged into or consolidated with Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries or (2) the assets of such person are acquired by Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries,

(c) the net income of any Consolidated Subsidiary of Borrower during such period to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Consolidated Subsidiary of that income is not permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Consolidated Subsidiary during such period, except that Borrower’s equity in a net loss

 

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of any such Consolidated Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining Consolidated Net Income,

(d) any gain (or loss), together with any related provisions for taxes on any such gain (or the tax effect of any such loss), realized during such period by Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries upon (x) the acquisition of any securities, or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness, of Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary of Borrower or (y) any Asset Sale (other than any Asset Sale pursuant to Section 6.05(b)(i) or (d), and other dispositions in the ordinary course of business) by Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary of Borrower,

(e) gains and losses due solely to fluctuations in currency values and the related tax effects according to GAAP,

(f) earnings resulting from any reappraisal, revaluation or write-up of assets,

(g) unrealized gains and losses with respect to Hedging Obligations and

(h) any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (or extraordinary or nonrecurring loss), together with any related provision for taxes on any such gain (or the tax effect of any such loss), recorded or recognized by Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries during such period.

For purposes of this definition of “Consolidated Net Income,” (1) “nonrecurring” means any gain or loss as of any date that is not reasonably likely to recur within the two years following such date; provided that if there was a gain or loss similar to such gain or loss within the two years preceding such date, such gain or loss shall not be deemed nonrecurring and (2) Consolidated Net Income shall be reduced (to the extent not already reduced thereby) by the amount of any payments to or on behalf of Holdings made pursuant to Sections 6.06(c) and (d).

Consolidated Subsidiary” shall mean, as to any person, all Subsidiaries of such person which are consolidated with such person for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.

Contested Collateral Lien Conditions” shall mean, with respect to any Permitted Lien of the type described in clauses (a), (b), (e) and (f) of Section 6.02, the following conditions:

(a) Borrower shall cause any proceeding instituted contesting such Lien to stay the sale or forfeiture of any portion of the Collateral on account of such Lien; and

(b) such Lien shall in all respects be subject and subordinate in priority to the Lien and security interest created and evidenced by the Security Documents, except if and to the extent that the law or regulation creating, permitting or authorizing such Lien provides that such Lien is or must be superior to the Lien and security interest created and evidenced by the Security Documents.

Contingent Obligation” shall mean, as to any person, any obligation, agreement, understanding or arrangement of such person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations (“primary obligations”) of any other person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such person, whether or not contingent, (a) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor; (b) to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (ii) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; (c) to purchase property, securities or services primarily

 

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for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation; (d) with respect to bankers’ acceptances, letters of credit and similar credit arrangements, until a reimbursement obligation arises (which reimbursement obligation shall constitute Indebtedness); or (e) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the holder of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term “Contingent Obligation” shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business or any product warranties. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Contingent Obligation is made (or, if less, the maximum amount of such primary obligation for which such person may be liable, whether severally or jointly, pursuant to the terms of the instrument evidencing such Contingent Obligation) or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such person is required to perform thereunder) as determined by such person in good faith.

Control” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “Controlled” and “Controlling” shall have a meaning correlative thereto.

Control Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the U.S. Security Agreement.

Control Investment Affiliate” means, as to any person, any other person (a) which directly or indirectly, is in Control of, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such person and is organized by such person (or any person Controlling such person) primarily for making equity or debt investments in Holdings, Borrower or other portfolio companies or (b) as to which such person has the right to exercise the rights in all of the Voting Stock held by such other person, directly or indirectly, in Borrower.

Credit Extension” shall mean, as the context may require, (i) the making of a Loan by a Lender or (ii) the issuance of any Letter of Credit, or the amendment, extension or renewal of any existing Letter of Credit, by the Issuing Bank.

Currency Agreement” shall mean any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement.

Debt Issuance” shall mean the incurrence by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness after the Closing Date (other than as permitted by Section 6.01).

Default” shall mean any event, occurrence or condition which is, or upon notice, lapse of time or both would constitute, an Event of Default.

Disqualified Capital Stock” shall mean any Equity Interest which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, (a) matures (excluding any maturity as the result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the first anniversary of the Revolving Maturity Date, (b) is convertible into or exchangeable (unless at the sole option of the issuer thereof) for (i) debt securities or (ii) any Equity Interests referred to in (a) above, in each case at any time on or prior to the first anniversary of the Revolving Maturity Date, or (c) contains any repurchase obligation which may come into effect prior to payment in full of all Obligations.

 

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Dividend” with respect to any person shall mean that such person has (i) declared or paid a dividend or returned any equity capital to the holders of its Equity Interests or authorized or made any other distribution, payment or delivery of property (other than Qualified Capital Stock of such person) or cash to the holders of its Equity Interests as such, or redeemed, retired, purchased or otherwise acquired, directly or indirectly, for a consideration any shares of any class of its Equity Interests outstanding (or any options or warrants issued by such person with respect to its Equity Interests), or set aside any funds for any of the foregoing purposes, or shall have permitted any of its Subsidiaries to purchase or otherwise acquire for a consideration any shares of any class of Equity Interests of such person outstanding (or any options or warrants issued by such person with respect to its Equity Interests) or (ii) made any payment on or in respect of any Holdings Employee Note. Without limiting the foregoing, “Dividends” with respect to any person shall also include all payments made or required to be made by such person with respect to any stock appreciation rights, plans, equity incentive or achievement plans or any similar plans or setting aside of any funds for the foregoing purposes.

dollars” or “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States.

Domestic Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

Engagement Letter” shall mean the confidential Engagement Letter, dated April 11, 2006, among Borrower, UBS Loan Finance LLC and UBS Securities LLC.

Environment” shall mean ambient air, surface water and groundwater (including, without limitation, potable water, navigable water and wetlands), the land surface or subsurface strata, natural resources, the workplace or as otherwise defined in any Environmental Law.

Environmental Claim” shall mean any claim, notice, demand, order, action, suit, proceeding or other communication alleging liability for investigation, remediation, removal, cleanup, response, corrective action, damages to natural resources, personal injury, property damage, fines, penalties or other costs resulting from, related to or arising out of (i) the presence, Release or threatened Release in or into the Environment of Hazardous Material at any location or (ii) any violation of Environmental Law, and shall include, without limitation, any claim seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief resulting from, related to or arising out of the presence, Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Material or alleged injury or threat of injury to health, safety or the Environment.

Environmental Law” shall mean any and all applicable present and future treaties, laws, statutes, ordinances, regulations, rules, decrees, orders, judgments, consent orders, consent decrees or other binding requirements, and the common law, relating to protection of public health or the Environment, the Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Material, natural resources or natural resource damages, or occupational safety or health.

Environmental Permit” shall mean any permit, license, approval, consent or other authorization required by or from a Governmental Authority under Environmental Law.

Equity Financing” shall mean common equity investments in Holdings of not less than $133.0 million, consisting of the aggregate of the cash invested by the Equity Investors on the terms and conditions set forth in the Acquisition Documents, the Rollover Equity, equity issued to management as consideration for cash, the Winnipeg Contribution and the Buller Investment.

 

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Equity Interest” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents, including membership interests (however designated, whether voting or non-voting), of equity of such person, including, if such person is a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited except that general partnership interests of Holdings and Borrower owned by any Person controlled by the Permitted Holders shall not be deemed to be “Equity Interests” for so long as they do not represent an economic interest in Holdings and Borrower) and any other interest or participation that confers on a person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, such partnership, whether outstanding on the Closing Date or issued after the Closing Date, but excluding debt securities convertible or exchangeable into such equity.”

Equity Investors” shall mean the Sponsors, their Controlled Investment Affiliates and one or more investors reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Arranger.

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

ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

ERISA Event” shall mean (a) any “reportable event,” as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived by regulation); (b) the existence with respect to any Plan of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived, the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 412(m) of the Code with respect to any Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by any Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by any Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to the intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, or the occurrence of any event or condition which could reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan; (f) the incurrence by any Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (g) the receipt by any Company or its ERISA Affiliates of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; (h) the making of any amendment to any Plan which could result in the imposition of a lien or the posting of a bond or other security; and (i) the occurrence of a nonexempt prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) which could reasonably be expected to result in liability to any Company.

Eurodollar Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Loans.

Eurodollar Loan” shall mean any Revolving Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

Event of Default” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article VIII.

Excess Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(h)(ii).

 

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Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Offer” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Excluded Issuance” shall mean an issuance and sale of Qualified Capital Stock of Holdings or Existing Holdings, to the extent such Qualified Capital Stock is used, or the Net Cash Proceeds thereof shall be, within 45 days of the consummation of such issuance and sale, used, without duplication, to finance Capital Expenditures or one or more Permitted Acquisitions.

Excluded Taxes” shall mean, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of Borrower hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the United States or any political subdivision thereof or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located (other than franchise taxes imposed in lieu of income taxes, whether or not such franchise taxes are actually measured by income), and (b) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by Borrower under Section 2.16), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure to comply with Section 2.15(e), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.15(a) (it being understood and agreed, for the avoidance of doubt, that any withholding tax imposed on a Foreign Lender as a result of a Change in Law or regulation or interpretation thereof occurring after the time such Foreign Lender became a party to this Agreement shall not be an Excluded Tax, so long such lender complies (if such Lender is legally able to comply) with Section 2.15(e)).

Existing Holdings” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the first recital hereto.

Existing Holdings Indenture” shall mean the Indenture dated as of August 17, 2004 by and among Existing Holdings and Norcraft Capital Corp., as Issuers and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee in connection with the Existing Holdings Notes.

Existing Holdings Notes” shall mean the $118.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 9-3/4% Senior Discount Notes due 2012 issued by Existing Holdings and Norcraft Capital Corp. pursuant to the Existing Holdings Indenture.

Existing Lien” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.02(c).

Federal Funds Effective Rate” shall mean, for any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

Fee Letter” shall mean the confidential Fee Letter, dated August 29, 2003, among Norcraft Holdings, L.L.C., UBS AG, Cayman Islands Branch and UBS Securities LLC.

 

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Fees” shall mean the Commitment Fees, the Administrative Agent Fees, the LC Participation Fees and the Fronting Fees.

Finance Subsidiary” shall mean Norcraft Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation.

Financial Officer” of any person shall mean the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of such person.

FIRREA” shall mean the Federal Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989.

Foreign Lender” shall mean any Lender that is not, for United States federal income tax purposes, (i) a citizen or resident of, or otherwise subject to taxation by, the United States, (ii) a corporation or entity treated as a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, or any political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of such trust.

Foreign Plan” shall mean any employee benefit plan, program, policy, arrangement or agreement maintained or contributed to by any Company with respect to employees employed outside the United States.

Foreign Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

Fronting Fees” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(c).

GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis.

General Partner” means with respect to (i) Borrower, Norcraft GP, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and (ii) Holdings, Norcraft Intermediate GP, L.L.C, or, in either case, any successor sole general partner or managing general partner of Borrower or Holdings.

Governmental Authority” shall mean any federal, state, local or foreign court, central bank or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory body.

Governmental Real Property Disclosure Requirements” shall mean any Requirement of Law of any Governmental Authority requiring notification of the buyer, lessee, mortgagee, assignee or other transferee of any Real Property, facility, establishment or business, or notification, registration or filing to or with any Governmental Authority, in connection with the sale, lease, mortgage, assignment or other transfer (including, without limitation, any transfer of control) of any Real Property, facility, establishment or business, of the actual or threatened presence or Release in or into the Environment, or the use, disposal or handling of Hazardous Material on, at, under or near the Real Property, facility, establishment or business to be sold, leased, mortgaged, assigned or transferred.

Guaranteed Obligations” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.

Guarantees” shall mean the guarantees issued pursuant to Article VII by Holdings and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

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Guarantors” shall mean Holdings and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Hazardous Materials” shall mean the following: hazardous substances; hazardous wastes; polychlorinated biphenyls (“PCBs”) or any substance or compound containing PCBs; asbestos or any asbestos-containing materials in any form or condition; radon or any other radioactive materials including any source, special nuclear or by-product material; petroleum, crude oil or any fraction thereof; and any other pollutant or contaminant or chemicals, wastes, materials, compounds, constituents or substances, subject to regulation or which can give rise to liability under any Environmental Laws.

Hedging Obligations” of any person means the obligations of such person under swap, cap, collar, forward purchase or similar agreements or arrangements dealing with interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices, either generally or under specific contingencies.

Holdings” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

Holdings Employee Notes” means promissory notes issued by any direct or indirect parent company of Borrower to officers, directors or employees of any Company or former officers, directors or employees (or their transferees, estates or beneficiaries under their estates) of any Company as consideration for the repurchase or redemption of Qualified Capital Stock of any direct or indirect parent company of Borrower held by such persons upon their death, disability, retirement, severance or termination of employment or service; provided that if any such Holdings Employee Notes are issued by Holdings, the Indebtedness evidenced by such promissory notes shall (i) be subordinated to the Obligations pursuant to subordination provisions similar to those set forth in the form of Intercompany Note attached as Exhibit L to the Original Credit Agreement and (ii) be unsecured.

Indebtedness” of any person shall mean, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such person for borrowed money or advances; (b) all obligations of such person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments; (c) all obligations of such person upon which interest charges are customarily paid or accrued; (d) all obligations of such person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property purchased by such person; (e) all obligations of such person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable and accrued obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business on normal trade terms); (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by any Lien on property owned or acquired by such person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, but limited to the fair market value of such property; (g) all Capital Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Obligations of such person; (h) all net Hedging Obligations to the extent required to be reflected on a balance sheet of such person; (i) all obligations of such person for the reimbursement of any obligor in respect of letters of credit, letters of guaranty, bankers’ acceptances and similar credit transactions; and (j) all Contingent Obligations of such person in respect of Indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (a) through (i) above. The Indebtedness of any person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such person is a general partner) to the extent such person is liable therefor as a result of such person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent that terms of such Indebtedness provide that such person is not liable therefor.

Indemnified Taxes” shall mean Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

Indemnitee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.03(b).

Independent Director” means, with respect to any transaction, a member of the Board of Directors of Holdings who is independent with respect to such transaction.

 

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Information” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.12.

Insurance Policies” means the insurance policies and coverages required to be maintained by each Loan Party which is an owner of Mortgaged Property with respect to the applicable Mortgaged Property pursuant to Section 5.04 and all renewals and extensions thereof.

Insurance Requirements” means, collectively, all provisions of the Insurance Policies, all requirements of the issuer of any of the Insurance Policies and all orders, rules, regulations and any other requirements of the National Board of Fire Underwriters (or any other body exercising similar functions) binding upon each Loan Party which is an owner of Mortgaged Property and applicable to the Mortgaged Property or any use or condition thereof.

Intellectual Property” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.07(c).

Intercompany Note” shall mean a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit L to the Original Credit Agreement.

Interest Election Request” shall mean a request by Borrower to convert or continue a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.08(b), substantially in the form of Exhibit D to the Original Credit Agreement.

Interest Payment Date” shall mean (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (including Swingline Loans), the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December to occur during any period in which such Loan is outstanding, (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Loan with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period and (c) the Revolving Maturity Date.

Interest Period” shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months (or, if each affected Lender so agrees, nine months) thereafter, as Borrower may elect; provided that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (b) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing; provided, however, that an Interest Period shall be limited to the extent required under Section 2.03(d).

Interest Rate Agreement” shall mean any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement or similar agreement or arrangement.

Investments” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.

IPO” shall mean the first underwritten public offering by Holdings or Existing Holdings of its Equity Interests after the Closing Date pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with the Securities Act.

 

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Issuing Bank” shall mean, as the context may require, (a) UBS AG, Stamford Branch, with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it; (b) any other Lender that may become an Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.18(k), with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Lender; or (c) collectively, all of the foregoing.

Joinder Agreement” shall mean that certain joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit E to the Original Credit Agreement.

Landlord Access Agreement” shall mean each Landlord Access Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit F to the Original Credit Agreement or such other form as may reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

LC Commitment” shall mean the commitment of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.18.

LC Disbursement” shall mean a payment or disbursement made by the Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

LC Exposure” shall mean at any time the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate principal amount of all Reimbursement Obligations outstanding at such time. The LC Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall mean its Pro Rata Percentage of the aggregate LC Exposure at such time.

LC Participation Fee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(c).

LC Request” shall mean a request by Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.18(b) and substantially in the form of Exhibit P to the Original Credit Agreement, or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent.

LC Sub-Account” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(d).

Lead Arranger” has the meaning assigned in the preamble.

Leases” shall mean any and all leases, subleases, tenancies, options, concession agreements, rental agreements, occupancy agreements, franchise agreements, access agreements and any other agreements (including all amendments, extensions, replacements, renewals, modifications and/or guarantees thereof), whether or not of record and whether now in existence or hereafter entered into, affecting the use or occupancy of all or any portion of any Real Property.

Lender Addendum” shall mean with respect to any Original Lender on the Closing Date, a lender addendum in the form of Exhibit N to the Original Credit Agreement executed and delivered by such Original Lender on the Closing Date as provided in Section 11.14.

Lender Affiliate” shall mean with respect to any Lender that is a fund that invests in bank loans, any other fund that invests in commercial loans and is managed or advised by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such advisor.

Lenders” shall mean (a) the financial institutions that have become a party hereto pursuant to a Lender Addendum and/or Additional Revolving Lender Addendum, as the case may be (other than any such financial institution that has ceased to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance), and (b) any financial institution that has become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term “Lenders” shall include the Swingline Lender.

 

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Letter of Credit” shall mean any (i) Standby Letter of Credit and (ii) Commercial Letter of Credit, in each case, issued or to be issued by an Issuing Bank for the account of Borrower pursuant to Section 2.18.

Letter of Credit Expiration Date” shall mean the date which is fifteen days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date.

Leverage Ratio” shall mean, at any date of determination, the ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness on such date to Consolidated EBITDA for the Test Period then most recently ended.

LIBOR Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the arithmetic mean (rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) of the offered rates for deposits in dollars with a term comparable to such Interest Period that appears on the Telerate British Bankers Assoc. Interest Settlement Rates Page (as defined below) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London, England time, on the second full Business Day preceding the first day of such Interest Period; provided, however, that (i) if no comparable term for an Interest Period is available, the LIBOR Rate shall be determined using the weighted average of the offered rates for the two terms most nearly corresponding to such Interest Period and (ii) if there shall at any time no longer exist a Telerate British Bankers Assoc. Interest Settlement Rates Page, “LIBOR Rate” shall mean, with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to Eurodollar Borrowings comprising part of the same Borrowing, the rate per annum equal to the rate at which the Administrative Agent is offered deposits in dollars at approximately 11:00 a.m., London, England time, two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period in the London interbank market for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period for the number of days comprised therein and in an amount comparable to its portion of the amount of such Eurodollar Borrowing to be outstanding during such Interest Period. “Telerate British Bankers Assoc. Interest Settlement Rates Page” shall mean the display designated as Page 3750 on the Telerate System Incorporated Service (or such other page as may replace such page on such service for the purpose of displaying the rates at which dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market).

Lien” shall mean, with respect to any property, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, encumbrance, claim, charge, assignment, hypothecation, security interest or encumbrance of any kind or any filing of any financing statement under the UCC or any other similar notice of Lien under any similar notice or recording statute of any Governmental Authority, including any easement, right-of-way or other encumbrance on title to Real Property, in each of the foregoing cases whether voluntary or imposed by law, and any agreement to give any of the foregoing; (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such property; and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

Loan Documents” shall mean this Agreement, the Amendment Agreement, the Letters of Credit, the Notes (if any), the Security Documents, each Hedging Obligation relating to the Loans entered into with any counterparty that was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Hedging Obligation was entered into and, solely for the purposes of paragraph (e) of Article VIII, the Engagement Letter and the Fee Letter.

Loan Parties” shall mean Holdings, Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

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Loans” shall mean, as the context may require, a Revolving Loan or a Swingline Loan.

LP Agreement” means the agreement of limited partnership of Holdings dated as of August 12, 2004, as such agreement may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof and thereof.

Management and Monitoring Agreement” means the management and monitoring agreement dated as of the Closing Date among Saunders Karp & Megrue, LLC, Trimaran Fund Management, L.L.C. and Borrower, as such agreement may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof and thereof.

Margin Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.

Material Adverse Effect” shall mean (a) a material adverse effect on the business, property, results of operations, prospects or condition, financial or otherwise of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (b) material impairment of the ability of the Loan Parties to legally perform fully and on a timely basis any of their obligations under any Loan Document; or (c) material impairment of the rights of or benefits or remedies available to the Lenders or the Collateral Agent under any Loan Document.

Material Indebtedness” shall mean (a) the Senior Subordinated Notes and the Senior Subordinated Guarantees and (b) any other Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or one or more Hedging Obligations, of any Loan Party evidencing an aggregate outstanding principal amount exceeding $5.0 million. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” in respect of any Hedging Obligations of any Loan Party at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that such Loan Party would be required to pay if such Hedging Obligations were terminated at such time.

Maximum Rate” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.13.

Mortgage” shall mean each Original Mortgage (as amended) and each mortgage, deed of trust or any other document, creating and evidencing a Lien on a Mortgaged Property, which (i) in the case of Real Property owned in fee, shall be in substantially in the form of Exhibit G to the Original Credit Agreement and (ii) in the case of leased Real Property, shall be in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, in each case, with such schedules and including such provisions as shall be necessary to conform such document to applicable local or foreign law or as shall be customary under applicable local or foreign law.

Mortgage Amendment” means amended mortgages or deeds of trust from any Loan Party, as mortgagor, grantor, trustor or otherwise, to the Collateral Agent as mortgagee, beneficiary or otherwise, in respect of each of the Original Mortgages, in each case as amended in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and as the same may be further amended from time to time.

Mortgaged Property” shall mean (a) each Real Property identified on Schedule 1.01(a) hereto and (b) each Real Property, if any, which shall be subject to a Mortgage delivered after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5.10(c).

Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) or Section 3(37) of ERISA (a) to which any Company or any ERISA Affiliate is then making or accruing an obligation to make contributions; (b) to which any Company or any ERISA Affiliate has within the preceding five plan years made contributions; or (c) with respect to which any Company could incur liability.

 

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Net Cash Proceeds” shall mean:

(a) with respect to any Asset Sale (other than any Asset Sale described in clause (b) of the definition thereof), the cash proceeds received by any Loan Party (including cash proceeds subsequently received (as and when received by any Loan Party) in respect of noncash consideration initially received) net of (i) selling expenses (including reasonable brokers’ fees or commissions, legal, accounting and other professional and transactional fees, transfer and similar taxes and Borrower’s good faith estimate of income taxes paid or payable in connection with such sale); (ii) amounts provided as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against (x) any liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Sale or (y) any other liabilities retained by any Loan Party associated with the assets sold in such Asset Sale (provided that, to the extent and at the time any such amounts are released from such reserve, such amounts shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds); (iii) Borrower’s good faith estimate of payments required to be made with respect to unassumed liabilities relating to the assets sold within 360 days of such Asset Sale (provided that, to the extent such cash proceeds are not used to make payments in respect of such unassumed liabilities within 360 days of such Asset Sale, such cash proceeds shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds); and (iv) the principal amount, premium or penalty, if any, interest and other amounts on any Indebtedness for borrowed money which is secured by a Lien on the asset sold in such Asset Sale (so long as such Lien was permitted to encumber such asset under the Loan Documents at the time of such sale) and which is repaid with such proceeds (other than any such Indebtedness assumed by the purchaser of such asset);

(b) with respect to any Debt Issuance or any issuance or sale of Equity Interests, the cash proceeds thereof, net of customary fees, commissions, costs and other expenses incurred in connection therewith; and

(c) with respect to any Casualty Event, the cash insurance proceeds, condemnation awards and other compensation received in respect thereof, net of all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the collection of such proceeds, awards or other compensation in respect of such Casualty Event.

Non-Consenting Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(b).

Notes” shall mean any notes evidencing the Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans issued pursuant to this Agreement, if any, substantially in the form of H-2 or H-3 to the Original Credit Agreement.

Obligations” shall mean (a) obligations of Borrower and any and all of the other Loan Parties from time to time arising under or in respect of the due and punctual payment of (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, (ii) each payment required to be made by Borrower and any and all of the other Loan Parties under this Agreement in respect of any Letter of Credit, when and as due, including payments in respect of Reimbursement Obligations, interest thereon and obligations to provide cash collateral and (iii) all other monetary obligations, including fees, costs, expenses and indemnities, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), of Borrower and any and all of the other Loan Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) the due and punctual performance of all covenants, agreements, obligations and liabilities of Borrower and each Loan Party under or pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all

 

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obligations of Borrower and any and all of the other Loan Parties under each Hedging Obligation relating to the Loans and up to $50 million of Senior Subordinated Notes entered into with any counterparty that was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Hedging Obligation was entered into and (d) the due and punctual payment and performance of all obligations in respect of overdrafts and related liabilities owed to any Lender, any Affiliate of a Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent arising from treasury, depositary and cash management services or in connection with any automated clearinghouse transfer of funds.

Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum dated October 10, 2003 pursuant to which the Senior Subordinated Notes are being offered.

Officers’ Certificate” shall mean a certificate executed by the chairman of the Board of Directors of Borrower (if an officer of Borrower), the chief executive officer or the president of Borrower and one of the Financial Officers, each in his or her official (and not individual) capacity.

Organizational Documents” shall mean, with respect to any person, (i) in the case of any corporation, the certificate of incorporation and by-laws (or similar documents) of such person, (ii) in the case of any limited liability company, the certificate of formation and operating agreement (or similar documents) of such person, (iii) in the case of any limited partnership, the certificate of formation and limited partnership agreement (or similar documents) of such person, (iv) in the case of any general partnership, the partnership agreement (or similar document) of such person and (v) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing.

Original Collateral” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

Original Credit Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

Original Lenders” shall have the meaning assigned to the term “Lenders” in the Original Credit Agreement.

Original Loan Documents” shall have the meaning assigned to the term “Loan Documents” in the Original Credit Agreement.

Original Mortgage” shall mean any Mortgage executed and delivered pursuant to the Original Credit Agreement.

Original Obligations” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

Original Security Documents” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

Other Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies (including interest, fines, penalties and additions to tax) arising from any payment made or required to be made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document.

Participant” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.04(e).

PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA.

 

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Perfection Certificate” shall mean a certificate in the form of Exhibit I-1 to the Original Credit Agreement or any other form approved by the Collateral Agent, as the same shall be supplemented from time to time by a Perfection Certificate Supplement or otherwise.

Perfection Certificate Supplement” shall mean a certificate supplement in the form of Exhibit I-2 to the Original Credit Agreement or any other form approved by the Collateral Agent.

Permitted Acquisition” shall mean, with respect to Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, any transaction or series of related transactions for the direct or indirect (a) acquisition of all or substantially all of the property of any other person, or of any business or division of any other person; (b) acquisition of in excess of 50% of the Equity Interests of any other person, or otherwise causing any other person to become a Subsidiary of such person; or (c) merger or consolidation or any other combination with any other person, if each of the following conditions are met:

(i) no Default then exists or would result therefrom;

(ii) after giving effect to such acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis, (A) Borrower shall be in compliance with all covenants set forth in Section 6.08 as of the most recent Test Period (assuming, for purposes of Section 6.08, that such acquisition, and all other Permitted Acquisitions consummated since the first day of the relevant Test Period for each of the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.08 ending on or prior to the date of such acquisition, had occurred on the first day of such relevant Test Period), and (B) unless expressly approved by the Administrative Agent, Borrower shall have generated positive cash flow for the Test Period most recently ended prior to the date of consummation of such acquisition;

(iii) no Company shall, in connection with any such acquisition, assume or remain liable with respect to any Indebtedness of the related seller or the business, person or assets acquired, except to the extent permitted under Section 6.01;

(iv) the acquired person shall be engaged in a business of the type that Borrower and the Subsidiaries are permitted to be engaged in under Section 6.13 and the property acquired in connection with any such acquisition shall be made subject to the Lien of the Security Documents and shall be free and clear of any Liens, other than Permitted Liens;

(v) the Board of Directors of the person to be acquired shall not have indicated publicly its opposition to the consummation of such acquisition;

(vi) all transactions in connection therewith shall be consummated in accordance with all applicable laws of all applicable Governmental Authorities;

(vii) with respect to any acquisition involving Acquisition Consideration of more than $10.0 million, unless the Administrative Agent shall otherwise agree, Borrower shall have provided the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with (A) historical financial statements for the last three fiscal years of the person or business to be acquired (audited if available without undue cost or delay) and unaudited financial statements thereof for the most recent interim period which are available, (B) reasonably detailed projections for the succeeding five years pertaining to the person or business to be acquired and updated projections for Borrower after giving effect to such acquisition, (C) a reasonably detailed description of all material information relating thereto and copies of all material documentation pertaining to such acquisition, and (D) all such other information and data relating to such acquisition or the person or business to be acquired as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders;

 

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(viii) at least 10 Business Days prior to the proposed date of consummation of the acquisition, Borrower shall have delivered to the Agents and the Lenders an Officers’ Certificate certifying that (A) such acquisition complies with this definition (which shall have attached thereto reasonably detailed backup data and calculations showing such compliance), and (B) such acquisition could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

(ix) the Acquisition Consideration (exclusive of any amount financed by an Excluded Issuance) for such acquisition shall not exceed $30.0 million, and the aggregate amount of the Acquisition Consideration (exclusive of any amounts financed by Excluded Issuances) for all Permitted Acquisitions since the Amendment Effectiveness Date shall not exceed $75.0 million; provided that any Equity Interests constituting all or a portion of such Acquisition Consideration shall not have a cash dividend requirement on or prior to the Revolving Maturity Date.

Permitted Collateral Liens” means (i) Contested Liens (as defined in the Security Agreements) and (ii) Permitted Liens (other than any Lien pursuant to Section 6.02(l)).

Permitted Holders” shall mean (a) SKM Equity Fund III, L.P. and its Control Investment Affiliates, (b) Trimaran Fund II, L.L.C. and its Control Investment Affiliates, (c) Mr. Mark Buller and his Related Parties and (d) for so long as Borrower or Holdings shall be a limited partnership, the General Partner.

Permitted Liens” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.02.

Permitted Tax Distributions” means

(1) in the event that Borrower is treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, payments, dividends or distributions to Holdings in order to pay consolidated or combined federal, state or local taxes to the extent that such taxes are attributable to the income of Borrower and its Subsidiaries; or

(2) in the event that Borrower is not treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, payments, dividends or distributions to the then current or former equity holders of Borrower in an amount equal to, with respect to any taxable year of Borrower, the product of (x) the highest combined federal, state (or provincial) and local statutory tax rate (after taking into account the deductibility of state (or provincial) and local income tax for federal income tax purposes) applicable to any direct (or, where the direct equity holder is a pass-through entity, indirect) equity holder of Borrower multiplied by (y) the taxable income of Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on the basis that Borrower is a partnership for federal income tax purposes for such year; provided, however, that the combined tax rate in clause (x) of this paragraph shall not exceed the highest combined tax rate that shall be applicable to a direct (or, where the direct equity holder is a pass-through entity, indirect) equity holder of Borrower residing only in the United States for tax purposes;

minus, in the case of clauses (1) and (2) of this definition, any federal, state and local income taxes paid or payable by Borrower and its Subsidiaries directly to taxing authorities on behalf of their direct or indirect equity holders in respect of the income tax liability of such equity holders, if any.

person” shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company, limited liability company, partnership or government, or any agency or political subdivision thereof, in any case, whether acting in a personal, fiduciary or other capacity.

 

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Plan” shall mean any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA which is maintained or contributed to by any Company or its ERISA Affiliate.

Preferred Stock” shall mean, with respect to any person, any and all preferred or preference Equity Interests (however designated) of such person whether now outstanding or issued after the Closing Date.

Preferred Stock Issuance” shall mean the issuance or sale by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries of any Preferred Stock after the Closing Date (other than (x) as permitted by Section 6.11 or (y) any Excluded Issuance).

Premises” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the applicable Mortgage.

Pro Forma Basis” shall mean on a basis in accordance with GAAP and Regulation S-X and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Pro Rata Percentage” of any Revolving Lender at any time shall mean the percentage of the total Revolving Commitments of all Revolving Lenders represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment.

property” shall mean any right, title or interest in or to property or assets of any kind whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible and including Equity Interests or other ownership interests of any person and whether now in existence or owned or hereafter entered into or acquired, including, without limitation, all Real Property.

Purchase Money Obligation” shall mean, for any person, the obligations of such person in respect of Indebtedness (including capital leases) incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price of any property (including Equity Interests of any person) or the cost of installation, construction or improvement of any property or assets and any refinancing thereof; provided, however, that such Indebtedness is incurred within 180 days after such acquisition of such property by such person.

Qualified Capital Stock” of any person shall mean any Equity Interests of such person that are not Disqualified Capital Stock.

Real Property” shall mean, collectively, all right, title and interest (including any leasehold estate) in and to any and all parcels of or interests in real property owned, leased or operated by any person, whether by lease, license or other means, together with, in each case, all easements, hereditaments and appurtenances relating thereto, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures and equipment, all general intangibles and contract rights and other property and rights incidental to the ownership, lease or operation thereof.

Refinancing” shall mean the repayment in full and the termination of any commitment to make extensions of credit under all of the outstanding indebtedness of Holdings and its Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 1.01(b) of the Original Credit Agreement.

Register” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.04(c).

Registration Rights Agreement” means the registration rights agreement dated as of the Closing Date among Borrower, Finance Subsidiary, UBS Securities LLC and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC.

 

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Regulation D” shall mean Regulation D of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Regulation S-X” shall mean Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act.

Regulation T” shall mean Regulation T of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Regulation U” shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Regulation X” shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Reimbursement Obligations” shall mean Borrower’s obligations under Section 2.18(e) to reimburse LC Disbursements.

Related Party” means any family member of Mr. Mark Buller or any trust, corporation, partnership or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders, partners or owners of which are Mr. Mark Buller and/or any members of his family.

Release” shall mean any spilling, leaking, seepage, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing, depositing, dispersing, emanating or migrating of any Hazardous Material in, into, onto or through the Environment.

Required Lenders” shall mean, at any time, Lenders having Loans, LC Exposure and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of all Loans outstanding, LC Exposure and unused Commitments at such time.

Requirements of Law” shall mean, collectively, any and all requirements of any Governmental Authority including any and all laws, ordinances, rules, regulations or similar statutes or case law.

Response” shall mean (a) “response” as such term is defined in CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. § 9601(24), and (b) all other actions required by any Governmental Authority or voluntarily undertaken to: (i) clean up, remove, treat, abate or in any other way address any Hazardous Material in the environment; (ii) prevent the Release or threat of Release, or minimize the further Release, of any Hazardous Material; or (iii) perform studies and investigations in connection with, or as a precondition to, clause (i) or (ii) above.

Responsible Officer” of any person shall mean any executive officer or Financial Officer of such person and any other officer or similar official thereof with responsibility for the administration of the obligations of such person in respect of this Agreement.

Revolving Availability Period” shall mean the period from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the earlier of the Business Day preceding the Revolving Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments.

Revolving Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Revolving Loans.

Revolving Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Revolving Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make Revolving Loans hereunder up to the aggregate amount set forth on

 

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Schedule I to the Lender Addendum and/or Schedule I to the Additional Revolving Lender Addendum executed and delivered by such Lender, if any, or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender assumed its Revolving Commitment, as applicable, as the same may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.07 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 11.04. The aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Commitments on the Amendment Effectiveness Date is $60,000,000.

Revolving Exposure” shall mean, with respect to any Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of all outstanding Revolving Loans of such Lender, plus the aggregate amount at such time of such Lender’s LC Exposure, plus the aggregate amount at such time of such Lender’s Swingline Exposure.

Revolving Lenders” shall mean the Revolving Lenders (as defined in the Original Credit Agreement) and the Additional Revolving Lenders, collectively.

Revolving Loans” shall mean a Loan made by the Lenders to Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a). Each Revolving Loan shall either be an ABR Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.

Revolving Maturity Date” shall mean the fifth anniversary of the Amendment Effectiveness Date, or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day.

Rollover Equity” shall mean the common equity interests to be exchanged by members of management of Borrower for common equity interests in Holdings in an amount not less than $3.0 million on the terms and conditions set forth in the Acquisition Documents.

Sale and Leaseback Transaction” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.03.

Secured Parties” shall mean, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each other Agent, the Lenders and each party to a Hedging Obligation relating to the Loans if at the date of entering into such Hedging Obligation such person was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender and such person executes and delivers to the Administrative Agent a letter agreement in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent pursuant to which such person (i) appoints the Collateral Agent as its agent under the applicable Loan Documents and (ii) agrees to be bound by the provisions of Sections 10.03 and 10.09.

Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933.

Securities Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreements.

Security Agreement Collateral” shall mean all property pledged or granted as collateral pursuant to the Security Agreements delivered on the Closing Date or thereafter pursuant to Section 5.10.

Security Agreements” means the collective reference to the U.S. Security Agreement and the Canadian Security Agreement.

Security Documents” shall mean the Security Agreements, the Mortgages and each other security document or pledge agreement delivered in accordance with applicable local or foreign law to grant a valid, perfected security interest in any property as Collateral for the Obligations, and all UCC or other financing statements or instruments of perfection required by this Agreement, the Security Agreements, any Mortgage or any such other security document or pledge agreement to be filed with respect to the security interests in property and fixtures created pursuant to the Security Agreements or any Mortgage

 

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and any other document or instrument utilized to pledge as collateral for the Obligations any property of whatever kind or nature.

Seller” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the first recital hereto.

Senior Subordinated Note Agreement” shall mean any indenture, note purchase agreement or other agreement pursuant to which the Senior Subordinated Notes are issued, as in effect on the Closing Date and thereafter amended from time to time in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement.

Senior Subordinated Note Documents” shall mean the Senior Subordinated Notes, the Senior Subordinated Note Agreement, the Senior Subordinated Note Guarantees and all other documents executed and delivered with respect to the Senior Subordinated Notes or the Senior Subordinated Note Agreement.

Senior Subordinated Note Guarantees” shall mean the guarantees of the Subsidiary Guarantors (other than Finance Subsidiary) pursuant to the Senior Subordinated Note Agreement.

Senior Subordinated Notes” shall mean (i) the $150 million in aggregate principal amount of 9% senior subordinated notes due 2011 issued by Borrower and Finance Subsidiary pursuant to the Senior Subordinated Note Agreement and (ii) any registered notes issued by Borrower and Finance Subsidiary in exchange for the notes referred to in clause (i) of this definition.

Sponsors” shall mean, collectively, SKM Equity Fund III, L.P. and Trimaran Fund II, L.L.C.

Standby Letter of Credit” shall mean any standby letter of credit or similar instrument issued for the purpose of supporting (a) workers’ compensation liabilities of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or, in the case of the Standby Letter of Credit to be issued on the Closing Date (as such Letter of Credit may be renewed, extended or replaced in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents), to the extent Borrower is jointly and severally liable therefor, workers’ compensation liabilities of Barjan Products, L.L.C. in respect of occurrences on or prior to June 30, 2003), (b) the obligations of third-party insurers of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries arising by virtue of the laws of any jurisdiction requiring third-party insurers to obtain such letters of credit, (c) performance, payment, deposit or surety obligations of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries if required by law or governmental rule or regulation or in accordance with custom and practice in the industry or (d) Indebtedness of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01.

Statutory Reserves” shall mean, for any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, the average maximum rate at which reserves (including any marginal, supplemental or emergency reserves) are required to be maintained during such Interest Period under Regulation D by member banks of the United States Federal Reserve System in New York City with deposits exceeding one billion dollars against “Eurodollar liabilities” (as such term is used in Regulation D). Eurodollar Borrowings shall be deemed to constitute Eurodollar liabilities and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exceptions or offsets which may be available from time to time to any Lender under Regulation D.

Subordinated Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of Borrower or any Guarantor that is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations of Borrower and such Guarantor, as applicable, including the Senior Subordinated Notes.

Subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any person (the “parent”) at any date, (i) any person the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial

 

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statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, (ii) any other corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the voting power of all Equity Interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors thereof are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held by the parent and/or one or more subsidiaries of the parent, (iii) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is the parent or a subsidiary of the parent or (b) the only general partners of which are the parent and/or one or more subsidiaries of the parent and (iv) any other person that is otherwise Controlled by the parent and/or one or more subsidiaries of the parent. Unless the context requires otherwise, “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of Borrower.

Subsidiary Guarantor” shall mean each Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.01(c), and each other Subsidiary that is or becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.10.

Survey” shall mean a survey of any Mortgaged Property (and all improvements thereon) which is (a)(i) prepared by a surveyor or engineer licensed to perform surveys in the state where such Mortgaged Property is located, (ii) dated (or redated) not earlier than six months prior to the date of delivery thereof unless there shall have occurred within six months prior to such date of delivery any exterior construction on the site of such Mortgaged Property, in which event such survey shall be dated (or redated) after the completion of such construction or if such construction shall not have been completed as of such date of delivery, not earlier than 20 days prior to such date of delivery, (iii) certified by the surveyor (in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Title Company, (iv) complying in all respects with the minimum detail requirements of the American Land Title Association as such requirements are in effect on the date of preparation of such survey and (v) sufficient for the Title Company to remove all standard survey exceptions from the title insurance policy (or commitment) relating to such Mortgaged Property and issue the endorsements of the type required by Section 4.01(n)(iii) of the Original Credit Agreement or (b) otherwise acceptable to the Collateral Agent.

Swingline Commitment” shall mean the commitment of the Swingline Lender to make loans pursuant to Section 2.17, as the same may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.07 or Section 2.17.

Swingline Exposure” shall mean at any time the aggregate principal amount at such time of all outstanding Swingline Loans. The Swingline Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall equal its Pro Rata Percentage of the aggregate Swingline Exposure at such time.

Swingline Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

Swingline Loan” shall mean any loan made by the Swingline Lender pursuant to Section 2.17.

Syndication Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

Tax Return” shall mean all returns, statements, filings, attachments and other documents or certifications required to be filed in respect of Taxes.

Taxes” shall mean (i) any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, assessments, deductions, withholdings or other similar charges, whether computed on a separate, consolidated, unitary, combined or other basis and any and all liabilities (including interest, fines, penalties or additions to tax) with respect to the foregoing, and (ii) any transferee, successor, joint and several, contractual or other

 

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liability (including, without limitation, liability pursuant to Treasury Regulation §1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. law)) in respect of any item described in clause (i).

Test Period” shall mean, at any time, the four consecutive fiscal quarters of Borrower then last ended (in each case taken as one accounting period) for which financial statements have been or are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b).

Title Company” shall mean any title insurance company as shall be retained by Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Title Policy” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01(o) of the Original Credit Agreement.

Transaction Documents” shall mean the Acquisition Documents, the Senior Subordinated Note Documents and the Loan Documents.

Transactions” shall mean, collectively, the transactions to occur on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to the Transaction Documents, including (a) the consummation of the Acquisition; (b) the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents and the initial borrowings hereunder; (c) the Refinancing; (d) the Equity Financing; (e) the exchange of the Rollover Equity; (f) the effectiveness of the Buller Employment; (g) the making of the Buller Investment; (h) the consummation of the Winnipeg Contribution; and (i) the payment of all fees and expenses to be paid on or prior to the Closing Date and owing in connection with the foregoing.

Transferred Guarantor” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.09.

Type,” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.

UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in any applicable state or jurisdiction.

United States” shall mean the United States of America.

U.S. Security Agreement” shall mean a security agreement dated as of the Closing Date, among each Loan Party that is incorporated or organized in a jurisdiction that is the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

Voting Stock” shall mean, with respect to any person, any class or classes of Equity Interests pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of such person.

Wholly Owned Subsidiary” shall mean, as to any person, (a) any corporation 100% of whose capital stock (other than directors’ qualifying shares) is at the time owned by such person and/or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such person and (b) any partnership, association, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity in which such person and/or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such person have a 100% equity interest at such time.

Winnipeg Contribution” the contribution by Mr. Mark Buller and his family (or entities controlled by them) to Borrower of all of the Equity Interests of Norcraft Canada Corporation, the owner of

 

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the manufacturing facility being built by such persons that is under construction in Winnipeg, Canada in exchange for common Equity Interests in Holdings.

Withdrawal Liability” shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Revolving Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing”).

SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The term “manifest error” shall be deemed to include any clearly demonstrable error whether or not obvious on the face of document containing such error. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any Loan Document, agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any person shall be construed to include such person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time and all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with GAAP, as in effect on the date hereof unless otherwise agreed to by Borrower and the Required Lenders.

SECTION 1.05. Effect of This Agreement on the Original Credit Agreement and the Other Loan Documents. Upon satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement set forth in Sections 4.01, 4.02, and 4.03, this Agreement shall be binding on the Loan Parties, the Agents, the Lenders and the other parties hereto and the provisions of the Original Credit Agreement shall be replaced by the provisions of this Agreement; provided, that (i) all Loans, Letters of Credit or other Credit Extensions outstanding under the Original Credit Agreement shall continue as Loans, Letters of Credit or other Credit Extensions, as applicable, under this Agreement (and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, with the same Interest Periods as were applicable to such Eurodollar Loans immediately prior to the Amendment Effectiveness Date), (ii) all amounts owing by Borrower under the Original Credit Agreement to any Person in respect of accrued and unpaid interest and fees on the Loans, Commitments and Letters of Credit shall continue to be due and owing on such Loans, Commitments and Letters of Credit under this Agreement until paid as contemplated by Section 2.01(b) and (iii) any Person entitled to the benefits of Section 2.12, 2.13 or 10.03 of the Original Credit Agreement shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of the corresponding provisions of this Agreement. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement

 

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in accordance with Sections 4.01, 4.02 and 4.03, each Loan Document (other than the Original Credit Agreement) that was in effect immediately prior to the Amendment Effectiveness Date shall continue to be effective and, unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to the Original Credit Agreement contained therein shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement.

SECTION 1.06. Resolution of Drafting Ambiguities. Each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that it was represented by counsel in connection with the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, that it and its counsel reviewed and participated in the preparation and negotiation hereof and thereof and that any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation hereof or thereof.

ARTICLE II

THE CREDITS

SECTION 2.01. Revolving Commitments.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, each Lender agrees, severally and not jointly to make Revolving Loans to Borrower, at any time and from time to time after the Amendment Effectiveness Date until the earlier of the Revolving Maturity Date and the termination of the Commitment of such Lender in accordance with the terms hereof, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in such Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment. Within the limits set forth in the preceding sentence above and subject to the terms, conditions and limitations set forth herein, Borrower may borrow, pay or prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.

(b) On the Amendment Effectiveness Date, Borrower shall repay (i) all outstanding Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans and (ii) all accrued and unpaid interest and Fees through and including the Amendment Effectiveness Date. On the Amendment Effectiveness Date, the Revolving Commitment of any Lender who does not consent to the Amendment Agreement (such Lender, a “Non-Consenting Lender”) shall be terminated and such Non-Consenting Lenders shall be under no obligation to make any Loan to Borrower. For the avoidance of doubt, each Letter of Credit outstanding immediately prior to the Amendment Effectiveness Date shall continue as a Letter of Credit under this Agreement until terminated in accordance with Section 2.18. Immediately following the effectiveness of this Agreement on the Amendment Effectiveness Date, all participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans will be held by the Original Lenders (other than any Non-Consenting Lender) and Additional Revolving Lenders ratably in accordance with their Revolving Commitments after giving effect to the Additional Revolving Commitments.

SECTION 2.02. Loans.

(a) Each Loan (other than Swingline Loans) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their Revolving Commitments; provided that the failure of any Lender to make any Loan shall not in itself relieve any other Lender of its obligation to lend hereunder (it being understood, however, that no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make any Loan required to be made by such other Lender). Except for Loans deemed made pursuant to Section 2.18(e), Loans comprising any Borrowing shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is (i) an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $1,000,000 or (ii) equal to the remaining available balance of the Revolving Commitments.

 

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(b) Subject to Sections 2.11 and 2.12, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as Borrower may request pursuant to Section 2.03. Each Lender may at its option make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that Borrower shall not be entitled to request any Borrowing that, if made, would result in more than ten Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding hereunder at any one time. For purposes of the foregoing, Borrowings having different Interest Periods, regardless of whether they commence on the same date, shall be considered separate Borrowings.

(c) Except with respect to Loans made pursuant to Section 2.18(e), each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account in New York City as the Administrative Agent may designate not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly credit the amounts so received to an account as directed by Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request maintained with the Administrative Agent or, if a Borrowing shall not occur on such date because any condition precedent herein specified shall not have been met, return the amounts so received to the respective Lenders.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s portion of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such portion available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such Borrowing in accordance with paragraph (c) above, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If the Administrative Agent shall have so made funds available then, to the extent that such Lender shall not have made such portion available to the Administrative Agent, each of such Lender and Borrower severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at (i) in the case of Borrower, the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. If such Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan as part of such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Revolving Maturity Date.

SECTION 2.03. Borrowing Procedure. To request a Revolving Borrowing, Borrower shall deliver, by hand delivery or telecopy, a duly completed and executed Borrowing Request to the Administrative Agent (i) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (ii) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(a) the aggregate amount of such Borrowing;

(b) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(c) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing;

 

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(d) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”;

(e) the location and number of Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.02; and

(f) that the conditions set forth in Sections 4.02(b)-(e) are satisfied as of the date of the notice.

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, then Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

SECTION 2.04. Evidence of Debt; Repayment of Loans.

(a) Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender, the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan of such Lender on the Revolving Maturity Date and (ii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the earlier of the Revolving Maturity Date and the first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month and is at least two Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made; provided that on each date that a Revolving Borrowing is made, Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans that were outstanding on the date such Borrowing was requested.

(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it will record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Type and Class thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto; (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from Borrower to each Lender hereunder; and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) above shall, in the absence of manifest error, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations therein recorded; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligations of Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with their terms.

(e) Any Lender may request that Loans of any Class made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) in the form of Exhibit H-2 or H-3 to the Original Credit Agreement, as the case may be. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 11.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).

 

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SECTION 2.05. Fees.

(a) Commitment Fee. Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee (a “Commitment Fee”), equal to the Applicable Fee per annum on the average daily unused amount of each Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Amendment Effectiveness Date to but excluding the date on which such Commitment terminates. Accrued Commitment Fees shall be payable in arrears (i) on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year (or if such last day is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately preceding such last day), commencing on the first such date to occur after the Amendment Effectiveness Date, and (ii) on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate. All Commitment Fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). For purposes of computing Commitment Fees, a Revolving Commitment of a Lender shall be deemed to be used to the extent of the outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure of such Lender (and the Swingline Exposure of such Lender shall be disregarded for such purpose).

(b) Administrative Agent Fees. Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, the administrative fees set forth in the Fee Letter or such other fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between Borrower and the Administrative Agent (the “Administrative Agent Fees”).

(c) LC and Fronting Fees. Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee (“LC Participation Fee”) with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at a rate equal to the Applicable Margin from time to time used to determine the interest rate on Eurodollar Loans pursuant to Section 2.06 on the average daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to Reimbursement Obligations) during the period from and including the Amendment Effectiveness Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to the Issuing Bank a fronting fee (“Fronting Fee”), which shall accrue at the rate of 0.25% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to Reimbursement Obligations) during the period from and including the Amendment Effectiveness Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as the Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. LC Participation Fees and Fronting Fees shall be payable in arrears (i) on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year (or if such last day is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately preceding such last day), commencing on the first such date to occur after the Amendment Effectiveness Date, and (ii) on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to the Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All LC Participation Fees and Fronting Fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

(d) All Fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent for distribution, if and as appropriate, among the Lenders, except that Borrower shall pay the Fronting Fees directly to the Issuing Bank. Once paid, none of the Fees shall be refundable under any circumstances.

 

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SECTION 2.06. Interest on Loans.

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.06(c), the Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing, including each Swingline Loan, shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time.

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.06(c), the Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section 2.06.

(d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination of the Revolving Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to Section 2.06(c) shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Loan or a Swingline Loan, in each case, prior to the end of the Revolving Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate or Adjusted LIBOR Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

SECTION 2.07. Termination and Reduction of Commitments.

(a) The Revolving Commitments, the Swingline Commitment, and the LC Commitment shall automatically terminate on the Revolving Maturity Date.

(b) Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments of any Class; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $1,000,000 and (ii) the Revolving Commitments shall not be terminated or reduced if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.10, the sum of the Revolving Exposures would exceed the aggregate amount of Revolving Commitments.

(c) Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section 2.07(c) at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.07(c) shall be irrevocable.

 

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Any termination or reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments of such Class.

SECTION 2.08. Interest Elections.

(a) Each Revolving Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Borrower shall not be entitled to request any conversion or continuation that, if made, would result in more than ten Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding hereunder at any one time. This Section 2.08 shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.

(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if Borrower were requesting a Revolving Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request substantially in the form of Exhibit D to the Original Credit Agreement.

(c) Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, or if outstanding Borrowings are being combined, allocation to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and

(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

 

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(e) If an Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing is not timely delivered prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies Borrower, then, after the occurrence and during the continuance of such Event of Default (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

SECTION 2.09. [RESERVED].

SECTION 2.10. Optional and Mandatory Prepayments of Loans and Mandatory Reductions of Revolving Commitments.

(a) Optional Prepayments. Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing, in whole or in part, subject to the requirements of this Section 2.10; provided that each partial prepayment shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $1,000,000.

(b) Revolving Loan Prepayments. (i) In the event of the termination of all the Revolving Commitments, Borrower shall, on the date of such termination, repay or prepay all its outstanding Revolving Borrowings and all outstanding Swingline Loans and replace all outstanding Letters of Credit and/or deposit an amount equal to the LC Exposure in the LC Sub-Account.

(ii) In the event of any partial reduction of the Revolving Commitments, then (x) at or prior to the effective date of such reduction, the Administrative Agent shall notify Borrower and the Revolving Lenders of the sum of the Revolving Exposures after giving effect thereto and (y) if the sum of the Revolving Exposures would exceed the aggregate amount of Revolving Commitments after giving effect to such reduction, then Borrower shall, on the date of such reduction, first, repay or prepay Swingline Loans, second, repay or prepay Revolving Borrowings and third, replace or cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.18(i), in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess.

(iii) In the event that the sum of all Lenders’ Revolving Exposures exceeds the Revolving Commitments then in effect, Borrower shall, without notice or demand, immediately first, repay or prepay Swingline Loans, second, repay or prepay Revolving Borrowings, and third, replace or cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.18(i).

(iv) In the event that the aggregate LC Exposure exceeds the LC Commitment then in effect, Borrower shall, without notice or demand, immediately replace or cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.18(i).

(c) Asset Sales. Not later than five Business Days following the receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds of any Asset Sale, the Borrower shall apply such Net Cash Proceeds to reduce the Revolving Exposure (but without any permanent reduction in the Revolving Commitments) by an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received with respect thereto in accordance with Sections 2.10(h) and (i); provided that:

(i) no such reduction shall be required under this Section 2.10(c) with respect to (A) the disposition of assets which constitutes a Casualty Event or (B) Asset Sales for fair market value resulting in no more than $100,000 in Net Cash Proceeds per Asset Sale (or series of related

 

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Asset Sales) and less than $1.0 million in Net Cash Proceeds in any fiscal year; provided that clause (B) shall not apply in the case of any Asset Sale described in clause (b) of the definition thereof; and

(ii) so long as no Default shall then exist or would arise therefrom and the aggregate of such Net Cash Proceeds of Asset Sales shall not exceed $10.0 million in any fiscal year of Borrower, the Revolving Exposure shall not be required to be so reduced on such date to the extent that (A) Borrower shall have delivered an Officers’ Certificate to the Administrative Agent on or prior to such date stating that such Net Cash Proceeds shall be used to, to the extent permitted by Section 6.13(b), purchase assets or acquire 100% of the Equity Interests of any person that owns such assets no later than 360 days following the date of such Asset Sale (which Officers’ Certificate shall set forth the estimates of the proceeds to be so expended); and (B) all such Net Cash Proceeds in excess of $2.5 million in the aggregate at any time shall be held in the Collateral Account and released therefrom only in accordance with the provisions of Article IX; provided that if any portion of such Net Cash Proceeds shall not be utilized to purchase replacement assets or acquire such Equity Interests within such 360-day period, the Revolving Exposure shall be reduced by an amount equal to such unused portion as provided in this Section 2.10(c); and provided, further, that if the property subject to such Asset Sale constituted Collateral, then all property purchased with the Net Cash Proceeds thereof pursuant to this subsection shall be made subject to the Lien of the applicable Security Documents in favor of the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and for the benefit of the other Secured Parties in accordance with Sections 5.10 and 5.11.

(d) Debt Issuance or Preferred Stock Issuance. Upon any Debt Issuance or Preferred Stock Issuance after the Amendment Effectiveness Date, Borrower shall reduce the Revolving Exposure (but without any permanent reduction in the Revolving Commitments) in accordance with Sections 2.10(h) and (i) in an aggregate principal amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of such Debt Issuance or Preferred Stock Issuance, as the case may be.

(e) [RESERVED].

(f) Casualty Events. Not later than five Business Days following the receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds from a Casualty Event with respect to any property of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, the Borrower shall reduce the Revolving Exposure (but without any permanent reduction in the Revolving Commitments) by an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds in accordance with Sections 2.10(h) and (i); provided that:

(i) so long as no Default shall then exist or arise therefrom, the Revolving Exposure shall not be required to be so reduced on such date to the extent that (A) in the event such Net Cash Proceeds shall not exceed $10.0 million, Borrower shall have delivered an Officers’ Certificate to the Administrative Agent on or prior to such date stating that such proceeds shall be used; or (B) in the event that such Net Cash Proceeds exceed $10.0 million, the Administrative Agent has elected by notice to Borrower on or prior to such date to require such proceeds to be used, in each case, to repair, replace or restore any property in respect of which such Net Cash Proceeds were paid no later than 360 days following the date of receipt of such proceeds (which Officers’ Certificate shall set forth the estimates of the proceeds to be so expended); provided that if the property subject to such Casualty Event constituted Collateral under the Security Documents, then all property purchased with the Net Cash Proceeds thereof pursuant to this subsection shall be made subject to the Lien of the applicable Security Documents in favor of the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and for the benefit of the other Secured Parties in accordance with Sections 5.10 and 5.11;

 

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(ii) all such Net Cash Proceeds in excess of $2.5 million in the aggregate shall be held in the Collateral Account and released therefrom only in accordance with the provisions of Article IX; and

(iii) if any portion of such Net Cash Proceeds shall not be so applied within such 360-day period, such unused portion shall be applied on the last day of such period as a mandatory reduction of Revolving Exposure as provided in this Section 2.10(f).

(g) [RESERVED]

(h) Application of Prepayments. (i) Prior to any optional prepayment of Borrowings hereunder, Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings to be prepaid and shall specify such selection in the notice of such prepayment pursuant to paragraph (i) of this Section 2.10.

(ii) In the event of any mandatory reduction of the Revolving Exposure pursuant to Section 2.10(c), (d) or (f), then Borrower shall, on the date of such reduction, first, repay or prepay Swingline Loans, second, repay or prepay Revolving Borrowings and third, replace or cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.18(i), in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess; provided, that no such cash collateralization of Letters of Credit shall be required on the date of any required reduction in the Revolving Exposure pursuant to Section 2.10(c), (d) or (f) to the extent that the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent a signed certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower that the conditions set forth on in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of Section 4.02 are satisfied on such date.

(iii) Amounts to be applied pursuant to this Section 2.10 to the prepayment of Revolving Loans shall be applied, as applicable, first to reduce outstanding ABR Revolving Loans. Any amounts remaining after each such application shall be applied to prepay Eurodollar Revolving Loans.

(i) Notice of Prepayment. Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment or (iii) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable. Each such notice shall specify the prepayment date, the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid and, in the case of a mandatory prepayment, a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment. Promptly following receipt of any such notice (other than a notice relating solely to Swingline Loans), the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02, except as necessary to apply fully the required amount of a mandatory prepayment. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.06.

SECTION 2.11. Alternate Rate of Interest. If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:

(a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period; or

 

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(b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing.

SECTION 2.12. Increased Costs.

(a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBOR Rate) or the Issuing Bank; or

(ii) impose on any Lender or the Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender, such Lender’s holding company or the Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered, it being understood that, to the extent duplicative of the provisions of Section 2.15, this Section 2.12 shall not apply to Taxes.

(b) If any Lender or the Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company could have reasonably achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 2.12 shall be delivered to Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 20 days after receipt thereof.

 

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(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.12 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 2.12 for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided, further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall not begin earlier than the date of effectiveness of the Change in Law.

SECTION 2.13. Breakage Payments. In the event of (a) the payment or prepayment, whether optional or mandatory, of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan earlier than the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Revolving Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by Borrower pursuant to Section 2.16, then, in any such event, Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBOR Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the Eurodollar market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.13 shall be delivered to Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 20 days after receipt thereof.

SECTION 2.14. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs.

(a) Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder or under any other Loan Document (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.12, 2.13 or 2.15, or otherwise) on or before the time expressly required hereunder or under such other Loan Document for such payment (or, if no such time is expressly required, prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time), on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without setoff or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 677 Washington Boulevard, Stamford, Connecticut, except payments to be made directly to the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.15 and 11.03 shall be made directly to the persons entitled thereto and payments pursuant to other Loan Documents shall be made to the persons specified therein. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment under any Loan Document shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments under each Loan Document shall be made in dollars.

 

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(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, Reimbursement Obligations, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and Reimbursement Obligations then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and Reimbursement Obligations then due to such parties.

(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise (including by exercise of its rights under Section 9.1(a)(viii) of the U.S. Security Agreement), obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of Borrower in the amount of such participation.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank hereunder that Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.02(c), 2.14(d), 2.17(d), 2.18(d), 2.18(e) or 11.03(d), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.

 

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SECTION 2.15. Taxes.

(a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made without set-off, counterclaim or other defense and free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any and all Indemnified Taxes; provided that if Borrower shall be required by law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions or withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.15) the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made, (ii) Borrower shall make such deductions or withholdings and (iii) Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(b) In addition, Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(c) Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Issuing Bank, within 10 Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.15) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority; provided, however, that the provisions of this sentence shall not require Borrower to indemnify against any interest or penalties that result from the failure by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank to timely file any tax return relating to Indemnified Taxes or to pay when due the taxes shown on such tax return; provided, further, however, that nothing in this sentence shall be construed as preventing Borrower from contesting any tax which it believes was wrongfully imposed so long as Borrower shall have first complied with the provisions of this sentence. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to Borrower by a Lender or the Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by Borrower to a Governmental Authority, Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(e) Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate. In the case of a U.S. Borrower, each Foreign Lender either (1) (i) agrees to furnish either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or successor form) and (ii) agrees (for the benefit of Borrower and the Administrative Agent), to the extent it may lawfully do so at such times, upon reasonable request by Borrower or the Administrative Agent, to provide a new Form W-8ECI or Form W-8BEN (or successor form) upon the expiration or obsolescence of any previously delivered form to reconfirm any complete exemption from, or any entitlement to a reduction in, U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to

 

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any interest payment hereunder or (2) in the case of any such Foreign Lender that is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (i) agrees to furnish either (a) a “Non-Bank Certificate” in a form acceptable to the Administrative Agent and Borrower and two accurate and complete original signed copies of U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or successor form) or (b) a U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI (or successor form), certifying (in each case) to such Foreign Lender’s legal entitlement to an exemption or reduction from U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to all interest payments hereunder and (ii) agrees (for the benefit of Borrower and the Administrative Agent) to the extent it may lawfully do so at such times, upon reasonable request by Borrower or the Administrative Agent, to provide a new Form W-8BEN or W-8ECI (or successor form) upon the expiration or obsolescence of any previously delivered form to reconfirm any complete exemption from, or any entitlement to a reduction in, U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to any interest payment hereunder.

(f) If the Administrative Agent or a Lender (or an assignee) determines in its reasonable discretion that it has received a refund or credit in respect thereof of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by Borrower or with respect to which Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.15, it shall pay over such refund to Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by Borrower under this Section 2.15 with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or the Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender (or assignee) and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided, however, that Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender (or assignee), agrees to repay the amount paid over to Borrower to the Administrative Agent or such Lender (or assignee) within a reasonable time (not to exceed 20 days) after receipt of written notice that the Administrative Agent or such Lender (or assignee) is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Nothing contained in this Section 2.15(f) shall require the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or assignee) to make available its tax returns or any other information which it deems confidential to Borrower or any other person. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in no event will any Lender be required to pay any amount to Borrower the payment of which would place such Lender in a less favorable net after-tax position than such Lender would have been in had the additional amounts giving rise to such refund of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes never been paid in the first place.

SECTION 2.16. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

(a) Mitigation of Obligations. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.12, or if Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.12 or 2.15, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.12, or if Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, or if any Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans hereunder, then Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 11.04), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee selected by Borrower that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may

 

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be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and, if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder (assuming for this purpose that the Loans of such Lender were being prepaid), from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.12 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.15, such assignment will result in a material reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

SECTION 2.17. Swingline Loans.

(a) Swingline Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to Borrower from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding $5.0 million or (ii) the sum of the total Revolving Exposures exceeding the total Revolving Commitments; provided that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Swingline Loans.

(b) Swingline Loans. To request a Swingline Loan, Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (confirmed by telecopy), not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the day of a proposed Swingline Loan. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Swingline Loan. Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan. The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any such notice received from Borrower. The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to Borrower by means of a credit to the general deposit account of Borrower with the Swingline Lender (or, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.18(e), by remittance to the Issuing Bank) by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan. Borrower shall not request a Swingline Loan if at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such request a Default has occurred and is continuing. Swingline Loans shall be made in minimum amounts of $100,000 and integral multiples of $50,000 above such amount.

(c) Prepayment. Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to repay any Swingline Loan, in whole or in part, upon giving written or telecopy notice (or telephone notice promptly confirmed by written, or telecopy notice) to the Swingline Lender and to the Administrative Agent before 12:00 (noon), New York City time on the date of repayment at the Swingline Lender’s address for notices specified in the Swingline Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire. All principal payments of Swingline Loans shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the principal amount being repaid to the date of payment.

(d) Participations. The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on any Business Day require the Revolving Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Revolving Lenders will

 

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participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Revolving Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Pro Rata Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Lender’s Pro Rata Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever (provided that such payment shall not cause such Lender’s Revolving Exposure to exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment). Each Revolving Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.02(c) with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.02 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from Borrower (or other party on behalf of Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.

SECTION 2.18. Letters of Credit.

(a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, Borrower may request the Issuing Bank, and the Issuing Bank agrees, to issue Letters of Credit for its own account or the account of a Subsidiary in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period (provided that Borrower shall be a co-applicant, and be jointly and severally liable, with respect to each Letter of Credit issued for the account of or in favor of a Subsidiary). The Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue, and Borrower shall not request the issuance of, any Letter of Credit at any time if after giving effect to such issuance, the LC Exposure would exceed the LC Commitment or the total Revolving Exposure would exceed the total Revolving Commitments. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by Borrower to, or entered into by Borrower with, the Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

(b) Request for Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit, Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Issuing Bank) an LC Request to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. on the third Business Day preceding the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (or such later date and time as is acceptable to the Issuing Bank).

 

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A request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the Issuing Bank:

(i) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day);

(ii) the amount thereof;

(iii) the expiry date thereof (which shall not be later than the close of business 15 days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date);

(iv) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof;

(v) whether the Letter of Credit is to be issued for its own account or for the account of one if its Subsidiaries (provided that Borrower shall be a co-applicant, and therefore jointly and severally liable, with respect to each Letter of Credit issued for the account of a Subsidiary);

(vi) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in connection with any drawing thereunder;

(vii) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in connection with any drawing thereunder; and

(viii) such other matters as the Issuing Bank may require.

A request for an amendment, renewal or extension of any outstanding Letter of Credit shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the Issuing Bank:

(i) the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended;

(ii) the proposed date of amendment, renewal or extension thereof (which shall be a Business Day);

(iii) the nature of the proposed amendment, renewal or extension; and

(iv) such other matters as the Issuing Bank may require.

If requested by the Issuing Bank, Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on the Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the LC Exposure shall not exceed $15.0 million and (ii) the total Revolving Exposures shall not exceed the total Revolving Commitments. Unless the Issuing Bank shall agree otherwise, no Letter of Credit shall be in an initial amount less than $100,000, in the case of a Commercial Letter of Credit, or $500,000, in the case of a Standby Letter of Credit.

(c) Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) in the case of a Standby Letter of Credit, (x) the date which is one year after the date of the issuance of such Standby Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (y) the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and (ii) in the case of a Commercial Letter of Credit, (x) the date that is 180 days after the date of issuance of such Commercial Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, 180 days after such renewal or extension) and (y) the Letter of Credit Expiration Date.

 

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(d) Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank or the Lenders, the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably grants to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby acquires from the Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by the Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section 2.18, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to Borrower for any reason. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(e) Reimbursement. If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Issuing Bank an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by Borrower prior to such time, on such date, then not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time on (i) the Business Day that Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is received prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the day of receipt, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time on the day of receipt; provided that Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 that such payment be financed with an ABR Borrowing in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Borrowing.

If Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Issuing Bank shall notify the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from Borrower in respect thereof and such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Percentage thereof. Each Revolving Lender shall pay by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent on such date (or, if such Revolving Lender shall have received such notice later than 12:00 noon on any day, not later than 11:00 a.m. on the immediately following Business Day), an amount equal to such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Percentage of the unreimbursed LC Disbursement in the same manner as provided in Section 2.02(c) with respect to Revolving Loans made by such Revolving Lender, and the Administrative Agent will promptly pay to the Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. The Administrative Agent will promptly pay to the Issuing Bank any amounts received by it from Borrower pursuant to the above paragraph prior to the time that any Revolving Lender makes any payment pursuant to the preceding sentence; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent thereafter will be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Lenders that shall have made such payments and to the Issuing Bank, as appropriate.

If any Revolving Lender shall not have made its Pro Rata Percentage of such LC Disbursement available to the Administrative Agent as provided above, each of such Revolving Lender and Borrower severally agrees to pay interest on such amount, for each day from and including the date such amount is required to be paid in accordance with the foregoing to but excluding the date such amount is paid, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank at (i) in the case of Borrower, the rate per annum set forth in Section 2.18(h) and (ii) in the case of such Lender, at a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules or practices on interbank compensation.

 

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(f) Obligations Absolute. The Reimbursement Obligation of Borrower as provided in Section 2.18(e) shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein; (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; (iii) payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that fails to comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.18, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the obligations of Borrower hereunder; (v) the fact that a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and (vi) any adverse change in the business, assets, property, results of operations, prospects or condition, financial or otherwise, of Borrower and its Subsidiaries. None of the Agents, the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or any of their Affiliates, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise due care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

(g) Disbursement Procedures. The Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. The Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve Borrower of its Reimbursement Obligation to the Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement (other than with respect to the timing of such Reimbursement Obligation set forth in Section 2.18(e)).

(h) Interim Interest. If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest payable on demand, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum as determined pursuant to Section 2.06(c). Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section 2.18 to reimburse the Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

 

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(i) Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, Borrower shall deposit in the LC Sub-Account, in the name of the Collateral Agent and for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders, an amount in cash equal to the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to Borrower described in paragraph (g) or (h) of Article VIII. Each such deposit shall be held by the Collateral Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of Borrower under this Agreement. The Collateral Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Collateral Agent and at the risk and expense of Borrower, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Collateral Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than two-thirds of the total LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other Obligations of Borrower under this Agreement. If Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount plus any accrued interest or realized profits of such amounts (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.

(j) Resignation or Removal of the Issuing Bank. The Issuing Bank may resign as Issuing Bank hereunder at any time upon at least 30 days’ prior notice to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and Borrower. The Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among Borrower, each Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of the Issuing Bank or any such additional Issuing Bank. At the time any such resignation or replacement shall become effective, Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.05(c). From and after the effective date of any such resignation or replacement or addition, as applicable, (i) the successor or additional Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued by it thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or such addition or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor or such addition and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the resignation or replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such resignation or replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit. If at any time there is more than one Issuing Bank hereunder, Borrower may, in its discretion, select which Issuing Bank is to issue any particular Letter of Credit.

(k) Additional Issuing Banks. Borrower may, at any time and from time to time with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) and such Revolving Lender, designate one or more additional Revolving Lenders to act as an issuing bank under the terms of this Agreement, with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonable withheld), the Issuing Bank and such Revolving Lender. Any Lender designated as an issuing bank pursuant to this paragraph (k) shall be deemed (in addition to being a Revolving Lender) to be the Issuing Bank with respect to Letters of Credit issued or to be issued by such Revolving Lender, and all references herein and in the other Loan Documents to the term “Issuing Bank” shall, with respect to such

 

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Letters of Credit, be deemed to refer to such Revolving Lender in its capacity as Issuing Bank, as the context shall require.

The Issuing Bank shall be under no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:

(i) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any law applicable to the Issuing Bank or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Bank shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Bank refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Amendment Effectiveness Date, or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Amendment Effectiveness Date and which the Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it; or

(ii) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Bank.

The Issuing Bank shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) the Issuing Bank would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of Credit.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank and each of the Lenders (with references to the Companies being references thereto after giving effect to the Transactions unless otherwise expressly stated) that:

SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers. Each Company (a) is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and to own and lease its property and (c) is qualified and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the applicable jurisdiction) to do business in every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except in such jurisdictions where the failure to so qualify or be in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability. The Amendment Transactions to be entered into by each Loan Party are within such Loan Party’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party and constitutes, and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is to be a party, when executed and delivered by such Loan Party, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

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SECTION 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The Amendment Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except (i) such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (ii) filings necessary to perfect Liens created by the Loan Documents and (iii) consents, approvals, registrations, filings or actions the failure of which to obtain or perform could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (b) will not violate the Organizational Documents of any Company or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate, result in a default or require any consent or approval under any applicable law or regulation, indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon any Company or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Company, except for violations, defaults or the creation of such rights that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any property of any Company, except Liens created by the Loan Documents and Permitted Liens.

SECTION 3.04. Financial Statements. Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders the consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, members’ equity and cash flows of Borrower (i) as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005, audited by and accompanied by the unqualified opinion of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and present fairly in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Borrower as of such dates and for such periods. Except as set forth in such financial statements, there are no liabilities of any Company of any kind, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and there is no existing condition, situation or set of circumstances which could reasonably be expected to result in such a liability, other than liabilities under the Loan Documents and the Senior Subordinated Note Documents.

Since December 31, 2005, there has been no event, change or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.05. No Claims. Each Company owns or has rights to use all of the Collateral and all rights with respect to any of the foregoing used in, necessary for or material to each Company’s business as currently conducted. The use by each Company of such Collateral and all such rights with respect to the foregoing do not infringe on the rights of any person other than such infringement which would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. No claim has been made and remains outstanding that any Company’s use of any Collateral does or may violate the rights of any third person that would individually, or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.06. Properties.

(a) Each Company has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its property material to its business, free and clear of all Liens except for (x) Permitted Collateral Liens and (y) minor irregularities or deficiencies in title that, individually or in the aggregate, do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such property for its intended purpose. The property of the Companies, taken as a whole, (i) is in good operating order, condition and repair (ordinary wear and tear excepted) (except to the extent that the failure to be in such condition could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect) and (ii) constitutes all the property which is required for the business and operations of the Companies as presently conducted.

(b) Schedule 3.06(b) contains a true and complete list of each interest in Real Property owned by any Company as of the Amendment Effectiveness Date and describes the type of interest therein held by such Company. Schedule 3.06(b) contains a true and complete list of each Real Property leased, subleased or otherwise occupied or utilized by any Company, as lessee, sublessee, franchisee or licensee, as of the Amendment Effectiveness Date and describes the type of interest therein held by such Company.

 

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(c) (i) No Company has received any notice of, nor has any knowledge of, the occurrence or pendency or contemplation of any Casualty Event affecting all or any material portion of its property and (ii) unless flood insurance shall have been obtained in accordance with Section 5.04, no Mortgage encumbers improved Real Property that is located in an area that has been identified by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as an area having special flood hazards and with respect to which flood insurance has been made available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.

SECTION 3.07. Intellectual Property.

(a) Ownership/No Claims. Each Loan Party owns, or is licensed to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trade names, servicemarks, copyrights, technology, trade secrets, proprietary information, domain names, know-how and processes necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted (the “Intellectual Property”), except for those the failure to own or license which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No claim has been asserted and is pending by any person challenging or questioning the use of any such Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any such Intellectual Property, nor does any Loan Party know of any valid basis for any such claim. The use of such Intellectual Property by each Loan Party does not infringe the rights of any person, except for such claims and infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Registrations. Except pursuant to licenses and other user agreements entered into by each Loan Party in the ordinary course of business that are listed in Schedules 15(a) and 15(b) annexed to the Perfection Certificate, on and as of the Amendment Effectiveness Date (i) each Loan Party owns and possesses the right to use, and has done nothing to authorize or enable any other person to use, any Copyright, Patent or Trademark (as such terms are defined in the U.S. Security Agreement) listed in Schedules 15(a) and 15(b) annexed to the Perfection Certificate and (ii) all registrations listed in Schedules 15(a) and 15(b) annexed to the Perfection Certificate are valid and in full force and effect.

(c) No Violations or Proceedings. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.07(c), to each Loan Party’s knowledge, on and as of the Amendment Effectiveness Date, (i) there is no material violation by others of any right of such Loan Party with respect to any Copyright, Patent or Trademark listed in Schedules 15(a) and 15(b) annexed to the Perfection Certificate, respectively, pledged by it under the name of such Loan Party, (ii) such Loan Party is not infringing upon any Copyright, Patent or Trademark of any other person other than such infringement that, individually or in the aggregate, would not (or would not reasonably be expected to) result in a Material Adverse Effect on the value or utility of the Intellectual Property or any portion thereof material to the use and operation of the Collateral and (iii) no proceedings have been instituted or are pending against such Loan Party or threatened, and no claim against such Loan Party has been received by such Loan Party, alleging any such violation.

SECTION 3.08. Condition and Maintenance of Equipment. The Equipment of each Company is in good repair, working order and condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted. Each Company shall cause the Equipment to be maintained and preserved in good repair, working order and condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and shall as quickly as commercially practicable make or cause to be made all repairs, replacements and other improvements which are necessary in the conduct of each Company’s business.

 

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SECTION 3.09. Equity Interests and Subsidiaries.

(a) Schedule 3.09(a) sets forth a list of (i) all the Subsidiaries of Borrower and their jurisdiction of organization as of the Amendment Effectiveness Date and (ii) the number of shares of each class of its Equity Interests authorized, and the number outstanding, on the Amendment Effectiveness Date and the number of shares covered by all outstanding options, warrants, rights of conversion or purchase and similar rights at the Amendment Effectiveness Date. All Equity Interests of each Company (other than Holdings) are duly and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by Holdings or Borrower, directly or indirectly through Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, and all Equity Interests of Borrower are owned directly by Holdings. Each Loan Party is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good and marketable title to, the Equity Interests pledged by it under any Security Agreement, free of any and all Liens, rights or claims of other persons, except the security interest created by the Security Agreements, and there are no outstanding warrants, options or other rights to purchase, or shareholder, voting trust or similar agreements outstanding with respect to, or property that is convertible into, or that requires the issuance or sale of, any such Equity Interests.

(b) No consent of any person including any other general or limited partner, any other member of a limited liability company, any other shareholder or any other trust beneficiary is necessary in connection with the creation, perfection or first priority status of the security interest of the Collateral Agent in any Equity Interests pledged to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties under the Security Agreements or the exercise by the Collateral Agent of the voting or other rights provided for in the Security Agreements or the exercise of remedies in respect thereof.

(c) An accurate organization chart, showing the ownership structure of Holdings, Borrower and each Subsidiary on the Amendment Effectiveness Date is set forth on Schedule 3.09(c).

SECTION 3.10. Litigation; Compliance with Laws.

(a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity by or before any Governmental Authority now pending or, to the knowledge of any Company, threatened against or affecting any Company or any business, property or rights of any such person (i) that involve any Loan Document or any of the Amendment Transactions or (ii) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Except for matters covered by Section 3.20, no Company or any of its property is in violation of, nor will the continued operation of its property as currently conducted violate, any Requirements of Law (including any zoning or building ordinance, code or approval or any building permits) or any restrictions of record or agreements affecting the Real Property or is in default with respect to any judgment, writ, injunction, decree or order of any Governmental Authority, where such violation or default could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.11. Agreements.

(a) No Company is a party to any agreement or instrument or subject to any corporate or other constitutional restriction that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) No Company is in default in any manner under any provision of any indenture or other agreement or instrument evidencing Indebtedness, or any other agreement or instrument to which it is a

 

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party or by which it or any of its property are or may be bound, where such default could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Schedule 3.11(c) accurately and completely lists all material agreements (other than leases of Real Property set forth on Schedule 3.06(b)) to which any Company is a party which are in effect on the Amendment Effectiveness Date in connection with the operation of the business conducted thereby and Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent complete and correct copies of all such material agreements, including any amendments, supplements or modifications with respect thereto.

SECTION 3.12. Federal Reserve Regulations.

(a) No Company is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of buying or carrying Margin Stock.

(b) No part of the proceeds of any Loan or any Letter of Credit will be used, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, for any purpose that entails a violation of, or that is inconsistent with, the provisions of the regulations of the Board, including Regulation T, U or X. The pledge of the Securities Collateral pursuant to the Security Agreements does not violate such regulations.

SECTION 3.13. Investment Company Act. No Company is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

SECTION 3.14. Use of Proceeds. Borrower will use the proceeds of the Revolving Loans after the Amendment Effectiveness Date for general corporate purposes (including to effect Permitted Acquisitions).

SECTION 3.15. Taxes. Each Company has (a) timely filed or caused to be timely filed all federal Tax Returns and all material, state, local and foreign Tax Returns or materials required to have been filed by it and all such Tax Returns are true and correct in all material respects and has (b) duly and timely paid or caused to be duly and timely paid all Taxes (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) due and payable by it and all assessments received by it, except Taxes (i) that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which such Company shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP or (ii) which could not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that any such contest of Taxes with respect to Collateral shall also satisfy the Contested Collateral Lien Conditions. Each Company has made adequate provision in accordance with GAAP for all Taxes not yet due and payable. Each Company is unaware of any proposed or pending tax assessments, deficiencies or audits that could be reasonably expected to, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.16. No Material Misstatements. No information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule furnished by or on behalf of any Company to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of any Loan Document or included therein or delivered pursuant thereto, taken as a whole, contained or contains any material misstatement of fact or omitted or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were or are made, not misleading as of the date such information is dated or certified; provided that to the extent any such information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule was based upon or constitutes a forecast or projection, each Company represents only that it acted in good faith and utilized reasonable assumptions and due care in the preparation of such information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule.

 

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SECTION 3.17. Labor Matters. As of the Amendment Effectiveness Date, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against any Company pending or, to the knowledge of any Company, threatened. The hours worked by and payments made to employees of any Company have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable federal, state, local or foreign law dealing with such matters in any manner which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. All payments due from any Company, or for which any claim may be made against any Company, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of such Company except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The consummation of the Amendment Transactions will not give rise to any right of termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any collective bargaining agreement to which any Company is bound.

SECTION 3.18. Solvency. Immediately after the consummation of the Amendment Transactions and immediately following the making of each Loan and after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of each Loan, (a) the fair value of the assets of each Loan Party (individually and on a consolidated basis with its Subsidiaries) will exceed its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of each Loan Party (individually and on a consolidated basis with its Subsidiaries) will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (c) each Loan Party (individually and on a consolidated basis with its Subsidiaries) will be able to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (d) each Loan Party (individually and on a consolidated basis with its Subsidiaries) will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct its business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted following the Amendment Effectiveness Date.

SECTION 3.19. Employee Benefit Plans.

(a) Each Company and each Plan to which any Company contributes any assets is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events, could reasonably be expected to result in material liability of any Company or the imposition of a Lien on any of the assets of a Company. The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed by more than $5,000,000 the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans. Using actuarial assumptions and computation methods consistent with subpart 1 of subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA, the aggregate liabilities of each Company or its ERISA Affiliates to all Multiemployer Plans in the event of a complete withdrawal therefrom, as of the close of the most recent fiscal year of each such Multiemployer Plan, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) To the extent applicable, each Foreign Plan has been maintained in substantial compliance with its terms and with the requirements of any and all applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations and orders and has been maintained, where required, in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities. No Company has incurred any material obligation in connection with the termination of or withdrawal from any Foreign Plan.

 

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SECTION 3.20. Environmental Matters.

(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.20 and except as, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect:

(1) The Companies and their businesses, operations and Real Property are and in the last six years have been in compliance with, and the Companies have no liability under, Environmental Law;

(2) The Companies have obtained all Environmental Permits required for the conduct of their businesses and operations, and the ownership, operation and use of their assets, under Environmental Law, all such Environmental Permits are valid and in good standing and, under the currently effective business plan of the Companies, no expenditures or operational adjustments will be required in order to renew or modify such Environmental Permits during the next five years;

(3) There has been no Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Material on, at, under or from any Real Property or facility presently or formerly owned, leased or operated by the Companies or their predecessors in interest that could result in liability by the Companies under Environmental Law;

(4) There is no Environmental Claim pending or, to the knowledge of the Companies, threatened against the Companies, or relating to the Real Property currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by the Companies or relating to the operations of the Companies, and there are no actions, activities, circumstances, conditions, events or incidents that could form the basis of such an Environmental Claim; and

(5) No person with an indemnity or contribution obligation to the Companies relating to compliance with or liability under Environmental Law is in default with respect to such obligation.

(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.20:

(1) No Company is obligated to perform any action or otherwise incur any material expense under Environmental Law pursuant to any order, decree, judgment or agreement by which it is bound or has assumed by contract or agreement, and no Company is conducting or financing any material Response pursuant to any Environmental Law with respect to any Real Property or any other location;

(2) No Real Property or facility owned, operated or leased by the Companies and, to the knowledge of the Companies, no Real Property or facility formerly owned, operated or leased by the Companies or any of their predecessors in interest is (i) listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List promulgated pursuant to CERCLA or (ii) listed on the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System promulgated pursuant to CERCLA or (iii) included on any similar list maintained by any Governmental Authority including, without limitation, any such list relating to petroleum;

(3) No Lien has been recorded or, to the knowledge of any Company, threatened under any Environmental Law with respect to any Real Property or assets of the Companies;

 

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(4) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not require any notification, registration, filing, reporting, disclosure, investigation, remediation or cleanup pursuant to any Governmental Real Property Disclosure Requirements or any other Environmental Law; and

(5) The Companies have made available to Lenders all material records and files in the possession, custody or control of, or otherwise reasonably available to, the Companies concerning compliance with or liability under Environmental Law including, without limitation, those concerning the existence of Hazardous Material at real property or facilities currently or formerly owned, operated, leased or used by the Companies.

SECTION 3.21. Insurance. Schedule 3.21 sets forth a true, complete and correct description of all insurance maintained by each Company as of the Amendment Effectiveness Date. All insurance maintained by the Companies is in full force and effect, all premiums have been duly paid, the Loan Parties have not received notice of violation or cancellation thereof, the Premises, and the use, occupancy and operation thereof, comply in all material respects with all Insurance Requirements and there exists no default under any Insurance Requirement. Each Company has insurance in such amounts and covering such risks and liabilities as are customary for companies of a similar size engaged in similar businesses in similar locations.

SECTION 3.22. Security Documents.

(a) After giving effect to the Amendment Agreement and the Mortgage Amendments, neither the modification of the Original Credit Agreement effected pursuant to the Amendment Agreement and this Agreement nor the execution, delivery, performance or effectiveness of the Amendment Agreement and this Agreement:

(i) impairs the validity, effectiveness or priority of the Liens granted pursuant to any Loan Document, and such Liens continue unimpaired with the same priority to secure repayment of all Obligations, whether heretofore or hereafter incurred; or

(ii) requires that any new filings be made or other action taken to perfect or to maintain the perfection of such Liens other than the recording of the Mortgage Amendments.

(b) Each Mortgage (as amended by the Mortgage Amendments, if applicable) executed and delivered as of the Closing Date is, or, to the extent any Mortgage is duly executed and delivered thereafter by the relevant Loan Party, will be, effective to create, in favor of the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and the benefit of the Secured Parties, subject only to Permitted Collateral Liens or other Liens acceptable to the Collateral Agent, a legal, valid and enforceable first priority Lien on and security interest in all of the Loan Parties’ right, title and interest in and to the Mortgaged Properties thereunder and the proceeds thereof, when the Mortgage Amendments are recorded and (in the case of any Mortgage executed and delivered after the date thereof in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5.10 and 5.11, when such Mortgage is filed in the offices specified in the local counsel opinion delivered with respect thereto in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5.10 and 5.11), the Mortgages shall constitute fully perfected Liens on, and security interests in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in the Mortgaged Properties and the proceeds thereof, in each case prior and superior in right to any other person, other than Permitted Collateral Liens or other Liens acceptable to the Collateral Agent.

(c) Each Security Document delivered pursuant to Sections 5.10 and 5.11 will, upon execution and delivery thereof, be effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in and Lien on all of the Loan Parties’ right,

 

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title and interest in and to the Collateral thereunder, and when all appropriate filings or recordings are made in the appropriate offices as may be required under applicable law, such Security Document will constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral, in each case subject to no Liens other than the applicable Permitted Collateral Liens.

SECTION 3.23. Acquisition Documents; Representations and Warranties in Agreement.

(a) As of the date of the Original Credit Agreement, Schedule 3.23 of the Original Credit Agreement lists (i) each agreement relating to the Equity Financing, the Rollover Equity, the Buller Investment and the Buller Employment, (ii) each exhibit, schedule, annex or other attachment to the Acquisition Agreement or any agreement referred to in clause (i) and (iii) each material agreement, certificate, instrument, letter or other document contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement or any item referred to in clause (i) or (ii) to be entered into, executed or delivered or to become effective in connection with the Acquisition. The Lenders have been furnished true and complete copies of each Acquisition Document to the extent executed and delivered on or prior to the Closing Date.

(b) All representations and warranties of each Company set forth in the Acquisition Agreement were true and correct in all material respects as of the time such representations and warranties were made and shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date as if such representations and warranties were made on and as of such date, unless stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date.

SECTION 3.24. Subordination of Senior Subordinated Notes. The Obligations are “Senior Debt,” the Guaranteed Obligations are “Guarantor Senior Debt” and the Obligations and Guaranteed Obligations are “Designated Senior Debt,” in each case, within the meaning of the Senior Subordinated Note Documents.

SECTION 3.25. Anti-Terrorism Law. No Loan Party and, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, none of its Affiliates is in violation of any Requirement of Law relating to terrorism or money laundering (“Anti-Terrorism Laws”), including Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective September 24, 2001 (the “Executive Order”), and the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56.

No Loan Party and to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, no Affiliate or broker or other agent of any Loan Party acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the Loans is any of the following:

(i) a person that is listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, the Executive Order;

(ii) a person owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, any person that is listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, the Executive Order;

(iii) a person with which any Lender is prohibited from dealing or otherwise engaging in any transaction by any Anti-Terrorism Law;

(iv) a person that commits, threatens or conspires to commit or supports “terrorism” as defined in the Executive Order; or

(v) a person that is named as a “specially designated national and blocked person” on the most current list published by the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control

 

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(“OFAC”) at its official website or any replacement website or other replacement official publication of such list.

No Loan Party and, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, no broker or other agent of any Loan Party acting in any capacity in connection with the Loans (i) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any person described in paragraph (b) above, (ii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction relating to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to the Executive Order, or (iii) engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law.

ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

SECTION 4.01. Conditions to Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Agreement and the Additional Revolving Commitments shall be subject to the prior or concurrent satisfaction of each of the conditions precedent set forth in this Section 4.01.

(a) Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of this Agreement and the Amendment Agreement executed on behalf of (a) Borrower, (b) Holdings, (c) the Subsidiary Guarantors, (d) the Required Lenders under the Original Credit Agreement, and (e) the Administrative Agent.

(b) Additional Revolving Lender Addenda. The Administrative Agent shall have received from each Additional Revolving Lender have an Additional Revolving Commitment a signed Additional Revolving Lender Addendum signed by such Additional Revolving Lender, Borrower and the Administrative Agent. The aggregate amount of Additional Revolving Commitments set forth in all Additional Revolving Lender Addenda together with the Revolving Commitments of any Original Lenders (other than any Non-Consenting Lenders) shall be $60,000,000.

(c) Corporate Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received:

(i) a certificate of the secretary or assistant secretary of each Loan Party dated the Amendment Effectiveness Date and certifying (A) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of each Organizational Document of such Loan Party, certified (to the extent applicable) as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the state of its organization, (B) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Loan Party authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which such person is a party and, in the case of Borrower, the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect and (C) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Loan Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Loan Party (together with a certificate of another officer as to the incumbency and specimen signature of the secretary or assistant secretary executing the certificate in this clause (a);

 

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(ii) a certificate as to the good standing of each Loan Party (in so-called “long form,” if available) as of a recent date, from such Secretary of State; and

(iii) such other documents as the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

(d) Officers’ Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of Borrower, stating that:

(i) the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties contained in Article III of the Original Credit Agreement (immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement), Article III of this Agreement (immediately after the effectiveness of this Agreement) or any other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects (except that any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the Loan Amendment Effectiveness Date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date;

(ii) immediately after the effectiveness of this Agreement, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and

(iii) each of the conditions precedent set forth in this Section 4.01 and paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of Section 4.02 has been complied with.

(e) Opinions of Counsel. The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself, the other Agents, the Arranger, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, a favorable written opinion of (i) Ropes & Gray LLP, counsel for the Loan Parties, in form, scope and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (ii) each local and Canadian counsel listed on Schedule 4.01(e), each in form, scope and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in each case (A) dated the Amendment Effectiveness Date, (B) addressed to the Agents, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders and (C) covering such other matters relating to the Loan Documents, the Mortgage Amendments and the Amendment Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

(f) Solvency Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate in the form of Exhibit M to the Original Credit Agreement dated the Amendment Effectiveness Date and signed by the chief financial officer of Borrower.

(g) Requirements of Law. The Lenders shall be satisfied that the Amendment Transactions shall be (i) in full compliance with all Requirements of Law, including without limitation Regulations T, U and X of the Board. The Lenders shall have received satisfactory evidence of compliance with all applicable Requirements of Law, including all Environmental Laws.

(h) Consents. The Lenders shall be satisfied that all requisite Governmental Authorities and third parties shall have approved or consented to the Amendment Transactions, and there shall be no governmental or judicial action, actual or threatened, that has or would have, singly or in the aggregate, a reasonable likelihood of restraining, preventing or imposing burdensome conditions on the Amendment Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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(i) Litigation. There shall be no litigation, public or private, or administrative proceedings, governmental investigation or other legal or regulatory developments, actual or threatened, that, singly or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or could materially and adversely affect the ability of Holdings, Borrower and the Subsidiaries to fully and timely perform their respective obligations under this Agreement, or the ability of the parties to consummate the financings contemplated hereby or the other Loan Documents.

(j) Fees. The Arranger and Administrative Agent shall have received all Fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Amendment Effectiveness Date, all fees under the Engagement Letter, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses (including the reasonable legal fees and expenses of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, special counsel to the Agents, and the fees and expenses of any local counsel, appraisers, consultants and other advisors) required to be reimbursed or paid by Borrower under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document.

(k) Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall have received, with respect to each Mortgage encumbering Mortgaged Property, a Mortgage Amendment duly executed and acknowledged by the applicable Loan Party, and in form for recording in the recording office where each Mortgage was recorded, together with such certificates, affidavits, questionnaires or returns as shall be required in connection with the recording or filing thereof under applicable law, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent; provided that no Mortgage Amendment will be required with respect to any Mortgaged Property if the Collateral Agent receives a reasonably satisfactory legal opinion from local counsel to Borrower stating that the existing Mortgage covering such Mortgaged Property adequately secures all future Loans under this Agreement.

(l) Title Bringdowns. With respect to each Mortgage Amendment, an endorsement to the existing mortgage Title Policy relating to the Mortgage encumbering such Mortgaged Property assuring the Collateral Agent that the Mortgage, as amended by the Mortgage Amendment, is a valid and enforceable first priority Lien on such Mortgaged Property in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties free and clear of all defects and encumbrances and Liens, other than Permitted Collateral Liens, and such endorsement shall otherwise be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

SECTION 4.02. Conditions to All Credit Extensions. The obligation of each Lender and each Issuing Bank to make any Credit Extension (including the initial Credit Extension) shall be subject to, and to the satisfaction of, each of the conditions precedent set forth below.

(a) Notice. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Request as required by Section 2.03 (or such notice shall have been deemed given in accordance with Section 2.03) if Loans are being requested or, in the case of the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice requesting the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of such Letter of Credit as required by Section 2.18(b) or, in the case of the Borrowing of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice requesting such Swingline Loan as required by Section 2.17(b).

(b) No Default. Each of Borrower and each other Loan Party shall be in compliance in all material respects with all the terms and provisions set forth herein and in each other Loan Document on its part to be observed or performed, and, at the time of and immediately after such

 

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Credit Extension, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving effect to the Credit Extension requested to be made on such date.

(c) Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party set forth in Article III hereof or in any other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date of such Credit Extension with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date.

(d) No Material Adverse Effect. There has been no event, condition and/or contingency that has had or is reasonable likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(e) No Legal Bar. No order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority shall purport to restrain any Lender from making any Loans to be made by it. No injunction or other restraining order shall have been issued, shall be pending or noticed with respect to any action, suit or proceeding seeking to enjoin or otherwise prevent the consummation of, or to recover any damages or obtain relief as a result of, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the making of Loans hereunder.

Each of the delivery of a Borrowing Request or notice requesting the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit and the acceptance by Borrower of the proceeds of such Credit Extension shall constitute a representation and warranty by Borrower and each other Loan Party that on the date of such Credit Extension (both immediately before and after giving effect to such Credit Extension and the application of the proceeds thereof) the conditions contained in this Section 4.02 have been satisfied.

SECTION 4.03. Conditions to Effectiveness. Effectiveness of this Agreement on the Amendment Effectiveness Date is subject to the satisfaction of all conditions precedent set forth in Article III of the Amendment Agreement.

ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Each Loan Party covenants and agrees with each Lender that so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have been canceled or have expired or been fully cash collateralized and all amounts drawn thereunder have been reimbursed in full, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, each Loan Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to:

SECTION 5.01. Financial Statements, Reports, etc. In the case of Holdings and Borrower, furnish to the Administrative Agent (with a copy for each Lender):

(a) Annual Reports. Within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year (but no later than the date on which Holdings or Borrower would be required to file a Form 10-K under the Exchange Act if it were subject to Section 15 and 13(d) of the Exchange Act), (i) the condensed balance sheet of Holdings (parent company only) as of the end of such fiscal year, prepared in

 

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accordance with Rule 12-04 of Regulation S-X (and any other financial statements of Holdings for such fiscal year delivered to any direct or indirect equity holder thereof pursuant to the LP Agreement), (ii) the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and related consolidated statements of income, cash flows and members’ equity for such fiscal year, in comparative form with such financial statements as of the end of, and for, the preceding fiscal year, and notes thereto, all prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X and accompanied by an opinion of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which opinion shall not be qualified as to scope or contain any going concern or other qualification), stating that such financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and changes in members’ equity of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, (iii) a management report in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent setting forth results of operations and cash flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of and for such fiscal year, as compared to budgeted amounts and (iv) a management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations for such fiscal year, as compared to the previous fiscal year;

(b) Quarterly Reports. Within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (but no later than the date on which Holdings or Borrower would be required to file a Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act if it were subject to Section 15 and 13(d) of the Exchange Act), (i) the condensed balance sheet of Holdings (parent company only) as of the end of such fiscal quarter, prepared in accordance with Rule 12-04 of Regulation S-X (and any other financial statements of Holdings for such fiscal quarter delivered to any direct or indirect equity holder thereof pursuant to the LP Agreement), (ii) the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal quarter and related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, in comparative form with the consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the comparable periods in the previous fiscal year, and notes thereto, all prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X and accompanied by a certificate of a Financial Officer stating that such financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date and for such periods in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and on a basis consistent with the financial statements referred to in clause (a)(ii) of this Section 5.01, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes, (iii) a management report in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent setting forth results of operations and cash flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and for the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, as compared to budgeted amounts and (iv) a management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, as compared to the comparable periods in the previous fiscal year;

(c) Financial Officer’s Certificate. (i) Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under paragraphs (a) or (b) above, a Compliance Certificate certifying that no Default has occurred or, if such a Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto; (ii) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under subparagraph (a) or (b) above, a Compliance Certificate setting forth computations in reasonable detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent demonstrating compliance with Sections 6.05(f) and 6.08 (including the aggregate amount of Excluded Issuances for such period and the uses therefor); and (iii) in the case of paragraph (a) above, a report of the accounting firm opining on or certifying such financial statements stating that, while such audit was conducted with respect to accounting matters and was not specifically directed at

 

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determining the existence of a Default, in the course of its regular audit of the financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, which audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, such accounting firm obtained no knowledge that any Default has occurred or, if in the opinion of such accounting firm such a Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof;

(d) Financial Officer’s Certificate Regarding Collateral. Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under paragraph (a) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer setting forth the information required pursuant to the Perfection Certificate Supplement or confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of the Perfection Certificate or latest Perfection Certificate Supplement;

(e) Public Reports. Promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by any Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed to holders of its Indebtedness pursuant to the terms of the documentation governing such Indebtedness (or any trustee, agent or other representative therefor), as the case may be;

(f) Management Letters. Promptly after the receipt thereof by any Company, a copy of any “management letter” received by any such person from its certified public accountants and the management’s responses thereto;

(g) Budgets. No later than 60 days after the first day of each fiscal year of Borrower, a consolidated budget, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including sources and uses of cash and balance sheets) prepared by Borrower for each fiscal quarter of such fiscal year prepared in detail, of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, with appropriate presentation and discussion of the principal assumptions upon which such budgets are based, accompanied by the statement of a Financial Officer of Borrower to the effect that the budget of Borrower is a reasonable estimate for the period covered thereby;

(h) Annual Meetings with Lenders. Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year of Holdings, Holdings and Borrower shall, at the request of the Administrative Agent or Required Lenders, hold a meeting (at a mutually agreeable location and time) with all Lenders who choose to attend such meeting at which meeting shall be reviewed the financial results of the previous fiscal year and the financial condition of the Companies and the budgets presented for the current fiscal year of the Companies; and

(i) Other Information. Promptly, from time to time, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of any Company, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

SECTION 5.02. Litigation and Other Notices. Furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of the following (after the same shall have come to the attention of a Responsible Officer):

(a) any Default, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto;

 

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(b) the filing or commencement of, or any threat or notice of intention of any person to file or commence, any action, suit or proceeding, whether at law or in equity by or before any Governmental Authority, (i) against any Company or any Affiliate thereof that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) with respect to any Loan Document;

(c) any development that has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(d) the occurrence of a Casualty Event; and

(e) the incurrence of any material Lien (other than a Permitted Collateral Lien) on any of the Collateral.

SECTION 5.03. Existence; Businesses and Properties.

(a) Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, except as otherwise expressly permitted under Section 6.05 or, in the case of any Subsidiary, where the failure to perform such obligations, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Do or cause to be done all things necessary to obtain, preserve, renew, extend and keep in full force and effect the rights, licenses, permits, franchises, authorizations, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business; maintain and operate such business in substantially the manner in which it is presently conducted and operated; comply with all applicable Requirements of Law (including any and all zoning, building, Environmental Law, ordinance, code or approval or any building permits or any restrictions of record or agreements affecting the Real Property) and decrees and orders of any Governmental Authority, whether now in effect or hereafter enacted, except where the failure to comply, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; pay and perform its obligations under all Leases and Acquisition Documents, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and at all times maintain and preserve all property material to the conduct of such business and keep such property in good repair, working order and condition and from time to time make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs, renewals, additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times; provided that nothing in this Section 5.03(b) shall prevent (i) sales of assets, consolidations or mergers by or involving any Company in accordance with Section 6.05; (ii) the withdrawal by any Company of its qualification as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction where such withdrawal, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or (iii) the abandonment by any Company of any rights, franchises, licenses, trademarks, trade names, copyrights or patents that such person reasonably determines are not useful to its business.

SECTION 5.04. Insurance.

(a) Keep its insurable property adequately insured at all times by financially sound and reputable insurers; maintain such other insurance, to such extent and against such risks as is customary with companies in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations, including insurance with respect to Mortgaged Properties and other properties material to the business of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries against such casualties and contingencies and of such types and in such amounts with such deductibles as is customary in the case of similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations (including, without limitation, (i) physical hazard insurance on an “all risk” basis, (ii) commercial general liability against claims for bodily injury, death or property damage covering

 

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any and all insurable claims, (iii) explosion insurance in respect of any boilers, machinery or similar apparatus constituting Collateral, (iv) business interruption insurance, (v) worker’s compensation insurance as may be required by any Requirement of Law and (vi) such other insurance against risks as the Administrative Agent may from time to time require); maintain such other insurance as may be required by law (such policies to be in such form and amounts and having such coverage as may be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent); and with respect to physical hazard insurance neither Collateral Agent nor Borrower (or the applicable Loan Party) shall agree to the adjustment of any claim thereunder without the consent of the other (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and such consent of Borrower (or the applicable Loan Party) not to be required following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default).

(b) All such insurance shall (i) provide that no cancellation, material reduction in amount or material change in coverage thereof shall be effective until at least 30 days after receipt by the Collateral Agent of written notice thereof, (ii) name the Collateral Agent as mortgagee (in the case of property insurance) or additional insured on behalf of the Secured Parties (in the case of liability insurance) or loss payee (in the case of property insurance), as applicable, (iii) if reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, include a breach of warranty clause and (iv) be reasonably satisfactory in all other respects to the Collateral Agent.

(c) Notify the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent immediately whenever any separate insurance concurrent in form or contributing in the event of loss with that required to be maintained under this Section 5.04 is taken out by any Company; and promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent a duplicate original copy of such policy or policies.

(d) With respect to each Mortgaged Property, obtain flood insurance in such total amount as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may from time to time require, if at any time the area in which any improvements located on any Mortgaged Property is designated a “flood hazard area” in any Flood Insurance Rate Map published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency), and otherwise comply with the National Flood Insurance Program as set forth in the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended from time to time.

(e) Deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent and the Lenders a report of a reputable insurance broker with respect to such insurance and such supplemental reports with respect thereto as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

(f) No Loan Party that is an owner of Mortgaged Property shall take any action that is reasonably likely to be the basis for termination, revocation or denial of any insurance coverage required to be maintained under such Loan Party’s respective Mortgage or that could be the basis for a defense to any claim under any Insurance Policy maintained in respect of the Premises, and each Loan Party shall otherwise comply in all material respects with all Insurance Requirements in respect of the Premises; provided, however, that each Loan Party may, at its own expense and after written notice to the Administrative Agent, (i) contest the applicability or enforceability of any such Insurance Requirements by appropriate legal proceedings, prosecution of which does not constitute a basis for cancellation or revocation of any insurance coverage required under this Section 5.04 or (ii) cause the Insurance Policy containing any such Insurance Requirement to be replaced by a new policy complying with the provisions of this Section 5.04.

SECTION 5.05. Obligations and Taxes.

(a) Pay its Indebtedness and other obligations promptly and in accordance with their terms and pay and discharge promptly when due all Taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect of its property, before the same shall become

 

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delinquent or in default, as well as all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies or otherwise that, if unpaid, might give rise to a Lien other than a Permitted Lien upon such properties or any part thereof; provided that such payment and discharge shall not be required with respect to any such Tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim so long as the validity or amount thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, the applicable Company shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP, such contest operates to suspend collection of the contested obligation, Tax, assessment or charge and enforcement of a Lien other than a Permitted Lien and, in the case of Collateral, the applicable Company shall have otherwise complied with the Contested Collateral Lien Conditions.

(b) Timely file all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it.

SECTION 5.06. Employee Benefits. (a) Comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and (b) furnish to the Administrative Agent (x) as soon as possible after, and in any event within 10 days after any Responsible Officer of the Companies or their ERISA Affiliates knows that, any ERISA Event has occurred that, alone or together with any other ERISA Event could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Companies or their ERISA Affiliates in an aggregate amount exceeding $1,000,000 or the imposition of a Lien, a statement of a Financial Officer of Holdings setting forth details as to such ERISA Event and the action, if any, that the Companies propose to take with respect thereto, and (y) upon request by the Administrative Agent, copies of: (i) each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by any Company or any ERISA Affiliate with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Plan; (ii) the most recent actuarial valuation report for each Plan; (iii) all notices received by any Company or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor or any governmental agency concerning an ERISA Event; and (iv) such other documents or governmental reports or filings relating to any Plan (or employee benefit plan sponsored or contributed to by any Company) as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

SECTION 5.07. Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections. Keep proper books of record and account in which entries in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. Each Company will permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to visit and inspect the financial records and the property of such Company, upon reasonable notice, at reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested and to make extracts from and copies of such financial records, and permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of any Company with the officers thereof and independent accountants therefor.

SECTION 5.08. Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of the Loans and request the issuance of Letters of Credit only for the purposes set forth in Section 3.14.

SECTION 5.09. Compliance with Environmental Laws; Environmental Reports.

(a) Comply, and use commercially reasonably efforts to cause all lessees and other persons occupying Real Property owned, operated or leased by any Company to comply, in all material respects with all Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits applicable to its operations and Real Property; obtain and renew all material Environmental Permits applicable to its operations and Real Property; and conduct any Response in accordance with Environmental Laws; provided that no Company shall be required to undertake any Response to the extent that its obligation to do so is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and appropriate reserves are being maintained with respect to such circumstances in accordance with GAAP.

 

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(b) If a Default caused by reason of a breach of Section 3.20 or Section 5.09(a) shall have occurred and be continuing for more than 20 days without the Companies commencing activities reasonably likely to cure such Default, at the written request of the Required Lenders through the Administrative Agent, provide to the Lenders within 45 days after such request, at the expense of Borrower, an environmental assessment report regarding the matters which are the subject of such Default, including where appropriate, any soil and/or groundwater sampling, prepared by an environmental consulting firm and in the form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and indicating the presence or absence of Hazardous Materials and the estimated cost of any compliance or Response to address them.

(c) Each Loan Party that is an owner of Mortgaged Property shall not install nor permit to be installed in the Mortgaged Property any Hazardous Materials, other than in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws.

SECTION 5.10. Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors.

(a) Subject to this Section 5.10, with respect to any property acquired after the Closing Date by Borrower or any other Loan Party that is intended to be subject to the Lien created by any of the Security Documents but is not so subject (but, in any event, excluding any property described in Section 5.10(b)) promptly (and in any event within 30 days after the acquisition thereof): (i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent such amendments or supplements to the relevant Security Documents or such other documents as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent shall deem necessary to grant to the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and for the benefit of the other Secured Parties, a Lien on such property subject to no Liens other than Permitted Collateral Liens, and (ii) take all actions necessary to cause such Lien to be duly perfected to the extent required by such Security Document in accordance with all applicable Requirements of Law, including, without limitation, the filing of financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent. Borrower shall otherwise take such actions and execute and/or deliver to the Collateral Agent such documents as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent shall require to confirm the validity, perfection and priority of the Lien of the Security Documents against such after-acquired properties or assets.

(b) With respect to any person that is or becomes a Subsidiary after the Closing Date, promptly (and in any event within 30 days after such person becomes a Subsidiary) (i) deliver to the Collateral Agent the certificates, if any, representing all of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary, together with undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer executed and delivered in blank by a duly authorized officer of such Subsidiary’s parent, as the case may be; and all intercompany notes owing from such Subsidiary to any Loan Party together with instruments of transfer executed and delivered in blank by a duly authorized officer of such Loan Party and (ii) cause such new Subsidiary (A) to execute a Joinder Agreement or such comparable documentation to become a Subsidiary Guarantor and a joinder agreement to the applicable Security Agreement in the form annexed thereto, and (B) to take all actions necessary or advisable in the opinion of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent to cause the Lien created by the applicable Security Agreement to be duly perfected to the extent required by such agreement in accordance with all applicable Requirements of Law, including, without limitation, the filing of financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) the Equity Interests required to be delivered to the Collateral Agent pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 5.10(b) shall not include any Equity Interests of a Foreign Subsidiary created or acquired after the Closing Date and (2) no Foreign Subsidiary shall be required to take the actions specified in clause (ii) of this Section 5.10(b), if, in the case of either clause (1) or (2), doing so would constitute an investment of earnings in United States property under Section 956 (or a successor provision) of the Code, which investment would or could reasonably be expected to trigger an increase in the net income of a United States shareholder of such Subsidiary pursuant to Section 951 (or a successor provision) of the Code, as reasonably determined in good faith by the

 

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Board of Directors of Borrower; provided that this exception shall not apply to (A) Voting Stock of any Subsidiary which is a first-tier controlled foreign corporation (as defined in Section 957(a) of the Code) representing 66% of the total voting power of all outstanding Voting Stock of such Subsidiary and (B) 100% of the Equity Interests not constituting Voting Stock of any such Subsidiary, except that any such Equity Interests constituting “stock entitled to vote” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.956-2(c)(2) shall be treated as Voting Stock for purposes of this Section 5.10(b).

(c) Each Loan Party will promptly grant to the Collateral Agent, within 60 days of the acquisition thereof, a security interest in and Mortgage on (i) each Real Property owned in fee by such Loan Party as is acquired by such Loan Party after the Closing Date and that, together with any improvements thereon, individually has a fair market value of at least $2,000,000, and (ii) unless the Collateral Agent otherwise consents, each leased Real Property of such Loan Party which lease individually has a fair market value of at least $2,000,000, in each case, as additional security for the Obligations (unless the subject property is already mortgaged to a third party to the extent permitted by Section 6.02). Such Mortgages shall be granted pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent and shall constitute valid and enforceable perfected Liens subject only to Permitted Collateral Liens or other Liens acceptable to the Collateral Agent. The Mortgages or instruments related thereto shall be duly recorded or filed in such manner and in such places as are required by law to establish, perfect, preserve and protect the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent required to be granted pursuant to the Mortgages and all taxes, fees and other charges payable in connection therewith shall be paid in full. Such Loan Party shall otherwise take such actions and execute and/or deliver to the Collateral Agent such documents as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent shall require to confirm the validity, perfection and priority of the Lien of any existing Mortgage or new Mortgage against such after-acquired Real Property (including, without limitation, a Title Policy, a Survey and local counsel opinion (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent) in respect of such Mortgage).

SECTION 5.11. Security Interests; Further Assurances. Promptly, upon the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, at Borrower’s expense, execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause the execution, acknowledgment and delivery of, and thereafter register, file or record, or cause to be registered, filed or recorded, in an appropriate governmental office, any document or instrument supplemental to or confirmatory of the Security Documents or otherwise deemed by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent reasonably necessary for the continued validity, perfection and priority of the Liens on the Collateral covered thereby superior to and prior to the rights of all third persons other than the holders of Permitted Collateral Liens and subject to no other Liens except as permitted by the applicable Security Document, or obtain any consents as may be necessary in connection therewith. Deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent from time to time such other documentation, consents, authorizations, approvals and orders in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent as the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall reasonably deem necessary to perfect or maintain the Liens on the Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents. Upon the exercise by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender of any power, right, privilege or remedy pursuant to any Loan Document which requires any consent, approval, registration, qualification or authorization of any Governmental Authority, execute and deliver all applications, certifications, instruments and other documents and papers that the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or such Lender may so require. If the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Required Lenders determine that they are required by law or regulation to have appraisals prepared in respect of the Real Property of any Loan Party constituting Collateral, Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent appraisals that satisfy the applicable requirements of the Real Estate Appraisal Reform Amendments of FIRREA and are otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

 

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SECTION 5.12. Information Regarding Collateral.

(a) With respect to any change (i) in any Loan Party’s legal name, (ii) in the location of any Loan Party’s chief executive office, (ii) in any Loan Party’s identity or organizational structure, (iii) in any Loan Party’s Federal Taxpayer Identification Number or organizational identification number, if any or (iv) in any Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization (in each case, including, without limitation, by merging with or into any other entity, reorganizing, dissolving, liquidating, reorganizing or organizing in any other jurisdiction), such Loan Party shall not effect such change until (A) it shall have given the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent not less than 30 days’ prior written notice (in the form of an Officers’ Certificate), or such lesser notice period agreed to by the Collateral Agent, of its intention so to do, clearly describing such change and providing such other information in connection therewith as the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (B) with respect to such change, such Loan Party shall have taken all action reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent to maintain the perfection and priority of the security interest of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the Collateral, if applicable. Each Loan Party agrees to promptly provide the Collateral Agent with certified Organizational Documents reflecting any of the changes described in the preceding sentence. Upon the request of the Collateral Agent, but, unless a Default has occurred and is continuing, not more often than once every three months, such Loan Party also agrees to promptly notify the Collateral Agent of any change in the location of any office in which it maintains material books or records relating to Collateral owned by it or any office or facility at which Collateral owned by it (including the establishment of any such new office or facility), other than changes in location to a Mortgaged Property or a leased property subject to a Landlord Access Agreement. Borrower also agrees promptly to notify the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent if any material portion of the Collateral is subject to a Casualty Event.

(b) Each year, at the time of delivery of annual financial statements with respect to the preceding fiscal year pursuant to Section 5.01(a), deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent a Perfection Certificate Supplement and a certificate of a Financial Officer and the chief legal officer of Borrower certifying that all UCC financing statements (including fixture filings, as applicable) or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations, including all refilings, rerecordings and reregistrations, containing a description of the Collateral have been filed of record in each governmental, municipal or other appropriate office in each jurisdiction necessary to protect and perfect the security interests and Liens under the Security Documents for a period of not less than 18 months after the date of such certificate (except as noted therein with respect to any continuation statements to be filed within such period).

SECTION 5.13. Covenants of Existing Holdings. Existing Holdings hereby covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Lenders that, until all Obligations have been repaid and all Commitments have been permanently retired:

(a) Existing Holdings will at all times observe separate limited partnership formalities with respect to Holdings and Borrower and shall take all other actions that it reasonably determines are necessary in order to prevent “substantive consolidation” with Holdings and Borrower from occurring under applicable bankruptcy and other debtor/creditor laws.

(b) Without the consent of the Required Lenders, Existing Holdings will not amend the terms of the Existing Holdings Notes from those in effect on the Amendment Effectiveness Date in any manner which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Existing Holdings will not engage in any business activities other than ownership of Equity Interests of Holdings, Norcraft Capital Corp., Norcraft Intermediate GP, LLC, Borrower and its Subsidiaries, fulfilling its obligations under the Existing Holdings Notes and the

 

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indenture related thereto, its obligations under this Section 5.13 and its obligations under its limited partnership agreement as in effect on the date hereof and as amended in any manner which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (including through the issuance of additional Equity Interests which may be of the same or different classes as its existing Equity Interests), incurring additional indebtedness to the extent doing so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, issuing Holdings Employee Notes and other activities reasonably related thereto.

SECTION 5.14. Post-Closing Collateral Matters. To the extent (i) such items have not been delivered as of the Amendment Effectiveness Date and (ii) necessary to permit the Title Company to remove the general survey exception from the applicable lender’s Title Policy, within sixty (60) days after the Amendment Effectiveness Date, unless waived or extended by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, the applicable Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, with respect to each Title Policy, dated on or about the date hereof, insuring the Mortgage encumbering the Mortgaged Property located at (i) Lyon County, Minnesota and (ii) Randolph County, North Carolina, the following:

(a) a Survey; and

(b) endorsements to such Title

(c) Policy (1) eliminating the general or standard survey exception and (2) providing the comprehensive and survey endorsements thereto.

ARTICLE VI

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Each Loan Party covenants and agrees with each Lender that, so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have been canceled or have expired or been fully cash collateralized and all amounts drawn thereunder have been reimbursed in full, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, no Loan Party will, nor will they cause or permit any Subsidiaries to:

SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness. Incur, create, assume or permit to exist, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness, except:

(a) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

(b) (i) Indebtedness actually outstanding on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 6.01(b), (ii) refinancings or renewals thereof; provided that (A) any such refinancing Indebtedness is in an aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness being renewed or refinanced, plus the amount of any premiums required to be paid thereon and fees and expenses associated therewith, (B) such refinancing Indebtedness has a later or equal final maturity and longer or equal weighted average life than the Indebtedness being renewed or refinanced and (C) the covenants, events of default, subordination and other provisions thereof (including any guarantees thereof) shall be, in the aggregate, no less favorable to the Lenders than those contained in the Indebtedness being renewed or refinanced and (iii) the Senior

 

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Subordinated Notes and Senior Subordinated Note Guarantees (including any notes and guarantees issued in exchange therefor in accordance with the registration rights document entered into in connection with the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes and Senior Subordinated Note Guarantees);

(c) Indebtedness under Hedging Obligations that are designed to protect against fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or commodity prices or to exchange fixed rate Indebtedness for floating rate Indebtedness, in each case not entered into for speculative purposes; provided that if such Hedging Obligations relate to interest rates, (a) such Hedging Obligations relate to payment obligations on Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred by the Loan Documents and (b) the notional principal amount of such Hedging Obligations at the time incurred does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness to which such Hedging Obligations relate;

(d) intercompany Indebtedness of the Companies outstanding to the extent permitted by Section 6.04(h);

(e) Indebtedness in respect of Purchase Money Obligations, and refinancings and renewals thereof, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10.0 million at any time outstanding;

(f) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5.0 million at any time outstanding;

(g) Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance or surety bonds issued for the account of any Company in the ordinary course of business, including guarantees or obligations of any Company with respect to letters of credit supporting such bid, performance or surety obligations (in each case other than for an obligation for money borrowed);

(h) Contingent Obligations of any Loan Party in respect of Indebtedness otherwise permitted under Section 6.01;

(i) Capital Lease Obligations resulting from Sale and Leaseback Transactions incurred by any Loan Party in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10.0 million at any time outstanding;

(j) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of incurrence;

(k) Indebtedness arising in connection with endorsement of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business;

(l) Holdings Employee Notes in an aggregate amount not to exceed $7.5 million at any time outstanding; and

(m) other Indebtedness of any Company in an aggregate amount not to exceed $25.0 million at any time outstanding; provided that except for up to $10.0 million of Capital Lease Obligations resulting from Sale and Leaseback Transactions, all Indebtedness incurred and outstanding under this Section 6.01(m) shall be unsecured.

 

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SECTION 6.02. Liens. Create, incur, assume or permit to exist, directly or indirectly, any Lien on any property now owned or hereafter acquired by it or on any income or revenues or rights in respect of any thereof, except (the “Permitted Liens”):

(a) inchoate Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due and payable or delinquent and Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies, which (i) are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, which proceedings (or orders entered in connection with such proceedings) have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property or assets subject to any such Lien or (ii) in the case of any such charge or claim which has or may become a Lien against any of the Collateral, such Lien and the contest thereof shall satisfy the Contested Collateral Lien Conditions.

(b) Liens in respect of property of any Company imposed by law, which were incurred in the ordinary course of business and do not secure Indebtedness for borrowed money, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, landlords’, workmen’s, suppliers’, repairmen’s and mechanics’ Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business, and (i) which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of the property of the Companies, taken as a whole, and do not materially impair the use thereof in the operation of the business of the Companies, taken as a whole, (ii) which, if they secure obligations that are then due and unpaid, are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, which proceedings (or orders entered in connection with such proceedings) have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property or assets subject to any such Lien and (iii) in the case of any such Lien which has or may become a Lien against any of the Collateral, such Lien and the contest thereof shall satisfy the Contested Collateral Lien Conditions.

(c) any Lien in existence on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.02(c) and any Lien granted as a replacement or substitute therefor; provided that any such replacement or substitute Lien (i) except as permitted by Section 6.01(b)(ii)(A), does not secure an aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness, if any, greater than that secured on the Closing Date and (ii) does not encumber any property other than the property subject thereto on the Closing Date (any such Lien, an “Existing Lien”);

(d) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), covenants, encroachments, protrusions and other similar charges or encumbrances, and minor title deficiencies on or with respect to any Real Property, in each case whether now or hereafter in existence, not (i) securing Indebtedness, (ii) individually or in the aggregate materially impairing the value or marketability of such Real Property and (iii) individually or in the aggregate materially interfering with the conduct of the business of the Companies at such Real Property;

(e) Liens arising out of judgments or awards not resulting in a Default, in respect of which such Company shall in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review in respect of which there shall be secured a subsisting stay of execution pending such appeal or proceedings and, in the case of any such Lien which has or may become a Lien against any of the Collateral, such Lien and the contest thereof shall satisfy the Contested Collateral Lien Conditions; provided that the aggregate amount of all such judgments or awards (and any cash and the fair market value of any property subject to such Liens) does not exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding;

 

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(f) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) (i) imposed by law or deposits made in connection therewith in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, (ii) incurred in the ordinary course of business to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations (other than excise taxes), surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, statutory bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, performance and return of money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money) or (iii) arising by virtue of deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability for premiums to insurance carriers; provided that (w) with respect to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph (f), such Liens are for amounts not yet due and payable or delinquent or, to the extent such amounts are so due and payable, such amounts are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, which proceedings (or orders entered in connection with such proceedings) have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property or assets subject to any such Lien, (x) to the extent such Liens are not imposed by law, such Liens shall in no event encumber any property other than cash and Cash Equivalents, (y) in the case of any such Lien against any of the Collateral, such Lien and the contest thereof shall satisfy the Contested Collateral Lien Conditions and (z) the aggregate amount of deposits at any time pursuant to clause (ii) and clause (iii) of this paragraph (f) shall not exceed $3.0 million in the aggregate;

(g) Leases of the assets or properties of any Company, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of such Company’s business, so long as such Leases are subordinate in all respects to the Liens granted and evidenced by the Security Documents and do not, individually or in the aggregate, (i) interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of any Company or (ii) materially impair the use (for its intended purposes) or the value of the property subject thereto;

(h) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by any Company in the ordinary course of business;

(i) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(e); provided that (i) the Indebtedness secured by any such Lien (including refinancings thereof) does not exceed 100% of the cost of the property being acquired or leased at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness and (ii) any such Liens attach only to the property being financed pursuant to such Indebtedness and do not encumber any other property of any Company;

(j) rights of setoff and other similar Liens existing solely with respect to cash and cash equivalents on deposit in one or more accounts maintained by any Company, in each case granted in the ordinary course of business in favor of the bank or banks with which such accounts are maintained, securing amounts owing to such bank with respect to cash management and operating account arrangements, including those involving pooled accounts and netting arrangements; provided that, unless such Liens are non-consensual and arise by operation of law, in no case shall any such Liens secure (either directly or indirectly) the repayment of any Indebtedness;

(k) Liens on property of a person existing at the time such person is acquired or merged with or into or consolidated with any Company to the extent permitted hereunder (and not created in anticipation or contemplation thereof); provided that such Liens do not extend to property not subject to such Liens at the time of acquisition (other than improvements thereon) and are no more favorable to the lienholders than such existing Lien;

 

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(l) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred in reliance on Section 6.01(f); provided that (i) such Liens do not extend to, or encumber, property which constitutes Collateral and (ii) such Liens extend only to the property (or Equity Interests) of the Foreign Subsidiary incurring such Indebtedness;

(m) Liens granted pursuant to the Security Documents;

(n) the filing of financing statements solely as a precautionary measure in connection with operating leases or consignment of goods;

(o) Liens securing Capital Lease Obligations permitted by Section 6.01(i) or (m), so long as such Liens do not extend to property other than the property subject to the Sale and Leaseback Transactions to which such Capital Lease Obligations relate;

(p) the existence of the “equal and ratable” clause in the Senior Subordinated Note Documents (but not any security interests granted pursuant thereto); and

(q) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of any Company with respect to obligations that do not in the aggregate exceed $1.0 million at any time outstanding, so long as such Liens, to the extent covering any Collateral, are junior to the Liens granted pursuant to the Security Documents;

provided, however, that no consensual Liens shall be permitted to exist, directly or indirectly, on any Securities Collateral, other than Liens granted pursuant to the Security Documents.

SECTION 6.03. Sale and Leaseback Transactions. Enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any person whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property which it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred (a “Sale and Leaseback Transaction”) unless (i) the sale of such property is permitted by Section 6.05 and (ii) any Liens arising in connection with its use of such property are permitted by Section 6.02.

SECTION 6.04. Investment, Loan and Advances. Directly or indirectly, lend money or credit or make advances to any person, or purchase or acquire any stock, obligations or securities of, or any other interest in, or make any capital contribution to, any other person, or purchase or own a futures contract or otherwise become liable for the purchase or sale of currency or other commodities at a future date in the nature of a futures contract (all of the foregoing, collectively, “Investments”), except that the following shall be permitted:

(a) the Companies may consummate the Transactions on the Closing Date in accordance with the provisions of the Transaction Documents;

(b) Investments outstanding on the Closing Date and identified on Schedule 6.04(b);

(c) the Companies may (i) acquire and hold accounts receivables owing to any of them if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary terms, (ii) acquire and hold cash and Cash Equivalents, (iii) endorse negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business or (iv) make lease, utility and other similar deposits in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(d) Hedging Obligations incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(c);

(e) loans and advances to directors, employees and officers of Borrower and the Subsidiaries for bona fide business purposes and to purchase Equity Interests of Holdings, not in excess of an aggregate of $2.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(f) Borrower and the Subsidiaries may sell or transfer accounts to the extent permitted by Section 6.05;

(g) Borrower may establish (i) Wholly Owned Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by Section 6.12 and (ii) non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries and/or joint ventures to the extent that Investments in such non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries and/or joint ventures shall not exceed $10.0 million at any time outstanding, after giving effect to amounts returned to Borrower in cash (including upon disposition);

(h) Investments (i) by Borrower in any Subsidiary Guarantor, (ii) by any Company in Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, (iii) by a Subsidiary Guarantor in another Subsidiary Guarantor and (iv) by a Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor in any other Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that any Investment in the form of a loan or advance shall be evidenced by the Intercompany Note and, in the case of a loan by a Loan Party, pledged by such Loan Party as Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents;

(i) Investments in securities of trade creditors or customers in the ordinary course of business that are received in settlement of bona fide disputes or pursuant to any plan of reorganization or liquidation or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such trade creditors or customers;

(j) Investments made by Borrower or any Subsidiary as a result of consideration received in connection with an Asset Sale made in compliance with Section 6.05; and

(k) Investments in Subsidiaries of Borrower that are not Guarantors in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5.0 million at any time outstanding (with each such Investment being valued as of the date made and without regard to subsequent changes in value).

SECTION 6.05. Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions. Wind up, liquidate or dissolve its affairs or enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation, engage in any Asset Sale or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one or a series of related transactions) any part of the property or assets of any person (or agree to do any of the foregoing at any future time), except that the following shall be permitted:

(a) Capital Expenditures by Borrower and the Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by Section 6.08(d);

(b) (i) purchases and other acquisitions of inventory, materials, equipment and intangible assets in the ordinary course of business, (ii) subject to Section 2.10(c), Asset Sales of used, worn out, obsolete or surplus property by any Loan Party in the ordinary course of business and the abandonment or other Asset Sale of Intellectual Property that is, in the reasonable judgment of Borrower, no longer economically practicable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of the Companies taken as a whole and (iii) subject to Section 2.10(c), the sale, lease or other disposal of any assets; provided that the aggregate consideration received in respect of all Asset Sales pursuant to this clause (b)(iii) shall not exceed $10.0 million in any four consecutive fiscal

 

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quarters of Borrower (notwithstanding the foregoing $10.0 million limitation, Sale and Leaseback Transactions of up to $15.0 million at any time outstanding shall be permitted);

(c) Investments in compliance with Section 6.04;

(d) Borrower and the Subsidiaries may lease (as lessee or lessor) real or personal property and may guaranty such lease, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(e) the Transactions as contemplated by the Transaction Documents;

(f) Borrower and the Subsidiaries may consummate Permitted Acquisitions;

(g) any Company may merge or consolidate with or into Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor (as long as Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving person in such merger or consolidation and remains a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Holdings); provided that the Lien on and security interest in such property granted or to be granted in favor of the Collateral Agent under the Security Documents shall be maintained or created in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.10 or Section 5.11, as applicable; and

(h) any Subsidiary may dissolve, liquidate or wind up its affairs at any time; provided that such dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, as applicable, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

To the extent the Required Lenders waive the provisions of this Section 6.05 with respect to the sale of any Collateral, or any Collateral is sold as permitted by this Section 6.05, such Collateral (unless sold to a Company) shall be sold free and clear of the Liens created by the Security Documents, and the Agents shall take all actions deemed appropriate in order to effect the foregoing.

SECTION 6.06. Dividends. Authorize, declare or pay, directly or indirectly, any Dividends with respect to any Company, except that the following shall be permitted:

(a) any Subsidiary of Borrower may pay cash Dividends to Borrower or any Guarantor that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Borrower;

(b) payments to Holdings or another direct or indirect parent company of Borrower to permit Holdings or such other direct or indirect parent company of Borrower, and the subsequent use of such payments by Holdings or such other direct or indirect parent company of Borrower, to repurchase or redeem Qualified Capital Stock of Holdings or such other direct or indirect parent company of Borrower held by officers, directors or employees or former officers, directors or employees (or their transferees, estates or beneficiaries under their estates) of any Company, upon their death, disability, retirement, severance or termination of employment or service or pay interest in respect of Holdings Employee Notes; provided that the aggregate cash consideration paid for all such redemptions and payments shall not exceed, in any calendar year the sum of (i) $5.0 million (and up to 100% of such $5.0 million not used in any calendar year may be carried forward to the next succeeding (but no other) calendar year), plus (ii) for Borrower’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2006 only, $2.0 million, plus (iii) the amount of any Net Cash Proceeds received by or contributed to Borrower from the issuance and sale since the Issue Date of Qualified Capital Stock of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent company of Borrower to officers, directors or employees of such parent company, Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries that have not been used to make any repurchases, redemptions or payments under this clause (b), plus (iv) the net cash proceeds received by or contributed to Borrower in respect of any

 

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“keyman” life insurance policies of any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings, Borrower or any Subsidiary that have not been used to make any repurchases, redemptions or payments under this clause (b);

(c) (A) to the extent actually used by Holdings or another direct or indirect parent company of Borrower to pay such taxes, costs and expenses, payments by Borrower to or on behalf of Holdings in an amount sufficient to pay franchise taxes and other fees required to maintain the legal existence of Holdings or another direct or indirect parent company of Borrower and (B) payments by Borrower to or on behalf of Holdings in an amount sufficient to pay out-of-pocket legal, accounting and filing costs and other expenses in the nature of overhead in the ordinary course of business of Holdings or another direct or indirect parent company of Borrower, in the case of clauses (A) and (B) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $750,000 in any calendar year;

(d) the making by Borrower of Dividends to Holdings constituting Permitted Tax Distributions, and the subsequent distribution by Holdings of all or a portion thereof to the its direct or indirect equity holders;

(e) dividends by Borrower and Holdings to Existing Holdings in amounts sufficient to make regularly scheduled interest payments on the Existing Holdings Notes when due in accordance with the terms of the Existing Holdings Indenture as in effect on the Amendment Effectiveness Date; provided, however, that no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of any such dividend;

(f) dividends by Borrower and Holdings to Existing Holdings for the purpose of repurchasing, redeeming or otherwise retiring for value the Existing Holdings Notes; provided that (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) after giving effect to such dividend on a Pro Forma Basis, Borrower shall be in compliance with all covenants set forth in Section 6.08 as of the most recent Test Period (assuming, for purposes of Section 6.08, that such dividend and all other dividends made since the first day of the relevant Test Period, had been made on the first day of such relevant Test Period) and (iii) immediately following any such dividend, Borrower shall have not less than $10.0 million of current availability under the Revolving Commitments; and

(g) dividends by Borrower and Holdings to Existing Holdings for the purpose of making distributions to the direct and indirect equity holders of Existing Holdings; provided that (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) after giving effect to such dividend on a Pro Forma Basis, Borrower shall be in compliance with all covenants set forth in Section 6.08 as of the most recent Test Period (assuming, for purposes of Section 6.08, that such dividend and all other dividends made since the first day of the relevant Test Period, had been made on the first day of such relevant Test Period) and (iii) immediately following any such dividend, Borrower shall have not less than $10.0 million of current availability under the Revolving Commitments.

SECTION 6.07. Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into, directly or indirectly, any transaction or series of related transactions, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, with any Affiliate of any Company (other than between or among Borrower and one or more Subsidiary Guarantors), other than on terms and conditions at least as favorable to such Company as would reasonably be obtained by such Company at that time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a person other than an Affiliate, except that the following shall be permitted:

(a) Dividends may be paid to the extent provided in Section 6.06;

 

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(b) loans may be made and other transactions may be entered into between and among any Company and its Affiliates to the extent permitted by Sections 6.01 and 6.04;

(c) reasonable and customary director, officer and employee compensation (including bonuses) and other benefits (including retirement, health, stock option and other benefit plans) and indemnification arrangements, in each case approved by a majority of the Independent Directors;

(d) payments to Saunders Karp & Megrue, LLC and Trimaran Fund Management, L.L.C. under the Management and Monitoring Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date or as thereafter amended or supplemented in any manner that, taken as a whole, is not more adverse to the interests of the Lenders in any material respect than the Management and Monitoring Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date;

(e) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, joint venture partners or purchasers or sellers of goods and services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise not prohibited by the Loan Documents;

(f) (x) any agreement in effect on the Closing Date and disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, as in effect on the Closing Date or as thereafter amended or replaced in any manner, that, taken as a whole, is not more adverse to the interests of the Lenders in any material respect than such agreement as it was in effect on the Closing Date or (y) any transaction pursuant to any agreement referred to in the immediately preceding clause (x);

(g) the existence of, and the performance by any Loan Party of its obligations under the terms of, any limited liability company, limited partnership or other Organizational Document or securityholders agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party on the Closing Date and which is described in the Offering Memorandum, as in effect on the Closing Date, and similar agreements that it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by any Loan Party of obligations under, any amendment to any such existing agreement or any such similar agreement entered into after the Closing Date shall only be permitted by this Section 6.07(g) to the extent not more adverse to the interest of the Lenders in any material respect, when taken as a whole, than any of such documents and agreements as in effect on the Closing Date;

(h) sales of Qualified Capital Stock to Affiliates of Borrower not otherwise prohibited by the Loan Documents and the granting of registration and other customary rights in connection therewith;

(i) any transaction with an Affiliate where the only consideration paid by any Loan Party is Qualified Capital Stock; and

(j) the Transactions may be effected.

 

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SECTION 6.08. Financial Covenants.

(a) Maximum Leverage Ratio. Permit the Leverage Ratio, as of the last day of any Test Period ending during any period set forth in the table below, to exceed the ratio set forth opposite such period in the table below:

 

Test Period

   Leverage Ratio

January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006

   4.50 to 1.00

January 1, 2007 - June 30, 2007

   4.35 to 1.00

July 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007

   4.20 to 1.00

January 1, 2008 - June 30, 2008

   3.90 to 1.00

July 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008

   3.60 to 1.00

January 1, 2009 - Revolving Maturity Date

   3.30 to 1.00

(b) Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio, for any Test Period ending during any period set forth in the table below, to be less than the ratio set forth opposite such period in the table below:

 

Test Period

  

Interest Coverage

Ratio

January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006

   2.00 to 1.00

January 1, 2007 - June 30, 2007

   2.10 to 1.00

July 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007

   2.25 to 1.00

January 1, 2008 - June 30, 2008

   2.35 to 1.00

July 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008

   2.50 to 1.00

January 1, 2009 - Revolving Maturity Date

   2.75 to 1.00

(c) Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, for any Test Period from and after the Closing Date, to be less than 1.0 to 1.0.

(d) Limitation on Capital Expenditures. Permit the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures made in any period set forth below, to exceed the amount set forth opposite such period below:

 

Period

   Amount (in millions)

January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006

   $ 26.0

January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007

   $ 27.5

January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008

   $ 29.0

January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009

   $ 30.5

January 1, 2010 - Revolving Maturity Date

   $ 32.0

; provided, however, that (x) if the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures made in any fiscal year commencing with Borrower’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2005 shall be less than the maximum amount of Capital Expenditures permitted under this Section 6.08(d) for such fiscal year (before giving effect to any carryover), then an amount of such shortfall not exceeding 50% of such maximum amount (without giving effect to clause (z) below) may be added to the amount of Capital Expenditures permitted under this Section 6.08(d) for the immediately succeeding (but not any other) fiscal year, (y) in

 

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determining whether any amount is available for carryover, the amount expended in any fiscal year shall first be deemed to be from the amount allocated to such fiscal year (before giving effect to any carryover) and (z) the amount set forth in the table above for any period may be increased by the amount of Net Cash Proceeds of Excluded Issuances designated for Capital Expenditures for such period during such period.

SECTION 6.09. Prepayments of Other Indebtedness; Modifications of Organizational Documents and Other Documents, etc. Directly or indirectly

(a) make (or give any notice in respect thereof) any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment on or redemption or acquisition for value of, or any prepayment or redemption as a result of any asset sale, change of control or similar event of, any Indebtedness outstanding under the Senior Subordinated Notes or any other Subordinated Indebtedness except (x) in connection with a refinancing thereof permitted by Section 6.01 or (y) to repurchase, redeem or otherwise retire for value Subordinated Indebtedness of Borrower; provided that (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) after giving effect to such prepayment, redemption or acquisition for value on a Pro Forma Basis, Borrower shall be in compliance with all covenants set forth in Section 6.08 as of the most recent Test Period (assuming, for purposes of Section 6.08, that such prepayment, redemption or acquisition and all other prepayments, redemptions or acquisitions for value of Subordinated Indebtedness made since the first day of the relevant Test Period, had been made on the first day of such relevant Test Period) and (iii) following any such repurchase, redemption or other retirement Borrower shall have not less than $10.0 million of current availability under the Revolving Commitments;

(b) amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of, any provision of any Transaction Document in any manner that is adverse in any material respect to the interests of the Lenders;

(c) amend, modify or change any of its Organizational Documents (including by the filing or modification of any certificate of designation) or any agreement to which it is a party with respect to its Equity Interests (including any shareholders’ agreement), or enter into any new agreement with respect to its Equity Interests, other than any such amendments, modifications or changes or such new agreements which are not adverse in any material respect to the interests of the Lenders; provided that Holdings may issue such Equity Interests, so long as such issuance is not prohibited by Section 6.11 or any other provision of this Agreement, and may amend its Organizational Documents to authorize any such Equity Interests; or

(d) cause or permit any other obligation (other than the Obligations and the Guaranteed Obligations) to constitute Designated Senior Debt (as defined in the Senior Subordinated Note Documents).

SECTION 6.10. Limitation on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries. Directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its capital stock or any other interest or participation in its profits owned by Borrower or any Subsidiary, or pay any Indebtedness owed to Borrower or a Subsidiary, (b) make loans or advances to Borrower or any Subsidiary or (c) transfer any of its properties to Borrower or any Subsidiary, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) applicable law; (ii) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (iii) the Senior Subordinated Note Documents; (iv) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of a Subsidiary; (v) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into by a Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; (vi) any holder of a Lien permitted by Section 6.02 restricting the transfer of the asset or assets subject thereto;

 

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(vii) restrictions which are not more restrictive than those contained in this Agreement contained in any documents governing any Indebtedness incurred after the Closing Date in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; (viii) customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to the sale of any property permitted under Section 6.05 pending the consummation of such sale; (ix) any agreement in effect at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary of Borrower, so long as such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such person becoming a Subsidiary of Borrower; (x) in the case of any joint venture which is not a Loan Party in respect of any matters referred to in clauses (b) and (c) above, restrictions in such person’s Organizational Documents or pursuant to any joint venture agreement or stockholders agreements solely to the extent of the Equity Interests of or assets held in the subject joint venture or other entity; or (xi) any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments or refinancings that are otherwise permitted by the Loan Documents of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (i) through (x) above; provided that such amendments or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of Holdings’ Board of Directors, no more materially restrictive with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those prior to such amendment or refinancing.

SECTION 6.11. Limitation on Issuance of Capital Stock.

(a) With respect to Holdings, issue any Equity Interest that is not Qualified Capital Stock.

(b) Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, issue any Equity Interest (including by way of sales of treasury stock) or any options or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into, any Equity Interest, except (i) for stock splits, stock dividends and additional issuances of Equity Interests which do not decrease the percentage ownership of Borrower or any Subsidiaries in any class of the Equity Interest of such Subsidiary; (ii) Subsidiaries of Borrower formed after the Closing Date in accordance with Section 6.12 may issue Equity Interests to Borrower or the Subsidiary of Borrower which is to own such Equity Interests; and (iii) Borrower may issue common stock that is Qualified Capital Stock to Holdings. All Equity Interests issued in accordance with this Section 6.11(b), shall, to the extent required by Sections 5.10 and 5.11 or any Security Agreement, be delivered to the Collateral Agent for pledge pursuant to the applicable Security Agreement.

SECTION 6.12. Limitation on Creation of Subsidiaries. Establish, create or acquire any additional Subsidiaries without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders; provided that, without such consent, Borrower may (i) establish or create one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of Borrower, (ii) establish, create or acquire one or more Subsidiaries in connection with an Investment made pursuant to Section 6.04(g) or 6.04(k) or (iii) acquire one or more Subsidiaries in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, so long as, in each case, Section 5.10(b) shall be complied with.

SECTION 6.13. Business.

(a) With respect to Holdings, engage in any business activities or have any assets or liabilities, other than (i) its ownership of the Equity Interests of Borrower, (ii) obligations under the Loan Documents and its limited partnership agreement, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as hereafter amended in accordance with Section 6.09, (iii) the issuance of Holdings Employee Notes, if any, and (iv) activities and assets incidental to the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii).

(b) With respect to Borrower and the Subsidiaries, engage (directly or indirectly) in any business other than those businesses in which Borrower and its Subsidiaries are engaged on the Closing Date (or which are substantially related thereto or are reasonable extensions thereof).

 

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SECTION 6.14. Limitation on Accounting Changes. Make or permit any change in accounting policies or reporting practices, without the consent of the Required Lenders, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, except changes that, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or are required by GAAP.

SECTION 6.15. Fiscal Year. Change its fiscal year-end to a date other than December 31.

SECTION 6.16. Lease Obligations. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any obligations as lessee for the rental or hire of real or personal property of any kind under leases or agreements to lease having an original term of one year or more that would cause the direct and contingent liabilities of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, in respect of all such obligations (other than Capital Lease Obligations) to exceed $3.0 million payable in any period of 12 consecutive months.

SECTION 6.17. No Further Negative Pledge. Enter into any agreement, instrument, deed or lease which prohibits or limits the ability of any Loan Party to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of their respective properties, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or which requires the grant of any security for an obligation if security is granted for another obligation, except the following: (1) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (2) covenants in documents creating Liens permitted by Section 6.02 prohibiting further Liens on the assets encumbered thereby; (3) the Senior Subordinated Note Documents, (4) any other agreement that does not restrict in any manner (directly or indirectly) Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents on any Collateral securing the Loans or any Interest Rate Agreement and does not require the direct or indirect granting of any Lien securing any Indebtedness or other obligation by virtue of the granting of Liens on or pledge of property of any Loan Party to secure the Obligations, (5) any prohibition or limitation that (a) exists pursuant to applicable law, (b) consists of customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to the sale of any property permitted under Section 6.05 pending the consummation of such sale, (c) restricts subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of Borrower or a Subsidiary, (d) is not more restrictive than those contained in this Agreement contained in any documents governing any Indebtedness incurred after the Closing Date in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (e) exists in any agreement in effect at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary of Borrower, so long as such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such person becoming a Subsidiary or (f) are imposed by any amendments or refinancings that are otherwise permitted by the Loan Documents of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (5); provided that such amendments and refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of Holdings’ Board of Directors, no more materially restrictive with respect to such prohibitions and limitations than those prior to such amendment or refinancing.

SECTION 6.18. Limitation on Finance Subsidiary. Finance Subsidiary may not hold any material assets, become liable for any material obligations, engage in any trade or business, or conduct any business activity, other than (1) the issuance of its Equity Interests to Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Borrower, (2) the incurrence of Indebtedness as a co-obligor or guarantor, as the case may be, of the Senior Subordinated Notes, the Loan Documents and any other Indebtedness that is permitted to be incurred by Borrower under the Loan Documents; provided that the net proceeds of such Indebtedness are retained by Borrower or loaned to or contributed as capital to one or more of Subsidiaries other than Finance Subsidiary and (3) activities incidental thereto. Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary shall engage in any transactions with Finance Subsidiary in violation of the immediately preceding sentence.

 

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SECTION 6.19. Anti-Terrorism Law; Anti-Money Laundering,

(a) Directly or indirectly, (i) knowingly conduct any business or engage in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any person described in Section 3.22, (ii) knowingly deal in, or otherwise engage in any transaction relating to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to the Executive Order or any other Anti-Terrorism Law, or (iii) knowingly engage in or conspire to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law (and the Loan Parties shall deliver to the Lenders any certification or other evidence requested from time to time by any Lender in its reasonable discretion, confirming the Loan Parties’ compliance with this Section 6.19).

(b) Cause or permit any of the funds of such Loan Party that are used to repay the Loans to be derived from any unlawful activity with the result that the making of the Loans would be in violation of any Requirement of Law.

SECTION 6.20. Embargoed Person. Cause or permit (a) any of the funds or properties of the Loan Parties that are used to repay the Loans to constitute property of, or be beneficially owned directly or indirectly by, any person subject to sanctions or trade restrictions under United States law (“Embargoed Person” or “Embargoed Persons”) that is identified on (1) the “List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” maintained by OFAC and/or on any other similar list maintained by OFAC pursuant to any authorizing statute including, but not limited to, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. §§ 1701 et seq., The Trading with the Enemy Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 1 et seq., and any Executive Order or Requirement of Law promulgated thereunder, with the result that the investment in the Loan Parties (whether directly or indirectly) is prohibited by a Requirement of Law, or the Loans made by the Lenders would be in violation of a Requirement of Law, or (2) the Executive Order, any related enabling legislation or any other similar Executive Orders or (b) any Embargoed Person to have any direct or indirect interest, of any nature whatsoever in the Loan Parties, with the result that the investment in the Loan Parties (whether directly or indirectly) is prohibited by a Requirement of Law or the Loans are in violation of a Requirement of Law.

ARTICLE VII

GUARANTEE

SECTION 7.01. The Guarantee. The Guarantors hereby jointly and severally guarantee as a primary obligor and not as a surety to each Secured Party and their respective successors and assigns the prompt payment in full when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the principal of and interest (including any interest, fees, costs or charges that would accrue but for the provisions of the Title 11 of the United States Code after any bankruptcy or insolvency petition under Title 11 of the United States Code) on the Loans made by the Lenders to, and the Notes held by each Lender of, Borrower, and all other Obligations from time to time owing to the Secured Parties by any Loan Party under any Loan Document, in each case strictly in accordance with the terms thereof (such obligations being herein collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). The Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree that if Borrower or other Guarantor(s) shall fail to pay in full when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Guarantors will promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due

 

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(whether at extended maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal.

SECTION 7.02. Obligations Unconditional. The obligations of the Guarantors under Section 7.01 shall constitute a guaranty of payment and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, are absolute, irrevocable and unconditional, joint and several, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations of Borrower under this Agreement, the Notes, if any, or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein, or any substitution, release or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or Guarantor (except for payment in full). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that the occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or impair the liability of the Guarantors hereunder which shall remain absolute, irrevocable and unconditional under any and all circumstances as described above:

(i) at any time or from time to time, without notice to the Guarantors, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance shall be waived;

(ii) any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of this Agreement or the Notes, if any, or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein shall be done or omitted;

(iii) the maturity of any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be accelerated, or any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be amended in any respect, or any right under the Loan Documents or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein shall be amended or waived in any respect or any other guarantee of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor shall be released or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with;

(iv) any lien or security interest granted to, or in favor of, Issuing Bank or any Lender or Agent as security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall fail to be perfected; or

(v) the release of any other Guarantor pursuant to Section 7.09.

The Guarantors hereby expressly waive diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that any Secured Party exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against Borrower under this Agreement or the Notes, if any, or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein, or against any other person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Guaranteed Obligations. The Guarantors waive any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension, waiver, termination or accrual of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by any Secured Party upon this Guarantee or acceptance of this Guarantee, and the Guaranteed Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred in reliance upon this Guarantee, and all dealings between Borrower and the Secured Parties shall likewise be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon this Guarantee. This Guarantee shall be construed as a continuing, absolute, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of payment without regard to any right of offset with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations at any time or from time to time held by Secured Parties, and the obligations and liabilities of the Guarantors hereunder shall not be conditioned or contingent upon the pursuit by the Secured Parties or any other person at any time of any right or remedy against Borrower or against any other person which may be or become liable in respect of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or against any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto. This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and be

 

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binding in accordance with and to the extent of its terms upon the Guarantors and the successors and assigns thereof, and shall inure to the benefit of the Lenders, and their respective successors and assigns, notwithstanding that from time to time during the term of this Agreement there may be no Guaranteed Obligations outstanding.

SECTION 7.03. Reinstatement. The obligations of the Guarantors under this Article VII shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by or on behalf of Borrower or other Loan Party in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise.

SECTION 7.04. Subrogation; Subordination. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that until the indefeasible payment and satisfaction in full in cash of all Guaranteed Obligations and the expiration and termination of the Commitments of the Lenders under this Agreement it shall not exercise any right or remedy arising by reason of any performance by it of its guarantee in Section 7.01, whether by subrogation or otherwise, against Borrower or any other Guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations. Any Indebtedness of any Loan Party permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(d) shall be subordinated to such Loan Party’s Obligations in the manner set forth in the Intercompany Note evidencing such Indebtedness.

SECTION 7.05. Remedies. The Guarantors jointly and severally agree that, as between the Guarantors and the Lenders, the obligations of Borrower under this Agreement and the Notes, if any, may be declared to be forthwith due and payable as provided in Article VIII (and shall be deemed to have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances provided in said Article VIII) for purposes of Section 7.01, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or such obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against Borrower and that, in the event of such declaration (or such obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), such obligations (whether or not due and payable by Borrower) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for purposes of Section 7.01.

SECTION 7.06. Instrument for the Payment of Money. Each Guarantor hereby acknowledges that the guarantee in this Article VII constitutes an instrument for the payment of money, and consents and agrees that any Lender or Agent, at its sole option, in the event of a dispute by such Guarantor in the payment of any moneys due hereunder, shall have the right to bring a motion-action under New York CPLR Section 3213.

SECTION 7.07. Continuing Guarantee. The guarantee in this Article VII is a continuing guarantee of payment, and shall apply to all Guaranteed Obligations whenever arising.

SECTION 7.08. General Limitation on Guarantee Obligations. In any action or proceeding involving any state corporate, limited partnership or limited liability company law, or any applicable state, federal or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting the rights of creditors generally, if the obligations of any Guarantor under Section 7.01 would otherwise be held or determined to be void, voidable, invalid or unenforceable, or subordinated to the claims of any other creditors, on account of the amount of its liability under Section 7.01, then, notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the amount of such liability shall, without any further action by such Guarantor, any Loan Party or any other person, be automatically limited and reduced to the highest amount that is valid and enforceable and not subordinated to the claims of other creditors as determined in such action or proceeding.

 

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SECTION 7.09. Release of Guarantors. If, in compliance with the terms and provisions of the Loan Documents, all or substantially all of the Equity Interests or assets of any Guarantor are sold or otherwise transferred (a “Transferred Guarantor”) to a person or persons, none of which is Borrower or a Subsidiary, such Transferred Guarantor shall, upon the consummation of such sale or transfer, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (including under Section 11.03 hereof) and its obligations to pledge and grant any Collateral owned by it pursuant to any Security Document and, in the case of a sale of all or substantially all of the Equity Interests of the Transferred Guarantor, the pledge of such Equity Interests to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Agreements shall be released, and the Collateral Agent shall take such actions as are necessary to effect each release described in this Section 7.09 in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Security Documents.

ARTICLE VIII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

In case of the happening of any of the following events (“Events of Default”):

(a) default shall be made in the payment of any principal of any Loan or any Reimbursement Obligation when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise;

(b) default shall be made in the payment of any interest on any Loan or any Fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in paragraph (a) above) due under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days;

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made in or in connection with any Loan Document or the borrowings or issuances of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any representation, warranty, statement or information contained in any report, certificate, financial statement or other instrument furnished in connection with or pursuant to any Loan Document, shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect when so made, deemed made or furnished;

(d) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by any Company of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02, 5.03(a) or 5.08 or in Article VI (other than Section 6.19 or 6.20);

(e) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by any Company of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in (a), (b) or (d) immediately above) and such default shall continue unremedied or shall not be waived for a period of (i) 15 days with respect to a default under Section 6.19 or 6.20 and (ii) 30 days with respect to all other such covenants, in each case, after written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent or any Lender to Borrower;

(f) any Company shall (i) fail to pay any principal or interest, regardless of amount, due in respect of any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations), when and as the same shall become due and payable beyond any applicable grace period or (ii) fail to observe or perform any other term, covenant, condition or agreement contained in any agreement or instrument evidencing or governing any such Indebtedness, if the effect of any failure referred to in this clause (ii) is

 

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to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or a trustee or other representative on its or their behalf to cause, such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; provided that it shall not constitute an Event of Default pursuant to this paragraph (f) unless the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) exceeds $2,500,000 at any one time;

(g) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief in respect of any Company or the General Partner, or of a substantial part of the property or assets of any Company or the General Partner, under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law; (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Company or the General Partner or for a substantial part of the property or assets of any Company or the General Partner; or (iii) the winding-up or liquidation of any Company or the General Partner; and such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(h) any Company or the General Partner shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law; (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or the filing of any petition described in clause (g) above; (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Company or the General Partner or for a substantial part of the property or assets of any Company or the General Partner; (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding; (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (vi) become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due; (vii) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or (viii) wind up or liquidate;

(i) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $2,500,000 shall be rendered against any Company or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to levy upon assets or properties of any Company to enforce any such judgment;

(j) an ERISA Event or noncompliance with respect to Foreign Plans shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events and noncompliance with respect to Foreign Plans that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Company and its ERISA Affiliates in an aggregate amount exceeding $2,500,000 (excluding any liability to make payments to a Multi-Employer Plan resulting from an ERISA Event described in clauses (f) and (g) of the definition thereof to the extent that such payments do not exceed in any year the average payments made in the two years prior to such ERISA Event) or the imposition of a Lien on any assets of a Company;

(k) any security interest and Lien purported to be created by any Security Document shall cease to be in full force and effect, or shall cease to give the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the Liens, rights, powers and privileges purported to be created and granted under such Security Documents (including a perfected first priority security interest in and Lien on, all of the Collateral thereunder (except as otherwise expressly provided in such Security Document)) in favor of the Collateral Agent, or shall be asserted by Borrower or any other

 

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Loan Party not to be, a valid, perfected, first priority (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or such Security Document) security interest in or Lien on the Collateral covered thereby;

(l) any Guarantee shall cease to be in full force effect;

(m) any Loan Document or any material provisions thereof shall at any time and for any reason be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be null and void, or a proceeding shall be commenced by any Loan Party or any other person, or by any Governmental Authority, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof, or any Loan Party shall repudiate or deny that it has any liability or obligation for the payment of principal or interest or other obligations purported to be created under any Loan Document; or

(n) there shall have occurred a Change in Control;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to Holdings, Borrower or the General Partner described in paragraph (g) or (h) above), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate forthwith the Commitments and (ii) declare the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations then outstanding to be forthwith due and payable, in whole or in part, whereupon the principal of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid and accrued Fees and all other liabilities of Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall become forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower and the Guarantors, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding; and in any event with respect to Holdings, Borrower or the General Partner described in paragraph (g) or (h) above, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid and accrued Fees and all other liabilities of Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower and the Guarantors, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding.

ARTICLE IX

COLLATERAL ACCOUNT; APPLICATION OF COLLATERAL PROCEEDS

SECTION 9.01. Collateral Account.

(a) The Collateral Agent is hereby authorized to establish and maintain at its office at 677 Washington Boulevard, Stamford, Connecticut 06901, in the name of the Collateral Agent and pursuant to a Control Agreement, a restricted deposit account designated “Norcraft Companies, L.P. Collateral Account”. Each Loan Party shall deposit into the Collateral Account from time to time (i) the cash proceeds of any of the Collateral (including pursuant to any disposition thereof) to the extent contemplated by Sections 2.10(c)(ii) and 2.10(f)(iii), (ii) the cash proceeds of any Casualty Event with respect to Collateral, to the extent contemplated herein or in any other Loan Document, and (iii) any cash such Loan Party is required to pledge as additional collateral security hereunder pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

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(b) The balance from time to time in the Collateral Account shall constitute part of the Collateral and shall not constitute payment of the Obligations until applied as hereinafter provided. So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or will result therefrom, the Collateral Agent shall within two Business Days of receiving a request of the applicable Loan Party for release of cash proceeds (i) from the Collateral Account constituting Net Cash Proceeds relating to any Casualty Event or Asset Sale remit such cash proceeds on deposit in the Collateral Account to or upon the order of such Loan Party, so long as such Loan Party has satisfied the conditions relating thereto set forth in Section 9.02 and (ii) with respect to the LC Sub-Account, remit such Net Cash Proceeds on deposit in the LC Sub-Account to or upon the order of such Loan Party (x) at such time as all Letters of Credit shall have been terminated and all of the liabilities in respect of the Letters of Credit have been paid in full or (y) otherwise in accordance with Section 2.18(i). At any time following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent may (and, if instructed by the Required Lenders as specified herein, shall) in its (or their) discretion apply or cause to be applied (subject to collection) the balance from time to time outstanding to the credit of the Collateral Account to the payment of the Obligations in the manner specified in Section 9.03 hereof subject, however, in the case of amounts deposited in the LC Sub-Account, to the provisions of Sections 2.18(i) and 9.03. The Loan Parties shall have no right to withdraw, transfer or otherwise receive any funds deposited in the Collateral Account except to the extent specifically provided herein.

(c) Amounts on deposit in the Collateral Account shall be invested from time to time in Cash Equivalents as the applicable Loan Party (or, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent) shall determine, which Cash Equivalents shall be held in the name and be under the control of the Collateral Agent (or any sub-agent); provided that at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent may (and, if instructed by the Required Lenders as specified herein, shall) in its (or their) discretion at any time and from time to time elect to liquidate any such Cash Equivalents and to apply or cause to be applied the proceeds thereof to the payment of the Obligations in the manner specified in Section 9.03 hereof, subject, however, in the case of amounts deposited in the LC Sub-Account, to the provisions of Section 2.18(i).

(d) Amounts deposited into the Collateral Account as cover for liabilities in respect of Letters of Credit under any provision of this Agreement requiring such cover shall be held by the Administrative Agent in a separate sub-account designated as the “LC Sub-Account” (the “LC Sub-Account”) and, subject to Section 2.18(i), all amounts held in the LC Sub-Account shall constitute collateral security first for the liabilities in respect of Letters of Credit outstanding from time to time and second for the other Obligations hereunder (x) until such time as all Letters of Credit shall have been terminated and all of the liabilities in respect of Letters of Credit have been paid in full or (y) as otherwise provided in Section 2.18(i).

SECTION 9.02. Proceeds of Destruction, Taking and Collateral Dispositions. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in the event the applicable Loan Party elects to reinvest Net Cash Proceeds in respect of any Asset Sale or Casualty Event in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.10(c) and 2.10(f), as applicable, the Collateral Agent shall receive at least 10 days’ prior notice of each request for payment and shall not release any part of such Net Cash Proceeds, until the applicable Loan Party has furnished to the Collateral Agent (i) an Officers’ Certificate setting forth: (A) a brief description of the reinvestment to be made, (B) the dollar amount of the expenditures to be made, or costs incurred by such Loan Party in connection with such reinvestment and (C) evidence that the properties or assets acquired in connection with such reinvestment have a fair market value at least equal to the amount of such Net Cash Proceeds requested to be released from the Collateral Account and (ii) all security agreements and Mortgages and other items required by the provisions of Sections 5.10 and 5.11 to, among other things, subject such reinvestment properties or assets to the Lien of the Security Documents in favor of the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and for the benefit of the other Secured Parties.

 

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SECTION 9.03. Application of Proceeds. The proceeds received by the Collateral Agent in respect of any sale of, collection from or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral pursuant to the exercise by the Collateral Agent of its remedies shall be applied, together with any other sums then held by the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement, promptly by the Collateral Agent as follows:

(a) First, to the payment of all reasonable costs and expenses, fees, commissions and taxes of such sale, collection or other realization including, without limitation, compensation to the Collateral Agent and its agents and counsel, and all expenses, liabilities and advances made or incurred by the Collateral Agent in connection therewith, together with interest on each such amount at the highest rate then in effect under this Agreement from and after the date such amount is due, owing or unpaid until paid in full;

(b) Second, to the payment of all other reasonable costs and expenses of such sale, collection or other realization including, without limitation, compensation to the other Secured Parties and their agents and counsel and all costs, liabilities and advances made or incurred by the other Secured Parties in connection therewith, together with interest on each such amount at the highest rate then in effect under this Agreement from and after the date such amount is due, owing or unpaid until paid in full;

(c) Third, without duplication of amounts applied pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) above, to the indefeasible payment in full in cash, pro rata, of (i) interest, principal and other amounts constituting Obligations (other than Hedging Obligations), in each case equally and ratably in accordance with the respective amounts thereof then due and owing and (ii) Hedging Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof; and

(d) Fourth, the balance, if any, to the person lawfully entitled thereto (including the applicable Loan Party or its successors or assigns).

In the event that any such proceeds are insufficient to pay in full the items described in clauses (a) through (d) of this Section 9.03, the Loan Parties shall remain liable for any deficiency.

ARTICLE X

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT

SECTION 10.01. Appointment. Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent as an agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each Lender irrevocably authorizes each Agent, in such capacity, through its agents or employees, to take such actions on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to such Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

SECTION 10.02. Agent in Its Individual Capacity. Each person serving as an Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and such person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not an Agent hereunder.

 

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SECTION 10.03. Exculpatory Provisions. No Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) no Agent shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) no Agent shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that such Agent is required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 11.02), and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, no Agent shall have any duty to disclose or shall be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as such Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. No Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 11.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. No Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to such Agent by Borrower or a Lender, and no Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document. In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such notice, the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Lenders.

SECTION 10.04. Reliance by Agent. Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by a proper person. Each Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by a proper person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for Borrower), independent accountants and other advisors selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or advisors.

SECTION 10.05. Delegation of Duties. Each Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by such Agent. Each Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Affiliates. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Affiliates of each Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Agent.

SECTION 10.06. Successor Agent. Each Agent may resign as such at any time upon at least 30 days’ prior notice to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with, if no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the consent of Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), to appoint a successor Agent from among the Lenders. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Agent, which successor shall be a commercial banking institution organized under the laws of the United States (or any State thereof) or a United States branch or agency of a commercial banking institution, in each case, having combined capital and surplus of at least $250 million; provided that if such

 

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retiring Agent is unable to find a commercial banking institution which is willing to accept such appointment and which meets the qualifications set forth above, the retiring Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective, and the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Agent.

Upon the acceptance of its appointment as an Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by Borrower to a successor Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between Borrower and such successor. After an Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article X and Section 11.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Affiliates in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Agent.

SECTION 10.07. Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the any Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

SECTION 10.08. No Other Administrative Agent. The Lenders from time to time party to this Agreement shall not have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to all Lenders. The Syndication Agent and the Documentation Agent shall not have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement, except as expressly provided herein. Without limiting the foregoing, neither the Syndication Agent nor the Documentation Agent shall have or be deemed to have a fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender hereby makes the same acknowledgments with respect to the Syndication Agent and the Documentation Agent as it makes with respect to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender in this Article X. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties hereto acknowledge that the Documentation Agent and the Syndication Agent hold such titles in name only, and that such titles confer no additional rights or obligations relative to those conferred on any Lender hereunder.

SECTION 10.09. Indemnification. The Lenders severally agree to indemnify each Agent in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by Borrower or the Guarantors and without limiting the obligation of Borrower or the Guarantors to do so), ratably according to their respective outstanding Loans and Commitments in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section 10.09 (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which all Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such outstanding Loans and Commitments as in effect immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent in any way relating to or arising out of, the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent’s

 

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gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section 10.09 shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 11.01. Notices.

(a) Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier as follows:

(i) if to any Loan Party, to Borrower at:

c/o Norcraft Companies, L.P.

3020 Denmark Avenue, Suite 100

Eagan, Minnesota 55121

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Telecopy No.: (651)  ###-###-####

with a copy to:

Apax Partners, L.P.

45 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Christopher Reilly and Sean Britain

Telecopy: (212)  ###-###-####

and to:

c/o Trimaran Capital Partners, LLC

425 Lexington Avenue, 3rd Floor

New York, New York 10017

Attention: Jay Bloom, Managing Partner

Telecopy No.: (212)  ###-###-####

and to:

Ropes & Gray LLP

One International Place

Boston, Massachusetts 02110-2624

Attention: Byung W. Choi, Esq.

Telecopy No.: (617)  ###-###-####

 

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(ii) if to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, to it at:

UBS AG, Stamford Branch

677 Washington Boulevard

Stamford, Connecticut 06901

Attention: Christopher Aitkin

Telecopy No.: (203)  ###-###-####

Email: ***@***

(iii) if to a Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth on the applicable Lender Addendum or Additional Revolving Lender Addendum or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender shall have become a party hereto.

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).

(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereunder may (subject to Section 11.01(d)) be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it (including as set forth in Section 11.01(d)); provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

(c) Change of Address, etc. Any party hereto may change its address or telecopier number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

(d) Posting. Each Loan Party hereby agrees that it will provide to the Administrative Agent all information, documents and other materials that it is obligated to furnish to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement and any other Loan Document, including all notices, requests, financial statements, financial and other reports, certificates and other information materials, but excluding any such communication that (i) relates to a request for a new, or a conversion of an existing, Borrowing or other extension of credit (including any election of an interest rate or interest period relating thereto), (ii) relates to the payment of any principal or other amount due under this Agreement prior to the scheduled date

 

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therefor, (iii) provides notice of any Default under this Agreement or (iv) is required to be delivered to satisfy any condition precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement and/or any borrowing or other extension of credit hereunder (all such non-excluded communications, collectively, the “Communications”), by transmitting the Communications in an electronic/soft medium in a format reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent at ***@*** or at such other e-mail address(es) provided to Borrower from time to time or in such other form, including hard copy delivery thereof, as the Administrative Agent shall require. In addition, each Loan Party agrees to continue to provide the Communications to the Administrative Agent in the manner specified in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in such other form, including hard copy delivery thereof, as the Administrative Agent shall require. Nothing in this Section 11.01 shall prejudice the right of the Agents, any Lender or any Loan Party to give any notice or other communication pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any other manner specified in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or as any such Agent shall require.

To the extent consented to by the Administrative Agent in writing from time to time, Administrative Agent agrees that receipt of the Communications by the Administrative Agent at its e-mail address(es) set forth above shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to the Administrative Agent for purposes of the Loan Documents; provided that Borrower shall also deliver to the Administrative Agent an executed original of each Compliance Certificate required to be delivered hereunder.

(e) Each Loan Party further agrees that Administrative Agent may make the Communications available to the Lenders by posting the Communications on Intralinks or a substantially similar electronic transmission system (the “Platform”). The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agents do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the Communications, or the adequacy of the Platform and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including, without limitation, any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent in connection with the Communications or the Platform. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties have any liability to the Loan Parties, any Lender or any other person for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of communications through the Internet, except to the extent the liability of such person is found in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

SECTION 11.02. Waivers; Amendment.

(a) No failure or delay by any Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of each Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 11.02, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether any Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

 

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(b) Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except, in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by Borrower and the Required Lenders or, in the case of any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties that are parties thereto, in each case with the written consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall:

(i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender;

(ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any Fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby;

(iii) postpone or extend the maturity of any Loan or the required date of payment of any Reimbursement Obligation, or any date for the payment of any interest or fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Letter of Credit beyond the Revolving Maturity Date, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby;

(iv) change Section 2.14(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments or setoffs required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender;

(v) change the percentage set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document (including this Section 11.02) specifying the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (or each Lender of such Class, as the case may be);

(vi) release Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor from its Guarantee (except as expressly provided in Article VII), or limit its liability in respect of such Guarantee, without the written consent of each Lender;

(vii) release all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Liens of the Security Documents or alter the relative priorities of the Obligations entitled to the Liens of the Security Documents (except in connection with securing additional Obligations equally and ratably with the other Obligations), in each case without the written consent of each Lender; or

provided, further, that (1) no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, and (2) any waiver, amendment or modification prior to the completion of the primary syndication of the Additional Revolving Commitments may not be effected without the written consent of UBS Loan Finance LLC, as a Lender.

(c) If, in connection with any proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination of the provisions of this Agreement as contemplated by Section 11.02(b) (other than clause (iii) of such Section), the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained but the consent of one or more of such other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained, then Borrower shall have the right to replace all, but not less than all, of such non-consenting Lender or Lenders (so long as all non-consenting Lenders are so

 

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replaced) with one or more persons pursuant to Section 2.16 so long as at the time of such replacement each such new Lender consents to the proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination; provided, however, that Borrower shall not have the right to replace a Lender solely as a result of the exercise of such Lender’s rights (and the withholding of any required consent by such Lender) pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 11.02(b).

SECTION 11.03. Expenses; Indemnity.

(a) Borrower and Holdings agree, jointly and severally, to promptly pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including but not limited to expenses incurred in connection with due diligence and travel, courier, reproduction, printing and delivery expenses) incurred by the Agents, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein and the preparation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the perfection and maintenance of the Liens securing the Collateral or in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding affecting the Collateral or any part thereof commenced, in which action, suit or proceeding the Administrative Agent is made a party or participates or in which the right to use the Collateral or any part thereof is threatened, or in which it becomes necessary in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent to defend or uphold the Liens granted by the Security Documents (including, without limitation, any action, suit or proceeding to establish or uphold the compliance of the Collateral with any Requirements of Law) or in connection with any amendments, consents, enforcement costs, documentary taxes or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions hereby or thereby contemplated shall be consummated) or incurred by the Agents or any Lender in connection with the enforcement or protection of, or any rights in connection with, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder and the collection of the Obligations (including in connection with any work-out or restructuring of the Obligations), including the fees, charges and disbursements of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, and any auditors, accountants, consultants, appraisers or other advisors and, in connection with any such enforcement or protection, the fees, charges and disbursements of any other counsel for the Agents or any Lender.

(b) The Loan Parties agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify the Agents, each Lender, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender, each Affiliate of any of the foregoing persons and each of their respective partners, controlling persons, directors, officers, trustees, employees and agents (each such person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and to hold each Indemnitee harmless from, all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, penalties, judgments, suits and related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (i) the execution, delivery, performance, administration or enforcement of the Loan Documents, (ii) any actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans or issuance of Letters of Credit, (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto, or (iv) any actual or alleged presence or Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials, on, at, under or from any property owned, leased or operated by any Company, or any Environmental Claim related in any way to any Company; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.

(c) The provisions of this Section 11.03 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Loans or Reimbursement Obligations, the release of all or a portion of any Collateral, the expiration of the Commitments, the expiration of any Letter of Credit, the

 

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invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agents, the Issuing Bank or any Lender. All amounts due under this Section 11.03 shall be payable on written demand therefor accompanied by reasonable documentation with respect to any reimbursement, indemnification or other amount requested.

(d) To the extent that Borrower fails to promptly pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Agents, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 11.03, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Agents, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against any of the Agents, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such. For purposes hereof, a Lender’s “pro rata share” shall be determined based upon its share of the sum of the total Revolving Exposure.

SECTION 11.04. Successors and Assigns.

(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Agents and each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by Borrower without such consent shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the other Indemnitees) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Any Lender shall have the right at any time to assign to one or more banks, insurance companies, investment companies or funds or other institutions (other than Borrower, Holdings or any Affiliate or Subsidiary thereof) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that (i) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or a Lender Affiliate, each of the Administrative Agent and, after the completion of the primary syndication of the Additional Revolving Commitments, Borrower (and, in the case of an assignment of all or a portion of a Revolving Commitment or any Lender’s obligations in respect of its LC Exposure or Swingline Exposure, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender) must give their prior written consent to such assignment (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), (ii) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or a Lender Affiliate, any assignment made in connection with the primary syndication of the Commitment and Loans by the Arranger or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $1.0 million, unless each of Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, (iii) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, except that this clause (iii) shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans, (iv) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance in the form of Exhibit B, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, and (v) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire; and provided, further that (i) any consent of Borrower otherwise required under this paragraph shall not be required if a Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) in the case of

 

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an assignment to an Affiliate or a Lender Affiliate of the assigning Lender, such assignment shall be effective between such Lender and its Affiliate or Lender Affiliate immediately without compliance with the conditions for assignment under this Section 11.04(b) or Section 11.04(d), but shall not be effective with respect to Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any Lender, and Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and each Lender shall be entitled to deal solely with such assigning Lender under any such assignment, in each case, until the conditions for assignment under this Section 11.04(b) and Section 11.04(d) have been complied with. Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section 11.04, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement (provided that any liability of Borrower to such assignee under Section 2.12, 2.13 or 2.15 shall be limited to the amount, if any, that would have been payable thereunder by Borrower in the absence of such assignment, except to the extent any such amounts are attributable to a Change in Law occurring after the date of such assignment), and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.15 and 11.03).

(c) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error, and Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders may treat each person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by Borrower, the Issuing Bank, the Collateral Agent, the Swingline Lender and any Lender (with respect to its own interest only), at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section 11.04 and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Acceptance and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

(e) Any Lender shall have the right at any time, without the consent of Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment,

 

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modification or waiver described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the first proviso to Section 11.02(b) that affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (f) of this Section, Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.12, 2.13 and 2.15 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 11.04. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 11.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.14(c) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender shall, acting for this purpose as an agent of Borrower, maintain at one of its offices a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of its Participants, and the amount and terms of its participations; provided that no Lender shall be required to disclose or share the information contained in such register with Borrower or any other party, except as required by applicable law.

(f) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.12, 2.13 or 2.15 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the prior written consent of Borrower. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.15 unless Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of Borrower, to comply with Section 2.15(e) and (f) as though it were a Lender.

(g) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto. In the case of any Lender that is a fund that invests in bank loans, such Lender may, without the consent of Borrower or the Administrative Agent, collaterally assign or pledge all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement, including the Loans and Notes or any other instrument evidencing its rights as a Lender under this Agreement, to any holder of, trustee for, or any other representative of holders of, obligations owed or securities issued, by such fund, as security for such obligations or securities.

SECTION 11.05. Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Agents, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.12, 2.14, 2.15 and 11.03 and Article X shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the payment of the Reimbursement Obligations, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

SECTION 11.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Engagement Letter constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings,

 

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oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received a fully executed and effective Amendment Agreement and counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Borrower, the Guarantors, the Agents and the Lenders agree that (a) all obligations under the Original Credit Agreement executed on the Closing Date, that is amended and restated hereby, shall continue to exist under and be evidenced by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and shall constitute Obligations and (b) except as expressly stated herein or amended, the other Loan Documents are ratified and confirmed as remaining unmodified and in full force and effect with respect to all Secured Obligations. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 11.07. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 11.08. Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates are hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of Borrower against any and all of the obligations of Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this Section 11.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.

SECTION 11.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.

(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principles that would require the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

(b) Each Loan Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any Loan Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) Each Loan Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan

 

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Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section 11.09. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document in the manner provided for notices in Section 11.01. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable law.

SECTION 11.10. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in any legal proceeding directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby (whether based on contract, tort or any other theory). Each party hereto (a) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (b) acknowledges that it and the other parties hereto have been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this Section 11.10.

SECTION 11.11. Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 11.12. Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ and Lender Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential pursuant to the terms hereof), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 11.12, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (i) is publicly available at the time of disclosure or becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 11.12 or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than Borrower or any Subsidiary. For the purposes of this Section 11.12, “Information” means all information received from Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to Borrower or any Subsidiary or its business that is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by Borrower or any Subsidiary. Any person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 11.12 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such person would accord to its own confidential information.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and notwithstanding any other express or implied agreement or understanding to the contrary, each of the parties hereto and their and their Affiliates’ respective employees, representatives, and other agents are authorized to disclose the tax treatment and tax structure of these

 

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transactions to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind. Each of the parties hereto may disclose all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) insofar as they relate to the tax treatment and tax structure of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents. This authorization is retroactively effective to the commencement of the first discussions between or among any of the parties regarding the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents, but does not extend to disclosure of any other information including (without limitation) (a) the identities of participants or potential participants in the transactions, (b) the existence or status of any negotiations, (c) any pricing or other financial information or (d) any other term or detail not related to the tax treatment and tax structure of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

SECTION 11.13. Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively, the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section 11.13 shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

SECTION 11.14. Lender Addendum. Each Lender to become a party to this Agreement on the Closing Date or to provide an Additional Revolving Commitment on the Amendment Effectiveness Date shall do so by delivering to the Administrative Agent a Lender Addendum or Additional Revolving Lender Addendum, respectively, duly executed by such Lender, Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 11.15. Obligations Absolute. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all obligations of the Loan Parties hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of:

(a) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment, composition, liquidation or the like of any Loan Party;

(b) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto against any other Loan Party;

(c) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from any Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto;

(d) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any other Collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to any departure from any guarantee, for all or any of the Obligations;

(e) any exercise or non-exercise, or any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege under or in respect hereof or any Loan Document; or

(f) any other circumstances which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Loan Parties.

 

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SECTION 11.16. USA PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies 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”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies Borrower, which information includes the name, address and tax identification number of Borrower and other information regarding Borrower that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify Borrower in accordance with the Act. This notice is given in accordance with the requirements of the Act and is effective as to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

NORCRAFT COMPANIES, L.P.,
as Borrower

By:

 

NORCRAFT GP, L.L.C., its general partner

By:

 

/s/ Leigh Ginter

 

Name: Leigh Ginter

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

NORCRAFT INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, L.P.,
as a Guarantor

By:

 

NORCRAFT INTERMEDIATE GP, L.L.C.,

its general partner

By:

 

/s/ Leigh Ginter

 

Name: Leigh Ginter

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

NORCRAFT FINANCE CORP.,
as a Subsidiary Guarantor

By:

 

/s/ David Kim

 

Name: David Kim

 

Title: Secretary

NORCRAFT CANADA CORPORATION,
as a Subsidiary Guarantor

By:

 

/s/ Leigh Ginter

 

Name: Leigh Ginter

 

Title: Authorized Signatory


UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, as Issuing Bank,

Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

By:

 

/s/ Richard L. Tavrow

 

Name: Richard L. Tavrow

 

Title: Director, Banking Products Services, US

By:

 

/s/ Irja R. Otsa

 

Name: Irja R. Otsa

 

Title: Assoc. Dir., Banking Products Services, US

Solely for purposes of Section 5.13:

NORCRAFT HOLDINGS, L.P.

By:

 

NORCRAFT GP, L.L.C., its general partner

By:

 

/s/ Leigh Ginter

 

Name: Leigh Ginter

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

 

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Annex I

 

Leverage Ratio

   Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans
     Eurodollar Loans   ABR Loans

Level I

>3.5:1.0

   2.00%   1.00%

Level II

<3.5:1.0 but

>1.5:1.0

   1.75%   0.75%

Level III

<1.5:1.0

   1.50%   0.50%

Each change in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Leverage Ratio shall be effective with respect to all Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit outstanding on and after the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of the financial statements and certificates required by Section 5.01(a) or (b) and Section 5.01(c), respectively, indicating such change until the date immediately preceding the next date of delivery of such financial statements and certificates indicating another such change. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be in Level I in each of the above tables at any time (i) during which Borrower has failed to deliver the financial statements and certificates required by Section 5.01(a) or (b) and Section 5.01(c), respectively, and (ii) during the existence of an Event of Default.